Looking for a Car...on a budget.

Ok, I feel like I need to say this every time a post something about buying something, however....

I am in college, I am working two jobs at the same time. I am on a budget because school is not cheap. I simply cannot afford Porches and BMWs and Maximas like many of you can.

I am looking for a different from the ordinary car that can be bought for $5,000-$6,000 dollars? I looked into Land Rover Discoverys on this site and saw NOTHING good about them. I love E30 BMWs, and those can be had for pretty cheap, along with 1999-2001 Mercedes Benz C-class cars.

These are some "good" cars I've seen as of late on craigslist and ebay and Vehix that fit my college kid price range:
E30 BMWs
E36 BMWs
E39 BMWs
C-Class Mercedes
1999-2002ish VW Jettas
2000 VW Golf


Any others you recommend I add to the shopping list? I know its not much money to work with, but if i'm going to spend my hard earned money, I don't want a typical econo-box car.

Did you budget for repairs? If not, then buy a Civic or Corolla.

The E30 is the best car ever made, but it is an older car and it will require maintenance and parts. Make sure you have a good, cheap independent mechanic nearby too. I'd definitely get an E30 over any older VW and probably over a new one too.

Also, with your schedule, you will have to decide how often you can be without your car. Will it cripple you to not have a car for a week while it is in the shop?

Originally Posted by akatsuki

Click to expand...

Did you budget for repairs? If not, then buy a Civic or Corolla.

The E30 is the best car ever made, but it is an older car and it will require maintenance and parts. Make sure you have a good, cheap independent mechanic nearby too. I'd definitely get an E30 over any older VW and probably over a new one too.

Also, with your schedule, you will have to decide how often you can be without your car. Will it cripple you to not have a car for a week while it is in the shop?

Can't really expand on this. It is up to you to decide whether the car should reliably get you from A to B or will it be a high-maintenance accessory.

Yeah if you are on a budget you should not be looking at out of warranty models that will be a ***** to maintain (both in frequency and cost). Take in to account actual cost of ownership not just initial purchase price.

Get something just to get you around town while you are in college. Something cheap and reliable.
Get an early 2000's Honda. Worry about German cars after college