Help a 17 year old buy his first car

[AWDBOB]

Disclaimer: I didn't read a word of your original post.

With that said...

I would suggest joining the Midwest E30 Classifieds page on Facebook. Some great deals have passed through that site, for ~$1500. Keep an eye on Craigslist in your surrounding areas constantly and you'll find something.

Pro tip 1:

You get what you pay for. If you buy a 1500 E30 whether its a good deal or not it's highly likely going to be a piece of shit that will require an additional 1500-250230823 worth of maintenance.

Pro tip 2:

Start with a nice chassis. Parts are cheap and easy to change. Rust and paint aren't easy/cheap to fix.

Pro tip 3:

Informational Link

[The30man]

I'm guessing Bavarianobsession Dosent have a ton of mechanical experience so getting a non running e30 is probably not the way to go. I was just looking in my Baltimore area though and there's a few auto etas with crap paint that are up for a little more then a g.

[5Toes]

find a car in a pasture. rip the interior out if its nasty and enjoy it man! in high school its super hard to not stress, and having a car you are always trying to keep minty is going to take a toll. a shit paint e30 drives just the same.

$500 for a car that may not run
$200 title fees and registration
$300 for engine maintenance and ebay chip
$400 new front control arms and m3 solid offset bushings and new tie rod ends (all OE parts prices)
$100 used lowering springs
$250 for limited slip diff

under $2,000 and you have a sweet a ride that will perform and be reliable.

always remember to have money to put away, these cars DO BREAK DOWN :)

[The30man]

If you can save up another grand you'd probably bet set to get a pretty ok vert. With little monies thats the route I would go.

[roguetoaster]

Is there anybody near Chicago that's willing to check this car out for me?

OP can check it out, and he'll even bring his girlfriend to hold the flashlight.

[Matt-B]

post pics of your GF

naow

[E30 Wagen]

Don't forget about e36s: https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/6047074629.html

Is there anybody near Chicago that's willing to check this car out for me?

[J.Rizo]

if nothing else, buying a 1k dollar e30 will force you to learn how to do a lot of repairs. I bought my e30 for 1.5K in 2012 and it was four years of playing catch up with the next thing going wrong. during that time I basically replaced everything to get it to a state I was super confident with.

don't lose hope though, miracle CL finds exist. just be patient and save your money in the mean time.

[BavarianObsession]

Thank you all for replying, I guess my best bet is to just save up more money.

[ThatM20Guy]

Actually an E36 wouldn't be a bad start, then once it gets wrecked he will already have his parts car

You are an absolute monster

But on a more serious note, don't think you are going to get a good e30 for $1000. All the e30's that I have seen for $1000 are basically a shit show or super rusted.

[roguetoaster]

I thought you guys were just making stuff up.

Thanks for calling me out, though.

:(

I completely understand your not understanding our model-specific heresy. Clearly you are a true and faithful follower of E30.

[Stanley Rockafella]

Don't forget about e36s: https://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/6047074629.html

McLovin the saggy door cards. Reminds me of Blunty's nut sack
;D

[c0rbin9]

A $1500 E30 will be a disaster. Save your rubles for a nicer one or get an E36. The modern classic cred hasn't hit them yet so your budget will go a lot further.

[ELVA164]

I thought that the /8 was the designation for the Z3 coupes? No idea what the tourings are called.

I thought you guys were just making stuff up.



Thanks for calling me out, though.




:(

[roguetoaster]

That was Euro-only, so not relevant here.

I thought that the /8 was the designation for the Z3 coupes? No idea what the tourings are called.