Help a 17 year old buy his first car

[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?

[Matt-B]

post pics of your GF

naow

[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.

[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.

[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]

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.

[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