What do you think, should I get it? (325is for $1800)

[APZak]

Theres a 1 owner 1987 325is for $1800 with 89,000 miles by me and I don't know if I should get it. It's black on tan leather. Someone told me to wait for the perfect 325is and that this one looks "tired"(he's going by the picture i'm about to post). I just think it needs a waxjob and it'll look good. So what do you think? I wanted stick, but maybe automatic will be better, afterall auto is smoother than stick, and the I6 is one smooth motor. Maybe get this car for everyday and save for an M3? I'm a college student so two cars, and racing can't really be considered.. yet, maybe autocross, but that's about it. What do you think? I figure this is a good deal and if I can't live with the automatic I could sell it at no loss, or maybe even profit? The car used to be listed at $3,000 but nobody bought it.(listed on a forum, not autotrader or anything big doesnt seem like he tried to sell it) Relisted for $2000, I offered $1800 and was told he'll think about it. I'm going to look at the car tomorrow, so some final input would be good.

[APZak]

Small rip on driver seat i think I can fix, and the passenger side needs the pull handle to close the window (I fixed a broken window regulator in an old car before so this is not a problem to me). There looks like a small swipe on the passenger side fender judging by picture above, touchup paint could probably fix and the bumper could probably be remounted/straightened out because its alittle out of line like it hit a curb or something parking. (not the actuall bumper, the body panel below it, maybe its called the lip?[img]

If you guys have questions for me to ask the guy tomorrow let me know. something like:
has it ever been in an accident before?
hows the driveshaft?
was the timing belt changed?

[APZak]

oh yea how well are bmw automatic transmissions? My stepdad says most autos are bad at about 100k, but hes a little stick shift bias.

[larmstrong]

man i dont know where my reply went to you question did someone delete it????????

ok here is the deal, you have to ask your self why the car did not get 3000 and why he dropped it to 2000 not 2700 or 2500........ok first its an auto and while kbb.com says the car is worht about 2500, the auto will kill the value on this car......if you look on ebay you will see cars in great shape with work history out the wazzu but if its auto they dont fetch much cash and most auctions dont hit the reserve for the car, if its stick and in marginal shape there can be bidding wars for the car,

if your in college this may not be the best idea(just my opinion) i was too busy in college for car reapairs too, unless you have a plethera of money and pay someone to fix everything, you got to rember an 87 is 15 years old, thats just old, things start to fail,rot and brake, most stuff you can do yourself on these cars but you have to ask yourself if you are prepaired for it.........do a car fax, bring you dad/friend/someone that knows about cars to go look at it with you.........take it to a bmw mechanic to look over.......a little bit of caution will go a long way, dont let the purchase become emotional, and by all means if it is not the car you want (ie.automatic) then dont buy it, unless you think you can make money on the deal.........good luck ask if you need help

[APZak]

yea i'm passing that deal, but i posted a new thread so check that out:
want to buy first car ::POLL::