[litxus]

Originally Posted by TK-421

They look nice but that's about it. I had to drive an 850Ci for a little while and you can really feel the weight of those things. They really don't have enough power to make up for it (even the V12) and the maintenance will fuck you big time, mostly because parts are hard to come by and are stupid expensive if you find them. I wouldn't do it.

And if you're talking about Euro vs JDM in the era of the 8 Series then the Japanese options far outnumber the euro ones. Japan owned the 90s when it came to sporty cars - Mark IV Supra, FD RX-7, NSX, Kouki S14 (everywhere else in the world because the motor and body kit the USDM version got sucks ass), Skyline (obviously not here), etc.

Stay away from these "exotic" older cars as you will be broke if one thing breaks even if you buy at 50% off. It all kind of reminds of an episode from Top Gear about "Super Cars on a Budget". No, super car on a budget = no such thing.

[fazman]

Found it! 335xi for $10k (Needs a little TLC tho):
http://nitra.bmwcpodealer.com/cpo/Ve...-NJ/1987631993

[TK-421]

Originally Posted by litxus

Stay away from these "exotic" older cars as you will be broke if one thing breaks even if you buy at 50% off. It all kind of reminds of an episode from Top Gear about "Super Cars on a Budget". No, super car on a budget = no such thing.

If you can turn your own wrench at even the basic level then not really. I know people at least 2 people who own every car I have listed and they're broke fucks who can still keep their cars on the road. Parts really aren't that bad unless something catastrophic goes wrong, an apex seal on the FD taking a shit, but that's true with any car.

[litxus]

Originally Posted by TK-421

If you can turn your own wrench at even the basic level then not really. I know people at least 2 people who own every car I have listed and they're broke fucks who can still keep their cars on the road. Parts really aren't that bad unless something catastrophic goes wrong, an apex seal on the FD taking a shit, but that's true with any car.

I guess it depends on the situation and if you have access to a garage. Also, most cars you mentioned are Japanese which I would agree, since in most cases they will be more reliable and cheaper to maintain / fix than German counterparts of same age.

For "exotic" I meant to say that anyone should stay away form something rare where getting parts at reasonable prices would be a problem. Cars that keep coming to my mind are 7 series, S class, Jaguar, Land rovers etc.. These cars are usually loaded with options, which could be very costly if something goes.

[mlambert890]

Originally Posted by litxus

I guess it depends on the situation and if you have access to a garage. Also, most cars you mentioned are Japanese which I would agree, since in most cases they will be more reliable and cheaper to maintain / fix than German counterparts of same age.

For "exotic" I meant to say that anyone should stay away form something rare where getting parts at reasonable prices would be a problem. Cars that keep coming to my mind are 7 series, S class, Jaguar, Land rovers etc.. These cars are usually loaded with options, which could be very costly if something goes.

+1000... Turning your own wrench is great, but there is still parts cost, the finicky nature of these beasts, the massive complexity, the short wear and service cycles and on and on.

You can easily go broke doing >100%< of your own labor trying to keep a F355 or old Aston on the road.

Also, its easy to say "DIY", but IMO it takes extreme skill to be able to do a mid-engine timing belt change. Many people try to promote the idea that "anyone can do it", and a lot of people hear that and go in with wishful thinking, but the truth is that many hearts are broken when reality sets in and these cars end up going up for sale to the 50th owner.