Should I buy it? $3k 99' BMW Z3.

So I pull up into the parking lot today and sitting there is a 99' BMW Z3 for sale. I don't exactly love BMWs, but they are asking $3,000 for the car. I don't know much about Z3's or how much they are worth, but $3,000 seems pretty reasonable.

BUT... here's the bad. The car look like it has had a sort of rough life. There are heavy scratches all down one side and there are also a number of dents on both the front and back fenders on the same side. It looks like the thing got rubbed against a tree or something. The front bumper looks like it is a replacement. The right fog light is missing. The head light lenses are extremely faded. Overall the car is kind of grimy and filthy inside and out. I get the impression that its a spoiled daddy's girl/princess car. I'd also imagine that anything on these cars costs an absolute fortune to buy even used, thus buying body panels would probably be expensive as hell, plus I'd have to get a good paint job since bimmer drivers tend to be more anal about things like that.

As you can see, I've already partially talked myself out of it. But for $3k? Hell- might be fin just to buy and drive as-is for a few years. The pic I posted is not the car. Just to show what the model looks like.

 

Yeah...Parts are VERY expensive even for the older models.

It sounds like the body was abused...Who knows what that means for the engine and trans. I'd pass it up if I was you...

 

I'd go for it...

 

sounds like a good project car if you're that kind of person. You could fix anything on the body yourself really.

 

I don't know about the Z3 but the parts for my 325i haven't been expensive at all. Of course, I never go through the dealer so that's a huge reason why.

However, with just a quick KBB lookup, it seems like a decent deal. It could be worth it just to play around in.

 

Well... I looked on Craigslist. There are quite a few that are in much better condition with no dents, less miles, and kept in better shape for $6,000. I'm guessing the cost of repairs the one I saw today would greatly exceed $3,000. I'm not totally nuts about the car anyway. Its sort of girly. Oh well.

 

It be a cool MUDDER!

 

personally I would pass it up. If somewhere down the road the mechanics turns out to be abused even half as much as the outside and interior, then it will get expensive fast. However it is a gamble and you could win big and get a sick car! Just my $.02

 

Well... here's the thing. I already have way too many cars. I have a 55' Mercury, my 96' Taco, and my Wife's 02' prius. The Merc and Prius are pains in the asses to service. The prius has two coolant systems for example. The merc needs constant babying because it is old. If I got ANOTHER car like this, then for one the neighbors would kill me because we would start looking like the rednecks they probably already know we are and be using up all the street parking ( trust me- they HATE the merc cause its 22 feet long), and secondly, it'd be one more stupid thing to take care of. and oh ya- we rent too, so someday we will have to move all of them.

But... my true dream car is a late 70's Corvette Stingray T-top. So if I'm going to get something ridiculous, that would be my choice.

Still... 3K is TEMPTING. ARGGG!

 

for 3k id prolly do it

 

Bobwilson: Me and my dad had a '93 BMW Z3 (black with tan ostrich leather seats) 5 speed.. It was an amazing little car. We had it for 5 years. We NEVER EVER had to replace a single part.

Me and my dad also had a Porsche 928.......

I get pictures if you want to see them

 

I would never buy a BMW unless it was an M series...but 3K for that car cuold be okish.

I'd check for service records and what is busted and might make a decision on it there.

In the end it's a BMW and they just as shitty as Mercedes. For saving the Taco some life, I'd offer about 2K 2.5K at the most.

 

thats the kind of car i looked for when i was buying my first car, not the z3 but something beat up. i dont give two shits about the body or asthetics but i wanted the engine and mechanical parts to be well taken care of. that way you get a good reliable car for cheap since the body damage drags down the price. thats exactly what i'll be looking for when i buy my next used car