Which car should I buy?

[Silent Matt]

I'm tired of my fwd econobox and need a real car. I've owned a 318 and a 2002 but no newer models. I don't have too much to spend and there aren't any choices in my area, so at the moment I have found:

1999 528i sport(I think)
270,000 miles! Great condition, drives nice. A/C doesn't blow cold. Engine has a stumble every few seconds at idle. Engine sounds good. Auto trans(sadly).
I can probably get it for $2000

1999 323i wagon
147,000 miles. Not so great condition. Haven't heard it run yet. Passenger window stuck down, sun roof doesn't close all the way(sounds like gears stripping). Moldy passenger seat and door card full of water. Manual trans.
Asking $1200


I'd appreciate any feedback.

[Team Neverlift]

An option 3 perhaps?

[beshannon]

Honestly? None of the above.

Your first set of repairs will likely be more than the car is worth.

[Silent Matt]

I was a mechanic, so not too worried about repairs aside from parts cost. I still don't want to have the car down due to a major repair though. I was leaning more towards the 323 if it runs good, but the 528 is so clean... I guess I'll keep looking.

[BimmerBreaker]

Id get the 323 and clean it...

[XAlt]

I'd go hunting for something better.

[Silent Matt]

I don't have much time as I just sold my daily and need a car by Monday. Still looking though.

[pbonsalb]

Id keep looking.

[XAlt]

I don't have much time as I just sold my daily and need a car by Monday. Still looking though.

How far are you willing to go?

Found this, which might be legit. https://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/ctd/5861478629.html
https://eugene.craigslist.org/cto/5854978565.html


You could probably scoop these M60 E38s for cheap by just playing the KBB card.
https://redding.craigslist.org/cto/5856646410.html
https://portland.craigslist.org/clc/cto/5860884892.html

[Silent Matt]

That first car looks good, but 8 hours of driving on a crapshoot... The second one is at the top of my price range and says it's currently in the shop needing another $600 in repairs.

[XAlt]

https://eugene.craigslist.org/cto/5857250340.html (might as well be a throwaway car)


https://eugene.craigslist.org/cto/5845053073.html (I'd be worried about the A\T though)

- - - Updated - - -

http://eugene.craigslist.org/cto/5853316680.html

- - - Updated - -

[Silent Matt]

I appreciate the help. I wish there were more cars in my immediate area, Eugene is still a couple hours away. I'm trying to stay away from awd and a/t's unless it's a smoking deal.

[XAlt]

https://medford.craigslist.org/cto/5851540737.html

Maybe you can force a good deal, he probably really needs the money and has claimed to have done some repairs. But you guys have it rough there, a lot of them there look like crapshoots and overpriced.

[E36BMW3series]

With that budget better to stick to FWD econoboxes.

I daily drive one with no ragrats.

[XAlt]

With that budget better to stick to FWD econoboxes.

I daily drive one with no ragrats.

There's no shortage of cheap BMWs to abuse.

[GG///M3]

Standard earthling skateboard

[Silent Matt]

I picked up a '00 E430 with 160k on the clock. Never had a Benz, we'll see how it goes...