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

Hey-Sasha and I don't need a lecture from some aging Boomer looser telling her what she should drive.

I get shit like that from all you old creeps all the time. Just because you had a hard time and had to work for the money makes you think that you can control your kids and ME.

I'll bet you made your kids drive old junkers just like you drive and you want all kids to have to do it "the hard way" like you think you did.

My dad's first car was a '62 Rambler American with a flat head "6", Blah, Blah, Blah (Like really, it WAS; God knows I've heard that crap long enough now from him.)

Times have changed. We NEED decent cars, cell phones, and all the stuff that you never needed in more primitive times. The World is moving FAST today and we don't have time to wait until we can earn the money to buy the stuff (P-L-E-A-S-E, give us a break!!!). Stuff is expensive, so just get over it.

Anyway, you're getting your parents' money now that they are dying off, so lighten up and spread it around before you die all wrinkled up and miserable like Scrooge.

Xer ONE
'87 745i
'99 MB SLK (for the sunny days)