What should I do?

[wood_e]

Well gang I am not sure what to do with my automobile situation. I enjoy my SHO a lot, but theres a lot I dislike about the car. Certain build quality things, the handling is also (although fairly good) isn't quite up to snuff with some cars I have driven. And sadly... I have an automatic....

Don't get me wrong, the car has its upsides too. The thing is just plain fast. For the money I doubt there could've been any car I bought that was faster. I enjoy my speed and I have maxed out the car to 145mph on several occasions. The fact that its a Taurus is somewhat good because many generic taurus interior and brake parts are useable on the SHO. The car has been very reliable for me as well.

I suppose I could consider selling it. I don't know what I would be interested in. Before I bought it I looked at a mercedes 300e which was very nice, handled well but didn't have the pickup the SHO had. I also looked at a VW GTI and that was wonderful but too expensive for me.

I just don't know what I would get for the selling price that would be more "refined". I suppose I could sell my SHO for $2500-3000 (I bought it for $4200... they have awful resale value) and pitch in $1000 from my bank. What could I get from BMW for that?

I do have reasons not to sell it. I have put well over a grand in the car with upgrades and proper maintanence, and well it wouldn't be very economical for me. The car is quick, and I can live with the *shudder* front drive...

But certain things of age are coming along on this car. My transmission have 15k left... thats my estimate. My clutches may be going, but if I can keep the trans fluid cool enough it will last a while. The fuel pump may need a replacement as the check valve is malfunctioning. Like all SHOs about this age it needs its timing belt replaced, water pump, various sensors and such and plugs and wires. That service will be expensive (even if I did it myself).

So I am at a fork in the road. Where do you all think I should go?

 

[epj3]

If you want something that costs less than your ford that goes faster, look no further than an E30 325i(s)

0 - 60 of your car is 7.7 seconds stock, 0 - 60 of an e30 325i (or IS) manual is 7.5 seconds, and frankly, the e30 is a nicer car.

 

[mrferg]

I should know, I own a 325is and I've ridden in my friends 95 SHO many a time. It's an okay car, but not in the same league as the E30.

 

[wood_e]

What about the e model 325 series? Theres one I might look at this weekend. Any follies of the E models?

 

[paddyLV]

wood_e,

Have you looked into ebay motors ?

They will have several photos available on a vehicle you're interested in and 99% of them

(cars) are Carfax certified.

 

[wood_e]

I have taken a look at ebay motors for refference, and well to see what the market is like. I would probably buy one, but the pick up/shipping will come to a lot. I found this car locally, and the price is fairly cheap, so theres got to be something wrong with it. If its nothing major I'll probably buy it, but lets put it this way....

This 325es I think it has 130K and it is a 5 speed, and I could pay for this with the money I have in my bank account without selling my SHO.

We'll see what the weekend holds.

 

[mrferg]

If you want speed the 'e' is not for you, if anything get an 'i' or 'is.'

Though an 'e' would match your name!

 

[wood_e]

LOL yeah, the e would be a nice compliment! I dunno, if this e has everything in its right place it might be mine. I guess I'll take it for a spin and see how I like the handling. I know the E isn't for speed, but to match the name , and at the price it's at I dunno if I'll be able to resist. I also have a place to store it!

 

[paddyLV]

... It looks like the 'e' has your name on it, wood_e

p.s. With e bay one has to be willing to travel to the city/dealer where the car is located.
I have seen dealers who are willing to fly a buyer to their dealership [or] apply a certain
dollar amount towards trucking the vehicle to a closer city to the buyer.

 

[jrt67ss350]

Yeah, the e is less performance oriented, but I love my 325e. It isn't a high-revving engine, but it's pretty damn torquey for 2.7 liters. Wouldn't want it with an automatic, but when driven properly with a manual, it goes pretty good. Gets good gas mileage, too and handles and brakes awesomely. The es would be even better as far as handling goes. I paid $1500 for my 325e (not an es) and I guess it had about 245,000 miles on it when I bought it. Check out the link in my sig for pics of my car for comparison - I thought I got a pretty good deal for $1500, but it sounds like you might be onto an even better one!

 

[paddyLV]

"a 'blast from the past' seeing that cammy"

jrt67ss350 (aka Justin)

I am impressed with your collection.

Your 325e looks alot like my spare Bimmer, an '89 528e & still running "strong."

Keep up the great work on those cars...

 

[jrt67ss350]

Thanks for the kind words, Paddy!

I have a family friend that lives in Summerlin out in Vegas. I've come out there every summer to visit for the past 8 years. It's definitely an interesting place!

 

[Section_8]

Thanks for the kind words, Paddy!

I have a family friend that lives in Summerlin out in Vegas. I've come out there every summer to visit for the past 8 years. It's definitely an interesting place!

Vegas is a fun place, and wouldn't be too bad to live in. My dad, stepmom, Uncle, Aunt, and 1 cousin live out there, it's fun to visit them. Lots to do (shows, great meals, lots of activities), and you don't even have to gamble to have fun. Wish I could take my bimmer out there when I visit!

 

[paddyLV]

"Vegas, baby..."

One of the advantages of living in the S/W is washing & waxing your car and for the next couple of months just having to run the 'California Duster' over it. Very little rain so a good
waxing goes a long way

And you guys are right, there's a lot to do out here without getting into the gaming aspect of the area.

There's Mt. Charlston, Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam.

It's fun [driving2] down 'The Strip' on a weekend evening showing-off the freshly detailed
ride ...

 

[frolf]

i'll come look at the car with you if you'd like. just give me a date/time, i'm free when i want to be.

 

[wood_e]

I'm going ot have ORR look at it and if nothing is majorly wrong with it (ie: $2000 repairs) I'll buy it. Notice the sig... prepping for a sale

 

[frolf]

keep us posted. ORR is a solid place.

 

[MrElussive]

I know you're not even going to take my advice because to a lot of people it's bad and you're already set on one thing, but if I were you, I'd take that $4,000 and head down to my local VW dealership. I would lease a VW GTI 1.8T manual with all the goodies that I want...you could get one for like $350 per month for 36 or 39 months, 12,000 miles per year. Put $0 down (aside from inception fees, which is usuall like $1K), and then you still have $3,000 left over which will cover the lease for the next 8 months. Then $350 a month is not so bad and if you decide you wanna keep it after the lease is over, you can just finance it and you've already paid for 50% of the car (and if you're done with it, just give it back). Why drive an older machine when you can have a brand-new beautiful German pocket rocket?
Of course, I know you're not going to take my advice anyways, so just get your 325e and post some pics for us.

 

[epj3]

Elussive, remember, $350/month is not always possible for people, in fact it is not possible for MOST people. Unless his parents are helping out, he will probably have trouble doing that unless he's making >$400/month. I know right now, I'm making about $90/week which is enough to pay my parents for my car ($85 per week) and then my cellphone. Thank god they are covering my insurance and gas while i pay them back.)

 

[MyHarley]

My advice is to purchase BigDaddy's 750 Series.......you know its mint and has been babied.......put 3000.00 down and finance the rest.......you've already said you estimate 2000.00 in repairs on the E25 you're looking at.........use that money to keep your financing going.......have a great BMW, less likely of costly repairs and you're on the road to someday getting another BMW when you're ready financially..........just my .02 worth...........