Given that it's CL ad review day :)

I've decided to give the 240Z that I had inspected this week a miss, memories of another car that ended up with expensive bodywork after a similar inspection report turned out to be too hard to ignore.

I might consider another Miata, but so far I haven't found one that I really like and after chasing a decent car for so long, I don't want to do the same for a hardtop (which I'd need, because I won't pass the broomstick test on one even after a foamectomy).

So far, I'm considering the following cars:

E46 328ci, salvage title due to theft tho': http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/2378863339.html

318ti in need of a little work, but at least it's cheap: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/2378509533.html

BMW landshark w/ 5 speed, but I'm not sure taking them on a track is a good idea: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/ctd/2378841222.html

'76 2002, owner mentioned it's got some rust in the sunroof and on one of the front fenders: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/2377746247.html

2002 roundie, haven't had a chance to talk to the owner yet: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/2378250246.html

E30 325ix, high mileage and four door, but at least it's not a slushbox-equipped one: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/cto/2377829610.html

And in the odd corner, I've found several Z32 300ZXs, both N/A and turbos, but the maintenance cost on those worries me somewhat:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/2372343169.html

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/2377725991.html

Comments? The idea is to find something that would make a reasonable, not super-thirsty DD and would also survive the occasional track outing. Four seats are a definite bonus as we currently only have one four seater in the family that actually drives...

I'd say the 328ci, Z32 TT, and Landshark in that order.

If you're looking at BMWs, the maintainence cost of the Z32s shouldn't bother you.

If it were ME shopping, i'd do the Z32, Landshark, and 328ci in that order.

Honorable mention goes to the 2002 Roundie.

E46, E36 (a little slow, but nice to live with. That one will need $600 thrown at it, or more - timing belt and cooling). An S50 swap is fairly easy. The z may be a better choice, but I never fell in love with the style.

Damn, I wish I could find cars like that around here. I like the E46. Lot of car for the money, and comfy too.

I saw a twin turbo 300 at the junkyard, now that is a cramped engine bay. I wouldn't want anything to due with one myself.

I vote Landshark. it looks cooler.

That the E46 328ci "needs a little TLC" make me nervous, unless he's ONLY talking about cosmetic love. Otherwise great deal - I miss my 328i.

I would love to have any one of those so I don't really have any input.

pigeon wrote: That the E46 328ci "needs a little TLC" make me nervous, unless he's ONLY talking about cosmetic love. Otherwise great deal - I miss my 328i.

+1 i agree with this, the e46 would be a nice ride as long as it was mechanically maintained.

oldtin wrote: E46, E36 (a little slow, but nice to live with. That one will need $600 thrown at it, or more - timing belt and cooling). An S50 swap is fairly easy. The z may be a better choice, but I never fell in love with the style.

Re the ti - I thought the M42/M44 engine has a timing chain, not a belt? I can live with the cooling, at that price point I've got enough cash in the bank to get the parts "just in case".

What scares me about the Z32 is that you pretty much have to start any sort of work in the engine bay by removing the rear bumper (metaphorically speaking). Doesn't make for cheap visits to a mechanic if I need to.

E46 seems like a great deal if it checks out okay. Also as long as you don't need it to look pristine. I got a similar deal on my LS400 - thought about fixing it up but never did. Thankfully as it's been hit a few times since. But I bought it for less than half book at the time and it's been a great, if a bit ugly, car.

I vote E46 and my second choice would be a nice MKIII Supra.

Based on your requirements the E46 does sound like the best all-arounder.

A TT Z32 is the speed demon of the group.

The roundie is probably most likely to appreciate, but also most likely to have rust battles.

The landshark is just cool though. No idea if it'd be a bad idea on the track or not (not sure if you're worried about reliability or weight).

BoxheadTim wrote:

oldtin wrote: E46, E36 (a little slow, but nice to live with. That one will need $600 thrown at it, or more - timing belt and cooling). An S50 swap is fairly easy. The z may be a better choice, but I never fell in love with the style.

Re the ti - I thought the M42/M44 engine has a timing chain, not a belt? I can live with the cooling, at that price point I've got enough cash in the bank to get the parts "just in case".

I've been on the search for a ti for a few weeks - the version I want is kinda thin on the ground - only the 1995s have the M42 - forged internals, obd I, timing chain - 95 sports came with lsd rear ends - optional on all versions (each year had base, active and sport models). The 1996-1998s have the M44 with timing belt, obd II, cast internals, asc + t instead of lsd. The good part of the ti is that it is an e36 with an e30 rear suspension and (a few hundred pounds lighter) they seem kinda unloved - making them cheaper than other e36s.