Car shopping.............

[dashboardmonkey]

So my g/f has been looking for a good DD. She seems to like the E30/older BMWs. We found a deal on an E21 but that fell through.

Then I get a call from a buddy, he says he has an 84 325. Hope it turns out to be something decent. Kid says power steering needs attention as well as brakes and heater core. I am gonna go look at it this afternoon. I will keep you all updated on this later this evening.

I think I can get this car really cheap as this kid owes me money.

Andy

[norcalE30]

sweet, post up some pics if you get it

[dashboardmonkey]

sweet, post up some pics if you get it

Will do for sure.

Is there any thing I should especially be looking for?

I know about rocker rust/cowl rust.

Hoping to get a little insight from you guys so I know what to look for.

I am not too worried about rust because we don't use salt on our roads.

tia

Andy

[vlad]

don't get your g/f an old car that has a lot of problems and will give her more headache than joy, it will come back to you...
buy her a nice Civic or Jetta that doesn't need work

[SpecM]

buy her a nice Civic or Jetta that doesn't need work

huh? where?

just get a Civic

[Bimmerista]

If you get her a BMW...she'll be asking you to do all the work on it.

[Tbolt]

huh? where?

just get a Civic

my first car was a 95 jetta 2.0 salvage title w/ 148k miles on it. I drove that thing to the ground and only had a few problems. the exhaust legitimately rusted off, needed a new master cyl. and some attention to the brakes. Im with you on the civic part, but if you cant stand those cars a jetta would be my first alternative.

[digital_cowboy]

I agree with Vlad's thoughts on not buying a beater, regardless if it is a older bmw. If you can find a NICE e30/e21 etc then by all means, but a car being mechanically sound is more important IMHO.

Remember this: The lady's ride should be newer, more comfortable, cleaner, nicer, and should be maintained better than your own.

When looking at the car, things I would be concerned with would be:
Hack job wiring
Missing parts
Last timing belt / water pump replacement
Last oil change (you can tell a lot about a car's owner based on its last oil change)
Ricey mods
Drivetrain vibration
All features working. (lights, wipers, doors, locks, cruse, heat, seats, etc..)

[dashboardmonkey]

If you get her a BMW...she'll be asking you to do all the work on it.

I know, I like to work on these cars.

I bought it, uploading pics as we type.

Car needs a little love, but it is looking pretty sound.

EDIT: here's the link http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=130709

[dashboardmonkey]

don't get your g/f an old car that has a lot of problems and will give her more headache than joy, it will come back to you...
buy her a nice Civic or Jetta that doesn't need work

I don't want her to drive a honda or a jetta because I don't want to work on those piles of shit, I would rather work on an E30 pile of shit.

[91e30181]

I just refuse to let my girl drive anything rear wheel drive, even if it is an E30....thats why she has the G35x (all wheel drive for her dumb ass!)

[SpecM]

I don't want her to drive a honda or a jetta because I don't want to work on those piles of shit, I would rather work on an E30 pile of shit.

sig-worthy!