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      07-02-2013, 10:29 AM   #1
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Advice/Suggestions on my College Car

I am looking to get a car for college and looking for suggestions. Here are some requirements

Looking to spend below $4k (unless I love a car and its a great deal)
I do a lot of flipping for money so if something is a good deal, I am willing to spend more.

Looking for a coupe preferably, maybe sedan. I've had a sedan the past 3 years and I'm looking to get a coupe to try something new.

I want something that is manageable when it comes to maintenance. I'd like to do my own work on the car, but I'm in college, so I can't have something that'll be a ton of work

I also obviously want something fun to drive and manual.

Some thoughts:
an e30- I've dreamed of one for awhile, but maintenance scares me
old miata- no back seats, and may need mods to look the way I want.
old wrangler- The oddball in the group. THey always sounded fun to me

Any other suggestions, I'm open ears. Interested to see what you guys think.
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      07-02-2013, 10:38 AM   #2
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I vote Wrangler. Girls love them and they are cheap and easy to fix.
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      07-02-2013, 10:49 AM   #3
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Wrangler...always in style and tough as a rock. Get some cans of plastidip and spray the whole car green or something. Gas is gonna suck tho
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      07-02-2013, 02:40 PM   #4
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Volvo 850R (or 850 turbo). It's actually respectably fast, super reliable, easy to work on, parts are cheap, and so is the car.

I had a 96 sportwagon and still regret getting rid of it, got a ton of compliments on the car too.
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      07-02-2013, 04:25 PM   #5
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240sx, Honda prelude, maybe e36 325i or 328i?
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      07-02-2013, 04:28 PM   #6
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Miata. Cheap to maintain, easy to park and they're great cars to learn how to drive on a road course.

I'm actually looking to get one soon with the plan of eventually running in the Spec Miata class.
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      07-02-2013, 04:57 PM   #7
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Surprising amount of wrangler recommendations, and not one e30. I thought this was a bmw forum? :P

240sx is also an option
I was also thinking e36 m3 at one point, but that may be too expensive to maintain
Never been a big fan of volvo's, but I'll look into it

One issue with the wrangler is price. I'd be looking at old wranglers, but they are still kind of expensive. Easy to make them look cool though.
Any suggestions on year of wrangler to look for? I'll start browsing wrangler forums
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      07-02-2013, 05:31 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sn0pea View Post
Surprising amount of wrangler recommendations, and not one e30. I thought this was a bmw forum? :P

240sx is also an option
I was also thinking e36 m3 at one point, but that may be too expensive to maintain
Never been a big fan of volvo's, but I'll look into it

One issue with the wrangler is price. I'd be looking at old wranglers, but they are still kind of expensive. Easy to make them look cool though.
Any suggestions on year of wrangler to look for? I'll start browsing wrangler forums
You mentioned you do a lot of flipping for money. Wranglers hold there value extremely well. It would be a wise investment for you if you plan to flip it.
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      07-02-2013, 05:34 PM   #9
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I had an EG hatch. I fit a 6 foot christmas tree in there, son bitch was like a pick up truck
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      07-02-2013, 05:35 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SAM135iAM View Post
You mentioned you do a lot of flipping for money. Wranglers hold there value extremely well. It would be a wise investment for you if you plan to flip it.
Completely true, and that's the reason its still in my sights. Good input thanks
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      07-02-2013, 05:37 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SAM135iAM View Post
You mentioned you do a lot of flipping for money. Wranglers hold there value extremely well. It would be a wise investment for you if you plan to flip it.
This.

A Wrangler reaches the $6k range and just stays there until it starts to appreciate in value. I would look for a nice TJ Sahara. The older square headlight jeeps will need a bit more work (water pumps, etc) but the late 90's TJs were great.
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      07-02-2013, 05:38 PM   #12
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Honda civic hatchback

great on gas, good for transporting junk when moving from one dorm room to another or whatever, and parts are cheap and easy to find at junkyards (and you'll need that!)
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      07-02-2013, 05:42 PM   #13
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Civic or Jeep, depending on how much mileage you're doing. Don't take a nice car to college unless you have a private parking space.
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      07-02-2013, 05:44 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KingOfJericho View Post
This.

A Wrangler reaches the $6k range and just stays there until it starts to appreciate in value. I would look for a nice TJ Sahara. The older square headlight jeeps will need a bit more work (water pumps, etc) but the late 90's TJs were great.
How are the transmissions on TJ's? Am I asking for frustration getting a manual wrangler in Los angeles?
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      07-02-2013, 05:45 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PSUSMU View Post
Civic or Jeep, depending on how much mileage you're doing. Don't take a nice car to college unless you have a private parking space.
Precisely why I'm selling my 325i and getting something cheaper
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      07-02-2013, 05:47 PM   #16
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The whole "don't take a nice car to college" thing is played out. All the GT-Rs, Ferraris, Astons, Porsche etc etc being driven around by students at ASU have never been touched.
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      07-02-2013, 05:47 PM   #17
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Although, I had a full bolt-on GTI 1.8T (20psi) at Penn State and really miss boosting up and down College Ave. turning heads with the DV
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      07-02-2013, 05:51 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sn0pea View Post
How are the transmissions on TJ's? Am I asking for frustration getting a manual wrangler in Los angeles?
also don't forget about air conditioning, not sure if older jeeps have that..it comes in handy namean?
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      07-02-2013, 05:57 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sn0pea View Post
How are the transmissions on TJ's? Am I asking for frustration getting a manual wrangler in Los angeles?
I've never been to LA so I can't speak to that but my roomate in college had a 99 Sahara and it was a blast. Granted, we were in rural New Hampshire and took it through the woods quite a bit. It was a really fun car.
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      07-02-2013, 06:19 PM   #20
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What's wrong with your E90?
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      07-02-2013, 06:22 PM   #21
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If you're into flipping things (I am too), then buy something that fits your needs and find one for a good price.

With a $4k price range depreciation shouldn't even be a consideration. How much is any $4k car going to depreciate in value over 4 years?

At that price range consider:
-Maintenance costs (that's why I ruled out the BMW)
-Fuel economy (you're talking about a very big difference between the Jeep and the Miata)
-Value (is this car worth $6k when I can get it for $4k?)

EDIT- My last vehicle was a 2003 Infiniti M45 Y34. I bought it for $3500 with "issues." I got a recall done, spent $300 in replacement parts, and put almost 25k miles on it. A year an a half later a girl hit me and totalled the car out, her insurance sent me a check for $9200.
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      07-02-2013, 06:28 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by boostedTIAG335 View Post
What's wrong with your E90?
+1

unless it's not paid for the NA straight six is pretty reliable?

" I'd like to do my own work on the car"

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