Buying Used Car

[ed0ggyd0gg]

So I need a daily driver, just to commute to school and work, for as cheap as possible. It really needs nothing more than to get me from Point A to Point B, so let's keep that in mind.

I'm looking at a 1986 BMW 325e with 180K on it. 2nd owner, all maintenance records, runs well; owner is a grandma so I don't think she treated it bad. Now the price isn't bad, $1500, and I will probably try to lower that to $1200 if I decide to purchase it.

The thing is, I always hear about how BMW has higher maintenance costs, and my friends say it won't be worth it because if something does go wrong it will drain my pocket. They recommend a Honda/Nissan/Toyota, something that I can fix for cheaper and will run just as good.

I really like the BMW though, and it's in good shape too. Plus, I know their cars are reliable. But the maintenance thing is bugging me. Advice?

 

[Safeway]

Get a Kia Rio.

 

[thirdeye]

I would never buy a $1500 BMW. $1500 Civic would be more reasonable.

 

[xanis]

If you're really looking for a cheap, reliable, easy-to-maintain daily driver, then a mid-90s Honda Civic is your car. Good gas mileage, reliable, extremely cheap, easy to maintain... you can probably find one for less than $1,000.

 

[krunchykrome]

If you buy a 1986 BMW with 180K miles on it would be a stupid purchase to make as a daily driver.

 

[f4phantom2500]

Originally posted by: krunchykrome
If you buy a 1986 BMW with 180K miles on it would be a stupid purchase to make as a daily driver.

That's what I'm thinkin, I mean it's a 20 year old luxury car, even if it is in good shape I would definitely think that it'd be expensive to maintain. I'd have to agree with everyone else's recommendations so far. My friend has a '91 Celica, it's relatively a piece but hell it gets the job done and he can get parts for it very easily (from what he's told me).

 

[ed0ggyd0gg]

Ok then, I guess I'll start checking out the Honda's/etc.

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: ed0ggyd0gg
Ok then, I guess I'll start checking out the Honda's/etc.

You won't find Hondas for that cheap.

 

[vi edit]

I'd look at a early 90's Camry myself. Easy to work on and virtually indestructable.

 

[ed0ggyd0gg]

Anyone have anything good to say about VW, Subaru, Mazda, or anything not already mentioned?

 

[DougK62]

If you're looking to spend only $1000-1500 then I strongly recommend a domestic vehicle. Any car in that price range will have problems and need fixing, but the domestic cars are way, way, WAY cheaper to fix than a Honda, Toyota, BMW, etc.

Get an early 90's Buick, K-car, etc.

 

[ValValline]

For your needs and price range only Toyota and Honda offer the best bang for the buck and highest reliability.

 

[Tab]

Older BMWs are not as nearly expensive to maintain as they're made out to be. Spare parts are all over the place and not to mention a verly large enthusiast community for the cars exsist both off and online. Go join BMWCCA or whatever car club that's local.

If you don't mind getting under your car once in a blue moon a well maintained car of any kind is very unlikely going to break, including any damn luxury brand.

 

[Scarpozzi]

Originally posted by: ed0ggyd0gg
Anyone have anything good to say about VW, Subaru, Mazda, or anything not already mentioned?

Someone once told me that Suburu has the highest overall percentage of vehicles produced STILL on the road. Meaning, even the POS suburus still run.

Mazda has had bouts with low quality in the late 80s and early 90s. If you get one, go for a late 90s protege or millenia.

VW has had some bad QC in the past few years as well and also is a little pricey when it comes to repairs like the BMWs...

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: DougK62
If you're looking to spend only $1000-1500 then I strongly recommend a domestic vehicle. Any car in that price range will have problems and need fixing, but the domestic cars are way, way, WAY cheaper to fix than a Honda, Toyota, BMW, etc.

What he said.

You won't get a quality Honda/Toyota for that amount of money. But you can get a domestic. Also, the domestic repairs will be much cheaper in most cases. Sure the Honda/Toyota would normally require fewer repairs, but a $1500 Honda is a piece of crap so there goes that argument.

 

[ed0ggyd0gg]

But don't the domestics have more problems?

Or so I've heard. I was always told never to trust American cars. They have definitely gotten better as of now, but I'm not too sure about the years that I'm looking at.

Would you recommend one without reservation DougK62? Do you think it can be driven daily (~100 miles a week) and not cause much problems? Being a student, the less trouble the better. And the cheaper.

 

[purbeast0]

heh you don't want an old ass european car if you want a daily driver that is going to be reliable.

spend $1500 on a honda or toyota.

 

[Vetterin]

Originally posted by: ed0ggyd0gg
Anyone have anything good to say about VW, Subaru, Mazda, or anything not already mentioned?

Subaru is a pretty reliable car, but I doubt you'll find a good one for what you want to spend. You might want to consider a Ford Escort/ZX2 as they both deliver good gas mileage, have good reliablilty ratings and are cheap to repair if required.

 

[thomsbrain]

Originally posted by: DougK62
If you're looking to spend only $1000-1500 then I strongly recommend a domestic vehicle. Any car in that price range will have problems and need fixing, but the domestic cars are way, way, WAY cheaper to fix than a Honda, Toyota, BMW, etc.

Get an early 90's Buick, K-car, etc.

the problem is that the core parts (engine, tranny) of those cars just aren't very tough. my parents bought a new K-car in the 80's. it lasted 70,000 miles before the engine blew up. so yeah, it might be cheaper to fix the radiator in one than in a corolla, but i'd rather pay $100 more for a radiator than have to flush $1500 down the toilet when the car completely dies. at $1500, he needs to bank on things being reliable more than slight differences in repair costs or model years. an old toyota is not like a BMW, where costs are outrageous. and the 80's japanese cars are pretty easy to work on yourself for basic things (alternators, radiators, etc).

blue book on a late 80's camry will be $1000 or less, and they are super solid cars. quiet and smooth riding, even by modern standards.

 

[DougK62]

Originally posted by: ed0ggyd0gg
But don't the domestics have more problems?

Or so I've heard. I was always told never to trust American cars. They have definitely gotten better as of now, but I'm not too sure about the years that I'm looking at.

Would you recommend one without reservation DougK62? Do you think it can be driven daily (~100 miles a week) and not cause much problems? Being a student, the less trouble the better. And the cheaper.

An older Buick would be my first choice - something from the early 90's. They're old people cars so your odds of finding a well cared for one are higher.

Another good choice might be a Chevy Beretta/Corsica. I drove one for years and sold it still running strong with over 300k miles on it. Parts for them are insanely cheap, too. Brake rotors are only $13 each.

 

[nweaver]

Originally posted by: purbeast0
heh you don't want an old ass european car if you want a daily driver that is going to be reliable.

spend $1500 on a honda or toyota.

BS...

I spent $1000 on an 88 VW cabriolet (had a good top, that's a spendy thing if it's bad). I have spent less then $200 on maintainance. I drive ~60 miles a DAY, 5 days a week, as well as a trip to souther california, and trips around the state around every other month. It has it's quirks (I need to change the linkage bushing, and maybe throw a short shift kit/billeted shift rod in this summer) but it's a great car. Gets almost 40 MPG too (if I drive it easy). It's also a dead simple car to work on, for the most part. You have to actually pull the water pump to change the thermostat...crazy germans, but on the flip side, the in tank fuel pump (I had to change that) is like 4 screws, and can be changed with a full tank of gas (no draining the tank).

 

[ed0ggyd0gg]

Hmm, it seems like most are recommending a foreign vehicle. I'll have to side with the majority. Thanks for the info though DougK62.

 

[purbeast0]

Originally posted by: nweaver

Originally posted by: purbeast0
heh you don't want an old ass european car if you want a daily driver that is going to be reliable.

spend $1500 on a honda or toyota.

BS...

I spent $1000 on an 88 VW cabriolet (had a good top, that's a spendy thing if it's bad). I have spent less then $200 on maintainance. I drive ~60 miles a DAY, 5 days a week, as well as a trip to souther california, and trips around the state around every other month. It has it's quirks (I need to change the linkage bushing, and maybe throw a short shift kit/billeted shift rod in this summer) but it's a great car. Gets almost 40 MPG too (if I drive it easy). It's also a dead simple car to work on, for the most part. You have to actually pull the water pump to change the thermostat...crazy germans, but on the flip side, the in tank fuel pump (I had to change that) is like 4 screws, and can be changed with a full tank of gas (no draining the tank).

sorry, I should have said BMW, not european heh.

I drive a 2003 20th AE GTI right now, and my previous car was a 97 Jetta. So yah I'm a VW guy.

But yah I shoulda said BMW since those cars aren't really known for being "beater" type cars.

 

[BD2003]

Originally posted by: Scarpozzi

Originally posted by: ed0ggyd0gg
Anyone have anything good to say about VW, Subaru, Mazda, or anything not already mentioned?

Someone once told me that Suburu has the highest overall percentage of vehicles produced STILL on the road. Meaning, even the POS suburus still run.

Mazda has had bouts with low quality in the late 80s and early 90s. If you get one, go for a late 90s protege or millenia.

VW has had some bad QC in the past few years as well and also is a little pricey when it comes to repairs like the BMWs...

I've never seen an old subie on the road. I see plenty of toyotas/hondas though. The ones I see the most? Volvo. There are a massive number of old POS volvos around here for some reason.

 

[ed0ggyd0gg]

1990 Corolla

Should the "new clutch/timing belt" scare me off? Does that mean there might be more problems with it, and they just fixed the stuff that will keep it running long enough to sell?

I'm going to call them when I get off work in 45min.

Others that I'm looking at. Advice is appreciated.

1991 Civic (ugly body...have to rip that off)

1995 Civic

1989 Accord