I know that this is a longshot but what the hell.

I am looking for another car and I have narrowed it down to just a few choices.
I am not looking to spend more than 4k....tops.
I do want the interior and exterior of anything that I get to be in good shape.

If anybody happens to know about where one of my choices is available, please let me know.


My choices are....
1992-1995 BMW 325i..or the "is".

1992-1995 BMW 318ti.

1989 -1993 Mercedes E190.

I would consider a 525i BMW.
I would also consider a 318i.
It would have to be a pretty sweet deal to make me pull the trigger on either of those though.

I am also considering a Honda Del Sol.
I would prefer the si but I might be talked into the s..depending on price, mileage and shape of the car.

Of course with only 4k in my hand, I realize that I am not going to get either the Mercedes or the BMW cars with super low mileage.
I would want the car to have no more than 180k on it however. I realize that even at that mileage, the BMW or the Mercedes will have a lot of life left in it if it was properly taken care of.
And I would want to know that the car was well taken care of. I would want to know the service history of the car.

As for the Del Sol, I am not looking to put 4k into that. And I would expect a LOT lower mileage...as well as it to be in VERY good shape.


Also, as far as features go. I want a sunroof in any one of these cars. (Obviously that is not an issue with the Del Sol.)
I am flexible when it comes to 5 spped or automatic.

I am not really looking for a heavy fixer-upper but I might consider doing some work if the price of the car made it worth my while.
And I do not care about a lot of aftermarket crap. I would prefer oem alloy wheels and trim to anything aftermarket on these.

And of course, if there is something close to what I am talking about, feel free to let me know.
I can already tell you however that I do not want pre 92 BMW though.

Thanks for keeping an eye out.

4/8/2006 7:38:39 PM

Did they even make the 318ti in 1995? I thought it came along later...

4/8/2006 8:55:13 PM

That is actually a good question.
I think that they did. I could be wrong though.

4/8/2006 9:12:10 PM

you can get a pretty decent 318ti with that budget, but for under $4k the 325 is gonna be raggedy

4/8/2006 9:24:09 PM

318ti was available in the US from 1995 to 1999. So it barely makes it into your grouping...

4/8/2006 9:27:30 PM

but it makes it into the budget requirements

4/8/2006 9:29:02 PM

skip on the del sol
that is coming from someone who oned one for 6.5 years

4/8/2006 9:31:40 PM

http://tinyurl.com/mdlg4

A little more cash than you're looking, but it's close and fits your criteria....

4/8/2006 9:46:04 PM

an auto 318 has to be painful

4/8/2006 10:45:39 PM

I would be happy with a 318ti.
And an automatic with the 318ti is not bad at all.
The 1.8 ltr in the 80's was plenty fast.
It was only in the 90's, when BMW came out with the heavier body style that the 1.8ltr seemed weak.
But with the ti model, BMW essentially cut off a huge chunk of weight in the back.
They also moved away from the suspension that was causing problems with the 3 series in the early 90's.

And thanks for that link on the ti.
And if anybody knows of any more ti's at or below my 4k mark, please let me know.

4/9/2006 12:02:02 AM

BTW....if I can get a 318ti in a 96, that is ok also.
I cut the year off at 95 because I realistically did not think that I could find a decent car much later than that for the price that I am willing to pay.

4/9/2006 12:04:08 AM

BTW....Weeees..
I am really interested in hearing more about your opinion on the Del Sol.
It seems like all I have found are people that love them.
Of course I do not know anybody that had one as long as you.

What led you to the opinion on the car?

4/9/2006 12:53:41 AM