$10k, most bang for the buck?

[Scottwax]

Biggest problems with the Camaro is the horrible interior and the difficulty working on an engine set that far back in the engine bay. BMW's are expensive to maintain. Sure, you can pick up a 740 or 540 for $10k or less but the repair bills will be comparable to the price range they cost new. VWs aren't very reliable and the interior materials are awful-hope you have all day to vacuum one.

 

[manticore33]

The SVT and Camaro are great ideas if you're looking for performance.



I never really liked the idea of buying very used (5+ years) European cars. It reminds me of someone buying used designer clothes when they cannot afford them new and want to be seen in something fancy .

Wow, really? I buy used European cars because they are very well made and offer what I want (manual transmissions, rear-wheel drive, solid handling). Given that, I do not want to waste my money on interest and depreciation of a new or newer vehicle. Oh, yes, I forgot I am self-sufficient and turn my own wrenches and do not need warranties, dealer service reminders, and etc.



Damn, I need sell my Porsche, Audi, and BMW to buy a new Corrolla or Civic so I am not a poser.



Quickie question, what about all of those crazies that buy 20 or 30 year old 356, 911s, 930s, and 912s for $25-$100k? How about the cult following of the BMW 2002? M-cars? Or the fact the e39 BMW 5-series (1997-2003) is regarded as one of the best 5-series of all time? Just questions to answer while trying to be a faux-hipster by buying over-priced old-news cars only on style and wannabe merits



I guess I should sell my house too, since it is 5+ years old and someone else lived in it and I had to paint walls, change flooring, and make updates. :thx



Edit: Yes, I am being brash, but it did strike a nerve. This type of consumerist mentality upsets me. Just because something is old, does not mean it is trash. Buying a Euro car for the wrong reasons can get you into trouble. However, I am an enthusiast, fixing cars up is what I do and it is my passion. I'd have no qualms rocking a 1987 e28 535is from Ohio to Florida.

 

[Dan]

Sure, you can pick up a 740 or 540 for $10k or less but the repair bills will be they cost used.

Fixed! Owning a used euro anything is crazy if you don't do the work yourself. Parts are pretty much 2-3x the price of similar American car stuff, but not that much more than Japanese.

 

[rdorman]

I found that comment a little odd as well, but to each their own. I think I will keep my E38. But I did sell the '66 Cobra last year. Feel some what redeemed:chuckle:

 

[manticore33]

Fixed! Owning a used euro anything is crazy if you don't do the work yourself. Parts are pretty much 2-3x the price of similar American car stuff, but not that much more than Japanese.

Yes/no. It really depends on the American vehicle. Cadillac parts are quite expensive and can run comparable to import part costs, whereas GM/Chevy or Ford truck parts are super, super cheap.

 

[Accumulator]

Fixed! Owning a used euro anything is crazy if you don't do the work yourself..

Eh..I don't turn my own wrenches much these days but I still like my older Euro cars.



Sure, I probably spend at least as much maintaining them as it would cost to just buy something newer, but I *like* my older cars a lot more.



On second thought, trading in one of our D2-series Audis for a newer/better/uglier/less ergonomic one would cost about $100K, and you can pay for a lot of repairs with that kind of money.

 

[Dan]

Accumulator,



Repairs costs can be held in check IF you have a good mechanic, however those are very few and far between, for the average car owner, repair costs are very had to control. While at a VW dealership, I was told their average repair bill is now $1400. I can imagine it is much higher for the luxury brands.



I saw a funny post of one of the BMW boards, someone commented that they should not know the service advisors kids names.

 

[vberch]

I love D2's! Is it an A8 or S8?



My "toy" is an '03 BMW 325Ci Convertible that I bought when it was 5 years old with 50K miles on it.



These Deutsche sure know how to make beautiful cars.

Eh..I don't turn my own wrenches much these days but I still like my older Euro cars.



Sure, I probably spend at least as much maintaining them as it would cost to just buy something newer, but I *like* my older cars a lot more.



On second thought, trading in one of our D2-series Audis for a newer/better/uglier/less ergonomic one would cost about $100K, and you can pay for a lot of repairs with that kind of money.

 

[Accumulator]

I love D2's! Is it an A8 or S8?

Both. My wife drives a '00 A8 and I have a '01 S8. Bought both new, don't plan to *ever* replace them. My wife only accepted the A8 because her '94 S4 got rear-ended, otherwise she'd still be driving that regardless of what its upkeep cost. I'd been telling her she'd like the A8 but she wasn't interested until she *had* to pick a new car. Now, if something happens to her A8 she says she wants my '93 V8Q rather than something new.



That '03 BMW of yours is a nice car too, and I bet you got a lot of car for your money.

Repairs costs can be held in check IF you have a good mechanic, however those are very few and far between, for the average car owner, repair costs are very had to control. While at a VW dealership, I was told their average repair bill is now $1400. I can imagine it is much higher for the luxury brands.

It sure is important to have service guys who are both competent and honest, but yeah...my monthly statements from Stoddard Imported Cars are always kinda hefty.



The elderly friend I bought my '93 from had simply had it with shops taking advantage of her, a perfect example of what can go wrong if you trust the wrong people- they'd been jerking her around since the car was new. The guys at Stoddard have it pretty well sorted out now, but sheesh...talk about an older Euro car that costs an arm and a leg to maintain! A number of individual repairs were each a lot more than the whole car is worth. Still, there's nothing else quite like it and it's another case of how I wouldn't want a newer/"better" car no matter which way the cost equation works out.



One thing about the repair costs is that while the nickels and dimes *can* add up, you're not spending tens of thousands at one time like when you buy a new car and have to write one really big check.

 

[Scottwax]

Fixed! Owning a used euro anything is crazy if you don't do the work yourself. Parts are pretty much 2-3x the price of similar American car stuff, but not that much more than Japanese.

I wouldn't even consider a German car that is out of warranty.

 

[The Enforcer]

LOL... what about a Camaro... I mean... that car doesn't have any stigma attached to it or anything....

But then this thread really isn't about image as much as bang for the buck.



Then again... I like very used euro cars....

Typical Euro guy response hahaha. Not everyone has a 3rd Gen lol.....you can't really say this is a "mullet mobile" or trailor trash, whatever.

Pciked it up stock for $11k....that was 5 years ago lol.

 

[Dan]

Typical Euro guy response hahaha. Not everyone has a 3rd Gen lol.....you can't really say this is a "mullet mobile" or trailor trash, whatever.





Pciked it up stock for $11k....that was 5 years ago lol.

Post pix of the driver to prove he doesn't have a mullet!!!

 

[The Enforcer]

Driver is yours truly. No mullet-ness. Just an angry picture showing some pimp relfections.

 

[focus2069]

Typical Euro guy response hahaha. Not everyone has a 3rd Gen lol.....you can't really say this is a "mullet mobile" or trailor trash, whatever.

Pciked it up stock for $11k....that was 5 years ago lol.

hrm...but we can say it is slow



shaving the mullet off just for one picture, does show dedication though...





and at least back then, GM wasnt government owned.





:grinno:

 

[rudiedog]

2002 Lincoln Continental. Wonderful cars!!

 

[Dan]

hrm...but we can say it is slow



shaving the mullet off just for one picture, does show dedication though...

:spit: yeah besides... we can't see from behind... tucked into the hat????? :nixweiss

 

[manticore33]

I wouldn't even consider a German car that is out of warranty.

Honestly, the cars are not that bad, but like any special interest car limited market will mean more costs if you are not smart about it like any other more niche product. From a price point, part costs are roughly the same if you source them correctly. For instance an alternator for a BMW, Cadillac, and Corvette from Advance Auto Parts are all roughly $140 - 160; Corvette being the most expensive. If you go online, part costs are extremely reasonable for quality parts from the OEM manufacturers (IE Behr, but without the BMW part sticker). Most vendors do free shipping for orders of $50-$70; trade off: potential downtime. And as a bonus, the BMW, Porsche, and Audi forums are quite developed with DIY how-tos, common problem identification, and troubleshooting tips better than any Haynes manual I've found.



A lot of it comes down to cultural perception. Europeans value quality differently than Americans. For Europeans, it is more about feel, experience, and material construction over actual reliability and how often it needs repairs. Here in America, it is quite the opposite and we want a car that will start 100% of the time and need limited maintenance. The typical US consumer cares less about materials and experience over utility. And you can see that in the design of the cars on both sides of the pond.



Accumulator: I absolutely love the original S4's.

 

[The Enforcer]

hrm...but we can say it is slow



shaving the mullet off just for one picture, does show dedication though...





and at least back then, GM wasnt government owned.





:grinno:

400 rwhp isn't "slow"......and coming from a guy who mods a Focus? Come on man!

 

[JohnKleven]

Get a tub of Zymol Royale, and a 1990 Honda Civic.

 

[focus2069]

400 rwhp isn't "slow"......and coming from a guy who mods a Focus? Come on man!

:funnypost





I will put my little ole Focus against your 400rwhp F-body.







just let me know when you make your way towards Dallas. Street or strip, dig or roll, you choose. :grinno:



:woohoo: