What to buy?! BMW, Audi, 4x4, 4cyl, AWD, etc etc
 

I'm in need of some unbiased opinions here. So please be truthful and don't tell me what I want to hear! ;)

I've got a spare $2k-$3k that I'm going to buy a car/truck with this week. Obviously, I'd rather spend less if I could, but I set my limit at $3k.

For months now I've been checking CL every night (I never check CL). I've come across a thousand deals and passed on all of them. I'm having the hardest time in the world trying to make a decision on what to get.

At first I was set on a Ford F-150. The older ones, like the mid 90's with a straight 6. I heard the straight 6's go forever and they aren't too bad on gas. Something like the one below.

http://images.craigslist.org/3ne3o73...94594813ae.jpg

Then it was Broncos. Particularly the Bronco II. I found the perfect one, but the FULL RED interior fucking killed it for me. I tried to overlook it, but I just couldn't go for it.

It went from 4x4's to AWD's, like subaru and audi. Then I found a couple 4cyl 5 speeds that were all over 30mpg and would probably make a great daily driver, but I would hate every second of my life driving it.

The I found this last night.

1995 BMW 540i. 230k miles. V8 - 6 speed

http://images.craigslist.org/3n83p43...51e31619b0.jpg http://images.craigslist.org/3n93k83...56f5b911b1.jpg http://images.craigslist.org/3k13p73...3841411d47.jpg

Need brakes (guy has the parts), the seat is stuck in the recline position, and possibly a new starter.

Other than that he says its his daily driver and has no oil leaks, does not burn any oil, no knock, no shakes, etc. Near mint exterior, clean interior, good tires, everything works, etc.

I really want this thing bad! I really don't give a fuck, and kinda just want to go meet the guy today, hand him the cash, and that's it. If I debate it, I'll probably pass. I know I'd love it, and the little issues are no big deal to fix. Only thing that's got me stalling is that its a V8, so its probably terrible on gas. I know its RWD, so I'm thinking that with 250hp and 300tq, that might make for a terrible winter.

Everything else aside, I quit smoking and lowered some of my monthly bills, so the extra gas thing isn't TOO much of a factor. Its really that I was looking for a 4x4 truck for the winter, and now might end up with this. :facepalm:

So I turn to you guys for some sound advice and opinions. :bigtu:

Is "go buy the damn BMW" sound advice?

Get the BMW and a set of cheap wheels with snow tires if you really need it. Why not?

We can't possibly tell you what you want to hear, because after that rambling post we have no idea what the fuck you want, and neither do you. You want a car, or a truck. You want something that gets 30+ mpg, or you want a V8. You want a 4x4 or AWD, or a nice RWD for the winter. Why don't you try making up your mind before handing over a wad of cash?

Maybe I didn't tell you what you want to hear, so maybe I helped! :D I am going through some indecision myself on a new DD.

LOL

I have no idea at this point what to do.

Sucks that I even got my hopes up about the BMW. Fucking guy didnt post a phone #, so I can only contact him by CL reply. I sent him an email last night, and another one this morning with my cell #.

Hopefully he gets back to me and I can at least go check it out. Maybe if I drive it, that will make my mind up for me!

Avoid older Audi's... Unless you know what you're doing with them.

Geez your car is sexy, Do want that blue.

A friend of mine has a 540i and loves it. It handles pretty well for a larger, heavy sedan, and he drives the shit out of it. It's his daily, and is interesting enough to not bore him to death even given that he's got a slew of higher HP alternatives to drive.

I picked up a Legacy wagon last year as a utility/dd vehicle, and while it's night/day vs the Miata, it's not that bad overall. Slow as balls though...think n/a 1.6L Miata and you'll be in the ballpark. Uber reliable, cheap to maintain, nondescript, relatively comfortable and tons of room...my idea of a dd.

i would say if you only got 3k or so to work with. then buy the damn car for 1500!!!!

FWIW, I hate every minute I spend in my Euro Spec '90 525I over here. It's a decent car and has given me minimal problems (except trying to kill me on more than one occasion) but for some reason I just want to punch myself in the sack every time I get in it.

I owned a 98 subaru outback sport last winter. Had a laundry list of things wrong with it but still went like a champ. I LOVED that car and sold it for only a little under what I payed. You can find them for cheap.

Well the guy with the BMW just replied back with "sold it".

Motherfucker!!!! :vash:

I kept my whole day open just so I would be available to run right over and check it out as soon as he got back to me.

I swear, you need to be a god damn vulture to buy something worth buying on CL.

Back on the hunt I guess. Maybe it wasn't meant to be with that 540. It probably would have had me all fucked up for the winter. lol

I'm all about the XJ's. Fun in the snow, great on the trails, and room like a minivan.

its a good thing he sold it. this is a buyers market. bask in the glory. think big.

2000 or newer awd sedan. no looming big ticket maintenance. the bmw was none of those.

+1
lol

He only wanted $1500!

I found another one, black with less miles, but for more than double the price. I know, even then its still cheap.

I know I don't know what I want. I'd actually rather just drive the miata through the winter instead of spending money, but I cant keep doing that. Also the fact that I need a secondary vehicle that's more reliable and practical.

Just now I found a Durango that I was about to jump on, but that one already sold as well! :vash:

I'd look at used GTIs, you might be able to find one in that price range. I don't know if I'd buy a cheap BMW.

Remember, cars that were cheap off the show room floor are GENERALLY cheap to work on also....

I found a 1997 Saab SE 2.0T in great condition. One owner, well maintained and always garaged.

New clutch, timing belt and water pump done a year ago. Good tires and brakes, leather, power everything, etc.

The guy says it's great in the snow and gets 35mpg.

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/8011/826i.jpg

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/2007/824j.jpg

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/3645/8320.jpg

I'm not really into Saab's, nor do I know a THING about them. So I was hoping maybe some of you guys could share some opinions.

I'm getting paid the balance I'm owed for the building I painted (in cash) and going to check this thing out right afterwards. I'm thinking I might end up with a slob. lol

I don't know about that saab, but the later ones are rebadged WRX's. Half the cost, all the fun, just different body.

I've loved my WRX's, and my trucks. If I had to choose I'd have a 4x4 truck and a miata, not a wrx and a miata. If you get a truck, put some sandbags in the back, for the winter.

Edit: GRMS project car http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/pro...b-9-2x-linear/
a bit more than your budget, but one may come up.