Decisions Decisions

[doucy2]

Well I was looking to buy a 2003 330ci in May but it looks like things have changed a little. Pops said if I sell all my cars 2x e30s and my w123 benz he'll get me a "college car." How nice of him, after I buy 9 cars with my own $$ he offers to get me one now ha. He's he said to look in the 6k-10k range (big range in know) he'll be getting a loan for it. It has to be reliable, low miles preferably under 100k, no e30's this time unless a hell a deal comes up. He wants practicality for college trips etc etc, but I need some sportiness. Manual preferred. I probably will not even consider most American cars. So what are some of your guys suggestions??

Cars I had in mind:

Landrover 1999-2001 discovery
Mercedes 1998 s420
Mercedes 1999 c43 AMG
BMW 1998 + 328is
BMW 318ti (m-tech)

[craig4ie]

do NOT buy a discovery

an e36 should fit the bill...

[doucy2]

i've been looking some more looked at 323,5,8 ci's 1998-2000 years, but i only like them with the sport and premium packages. anyones opinion on them?

[chucko]

do NOT buy a discovery

an e36 should fit the bill...

I've got a 2003 disco and I love it. It's a perfect contrast to the M3. Having said that, it's not for everybody and is a MAJOR gas guzzler (premium only), you'll be spending quite a bit of your discretionary income on gas. If I were still in college I'd go for an audi or an E36 like you have listed. I would say E39, but it may not be in the price range you listed.

[doucy2]

yea gas would be a bit expensive especially taking trips and going back and forth a lot. i'm going to see if i can just swing getting a 330ci by compromising with him and paying for the difference over something like 8k. i feel kinda spoiled talking about this, i really am not.

[chucko]

Don't know if you've considered this, but you're very close to E36 M3 price range. I've seen some in really good shape with sub 100K miles for around 12K.

[doucy2]

Thought about it, if I would buy a m3 I'd want to preserve it and not drive it in the conditions + the fact I'm young and its a M car, they don't mix well for insurance purposes.

[e30e]

Screw it, live life to the fullest. I got my m3 for 11k and change with 113k miles and I love my e36 m3, i get 15-17mpg when I rape it and 24mpg when I drive on the freeway. Its relatively fast, affordable, and safe. My full coverage with 6 points on my license and having state farm (which is almost always the highest price) is $190. Plus if mileage was such a concern on these than buy a spare motor and store it.

[rwh11385]

College car?

1) Knowing the average BAC level of a college student at any time of a day, how often are you planning on driving?
2) Do you even need one? You should be living on campus if you are not a n00b.
3) Why do you want a newer car that can depreciate? Angry college students after big game losses or bad midterms punch things as well as drunk drivers / women around that are a threat.

Keep the M42, or get an Integra or something...

If you

cannot afford to maintain 2 e30s and stay in college

,
how can you afford the upkeep on a 328 or "personalizing" it like the 318i already has been done...

[doucy2]

I would drive it every two day at the least, planning on getting an off campus job for the weekends. It as small campus so the car would not be with me when I go out. As for #3 that is my biggest concern especially the women part, however, it would be keep in a gated lot.

the e30's keep falling apart (the PO let 4dr rot in a field before I saved it), I am a perfectionist, and I really don't have the time I would like to keep perfecting my e30's. So figure get something that I can do preventative maintenance on and drive for a good number of year, then get back into projects.

Also I need a newer car for the summer, my full time job keeps me on the road a lot.
The e30 is by far my favorite car ever it just isnt the season of my life to own one right now.

[rwh11385]

perfect does not mix with college.

so if you have OCD: drop out, live with your mom in Oregon and drive her E36 M3

or get the 318ti in better shape than your m42.

[GaryE30]

tee hee ^^

[mudflaps]

alex,

buy my 97 Integra. Its for sale.

[eric (^__^)]

is it a nice integra?

[TopOfTheLine89]

keep your e30's and benz, im sure any of them would be fine for college. And don't get an integra (lol).