Thread: The Time Has Come To Buy My First Car

Ok, I'm getting older and discovering a whole world beyond my house, TV, and Computer.

Now that I have begun to see beyond my front porch, and my little I realize that my 21-speed Peugeot mountain bike is no longer adequate transportation. The time has come for me to get an automobile.

For the past few weeks I have been looking around for a cheap, and fun little car that could buy. Something that gets me from point A to point B, and on weekends points C. But also something that is worth working and spending time on.

And I think I've found it.

A guy who lives about a half hour away is selling a 1986 BMW 325 for about $1000. I talked to him today about it and he said it's in mostly good condition. The bodywork, interior, engine, transmission, and clutch are all fine. It does have a slight fuel leak, and a cracked seam in the muffler (so it's a noisy ride), but these should be fairly easy fixes. It also comes with the regular all season tires, aswell as Pirelli winter tires with rims and BMW hubcaps.

What do you guys think?

I haven't seen it yet, but I should be going to see in the next couple of days. When I do I'll take some pics too.

What's the milage??? Don't just take buddy's word about the condition. Take it to an actual mechanic (preferably someone with Beemer experience) and spend the 50-100 bucks or so and have them give it the once over. It could save you thousands in the long run.

Unless you're a gear-head, they're pricey to get fixed professionally. But really, what isn't these days

The milage is 260k, which for a 1986 model isn't bad. Means about 10k a year.

I agree with you about getting it checked. Although my old man is a skilled mechanic, so I'll take him with me and get his opinion.

Originally Posted by Ryan

I agree with you about getting it checked. Although my old man is a skilled mechanic, so I'll take him with me and get his opinion.

Well that's handy. Lucky you! I had my Dad help me with an engine swap in my old Blazer. Not once, not twice, but thrice he put the wrong mount on the block. Up and down, up and down the cherry-picker went. THANKS DAD!

If I were your 'Old Man' (I'm sure he loves it when you call him that), I'd probably try to talk you out of the Beemer and hope you'd get something a little more reliable and not so pricey to repair. See! I'd make a horrible father

Originally Posted by Ryan

The milage is 260k, which for a 1986 model isn't bad. Means about 10k a year.

That is a fairly good mileage. But as the rest of the gang said, it's crucial that you get a mechanic to check the car.

Why don't you give us some specs of the car (just to get a better idea )

Originally Posted by Harakimi

My friend has an old M3 and he gave me following instructions what to check out.

Check the ignition system. old bimmers usually leak oil from the engine and also from gearbox. Differential could make some noises, if so then it's worn out. There might also be oil leakage in the diff. Check break discs, they wear out easily. Also the hand brake can have some problems. Also check the headlights for any cracks or even water inside the lights.

Thanks, I'll be sure to check those things.

Well I went and looked at it. Checked everything out, it all looks good. Needs some work, but nothing major. There's some surface rust around the rear wheel wells but that I can get out with a grinder on a weekend.

It has been well taken care of, the guy who's selling it is the 3rd owner, but the first 2 were his brother and mother. The car has seen about 3000km in the last 5 years.

In the end I think that I am going to buy it. It will be motivation for me to keep working hard at both school and my job.

Originally Posted by Ryan

In the end I think that I am going to buy it.

Cool man! You must be excited about your first car

Did you get a chance to take 'er for a boot? You should put up some pics too. I'll send you the air freshener of your choice when you get it