I'm thinking about buying a used car soon.

[Max Powers]

My 1988 Honda Accord just isn't cutting it. What I really want to buy next is an older BMW M3. I've heard that they are reliable, but I know that BMW parts are quite expensive. If I don't get the BMW, I think I'm going to go for a Nissan from around 98. Please give me some insight on those cars, or other good used cars to buy in the $4000-8000 price range.

 

[1X83Z]

Looking for a good used buy in te $4k - $8k range? Glad you asked.

Between 1990 and 1994, Volkswagen sold the Corrado in the United States. Between 1990 and 1992, the car came with just a 1.8-litre supercharged engine with 178 horsepower, but in 1992, it got some serious power. From 1992 to 1994, Volkswagen gave the car a 192-horsepower VR-6 engine. It could do zero to sixty in 6.8 seconds, and carry 18.6 cubic feet of STUFF at the same time (the current Camry carries 4.6 less cu. ft, meaning the Corrado is practical). Coming in at around 160 inches -- the same length of the last Cherokee -- and weighing just 2,810 pounds it was a heck of a pocket rocket.

The 1990-1992 Corrado (called the G60) was ****. But the VR6ed Corrado, known as the SLC, started new at $21,800, and peaked in price for the 1994 model year at $25,200. It was sold in Canada for the 1995 model year, too (due to U.S. safety qualifications that Volkswagen couldn't meet in 1995 because of their North American operations head dying in the Pan Am 103 air disaster), before being cancelled worldwide.

So what does it cost now, you ask? Well I'm glad you did. Although IntelliChoice quotes current prices between $8050 and $10,850, the true price is actually between $5000 and $7000. Nice examples with lower mileage can be found for around $6000, and models with BBS wheels and Alpine CD players can be found for $6,750 and up. Models with average miles (~120k) and in very good condition can be found for under $6000.

EDIT: Fuel is cheap. Averaging 15,000 miles per year with a Corrado, one would pay just over $1,100 for fuel. It gets 25 miles per gallon on the highway. Registration is also cheap. It's very reliable. Aside from suspension costs, all costs are on par with mass-produced American cars like the Ford Explorer and current Chevrolet Impala. The 1992 was recalled just three times, and only once was the problem related to the mechanics of the car. Insurance is expensive for very young drivers. How old are you?

Act now, though. Just under 19,000 Corrados were shipped to North America between 1990 and 1995.

 

[Gil]

If you're looking for a Nissan. The 95-98 Nissan 240sx (S14) is also a good choice. It only makes about 150 Hp. But the 2.4 is a truck engine and it makes about 165 lb/ft torque. As well they are tough little cars with good reliability.
The earlier models (S12-S13) are even less expensive. They are good cars stock. But if you wish to mod, the SR20 powered Silvias are being cut in half in Japan and the front clips (with engine) are finding their way to the US at fairly low prices.

 

[advanR]

Hi. I have experience with the e30 M3, the original m3. Im not sure what you mean by old m3, e36 or e30. E30 m3s average in price from 10k for a beater, to 17k for a one owner car under 70k miles. e36 m3s would be 15k at the low end, to up over 25k i think. I have less experience with e36's. As both of these cars appear out of your price range, and a good e30 is very hard to come by, i suggest you look at something else.

I loved my e30 m3 dearly and am looking for another one now. It is a true drivers car. BMW produced it in small numbers only so they could race the car in a touring series. Most people who own the cars are true enthusiasts that race them on tracks atleast a couple times a year. If you ever get the chance to drive one, I suggest you take it.

BTW, the e30 m3 if cared for takes the miles well. High mileage cars require a new timing chain tensioner and occasional valve adjustments, but other than that the engine is bulletproof. A water pump and some hoses here and there hardly costs an arm and a leg. The engine is basically 1/3 of a formula 1 engine of its time by the way. Literally, they cut the cylinders down from 12 to 4. Its pretty much one half of the m1 engine as well.

 

[advanR]

oh shlt forgot to recommend the 240sx. I was looking to buy the s13 240sx before i decided on the m3. Thats 150hp by the way. The sr20det's are good turbo motors that make 200hp to 250hp stock. s15 of course being 250hp. with raised boost they can make mush more power.

 

[Gil]

Oh Yea, Another contender, if you're willing/able to spend a little more. The 2nd generation MR-2 and MR-2 turbo. The turbos are a bit quircky but reliable if you keep up with the maintenance and let the car idle for a minute or so before shut-down.
They have the 4-cyl Camry motor in them so they are solid as a rock. Especially, considering the extra 700 lb. the MR-2 is not pulling around.
I thought about them due to R & T doing a "Used Car Classic" piece on them recently.

 

[B Campbell]

Originally posted by M5Power
Looking for a good used buy in te $4k - $8k range? Glad you asked.

Between 1990 and 1994, Volkswagen sold the Corrado in the United States.

Good suggestion! You can read what I have to say about the '91 Corrado if you want. However, you would be hard pressed to find a good VR6 for under $10k, and upkeep on these cars is not for the faint of heart.

For a more easily taken care of vehicle, I would go with a '96-'98 GTI VR6 or a Jetta GLX VR6. These can be easily had in good condition for $8000 or less, and are much easier to keep on the road.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by B Campbell
However, you would be hard pressed to find a good VR6 for under $10k, and upkeep on these cars is not for the faint of heart.

Hmmm... around here, the only 1992 SLC I've found for more than $10,000 was a few days ago (for $11,500) for a car in perfect condition. Most that I find are well under $8000.

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by B Campbell
Good suggestion! You can read what I have to say about the '91 Corrado if you want. B]

That's a really good review, although the 1990 and 1991 that I've driven in have had actually fairly uncomfortable front seats, and a really notchy shifter. The SLC was more reliable than the G60, though the 1994 SLC was pretty bad. I'd recommend only a 1992 or 1993 SLC.

 

[Max Powers]

This Corrado looks like a really fun car to drive, and looks great. Unfortunately the more I read up on it the more I realize how much work it requires.

 

[Hooligan]

Originally posted by SublimeDood10
This Corrado looks like a really fun car to drive, and looks great. Unfortunately the more I read up on it the more I realize how much work it requires.

Then perhaps the 240SX or MR2 is your thing. As long as you don't go crazy on the modifications, they should do pretty well far down the road. And should you decide to go crazy with mods, there's plenty of options.

 

[B Campbell]

Living in Pittsburgh, an MR2 might be a nice choice if you have a winter car...