Does anyone know about cars?
 

So at 33 years old I am finally getting my drivers license and my first car.

I've looked around online and decided that these are the two I like best.

jag

BMW

Looking for opinions on these two, which do you think is better given make, model and year?

Also if you have suggestions on other makes and models I should look for, I'd be glad to hear it... Here are a couple of things I'm looking for.

1. old - late 70s to late 80's - something that will build in value as I restore.
2. two door
3. something I can buy super cheap

Haha, I can vouch for the BMW as I owned one for 12 years. They are tanks that handle like a sports car. That particular model you are looking at is an 'e' which at that time would signify a 'special long lasting motor' experiment. It has special gaskets instead of metal rings and such.

This type of vehicle can routinely go to 250,000 miles or so without a major rebuild. That said, parts are expensive as compared to some older American brands. The parts are worth it though as they are typically better quality. These cars are fun and easy to work on and they have a following that makes them valuable. You are not going to get rich off of this car in the future though. You would want something like a 1988 M5 for that sort of thing.

I do not know much about the jag except that you can put a cheap ass GM 350 V8 in there with a simple/cheap conversion kit. I think this is common on the model in the pic.

both very nice cars...

I would go for the Jag... BUT.. you need to hunt down some of the original wheels... the ones in that pic look terrible!

my only slight reservation would be that it looks like it has an automatic gear box... they are costly to replace.... but at least you know that the car wont have been thrashed... because no one that has any interest in driving buys an automatic... :)

The BMW is also a slick looking mota...

Oh Ok, If we are going to mention driving fun then By All Means buy the BMW.

I think the first question I'm inclined to ask is what you find important in a vehicle. Both Jag and BMW make some excellent cars, it just depends on what you want out of the vehicle

I will say this though, if I was after a mid-80's BMW, I'd probably be looking for an M3 rather than a 325e. Better resale value when it's fixed up. And it's a lot faster (if you are into speed.)

Also, I might suggest looking for reviews on YouTube from Top Gear. They like the old beemers, maybe you'll be able to find some good information looking up some of their reviews.

Anyway, to get back to the original point. What do you value in a car? Speed? Luxury? Economy? What?

He was indicating that these were the car of choice. Sure we would all go for the Mx if we could.

I'd choose the BMW. Maybe a bit less cool, but probably more fun to drive, more reliable and less expensive to operate.

If you want to store your can in a repair shop most of the time get Jaguar.
You should listen PBC "Car Talk". That gives you a lot of good and bad advise.

thanks to all of you for the advice. I was leaning towards the BMW anyway, I'm gonna try to pick it up this weekend.

what I was looking for was a 2 door manual that had a lot of pick up, dream car would be 85, 86 porsche .

Also something I could work, learn on.

gonna give it till saturday, two more days of tracking autotrader and craigslist to see if anything else pops up.

thanks again... I'll post if I find something else in the mean time.

so I emailed to see if they still have it, this is the response I got.. is it something that I should be worried about?


Still available. Its a great car to get you around for the $. I just want anyone to know that the valves do tap like a lot of BMW's of this vintage do.

Those motors do make a little more valve noise than modern cars but it should not be excessive. Make sure you drive it and watch for smoke coming out of the tail pipe, especially when first started. If you see some maybe the engine is a little worn. Also, make sure you check the Radiator fluid. It should be green not brownish or foamy.

Jaguar MK or Citroën DS
 

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IMHO, the Jaguar is one of the most exquisitely proportioned production cars ever built.

I would, however, consider turning the clock back further and set your sights on a Jaguar MK.

Another exquisite car, particularly taking into account when it was introduced, is the Citroën DS.

Both are guaranteed to rise in value as you restore them.
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@ ArcticStones. Nice pics! If I get a classic, I'd love to get one of them. I will point out, though, that the OP would have a hard time getting those cars in Pennsylvania, because the Jag never came here in significant numbers, and the Citroën never got here at all.

I agree. The classic Jaguars are the most beautiful cars in the world, and Malcolm Sayer (the designer of many of those Jaguars) is very much missed. Personally, I'm partial to the E-Type, also known as the XK-E:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...E_Roadster.jpg

But unfortunately, right alongside that gorgeous external design lurks internal wiring by Lucas, Master of Darkness. The Jaguars (and all British car manufacturers up until the time when they all got bought out by companies based in other countries) used a company named Lucas for their electrical systems, and Lucas should never be allowed near car wiring. Jags will break down at the most painful possible time, and will end up always being in for repairs, and it's often due to the substandard electrical systems.

Trevor

just checked again, the jag above is the only one in the area, in my price range. Two more BMWs popped up tho,

convertible

4-door

still like the little red coupe the best, may go test drive tomorrow

To close the thread, this is what I bought...

http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs243...._6042073_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs263...._8185534_n.jpg

http://hphotos-snc1.fbcdn.net/hs263...._1767652_n.jpg

Nice, looks to be in good order as well. Which model is it exactly?

94' 325i its in decent shape. bunch of little things don't work (sunroof, etc.), but the engine screams...

thats a slick car mate...

All you need is a good wash and wax and it will look as good as new

The steering wheel is on the wrong side!:eek::D