First Car

[clor0x]

Originally Posted by PrinceE30

Salvage title'd vehicles only matter if you care about reselling your car. If you can verify that the car is in prefect working condition, go for it. Mod the hell out of it. But don't expect to get any money back if you try to sell it.
-Prince

Your statement is flat out dumb and you are uninformed. I would strongly advise NOT to buy a vehicle with a salvage title as you will never get the full story on it 99% of the time. My family had an experience where a car was purchased and we were told it had a salvage title because it was a theft car. 6-8 months down the road, lights pop up on the dash and it is in and out of the shop. After tearing the interior apart, it was found that the car was in a FLOOD and irreparable damage was done to the electronics that could not be fixed without replacing almost everything. And no, this flood information was not documented in the Carfax report.

After fighting the previous owner in court for false representation, we received a measly sum in comparison to the amount necessary for repairs. Again, steer clear of these cars as many are sold at auction and then resold, but their history is unclear. There is also no real way to determine if one of these cars is going to be in "perfect working condition" 6 months after purchase.

[Raccordv4]

[AlphaAndOmega]

First off, do you need to drive this car in snow? if you do forget a 240 or an MR2, both are shit in the snow, expecially if ur a first time driver..and i dont think you can find a turbo MR2 for 4-5K anyway...a good car for that kinda money is a 3000gt or stealth...granted they are wrong wheel drive, but its still a badass looking car for a cheap price and you can drive it in the winter...1st gen DSM's are a good car too, the turbo ones are pretty fast, ugly car tho imo and they arent that reliable

[EFU]

late 80's early 90's Z/28.......

[Jay Arno]

Volvo 240DL!!

[Vladimir L]

E30 are ugly(even though their a blast to drive and parts cost too much)

Go with an Integra or 240SX....

the S14 is out of your price range...well a decent one...

S15 swaps are too expensive and you cant use the S15 tranny it requires S13 or S14. I recomend the MR2 though its sexy.

[PrinceE30]

Originally Posted by Vladimir L

E30 are ugly(even though their a blast to drive and parts cost too much)

Either you don't own an E30 or don't know how to take care of one. I spend like $150 a year on things like belts, hoses, oil, brakes, etc combined for my car. The engine will last as longer (and run stronger in it's golden years) than any Japanese engine.

Something else to think about. My 325 (with Al bumpers) has been hit no less than 3 times from cars hitting me in the rear (between 10-15 miles and hour each time) and there's NO visible damage to the car (just some scuffing on the rubber part). Even if you do get hit in these old German cars, they are tanks. They don't have plastic bits on the bumpers that can run up the costs if you're in a small accident.

Everyone gets into accidents, especially new drivers. So, it's something to think about.

Side Note: Make sure whatever car you have has ABS. Unless you're at the track every weekend from when you start driving, you're not going to know how to modulate your brakes properly if they lock up, especially in snow or rain.

-Prince

[Vladimir L]

I just dont like the out dated body style. Looks too old.......

[Badbeam]

Salvage title cars are not bad you just need to know what your buying. Flood cars I would stay away from but I go to salvage auctions alot of the stuff has very minor damage like hail dent or a door or fender need to be replaced. But like the other guy said your not going to get full value if you try and sell the car. And here dealerships are required to inform you that the car has a salavage and the percentage of salvage and what was done to repair the car. If your not worried about the resale value find you a nice salvage title twin turbo supra I used to see them going for 4-5 all day. They have internet sites that lets you buy salvage cars unrepaired that have reasonable prices if your not able to go to auctions.

[Mark_In_PA]

Just remember vladmir, the E30 is the best 3 series ever built. Id take quality over looks any day. Besides I think the E30 is a fine looking car, one of the BMWs that age well. mine is zinnobar and I get lots of compliments from it. E36 and E46 seem to be the pinacle of BMW rice.

[Mark_In_PA]

oh and my e30 does fine in snow, just get some winter boots and she will be ok.

[AdrenalineRace]

i gotta 93 e34 525 if your interested! Great car, artic green/tan. HIGH HIGH miles but EVERYTHINGS been replaced under the hood but the engine, and I have a stack of paperwork from here to china on the car. Great first car, handles great, I love the car but want an M

[cooldriver88]

Another really good car is the 1991-1995 Acura Legend, we have a 1991 Acura Legend and it’s a blast to drive, it has a V6 so its not a little 4 banger, leather seats, Bose sound system, they come in 2 door and 4 door, stick shift and auto, power every thing, so it’s a lot of luxury for a small price you can get them under $5,000 for a good one with good miles on it, and they are reliable cars, we got are's new in '91 and we have never had any problem with it, I would highly recommend it.