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Maserati lebaron sweet? Never mind! (archive)
[ Follow Ups ] [ 7-series (E23) Message Board ] [ Msg. Board FAQ ]
Posted by Aaron Wyatt on November 17, 2000 at 16:52:37:

In Reply to: What I WANT is still the question, got what I need posted by Sasha on November 17, 2000 at 11:36:50:


Yikes! I'm a college student in the middle of nowhere Ohio, although there is a mechanic who works on European autos nearby. I'm trying to figure out what kind of car I should make my next purchase. Any suggestions? My parents will probably pay for most of the maintenance and I should have around $9500-$10000 to spend on the car initially and bringing it up to mint condition. My requirements are that it must be reasonably comfortable, it must handle well, it must perform well, and it must, must, must have a stick shift! I need a car that I can drive everyday without worry, and I am willing to give my car any TLC it needs to keep it constantly in top-notch condition. Right now I am checking out an '86 Porsche 944 Turbo and an '80 BMW 635CSI euroversion, both in excellent condition. Should I also consider a 7-series (does it even come in stick, and how does it perform?) or a 3-series or could I afford an '88 M5? Any other cars to consider? I'm all ears. Thanx!


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Pardon me for my party pooping, but seeing you're a college student, perhaps the money would be better spent on your education. Of course, I am speaking as the parent of 3 college students, so am understandably biased.

I make a decent 6 figure income, own several collector cars, including 3 BMWs, a Morgan, some Triumphs, a MB SL, a C3 Corvette, etc., but I waited until I earned the money to buy them. (God, I'm sounding like my own father now. Someone stop me)

I am NOT against fun and fast cars, but perhaps there are alternatives to BMWs that have to have maintained by shops owned by guys names Fritz and Wolfgang that celebrate each time you come to visit.

Gag if you will, but I just bought a '92 5 speed Mercury Topaz for commuting with the 3 liter V6 that actually handles better than most stock BMWs of the 80's, and has quite decent power, but cost all of $2200 in excellent condition. The Ford Contour is another of similar ilk that comes to mind. They may be slightly less sophisticated than a Bimmer, but they have damn good suspensions and corner and stop better than one would expect.

Such cars are reliable, fairly safe, and neither would bankrupt your folks when you brought it to the local shop, yet both (and many more of the class) are actually respectable "Q" ships that are fun to drive (really).

Bob (waiting for the flames)
'87 535is
'72 3.0CS
'81 B9 Alpina (just sold it)
'84 633CSi

I might should have added that I already have a car. A 1991 Chrysler's TC by Maserati. My old man bought it for me for my first car. I love it, but it is a manual and I want a stick. Education? My parents are paying for that, every cent, as well. So my plan is to sell my car for about $9.5-10K and buy myself something nice, like an upgraded 3, or a 6, or a 944. A bland car is not, I repeat NOT an option. I don't want to move downscale and I already have a pretty sweet car. I learned stick on a Porsche 928 so I want a good performer. With all the bucks being paid for me, the question still remains, what do I WANT?





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