Is $1800 for a '91 BMW a good deal for a car?
I'm considering using the monies saved for finding a new place towards getting a car of my own since my parents dont really let me drive theirs. Here is the link and the vehicle looks to be in good condition. This would be my first car that I owned myself. The car has aa little over 200,000 miles on it.http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/bmw-525-cars28582...
Here is another one (2000 BMW for $9,999)http://autos.yahoo.com/used-cars/bmw-323-cars27581...
Comments
Obviously, Beemers are well made cars that last. However, I wouldn't buy any car with 200,000 miles on it unless the most recent owner has owned it for over half of it's life and mileage. .
Here's some things to look for:
1) Is it naturally clean looking? In other words does it look like it's been cared for over time versus recently detailed with gob of Armoral slapped on the tires and interior?
2) Is it seeping or leaking oil? Take it to a mechanic and put it up on a rack. Look underneath. Is there a lot of oil seepage or tranny fluid seepage? Look at the tires and make sure and have the brakes checked.
3) Does is shift and drive well? Pay pay attention to the exhaust when you first start it and when you accelerate. Does it smoke?
4) Does the owner have service records for at least oil changes?
If everything checks out and the car is pretty clean, $1800 is probably fair. I would offer a few hundred less, especially if it need tires and brakes.
Your best bet is to find a really good Japanese car like a Toyota that's 10 years old with half the miles for a couple thousand more..
The 91 BMW is probably a 700 to 1000 dollar car, keep in mind it is 17 years old with over 200,000 miles on it. The 2000 BMW is now 9 years old but that vehicle holds its value better, if you can afford it the 2000 is the better car,remember every thing is negotiable. Do your homework, look up the trade in value on kbb this will give you a good idea what the car may be worth.
well the first one is definitely cheaper and has rims and all that but 230,000 miles is a ton even for a bmw ...i would say the second one is your best bet it is newer and 80,000 miles also looks cleaner ..it would be a great first car if you take care of it. but i would run a carfax history report on both..and maybe get them looked over by a car specialist before you buy..
the 1991 bmw 525 i is in great price because the car is really worth 2,800.
the 2000 bmw 323 i the price is alright the real price should be 9800 but i guess you could negotiate the price.
Knowing the long life of BMW's I wouldn't mind it, but consider that it has about a quarter of a million miles on it (!!!). Identify a BMW mechanic in your area w/ a good reputation and have him look it over first and/or order a CARFAX report in case of any frame damages.
BMW should stand for "bring my wallet" They are great cars, but when they break, it is expensive to repair. Your best bet for a new car would be a used Honda or Toyota. Great on gas, dependable, and maintenance is cheap