My next car

"Dsscats" (dsscats)
09/29/2013 at 17:06 • Filed to: my car, car hunt, bmw, E38, crown victoria, mustang

I asked some of you last night what you thought of the BMW E38 (740i/iL) and you helped confirm what my main fear was.

I need a commuter to go 40 miles every day in LA traffic, and an E38 might just be to expensive on maintenance, so now here are the options:

E38

Pros: BMW build quality/overengineering, super comfortable, quiet freeway cruiser

Cons: Reliability, repair costs

Fox Body

Pros: Pretty easy to find a good one, reliable, easy to find parts, cheap to maintain, fun

Cons: Insurance, previous "mods", ha-ha back seats, two door, notchback LX's (my model of preference) go for waaay more than hatch GT's

P71 Crown Victoria (I want a P71 because they are generally better maintained, cheaper and look better (everyone sees the spotlights and gets out of your way), along with the fact that in LA traffic, a transmission cooler might be good)

Pros: Big, comfortable, safe, relatively fast, generally well maintained, everyone gets out of your way, reliable, easy to find parts

Cons: Not exactly the king of options, police abuse, weight, not great gas milage (not like E38's and Mustangs are better...), no center console on most, vinyl floor

So what would you choose?

Edit: I am also throwing around the idea of a 76 or so Fiat 124 Spider or VW Squareback or early LS1 camaro

DISCUSSION (37)

6cyl > Dsscats
09/29/2013 at 17:08

*everyone sees the spot light and drives slow as shit in front of you

twinturbobmw > Dsscats
09/29/2013 at 17:10

What about an E39 540i (or any e39)? I assume they'll be slightly cheaper to keep going and they're still quite luxurious. Plus it comes with a manual.

Kinja'd!!!

Edit: LA traffic? Maybe not a manual.

Bandit > Dsscats
09/29/2013 at 17:12

2nd or 3rd gen Trans Am.

Dsscats > twinturbobmw
09/29/2013 at 17:14

I wouldn't mind a manual, but I can find a good E38 for way cheaper than a good E39 surprisingly. I would love an E39, especially a post-facelift one as my dad had a 525i wagon that was probably my favorite car ever. We sold it to a friend at about 50,000 miles who treated it like crap until around 110,000 miles when he was rear ended on the freeway and it was wrecked. I hate to say it, but I'm almost glad it got saved from a life of abuse and young kids until the transmission (an auto) gave out and it was sent to the junker

Dsscats > 6cyl
09/29/2013 at 17:14

But I can pass without a problem!

MountainCommand > Dsscats
09/29/2013 at 17:15

My dad has the E38 sport, and he commutes with it daily. 60 miles one way. And its been very reliable. over 150K on his and nothing crazy expensive, if you can do the work yourself. Only issue he had that was major was the radiator fan imploded on him. And actually recently, 2 of his windows stopped working. But he picked up refurbished regulators for all his windows and changed them out. Its perfect now. Just keep up with the fluid changes, and bushings and honestly i wouldnt hesitate to buy one myself. But the key is only if you do the work yourself. If you have to go to bmw to get work done, then this is definitely not a cost friendly car.

Dsscats > Bandit
09/29/2013 at 17:15

AKA Bandit's version of the Miata... I've looked, but no good ones were cheap enough and GAAAAAASSSSSSSSS

hollanddjw 1 > twinturbobmw
09/29/2013 at 17:16

I agree.

Plus, the E39 is one of the best looking BMWs of all time.

KnowsAboutCars > Dsscats
09/29/2013 at 17:17

I don't think this is very helpful for you but I'd take the P71 Crown Vic just because I can only imagine how cool it would be to have one in Finland. It wouldn't even be the first one in the country.

# Grass is always greener on the other side

Dsscats > MountainCommand
09/29/2013 at 17:18

Well if it has been that good on reliability, I might just have to get one ;). I would probably be able to do all the maintenance myself, but if not, I know a couple of good, honest BMW only mechanics (one of which is the guy who was featured a while back on the FP with the "M2", a 2002 restomod to compete with the E30 M3).

dogisbadob > Dsscats
09/29/2013 at 17:19

You don't like the hatchback Mustangs? They have more utility and the back seats probably fold down! Shit, the new ones should be hatchbacks since the trunks are so stubby anyway.

The E38 is awful in terms of reliability. Over engineered but unreliable; what's the point? A better alternative would be the Lexus LS400.

Your best choice would be the Panther. Just as much aftermarket support as a Mustang, more room, fairly reliable, even an abused Panther is better than a babied BMW, and the poor mpg is ok because gas is your *only* expense as parts are cheap and plentiful, and they're not that difficult to service. If options matter that much, consider a Grand Marquis or Town car.

6cyl > Dsscats
09/29/2013 at 17:20

Not if you are on a two lane road or on a highway and all the cars slow down because of you. Then you're stuck.

MountainCommand > Dsscats
09/29/2013 at 17:28

Honestly, i wouldnt throw away an e38 just yet. The trick is finding one that has been maintained. Because without a doubt i see many of these cars as beaters. So there is always that. But for the price, you get a lot for your money. Performance (minus manual trans), luxury, comfort, quality. An older american car just wont have that.

But do keep in mind parts are going to be a little more expensive than your standard comparable ford parts. Still, i think the tradeoff is worth it.

offroadkarter > Dsscats
09/29/2013 at 17:29

Don't get a P71, I don't care what anyone says, patrol cars are BEAT TO SHIT. If you really want to find a panther, find a clean civilian spec car. Most of them are owned by old people so they weren't abused hopping curbs at 40mph, drunk people haven't pissed, shit, or thrown up in the back of them, and they won't have a billion idle hours. The public won't know the difference from an ex interceptor and grandmas LX anyways.

twinturbobmw > Dsscats
09/29/2013 at 17:30

It seems like good 740s are going for around 5k in LA

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/409602…

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/ctd/409678…

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/409645…

E39s are slightly more expensive.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/409390…

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/407618…

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/cto/408757…

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/sfv/cto/407890…

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/409728…

davedave1111 > Dsscats
09/29/2013 at 17:39

How about an E30, or similar? Nothing special, just a standard one, but spend a bit of money bringing it back to as-new performance and handling. I don't know what your budget is, but E30s are cheap as chips, and you can have a lot of work done for a few thousand dollars; if you keep the car for a few years, it'll more than pay for itself.

Somethingwittyer likes noisy > Dsscats
09/29/2013 at 17:42

First gen IS or SC? If you don't mind the autos, their pretty good cars. Don't know about the price thought.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Dsscats
09/29/2013 at 17:48

GS300/GS430

Kinja'd!!!

Fast like the Foxbody, luxurious and big like the 7-series, reliable and big like the panther.

If you want good handling with GS300 power and better fuel consumption (don't forget a manual transmission), go for the IS300. It's basically a Supra sedan. There are options other than Lexus, but those were the first to come to mind.

Redd, the RX-7 that could > Dsscats
09/29/2013 at 17:52

You definitely don't want to get a Crown Vic, the spotlights will have the opposite effect of clearing the road in front of you. Everyone will be driving 5 over at best. Plus, as a cop's son, these cars take serious abuse since there is no responsibility for anything that happens to them.

Dsscats > dogisbadob
09/29/2013 at 18:05

I do like the hatches, but I like an enclosed trunk and the looks of the notch better.

Dsscats > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
09/29/2013 at 18:09

I really like those, but I can't afford one :(. I would love an early IS, but its the same deal. Now I'm wondering how a BMW of the same era is cheaper used than a Lexus...

Turner950s > Dsscats
09/29/2013 at 18:17

You can find an e38 for cheaper than an e39 because it will cost a lot more to keep running. (Not that the e39 is cheap to keep running; my father just spent $3000 to fix a broken timing chain guide on the front of his 100,000 mile M62- a 10 hour job even at an extremely good shop). DO NOT fall into the trap of buying a BMW because its price of entry is cheap. It can and will cost at least twice as much as the purchase price to keep it driving properly.

Buy a car you can afford, and it will not be broken. You will be MUCH happier in a fully functioning P71 or Fox body than a broken BMW.

I just came from owning a beater BMW e24 to owning a perfect Mazda Miata, and I have zero regrets getting rid of the bimmer. Even if you can wrench, it's so much better to not have to deal with maintenance. You get to spend your time on performance upgrades rather than wasting it constantly bringing your car back to "stage 0".

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Dsscats
09/29/2013 at 18:27

IMPOSIBRU! I guess it's just Toyota resale value at work again. There's always the S140 GS300 (1994-2000 model) with the 2JZ. The low price of the cars will afford you the options of lowering sports suspension, nice wheels, and a small rear lid spoiler to spruce up the bland and generic rear. It has the same, crisp 4 speed auto tranny as the MkIV supra for LA traffic and plenty of comfort.

Kinja'd!!!

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/cto/407651…

Otherwise, I'd consider the SC300 or 400, the two luxury coupes the MkIV Supra is based on. If you don't mind rowing your own gears, even if commuting in LA, the odd SC300 comes with a 5MT. Hope all of this Lexus stuff is helpful, and good luck!

Dsscats > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
09/29/2013 at 18:37

I've been trying to find a good Sc300 with an MT for under $3600, but it seems like an impossible task. Also, about the one you linked, Drive All the miles!

Dsscats > Turner950s
09/29/2013 at 18:38

How bad is Miata insurance? Being a sub-25 male isn't exactly in my favor, but it is one of the ten least crashed cars in the country.

Turner950s > Dsscats
09/29/2013 at 18:40

$1574/year for a 20 y.o. male

I might have said it's not being driven every day.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Dsscats
09/29/2013 at 18:41

Yeah, on the west coast Japanese cars are pricier. Ha, it probably has a few thousand left (I was just trying to find an example, and that was the only one I could find)

Dunnik > offroadkarter
09/29/2013 at 19:53

I second the motion. Civilian Panther-platform. Ideally a well-optioned Grand Marquis. Buy it from some Grandpa or Grandma 1 owner whose had it babied at the dealer.

Kinja'd!!!

Manuél Ferrari > Turner950s
09/29/2013 at 20:23

But it's all relative. Yes bimmers are expensive to maintain (some more than others). But if you love them you love them. Some people are willing to buy an affordable used bimmer or Merc and then spend what it takes to keep it on the road. It's still better than buying a new $30K car that you hate.

I think the one thing we can all agree on is not to buy an older turbo charged Audi. Replacing an intercooler on an old S4 will send you straight to the poor house.

Manuél Ferrari > Dsscats
09/29/2013 at 20:31

Get the E39 540i! Do it! It's worth it! You don't need the extra size of the 7 series. Save weight and go E39.

Or just go big and get the E39 M5! The values have bottomed out and I think they will go up from here.

The combination of BMW handling with N/A V8 torque will put a smile on your face every single day. The BMW straight six is overrated. Having a V8 gives you a German muscle-sedan. Buying this will make you enjoy your commute more.

Sure the gas is expensive but you may as well go for it now before gas is $10 a gallon. Because once that happens we'll all be driving turbo charged 1L 3 cylinder shitboxes and wishing we had driven V8s when it was still possible to.

Turner950s > Manuél Ferrari
09/29/2013 at 20:33

Doing anything with the turbos on the B5 must be a pain when they're wedged against the (sub?)frame beneath the engine. Never dealt with them myself, I'm a pretty loyal RWD advocate.

As an aside, If OP is considering a Fox Body and a P71 it doesn't seem likely they've got $30k lying around.

This thread really needs "Aya, with added craziness" so she can pitch for the W140.

Dsscats > Turner950s
09/29/2013 at 20:37

Hmmmm...then maybe the answer is Miata!

Manuél Ferrari > Turner950s
09/29/2013 at 20:40

I almost drove two states away to look at a heavily modified B5 S4 in perfect aesthetic condition. It was putting out over 400 HP and could be had for well under $30K. But then I researched the maintenance and it did look dreadful. And I'm also a RWD loyalist and am trying to avoid falling for an AWD car.

LOL to the W140 pitch. I say that post earlier today.

Turner950s > Dsscats
09/29/2013 at 20:50

I drive a 1.8 Miata in L.A., and it's awesome. Top down all the time and it's really easy to weave through traffic with no blind spots and such a small car.

Plus, everyone (literally everyone) I've taken out in my car loves it.

Jeremy Bloyd-Peshkin > Dsscats
09/29/2013 at 22:28

What about an E28? Parts are cheap, nice size, comfortable, round headlights....

offroadkarter > Dunnik
09/29/2013 at 23:39

or if you really wanna be big pimpin, town car!

Dsscats > Jeremy Bloyd-Peshkin
09/29/2013 at 23:57

I cant find a good one for below 3500. Does anyone want to troll the E28 forums for me?