I hope no one minds that I am posting on this forum for a 2002 car. There is a reason for this, as I’ll explain below.
This is an impassioned plea for a certain car that I evidently can’t afford and frankly don’t really need. As many of you know, my e9 project The Raven is going very well, albeit extraordinarily slowly. At my pace, the car may not be on the road again for 5 or more years. This leaves a longing for another vintage BMW to drive on occasion.
I’ve looked at publicly posted cars for a while now on the usual sources (ebay, craigslist, 2002faq, etc). The prices for “nice” cars are expected. But the price for cars that are a LONG way from nice are shocking. I’ve seen very nice cars selling for $15k to $30k. But it still costs 2/3s that for a ratty project car that is not running, driving, or stopping. But I digress. They say the most expensive car you can buy is a cheap car. Knowing the “after purchase costs”, I am still surprised at what the rough cars are selling for (and seemingly quickly).
Evidently the money I have to spend on a car is “below market”. Therefore, I’d love to find a car that is not on the market. Rather, an enthusiast-to-enthusiast transaction that transitions a car to a new caretaker from someone that perhaps has too many irons in their fire.?.
Looking for something that is running, driving, stopping (or that can be made so by me in my garage (Raven’s Nest) after a couple of weekends of work). Patina is expected and welcomed. Rust is okay (and at my price also expected), though I’d prefer not to have to do an immediate resto – so I guess “structurally sound” is a good way to put it. 1600 is okay. 2002 is okay. Beggars shouldn’t be choosers, but for me it has to be a roundie (pre-’74).
Please let me know if you have, know someone that has, or are aware of such a car. Feel free to tell me I’m crazy. I always appreciate constructive criticism.
Thank you,
Stephen
This is an impassioned plea for a certain car that I evidently can’t afford and frankly don’t really need. As many of you know, my e9 project The Raven is going very well, albeit extraordinarily slowly. At my pace, the car may not be on the road again for 5 or more years. This leaves a longing for another vintage BMW to drive on occasion.
I’ve looked at publicly posted cars for a while now on the usual sources (ebay, craigslist, 2002faq, etc). The prices for “nice” cars are expected. But the price for cars that are a LONG way from nice are shocking. I’ve seen very nice cars selling for $15k to $30k. But it still costs 2/3s that for a ratty project car that is not running, driving, or stopping. But I digress. They say the most expensive car you can buy is a cheap car. Knowing the “after purchase costs”, I am still surprised at what the rough cars are selling for (and seemingly quickly).
Evidently the money I have to spend on a car is “below market”. Therefore, I’d love to find a car that is not on the market. Rather, an enthusiast-to-enthusiast transaction that transitions a car to a new caretaker from someone that perhaps has too many irons in their fire.?.
Looking for something that is running, driving, stopping (or that can be made so by me in my garage (Raven’s Nest) after a couple of weekends of work). Patina is expected and welcomed. Rust is okay (and at my price also expected), though I’d prefer not to have to do an immediate resto – so I guess “structurally sound” is a good way to put it. 1600 is okay. 2002 is okay. Beggars shouldn’t be choosers, but for me it has to be a roundie (pre-’74).
Please let me know if you have, know someone that has, or are aware of such a car. Feel free to tell me I’m crazy. I always appreciate constructive criticism.
Thank you,
Stephen
