wanting another car

[slag]

I think I want an E36 M3 or a decent 1990+ Nissan 300zx. Not wanting to spend over 8k either way though. I think the M3 will provide more fun and I should be able to do my own work on it.

Opinions?

 

[Midwayman]

$8k? I know a 2009 Camry you can pick up!

 

[pauldun170]

$8k? I know a 2009 Camry you can pick up!

 

[natto fire]

I think I want an E36 M3 or a decent 1990+ Nissan 300zx. Not wanting to spend over 8k either way though. I think the M3 will provide more fun and I should be able to do my own work on it.

Opinions?

Even if doing your own work, the parts for the BMW will be much more. If you are thinking of a turbo Z, then it might be a wash as far as general reliability, although I would think the Z would still get the nod.

Then again, the M3 is a lighter, more driver oriented car than the Z, IMO. It might also be easier to find an M3 that was not modded to hell and back and driven into the ground.

As far as how they look, I think the E36 and especially E46 are better looking than the Z cars, unless we are talking Datsun era ones.

 

[T2urtle]

i really dislike working on the VG30 motor. I never had a chance to wrench on the TT motor but i can imagine how more annoying it is.

I personally would get a E46>E36>Z32

Parts should be easier to find on bmw, still has decent creature comforts. I haven't worked on a M3 but a 330 and 328. Figure roughly same size, no issues on the stuff. Lots of DIY sites and info. Only downside is most are beaten down by lazy/stupid owners. Good ones are harder to find or higher priced.

 

[natto fire]

i really dislike working on the VG30 motor. I never had a chance to wrench on the TT motor but i can imagine how more annoying it is.

I personally would get a E46>E36>Z32

Parts should be easier to find on bmw, still has decent creature comforts. I haven't worked on a M3 but a 330 and 328. Figure roughly same size, no issues on the stuff. Lots of DIY sites and info. Only downside is most are beaten down by lazy/stupid owners. Good ones are harder to find or higher priced.

I assumed the ricer market would have killed used Zs over the M3, but I suppose shitty owners shatter all barriers. I have been helping my uncle work on his Jetta, and had another who had an '89 3 series, and parts seem very expensive compared to Japanese ones, but I have never owned a Z.

Not sure how the VG30 is packaged in a Z, but I never had any problems working on one in a Maxima.

 

[T2urtle]

Google that engine bay. It's pretty tight squeeze. Shoehorned engine, kinda like a w8 in a b5 passat.

 

[slag]

i really dislike working on the VG30 motor. I never had a chance to wrench on the TT motor but i can imagine how more annoying it is.

I personally would get a E46>E36>Z32

Parts should be easier to find on bmw, still has decent creature comforts. I haven't worked on a M3 but a 330 and 328. Figure roughly same size, no issues on the stuff. Lots of DIY sites and info. Only downside is most are beaten down by lazy/stupid owners. Good ones are harder to find or higher priced.

I like the styling of the E36 over the E46 and according to NADA, the E36 should easily be in my price range, but I'm finding people are delusional. Sagging gloveboxes, missing headliners, ABS lights that are on, riced out crap that people are asking (and probably getting) almost 2x the book value of the car. I get it, its an enthusiasts car, so NADA and KBB should account for that and up their pricing. I need to find a 2-3 owner garage queen with original everything. I did find one in Missouri, but its white and I really don't want another white car.

I was really hoping to find something in Dallas/Austin, or in that vicinity with zero rust I could fly down with my son and drive home, much like I did with the Tundra. I'll keep looking though.

 

[SeductivePig]

$8k? I know a 2009 Camry you can pick up!

cheeky

 

[slag]

cheeky

Yeah, it was cute.

I have a Toyota already and while I like the reliability, am looking for a more fun car to drive.

 

[T2urtle]

I like the styling of the E36 over the E46 and according to NADA, the E36 should easily be in my price range, but I'm finding people are delusional. Sagging gloveboxes, missing headliners, ABS lights that are on, riced out crap that people are asking (and probably getting) almost 2x the book value of the car. I get it, its an enthusiasts car, so NADA and KBB should account for that and up their pricing. I need to find a 2-3 owner garage queen with original everything. I did find one in Missouri, but its white and I really don't want another white car.

I was really hoping to find something in Dallas/Austin, or in that vicinity with zero rust I could fly down with my son and drive home, much like I did with the Tundra. I'll keep looking though.

I get that. And honestly I agree 100%. The gem that your looking for will most likely have a very high price tag, in some cases it can be worth it.

I've seen my share of beaten E36 sedans, poor broke kids ruining them and trying to resell for more.

I do wish u luck. if u do find one enjoy it and hopefully it will be a collector item.

 

[slag]

Raised my price to around 12-13k. I've also decided that I'm probably destined to get a coupe instead of a sedan and that a 2002 SMG wouldn't be horrible. Found a couple 2002s local, one a 6MT, one an SMG, both about the same price. Then I also found a 1999 5MT but its a few hours away and not as sexy, but at about half the price of a 2002 with almost double the miles.

Here's one on my short list.

http://kansascity.craigslist.org/cto/5221973873.html

 

[slag]

Picked up a 1998 E36 M3 this weekend. I need to replace a piece of weatherstripping and also want to change out the loud exhaust to either a corsa or go back to stock. It has a pristine interior and is a 5 speed.

Hope the link works. Imgur is blocked at work so all I see is a red X

http://i.imgur.com/IH8MmoB.jpg