"InfinityAero" (infinityaero)
12/09/2016 at 21:56 • Filed to: None
2
63|
"InfinityAero" (infinityaero)
12/09/2016 at 21:56 • Filed to: None | 2
| 63 |
The last year I’ve been using a Nissan Xterra as my daily driver thinking that I’d be satisfied driving a truck as my daily driver as long as I had a project/sports car to drive on an occasional basis. Well, I’m feeling like I was wrong. I hate driving the thing, other than for camping or snow, where it’s awesome. Every day driving through DC traffic to get back and forth to work and road trips— not so much. I need to get the boat fixed up before towing is a concern, and I’m just not that worried about snow in this area— in fact it wouldn’t be so terrible to have an excuse not to commute and work from home in the winter.
I’ve got to pass safety inspection this week— had a leak in the exhaust/muffler; got that in the mail this week to replace tomorrow, CEL light popped on soon after— hopefully that’s just due to the lack of backpressure. I’ve already done the plugs, all fluid changes, etc, so shouldn’t be anything major...
Thinking I’m going to pass the inspection and put it up for sale, pick up something that’s somewhat enjoyable to drive on a daily basis. What does Oppo think I should get? I promised the wife I wouldn’t spend a lot or get a large loan while we’re saving for a house (otherwise I’d be getting a NSX or First Gen Viper) so my constraints are pretty strict:
Under $7K
RWD, AWD, or world class handling if it’s FWD
Fun to drive
Available in a manual
Reliable
Liveable (comfort)
I’ve got a few thoughts....
I could go back to an E30...
I could get something unique like a GT-4 or MR2
I could get a stupid, terrible car with a V8 that might be some fun in a straight line and could fill some of the truck duties I’m giving up...
I could get a FWD econo-car to save money
No idea if all these things I posted pictures of are still in that price range— just seems like they would be. What says Oppo?!?
BeaterGT
> InfinityAero
12/09/2016 at 22:05 |
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Elise.
S65
> InfinityAero
12/09/2016 at 22:08 |
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ROADMASTER
Dogapult
> BeaterGT
12/09/2016 at 22:12 |
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For $7000?
Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
> InfinityAero
12/09/2016 at 22:13 |
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I like the mr2.
Also, e28 535is as an alternative to the e30.
E34 540, or w124 400e as the v8?
Mitsubishi Starion/Chrysler Conquest.
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Dogapult
> InfinityAero
12/09/2016 at 22:15 |
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The Suzuki Alto Works I have for sale. sure it’s FWD, but it’s ridiculous. It’s fun to drive, manual, livable, but I have no idea if it’s reliable. everything on it seems in great shape, though.
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S65
> Dogapult
12/09/2016 at 22:16 |
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I WILL GIVE YOU MY SOUL FOR IT
Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition
> InfinityAero
12/09/2016 at 22:16 |
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You might be able to find a well sorted S52 swapped E30 for around that price. You could find the best WRX you can afford they are a terrific drivers car and can be as practical as anything on the road. I didn’t really care for the Magnum I drove, but loved the 300.
LongbowMkII
> InfinityAero
12/09/2016 at 22:17 |
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DC? Get a Prius. Save more money and it’s not like that commute could possibly be fun anyways.
Decay buys too many beaters
> InfinityAero
12/09/2016 at 22:18 |
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You need an e39, finest daily I’ve ever owned. I went through cars about every 6 months until I got mine. It looks good, is not ostentatious, great standard equipment (even today), and has genuine cred amount enthusiasts.
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Dogapult
> S65
12/09/2016 at 22:20 |
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Trade your soul for some cash and come get it. I’d honestly like rid of it at this point.
tacogx
> S65
12/09/2016 at 22:29 |
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Roadmaster is always the answer? Roadmaster is always the answer.
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BeaterGT
> Dogapult
12/09/2016 at 22:29 |
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It’s a down payment! I honestly looked at the pics and thought the prices were varied, didn’t realize they went under 7!
TheBlacktopExperiment
> InfinityAero
12/09/2016 at 22:29 |
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Before I got my current daily driver, I was thinking of a 2006 Subaru Impreza.
Other potential options that fit your criteria:
1994-1997 Dodge Stealth
1992 or 1993 Ford Mustang 5.0
2006-2011 Ford Crown Victoria P71 (PI)
Late 1990s Mitsubishi Pajero
Eberle-Hills-Cop
> InfinityAero
12/09/2016 at 22:36 |
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Why you gotta hurt me like that.
FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
> InfinityAero
12/09/2016 at 22:40 |
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Birdog mentioned something about wanting to buy an XTerra recently, you might want to see if he wants to buy it. You can get 3 or 4 assorted high-mileage E30's for that budget and that way maybe one will always be semi-working. You could be the the David Tracy of BMW’s.
TheTurbochargedSquirrel
> InfinityAero
12/09/2016 at 23:02 |
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Sleeper wagon.
Justino6969
> InfinityAero
12/09/2016 at 23:03 |
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Because plaid.
dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
> Dogapult
12/09/2016 at 23:08 |
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How much? I’m not interested but it’ll bother me all night if I don’t ask.
Bytemite
> InfinityAero
12/09/2016 at 23:12 |
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Celica GT-S for world class handling FWD with lotus engine.
Bugeye wrx for turbo awd.
The answer.
G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
> InfinityAero
12/09/2016 at 23:16 |
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What you need is one of these. 6 speed manual, AWD, computer controlled suspension, 0-60 in 5.6, six cylinders, and two turbos.
sn4cktimes
> InfinityAero
12/10/2016 at 02:03 |
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Datsun 510
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Dogapult
> dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
12/10/2016 at 02:55 |
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$7500 is what I’d like for it. I think it’s worth it.
CodyVella
> InfinityAero
12/10/2016 at 03:45 |
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As someone who DDs a 15 year old Xterra SE/SC 160kms a day... :(
But if you can find a Toyota Celica All Trac Turbo, buy it. Buy it yesterday.
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TheBlacktopExperiment
> G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
12/10/2016 at 09:52 |
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My suggestion too.
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dtg11 - is probably on an adventure with Clifford
> Dogapult
12/10/2016 at 10:04 |
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Sounds fair enough, considering rarity, import costs, etc.
Matthew Phillips
> InfinityAero
12/10/2016 at 13:00 |
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Break all the odds and get a Jeep Cherokee XJ with a manual.
Best slow car fast I’ve ever owned, the Inline 6 has torque for days and it’s livable.
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InfinityAero
> Matthew Phillips
12/10/2016 at 13:25 |
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That’s about where I am with the Xterra— the handling is remarkably good and steering is precise, has a LSD, 4WD when I want it; I’ve got some sticky Yokohama A/Ts on it, good sturdy motor with plenty of torque. It’s a great little trucklike SUV. I just miss driving a car, the more nimble nature of it, the mileage, etc... the Fiat is great but I don’t think I want to rely on it as a DD.
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Matthew Phillips
> InfinityAero
12/10/2016 at 13:26 |
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Fair enough !
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InfinityAero
> Dogapult
12/10/2016 at 13:27 |
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That is super cool. If I lived in DC I’d be all over a Kei car.
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InfinityAero
> G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
12/10/2016 at 13:30 |
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Are these going under 10K now? Last I saw they were all hovering around 20-35K... awesome cars, had someone offer to trade me a non-VR4 when I was trying to sell/trade my motorcycle. Looked into it and realized it’d be almost as expensive to try to swap in the drivetrain components...
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InfinityAero
> BeaterGT
12/10/2016 at 13:31 |
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I wish haha! My buddy has an Exige so I can at least get seat time in that at the track. Honestly, the Fiat feels more liveable ;) Great engineering accomplishments though— street legal go-karts.
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InfinityAero
> S65
12/10/2016 at 13:34 |
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The lack of performance wagons on the marketplace is sad. I don’t think I can afford the upkeep on a Audi or Merc, the Dodge is an overweight pig, Japanese all moved away from them. What’s left draw premium prices or are overweight and underpowered.
My Grandparents used to have a Roadmaster as their beach car. It was a good beach car.
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InfinityAero
> Decay buys too many beaters
12/10/2016 at 13:35 |
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How’s the maintenance and upkeep? I’ve heard they’re harder to work on than the E30s and have heard nightmare stories about some of the component replacement costs... but anything pre-bloat from BMW has some appeal to me as a DD...
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InfinityAero
> Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition
12/10/2016 at 13:36 |
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I was thinking a swapped E30 would be a blast— I see them occasionally for about 6-7K.
The Bugeye WRXs have always been a favorite of mine... only negatives I’ve heard on them have been head gasket issues.
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InfinityAero
> TheBlacktopExperiment
12/10/2016 at 13:39 |
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Oh god I can’t trust myself with early 90s-2K muscle... lol. I’d be ordering cams, bolt ons, turboing— anything stupid I could do to make a stupid unreliable racecar :)
A C4 Corvette could be an intriguing option though...
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InfinityAero
> CodyVella
12/10/2016 at 13:41 |
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Haha, I like it... as a trucklet, I’m just sick of driving a truck... it’s honestly the best sorted truck I’ve ever driven, so it’s nothing against the Xterra.
Last year I was doing the deep searches for Celica All-Tracs— found a couple in the 4-5K range; ST-165s in West Virginia and Southern Virginia. Definitely want is strong— could have had a ST-205 in the early 2000s for $6K but was a poor college student. That one was built with 400WHP.
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InfinityAero
> Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
12/10/2016 at 13:43 |
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Yeah, I like the 535is as well. Can they be reliable like the E30s?
540 I’ve heard horror stories about— is that just the latter versions that are maintenance nightmares? Not too familiar with the Mercs— will have to look into that. A V8 would be fun— maybe I could find a wagon.
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InfinityAero
> FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
12/10/2016 at 13:44 |
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Don’t say that near my wife— she’ll stink eye right through your soul. I am “not allowed” to have any more vehicles until I get rid of at least 1; 2 if I want another project...
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InfinityAero
> Bytemite
12/10/2016 at 13:46 |
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Yeah, I think both are in my top 5 for this price point. I’d rather have a GT-S than an Integra GSR at this price point, and I don’t think I’ll ever see an ITR below $20K again.
Bugeyes— I just need to look into that head gasket issue I keep hearing about for older Subarus...
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InfinityAero
> Justino6969
12/10/2016 at 13:47 |
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Yeah, I should add these to my to-consider list.
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InfinityAero
> TheTurbochargedSquirrel
12/10/2016 at 13:47 |
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Those have the 6-cylinder Boxer right?
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TheTurbochargedSquirrel
> InfinityAero
12/10/2016 at 13:48 |
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Slightly detuned version of the STIs flat 4 turbo.
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InfinityAero
> LongbowMkII
12/10/2016 at 13:49 |
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Ugh- Prius. They’re not terrible but maintenance, though rare, is expensive.
Once we get a house— I do totally want a Tesla; old 85S will do nicely. Hopefully the used ones start coming down in price after the Model 3 comes out.
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InfinityAero
> sn4cktimes
12/10/2016 at 13:51 |
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This would be an awesome answer if every single one in the US hadn’t been turned into a stripped down track car running motorcycle carbs with open stacks on a stage 2 cam with a straight pipe exhaust.... lol. Probably still more reliable than the Fiat though...
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InfinityAero
> TheTurbochargedSquirrel
12/10/2016 at 13:52 |
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Ah ok nice. I’d totally rock a Saabaru too, if I could find one.
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LongbowMkII
> InfinityAero
12/10/2016 at 13:53 |
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Yeah it’s not a fun choice
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InfinityAero
> LongbowMkII
12/10/2016 at 13:58 |
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Yeah, my mom’s got one. Great for road trips, hers survived all of three years of dc area roads before she needed new shocks and bushings... I’d rather get 35mpg in a simple Gas engine car versus 50 in a harder car to maintain. New, prius is actually a hard deal to beat imo. 200000 miles, no problem, but all the expensive maintenance starts cropping up at 150k miles...
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sn4cktimes
> InfinityAero
12/10/2016 at 14:16 |
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Yeah, before I bought an AMC I looked pretty hard into 510's. Getting an unmolested one was a pretty hard thing to achieve.
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Decay buys too many beaters
> InfinityAero
12/10/2016 at 14:29 |
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Parts are expensive for OEM, but aftermarket is no different than anything else. Mine been fairly reliable except for the following
http://oppositelock.kinja.com/tag/cheap-e39
I haven’t had any real serious or expensive problems in the past year.
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Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition
> InfinityAero
12/10/2016 at 14:39 |
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My BIL owns an 86 325es that has a euro S52 and transmission along with front suspension. In the rear he has E30 M3 suspension. It is probably the best car I have ever driven. It is dead reliable and parts are easy because they are all stock BMW.
Him and I have both owned bugeyes and we really loved them. I would think that if the car was going to have head gasket issues it would have happened by now (13-15 years bugeyes have been on the street). Drive it a year and you should be able to get your money back out of it after you sell it, the prices have pretty much plateaued at this point.
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G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
> InfinityAero
12/10/2016 at 14:40 |
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You can find a twin turbo Stealth for $6-8k in good shape.
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InfinityAero
> Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition
12/10/2016 at 17:34 |
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Turns out the head gasket issues are just on the NA engines :)
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Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition
> InfinityAero
12/10/2016 at 17:49 |
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I did have head gasket issues on mine, but I beat the piss out of mine. I did clutch, head gaskets, and timing set for about 2300 at the dealer. So not too bad. I may be getting another one soon, but it needs a new engine.
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Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
> InfinityAero
12/10/2016 at 22:50 |
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My 635's m30 has been incredibly reliable. I’ve had one problem with the car and it was electrical, and a cheap fix once I found it. supposedly, stock v stock, the e28 is also more tossable than the e24, and I find mine quite fun.
I’ve heard the same about the 540, and I know the timing chain tensioners can be an issue, but I still lust after one. I imagine they can be found sorted.
Unfortunately the v8 wagon would have to be the product of a swap if you went mercedes. The e39 did have v8 wagons but it would be at the upper end of the price range and difficult to find. Good news is that they’re usually enthusiast owned and well cared for.
torque
> InfinityAero
12/11/2016 at 13:11 |
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I’m curious, I’ve cheap 2nd gen (2004 - 2009) Prius that look to be in really good shape for less than 4K, sometimes they have north of 260K miles on them too, though of course mile range really is all over the map, seriously for less than $7K, I’ve seen anywhere from 60K miles to +260K miles. What’s so expensive about the maintenance on them? The battery pack? I’ve read that individual cells can be replaced. And even if the whole pack is bad, it can be replaced for $2K or less
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InfinityAero
> torque
12/11/2016 at 14:06 |
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The spark plugs rarely need replacing, but are expensive. shocks are hard to access so high labor to replace. I wouldn’t want to take on any of those jobs myself... everything is so compact on the car that I’d imagine about anything would be a job. I think my mom’s maintenance on hers was about 2500 last year, but most years have been under 1k. just ran into a bunch of maintenance items this year...
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InfinityAero
> Junkrat aka Rick Sanchez: Fury Road Edition
12/11/2016 at 14:15 |
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I’m getting pretty tempted by them. I’ll either try to find a bone stock runner or something with downpipe, up pipe, exhaust and a tune with around 125k miles... looks like a lot of issues are people tuning them without getting rid of the cat in front of the Turbo... Or leaning it out too much with wrong set of mods. Bone stock would prob be best route.
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InfinityAero
> G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
12/11/2016 at 14:16 |
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Interesting, will have to look around. forgotten classic perhaps...
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InfinityAero
> Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
12/11/2016 at 14:18 |
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That’s the way my 325iX was! Unfortunately the frame was Swiss cheese and couldn’t be repaired. Would love a rust free example, good to hear I can consider it’s bigger brothers too...
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InfinityAero
> Decay buys too many beaters
12/11/2016 at 14:19 |
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Cool, there are a ton in my area and they seem to have rectified the rust issues a little better than the E30s...
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G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
> InfinityAero
12/11/2016 at 17:30 |
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My buddy had one with two 16G TD05s in place of the stock TD04 9B. All I can say is O.o.
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Sovereign, Purveyor of Coupes
> InfinityAero
12/12/2016 at 01:37 |
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Old BMWs seem to be fairly stout across the board. Luckily the only rust I’ve dealt with, was some surface rust under the trunk seal, and a small hole under the battery tray. To be fair, I also live somewhere without salt.
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TheBlacktopExperiment
> InfinityAero
12/12/2016 at 22:49 |
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C4's I like. I think the parts are hella expensive though. I’ve heard just two tires can be $700 CDN / $550 US (I say that in case you feel like wrecking the rears up).