Which cheap car? (of these 3)

I'm looking to buy a new car within the next two weeks, and these are the candidates. They each have their own certain appeal, but at the moment I'm stuck picking a favorite. The idea is to have a cool, fun, daily driver/occasional motorkhana car.

First off is an AE71 Corolla (RWD), with a 4AGE twin-cam swap. It's the most expensive of the three, but the lower price of other two is negated by the fact I have to transport them across country, to where I'm moving. The owner is a friend of a friend, but I would be buying it sight-unseen. It's probably the best 'out of the box' autocrosser, but also the least comfortable daily driver (lowered, stiff, sketchy locked diff.)

Second, is this AW11. Super clean and original, but does require some minor things attended to, (just routine stuff like a brake bleed, pads, fluid changes etc.) It appeals highly as the only proper 'sports car' of the three.

Lastly, is this e28 528i (manual.) I've always wanted one, and I love the colour. It'd probably be the best "daily driver", but the least appropriate autocrosser, and the most expensive to fix.

So, fellow GRM'ers, which would you choose?

go with the lower cost to own car. Family? go with the four door corolla. We never see those MR2's in the Midwest that nice.

Either the MR2 or the BMW. I guess I'd want to drive them both and compare. The yota 'should' be reliable as heck but the BMW still feels new I'm sure.

MR2 4 WIN

Oh how I miss the '88 MR2 that I owned. By US standards the rims shown in your picture were only offered here on the Supercharged models. If this one you are looking at is Supercharged, like my '88 was then the answer is a no-brainer.

For resources on MR2's visit the MR2 Owners Club as www.mr2oc.com
You will be required to register to get in but it is painless and well worth it.

My second choice would be the BMW

The BMW. It will do a respectable job at autox, is built very solidly, and while it may be the most expensive to fix, it is also extremely easy to work on and will last forever. Plus that particular example has the full Euro bumper, valance and lights, which is very nice.

I would go with the MR2 but I don't have any other considerations.

I'd go with the BMW. You daily drive 99.9999% of the time, and autocross perhaps 60-75 minutes total per year if you're fairly active. Sure the BMW won't be particularly fast in an autocross but it won't be a total pig either, and you can surprise some people with the performance of a larger old car. Heck, I autocross my big 750Li and consistently beat 944s and Corvettes, and I'm waaaay more comfortable the rest of the time. If you don't have a wife or kids the MR2 would be more fun day to day but if you're seeking female companionship the ladies are more likely to be impressed with the BMW, and there's no rear seat in the MR2...

MR2 for the fun...

BMW for the practicality...

MR2. I would love to find an MR2 that nice. The corola doesn't really do it for me. The BMW is nice, but that MR2 looks amazing.

MR2

BMW...I love the color.

Mostly DD? BMW, mostly HPDE and autocross, don't care about seats or cargo? MR2, want something in the middle? Corolla.

I have a family, hence I am leaning towards the BMW. Also, the AW11 interior is crazy ugly 80's style.

E28. Color is awesome. Its a BMW. But you don't really have a bad choice there.

I am kinda leaning toward the rolla...

MR2 hands down.

Wow, what a consensus here! We're not helping you any, are we?

That Corolla is THE BUSINESS.

Hell, i want that. I would gladly ditch my Celica for that thing.

I'd vote for the Rolla hands down..

In this order: 1. Rolla - old school, completely awesome 2. Beemer - fantastic color, classic/classy looks, great cruiser 3. MR2 - one of the best MR layouts of the 80s

I guess I'd suggest hocking every material posession of yours and buying all three.:)

mr2

There would only be one consideration for me: the MR2. I'm not fond of four-doors, and--I'm the voice of dissent here--the paint on that BMW makes me want to puke. (I'm also not fond of white, but it's at least easier to cover up.)

And I'd much rather transport a car cross-country than buy one sight-unseen. Just my $0.02.

Thanks for all of your opinions!

After a whole bunch of thinking, I've decided to go with the Corolla. Coming from driving my civilized, family-sedan, diesel Peugeot, I quite like the idea of getting into something a bit meaner, (older, louder, RWD, aggressive stance/suspension setup.) Admittedly, I am still taking a bit of a risk buying it sight-unseen, though I do very much trust the seller.

BTW, jrw1621, the AW11 is only a 16V, not a GZE. If it were, then it'd more than likely be the top choice.

Also, the BMW is actually incredibly cheap, and if he still has it before I leave (unlikely), and if I can swing the extra coin (might have to sell a bike), I'm thinking about snapping it up and sticking it in storage for a while.

Enjoy it! And then tell us about it!

Will do!

I won't be picking it up for a couple of weeks, but more photos and a drive report will definitely follow .