Zytek_Fan's car search continues!

[Zytek_Fan]

Since I've gotten a job, my budget has increased a bit, so I have more options.

I'm currently looking at a 1990 Audi Coupe Quattro with 200,000 miles on it for $2500. Unfortunately I have to work all weekend, so I can't go look at it in person until next weekend. The car also needs a new power steering pump, and the pump is $350

Or I can just save my money, wait until July-ish when I head over to the Portland, Oregon area, and buy something nice, because finding a nice car I want in this area sucks There's always plenty of reasonable priced BMW 3 series in the Portland area, so I could give that a shot...

There's also the option of getting a lightly damaged Audi and rebuilding/fixing it, though I'm afraid it would be quite costly depending upon what the car is and what kind of damage there is...

[fisetdavid26]

I'm looking at E36 3-series myself...

[Zytek_Fan]

I'm looking at E36 3-series myself...

I found a really nice E36 325i for $3500, but the seller was a complete arsehole, so I didn't want to deal with him

[IBrake4Rainbows]

if the seller is a complete ass hat it makes bargaining with him even easier - because you don't feel bad about screwing him over with a low ball price

But yeah, I can vouch or the win factor of a well maintained E36. My folks run a '94 328i sedan w/ 122,000km on it. VERY nice.

[LotusLocost]

I would personally steer clear that Audi Coupe.
They are known for a lot of repairing due to a lot of younger owners.
And 200.000 miles on such a car, can't mean anything else than replacements.
E 36's is also expensive to maintain, but finding a well treated one shouldn't be to hard over there..

[Rockefella]

You're crazy if you're ready to throw down $2k+ on a 200,000 mile 18 year old foreign car. Just my 2 cents. The e36 bmw is probably a better idea.

[clutch-monkey]

Or I can just save my money, wait until July-ish when I head over to the Portland, Oregon area, and buy something nice, because finding a nice car I want in this area sucks

i would do this. getting a car now would be satisfying in the short term but you'd be kicking yourself later when you see what you could have got.

[adamfraser]

Maybe worth looking at an older style Subaru? My cousin bought one (on my advice) two yeras ago, she moved to Scotland lsat year, car was sitting for a good few months, got started and ran with absolute no problems. Bulletproof. If i remember right, she paid $2600 from eBay, but it was a garage that owned it.

[Zytek_Fan]

Yeah, If I can find a lower mile Audi, then I'll get one, but 200,000 miles is a lot. It's probably due for a new tranny soon.

I'll be looking for E36 BMW's too

[Zytek_Fan]

You're crazy if you're ready to throw down $2k+ on a 200,000 mile 18 year old foreign car. Just my 2 cents. The e36 bmw is probably a better idea.

My thoughts exactly now. Though I've got to wait and find an E36 BMW, but I'm sure I'll find one.

i would do this. getting a car now would be satisfying in the short term but you'd be kicking yourself later when you see what you could have got.

Hopefully I can get some of my family to make a trip over to the Portland area, and I'm fortunate enough that my aunt and uncle live in the area, and they're moving in August-ish, so we'll need to get over and help them out, so that helps my case a bit


edit: There's a 1990 BMW 535i with "low miles" (I assume ~150,000 since that's the norm), 3.5L straight 6, 5 speed, LSD (whatever that is), leather, maintenance records, for $2999. (might be able to haggle a bit )
I'm not too keen on the 5 series, but I would drive one.

[Ferrer]

LSD (whatever that is)

Limited Slip Differential.

[Zytek_Fan]

Limited Slip Differential.

Ah okay.
Damn brain farts

[Waugh-terfall]

Get a Mazda! Reliable as hell.

[Zytek_Fan]

Get a Mazda! Reliable as hell.

I'll pass

[Rockefella]

There was an article in a magazine or something that said mid 1990's Pontiac Bonneville's were the best bang for your buck used cars around. I think they said the Bonneville's in white held the best value, usually from the year 1996.