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| Tell me WHY I shouldn't buy this car... (Page 1/3) |
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82-T/A [At Work]
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MAR 25, 07:07 AM
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1997 BMW Z3 Roadster... runs great, 5-Speed manual. A few scuffs here and there (the wheels are a little galled up, but nothing that can't be polished out), and the front chin spoiler hit a parking stop (perfect, just paint is chipped). Has 120k miles on it (yeah, no big deal). Interior is perfect except for a small split in the seat between two upholstery panels. Top is in great shape, no leaks. No error codes.
$3,500
Now, I realize these cars have probably hit rock bottom for price / value... but I don't see these going down any further, and I honestly think they're probably going to go up in value. Question, what is your view on these cars? I think it would be something neat my daughter could work on when she's done with her Fiero, and my wife and I could drive it right now. I do recognize that cost is an issue for parts... but suspension stuff is pretty cheap, and there's a lot of good used parts on eBay.
Thoughts?
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maryjane
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MAR 25, 08:04 AM
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My view is that Hitler would be happy to hear about it.
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williegoat
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MAR 25, 09:54 AM
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82-T/A [At Work]
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MAR 25, 11:08 AM
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Ugh, don't get me stared. In Fort Lauderdale, back in the late 1990s... I saw a bunch of vintage Porsches in the junkyard... including a couple of 356 models. These were real ones, not the rebodied ones. I distinctly remember... back in like.,.. 1998/1999... used cars like this were cheap as hell. You could get a Porsche 911, like one of the ones from the late 1960s, not particularly rare ones, usually for around $1,500 bucks. Usually not running well, if at all. But now a 68 Porsche 911 as a rust bucket will run you 40 grand, and a nice one is like over 100k. It's just insane.
I had a friend that had one of these (Beetle based). It's a company that made a bunch of them back in the day, really, really well done. It basically drove and sounded like a beetle, haha... but they were really nice.
I'm also considering a Porsche Boxster from this same era as this BMW (1997). Both of these cars, in my opinion, are at the lowest valued price point they'll ever get to. I see them only going up from here. Not that either one makes a good investment, but at least I know if I spend a little bit of money on one, I'm going to get the money back out of it.
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cvxjet
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MAR 25, 12:04 PM
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A neighbor's son was buying cars at auction- "Cheap"- then fixing them up and selling them. He was very successful until he bought a Bummer (BMW)...That car cost him a lot in parts and such.
I had formulated a statement about buying luxury cars...."They are expensive (To buy) for the first 5-10 years of their existence...then they get cheap....Why?
Because parts and even certain operations are very expensive.....so stay away from "cheap" luxury cars!"
Years later, he was visiting his father and saw me and stated "You were right- I never touch those luxury cars for a "deal"!"
Another friend bought a 3 series- at one point he had to replace the battery; $150 for a quality battery and your done, right? Nope- you have to have Bummer-tech use a special device to tell the computer what kind of battery you installed; $370 fee!
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IMSA GT
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MAR 25, 01:24 PM
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To be honest, I'd rather see you get the Porsche. They are easier to work on and the body kits are amazing if you are into that type of modification.
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Patrick
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MAR 25, 05:16 PM
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I realize that this is completely off-topic... except for the fact that a BMW Z3 was involved.  From nine years ago...
| quote | Originally posted by Patrick Here:
To those that favor turbochargers...
This past weekend I had the opportunity to drive a friend's ultra-expensive track prepared turbocharged 1999 BMW Z3 M Coupe at an autocross event. The engine in this car is supposed to be putting out 500 HP or so.
When the turbo kicks in... it's exhilarating. However...
The car and engine have been set up for high speed track use. The huge turbo on this engine doesn't do anything until 4000 RPM. It was frustrating as hell at autocross this past weekend as I'd be putting the pedal to the floor and screaming at the engine to do something! I'd be waiting up to two seconds for the power to arrive. Simply wasn't suitable for autocross.
I'm just mentioning this as it was my first experience driving a turbo-equipped car, and it was a little disappointing. Turbo size is obviously critical for a car used on the street and/or at autocross.
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I can add that once I bought my '98 JDM Subaru Impreza WRX STi, my opinion of driving a turbo-equipped car completely changed. The correct size turbo in this Subie turns its engine into a quick revving 8K RPM monster.[This message has been edited by Patrick (edited 03-29-2024).]
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Raydar
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MAR 25, 06:30 PM
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BMW =
Bring More Wampum
Big Money Wasted
Please feel free to continue.
(Todd... you knew it was gonna happen.  )[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 03-25-2024).]
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Jake_Dragon
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MAR 27, 06:22 PM
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When I started school for the 3rd time...
This was one of my goals. I "settled" for a Fiero. In the long run the BMW would have cost less.
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IMSA GT
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MAR 27, 08:21 PM
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Something about those Z3's remind me of Jimmy Durante. I don't know why.
 [This message has been edited by IMSA GT (edited 03-27-2024).]
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