Wrecked My E34 - Need Replacement Opinions

My 94 E34 BMW was totalled today and I need to come up with a replacment. I'll be getting some $$$ from the insurance as I've been carrying full coverage on it. Unfortunately, the driver of the vehicle that pulled out in front of me was listed as an excluded driver on the policy so it appears that my claim will fall under un-insured motorist coverage. Such is life, the reason we have insurance I guess.

So, it's my turn to ask the silly question of what car. I'm getting old and would like a V8 or simliar. Requirements for my daily driver, about $10k ish, manual transmission, rear or all wheel drive, & rear seat. The rest is flexible.

I've got a few options:

Mid to late 90's 540i or like BMW

2004 Pontiac GTO, about $5k more than I want to spend but you only live once.

I've just thought about the Jaguar X type after reading a few other posts.

What do you all think?

Thanks, Bruce

If you really want a V8 with a rear seat and for around $10k I'm thinking:

miata or an E36...

ok I'll try:

E39

Mercedes (400E and newer V8 variety, manual will be tough to find)

740i (no manual I don't think)

Lexus LS, SC (most likely no manual)

Cadillac CTS (might not be around $10k yet)

or the usual Mustang, G8

E39 540i

E36 M3 would work

Don't know if they came with a manual but an S-type Jag would work nicely as a daily driver

That's two for E39 and appear to be well within the price range. The wife mentioned Mercedes last night and she just said the E36 M3 looks like a Honda from the side, hahahaha.

I still like the GTO. http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=u&car_id=254604163&dealer_id=480438&car_year=2004&rdm=1228517452517&model=GTO&num_records=25&systime=&make2=&highlightFirstMakeModel=&start_year=1990&keywordsfyc=&keywordsfyc=&keywordsrep=&keywordsrep=&engine=&certified=&body_code=0&fuel=&awsp=false&search_type=used&distance=75&marketZipError=false&search_lang=en&showZipError=n&make=PONT&keywords_display=&color=&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&min_price=&drive=&default_sort=priceASC&seller_type=b&max_mileage=&style_flag=1&sort_type=priceASC&address=20601&advanced=y&end_year=2009&doors=&transmission=Manual&max_price=&cardist=37

Here's the damage.

Naa, that's a 5.7 GTO, at least hold out for a 6.0 version.

Ouch.

An e39 540i or a GTO would be my choice as well.

E39 is the autobahn cruiser version of the Miata answer.

so you're OK? sorry to see the destruction of such a nice car. i agree with the recommendations of other posters, E39 if you want 4 doors, GTO if two is enough.

FWIW, i rode in the back seat of a GTO, and there was plenty of leg / shoulder / headroom, while sitting behind a 6'2" passenger. I'm 5'9" and 175#.

Go for the GTO. And wait for the LS2. Don't even bother with a stereo, just roll that window down

GTO was going to be my option. Keep an eye out on www.ls2gto.com. I bought and sold my GTO on there. I have seen nicely "modded" GTO's for around 15k. I highly recommend a new set of springs, shocks, and specific bushings if you go the GTO route. They are really a nice car if you handle the suspension elements first.

That was my old one.

That makes me sad. We just recently got a 95 525i, and it is the most solid car I have ever driven.

GTO

Mustang?

RussellH wrote: Mercedes (400E and newer V8 variety, manual will be tough to find)

Doesn't exist

Thanks to all for the answers. If we're gonna go fancy it looks like we'll go with the E39. Sounds like I need to wait for the bigger motor GTO

So, you guys will relate to this. I put out an APB on cars to everyone in my cellphone. I think car guys are fairly easy to figure out judging by the respones. Here's a fun game try to match them up, psycological profiling.

Friends: 1. Tow Truck Operator, VW Car Guy 2. Grassroots VW Car Guy, works paint shop parts dept, didn't work for 2 years because he didn't feel like it 3. Air Force Raven(Flying Cop), Magazine Covered, Blown Mustang, silly fast, but parts fall off occasionally wreaking havoc 4. Army E7, over 20yrs Time in Service, irons his jeans, has several changes of clothes in car, has fancy watches 5. Works at family owned resturant, delivers food in turbo'd MKIV Jetta, very concerned with perfect stance of suspension

Cars: A. 99-05 (wasn't sure, but knows it's a MKIV) VW Jetta, base model, 5sp, 2 liter motor, asking "like $3,000" - Owned by friend of friend

B. 85 Golf, $1200 with wheels, Price for me? $800 with out, new paint. Minor fuel leak, exhaust leak and needs front wheel bearings - Owned by Friend for less than a month

C. 97 Accord LX Coupe, 5spd, 18's, body kit wing, stereo system, 62k miles, driven twice in the last year, minor sputter at idle, previously turboed, friend mentioned "raced it' $3,000 - Owned by friend of friend

D. 80 something bricklike Volvo, straight exhaust, probably 4sp, 4 doors, runs good $500 - Owned by Friend

E. 2001 Gti VR6, Jetta front end "Jti", mostly stock a couple bolt-ons, wants out of payments, asking $7,000 - Owned by brother of friend

I definitely want to look at the Honda for no other reason than comedic effect, piss of the neighbors(I can only HOPE the exhaust is annying) & annoy the wife with Fast & Furious references. It's also a decent deal according to the book. I'll have to see how easy it would be to return to somewhat stock. I would definitely HAVE to drive it as is or awhile if I bought it.

Still when it comes down to it, most of the guys I know are but a bunch of grassroots guys that have to mess with their cars. The irony...

Heck, that'll buff right out.

Not a V8 but a Volvo S60R has a turbo 6 and AWD. Can find manuals if you look hard enough.

I was wondering how long it would be before somebody said that. Glad the biggest worry you have now is "Which car", instead of "How long in hospital"!!

minimac wrote: Heck, that'll buff right out.

Wouldn't that damage the buffer?

Junkyard_Dog wrote: Not a V8 but a Volvo S60R has a turbo 6 and AWD. Can find manuals if you look hard enough.

S60R has a 300hp I5. They're also closer to $15k. Still one of the nicest cars you can get for the dough, though.

02-03 Maxima with 6sp

In reply to Rangeball:

That GTO looked damn good w/ those dished rear wheels and that stance, Rangeball.

How about an E34 M5?

gamby wrote: In reply to Rangeball: That GTO looked damn good w/ those dished rear wheels and that stance, Rangeball.

Thanks!

Here is a link to the GTO. 06 GTO/Monaro

The S60R is a really nice car. Trust me I had one too. You can find a V70R (wagon) around $15k too. They are a hot car, but upgrades are $$$$$$$$$$. I did a lot of my own upgrades except for software. <a href="Volvo Electronic Cut Out">Cutout

My wife also mentioned the Maxima yesterday. I guess I had mentioned how much I liked it when I had one for a rental a couple years ago.

She's also encouraging me to use my Father-in-law's GM discount or at least look into it. I saw a commercial for G6's cheap with .5% financing and parked next to a nice looking G8 today.

The Jaguar X-Type I listed up at the top has dropped its price down to $7,900 for the weekend, going to go look at it.

Here's some pics of the $3,000 Honda... I think it would be hilarious to drive for awhile but the wife and everyone I know think otherwise. Not sure how cost effective it would be to put it back to some sort of stock appearance. It looks to be a clean car.

Are those Saab wheels on that Civic?

It doesn't actually look too bad.

Sounds like a lot of people aren't listening to the "RWD or AWD" portion of this, lol.

I'd say GTO, unless you can find a b-port Cobra ('96-'98) in your price range, but then expect to put a couple grand into suspension to get it anywhere near decent handling.

You might also look at an S14 240SX; LS1 conversions are getting popular enough with these cars that you could probably get the car, motor, and swap done for your budget.

I'm not opposed to FWD or AWD it's just that the cars I happen to be looking at are RWD.

I drove the Jag last night and was surprised how solid it felt. Clutch was light but it shifted well enough. Plenty of engine noise to maintain an awareness that you were actually driving a car with a combustion engine. It was owned by a slob and it was apparent even after it was detailed. Didn't treat the leather and it was pretty cracked up. Some bits were falling off inside, rear bumper was resprayed without much prep. My wife's shins hit below the glove box with my buddy in the back seat and my 7 year old sons feet hit the back of the front seats easily even with my seat pretty far forward. In the end the back seat was too small and I opted against the extra axles and xfer case. For $7900 I though it was a good deal for someone.

I'm going to go drive the GTO here shortly.

I'm going to do some more research on the Volvo, Nissan, and Cobra. Thanks for all the input everyone.