What do you think of this M3
 

So I have begun looking for a car to replace the accord when the lease it up. I mentioned this awhile ago, and that I was looking in the $5k neighborhood. Wife and I can both walk to work, so this car needn't be the most practical vehicle ever, or the MOST reliable car ever, but I want the major items in check, and all the stuff like tires and brakes up to snuff. I just don't want any deferred maintenance. I want to be able to AutoX and have some fun. Car must have A/C (its kinda hot here sometimes :p ), and a back seat big enough for a greyhound (otherwise I would already have gotten a miata).

So anyhow, this car made me curious:
http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1097960

Salvage title kinda sucks, but maybe that's why it is a bit cheaper than the norm. He lists a decent amount of work, and if he had receipts to back this, and a PPI showed this to be true and the frame to be straight, maybe this could work. Its a bit over my range, but if I felt assured that no additional capital would be needed for awhile, maybe I could swing this.

I am also researching Preludes and 240sx's and things like that. Looks like a lot have had the crap kicked out of them.

I've definitely had very very good experiences with japanese cars, and a higher-mileage German car makes me nervous...

I would not buy a salvage title for a regular car. It was not stolen but crashed and structurals were likely effected..

It is OK when you rebuild a ferrari or Porsche track car, because usually they are upgraded and people like to start with a shell.
When I was younger I checked a few salvage vehicles and they were always thrown together and missing bits and pieces.

I think that's too spendy for a salvage title 97, unless the mods mean something to you.

That's pretty pricey for a salvage title, I agree with Chris. You could just about get a clean title 130k 97 M3 for the same money. Maybe if it were $5k and you could verify that the damage was cosmetic only. But you're in Miami and he's in LA, that's risky.

If you like the E36, you can get a mint 325 or pretty nice 328 for $5k. Also a nice E34 535 or 535. A recent discovery I've made, you can get a LOT of Mercedes for not much money (if you don't mind a slushbox).

I appreciate the responses. I saw that old-school Benz meant to compete against the E30 M3... that was pretty cool. But probably way out of my price range.

Back to the drawing board for me.

There are a lot of 'goodies' on that car. If your intent is a track rat... then why not? A similar non-modded M3 would likely cost a bit more.

I have a very good condition 72k mile '95 M3. I wish it were more of a beater... its almost 'too nice'.

Check out this:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Cars-Trucks___1986-190E-2-3-16-Valve_W0QQitemZ170269629577QQddnZCarsQ20Q26Q20Truc ksQQddiZ2282QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item170269629577&_ trkparms=72%3A727%7C39%3A1%7C65%3A12%7C240%3A1308& _trksid=p4506.c0.m245

I take that back- I know better than to get a 22 year old car...

I sold my clean title 1995 M3 with BBS RS-GTs and a plethora of Dinan mods for $7000.

I think 5500-6000 would be very reasonable.

E36 M3 prices are dropping like stones these days. When I was in the market a couple of years ago, decent examples with less than 100K miles were in the $11-14K range. Today, those same cars, albeit with a bit higher mileage, are going for $6-8K.

When I was looking, it was to replace my "decent condition" E30 325is. I've since come to the conclusion that my car is worth practically nothing, but is still just as much fun on the track (almost ;)) as an M3. It's also a fun once a week DD, and a nice way to have fun on a Saturday afternoon. Also, the interior isn't falling to pieces like I've seen in so many E36's. And the A/C still works.

Good luck with your search.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1223786535.jpg

Nice car! Bimmers had such nice style!

NICE E30! I'd honestly take an E30 over an E36.

In looking at E36M3s, it would appear that examples with no deferred maintenance or issues and reasonable mileage (100-140k) are tipping the scales at more like 9-11k. The ones for less have a list of things that I would have to fix. I can't fix anything, both due to time and the fact that I am in an apartment. It looks like M3s are out.

Clean e30s are becoming somewhat of a collectors item. There's a strong enthusiast backing. Exceptional e30 325is are being sold for over 5k.

The nicest ones available will be found on the following forum classifieds:

r3vlimited.com , e30tech.com

Nice stuff like this is $11-12k

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1085525

I had a couple of offers in the $5K range a couple of years ago when I was looking for an M3. Today, I'd be surprised if I got half that. While mine is by no means exceptional, it is a tastefully modified 2 adult owner car, and is in very good condition, especially considering that it is nearly 20 years old.

.........but if someone were to offer $5k............:cool: