need opinions on a new car

cdlong · #1 (**permalink**) 12-05-2004, 01:31 PM

alright i need to make some kind of decision about what to do about a car. here's the deal, right now i drive a '92 240sx hatchback with 170k miles on it. the car still runs like a champ but the body is starting to rust out and end of it's usable life is coming up fast. i have a decent job now so i could afford something a little nicer. something in the $15k range. i like my 240 but i really bought it as a precursor to getting a bmw 3 series. i can't decide whether to get a nicer 240 or a '96-98 328i(s).

option 1: buy a nicer 240, either an S13 ('89-93) coupe with lower miles and a solid body or an s14 ('95-98) and have some fun with it, basically spend the money left over from the $15k on mods and such.
pro, more fun/easier to work on, already know the car
con, older car, not a BMW, final product would be less comfortable for passengers and as a DD

option 2: buy a BMW and mod it slightly as i get more money.
pro, sweet car all ready to go, will hold value better
con, more expensive to mod, car is more complex, i like the simpleness of the 240

if i go with the BMW i might as well quit modding my car until it dies. if i go with a 240 most of the parts could be carried over to the new car so i could continue as i feel like it. i have been going back and forth for a while on this issue, i really can't decide.

any advice, thoughts or other options?

i posted this same thing on a nissan board and most were leaning toward the 240 but i was curious what you guys thought.

midtown328i · #2 (**permalink**) 12-05-2004, 01:57 PM

Well obviously since this a BMW board you will get biased opinions. But here I go. I think the BMW would be better for the reasons you said above...holds value much better, fast right out of the box, and also just a nicer car all around.

It's also been said that BMW's are not that hard to work on once you get to know them a little. The best thing to do if you work on your own cars would be to pick up a Bentley manual and go from there. I personally don't think theyre that hard to work on.

MD318is · #3 (**permalink**) 12-05-2004, 01:59 PM

When I think about having both options the first thing that comes to mind is reliability..

With the 240 and boost and such its a lot less reliable and is more of a fun car...

The 3 series will look and be more more professional (since you have a real job) and is going to be a lot more reliable... plus the ladies will like it a lot more

Don't get me wrong though... a boosted and fast 240 would be awesome, a beemer is a better choice IMO