Please GIB Now

"Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available" (whoistheleader2)
09/14/2020 at 11:51 • Filed to: unnecessary car shopping without E90M3

I don’t care if it is a home built convertible, this is a frickin BMW 2002 for $7,500 with lots of work put into the mechanicals. Though I guess it doesn’t really have a top so it doesn’t actually convert.

British Racing Green with requisite stripe works so well on the 2002. Though I wonder about continuing the stripes below the chrome wraparound detailing.

All around I think it isn’t a half bad job of a custom convertible given it doesn’t seem to actually have a top. I would prefer a less floppy one with a roof but those would also be out of my price range.

But the interior is showing its age a little. What does this mean?

Classic style ready to enjoy now recover seats down the road

Do we have to take a hike down the road to find the real seats?

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Bmw m3 Acura nsx Toyota s2000 993 Audi s4 r8 Mercedes amg turbo Supra turbo e30

Honda Nissan Ferrari Maserati Lamborghini McLaren 930 vintage rare

Estate Bentley Rolls Royce Rolex 911 estate sale muscle car race car

And why did he put “rolex” in the search words? What?

The seller’s ad has a few red flags but this car is really rather interesting.

DISCUSSION (27)

Sovande > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
09/14/2020 at 11:55

The interior is showing a lot of different colors, I’ll give it that. Green carpet, black dash. black seat covers and tan door cards is a look.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Sovande
09/14/2020 at 11:56

That way you can always have your feet in the grass and your hair in the sunshine. Nature inside and out.

fintail > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
09/14/2020 at 12:06

I’d be very curious about structural reinforcement. Drive it fast over a railroad crossing and see how that A-pillar and the area behind the doors reacts. Is that some decay I spot around the trim line edge of the trunk. Ugh, pro bably would be worth more if not “custom”.

The “r olex” and other keyword bingo idiocy is the hallmark of someone who might not be pleasant.

Tripper > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
09/14/2020 at 12:07

I will never try to stop anyone from buying one of these cars unless it is completely rusted through...

These are HELLA easy and rewarding to work on and an absolute joy to drive.

Mine has been life altering.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
09/14/2020 at 12:13

Has AC but no way to enclose the vehicle.

Seems repainted, but not very well.

Green carpet looks like it came from a mini-golf course and doesn’t even slightly match the exterior.

Rust on the trunk above the chrome trim.

I’m sure what’s under those ill-fitting seat covers ain’t pretty.

I know these fetch big bucks fixed up, but that’s a serious financial commitment. Cute car from afar, though.

ranwhenparked > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
09/14/2020 at 12:20

Way too many red flags. A 2002 convertible seems like a pretty good idea, but the fact that this one was built without any consideration for what happens if it gets caught in the weather doesn't speak well for the workmanship. Also seems to have slid sideways into a telephone pole on the passenger side there.

Tripper > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
09/14/2020 at 12:21

I’d go 5-6k on this assuming underneath isn’t a horror story then find a clean shell and swap everything over... then....

Profit ENJOY!

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > ranwhenparked
09/14/2020 at 12:22

I noticed that. Maybe not slid but probably rubbed one given it isn’t quite deep enough for a hard impact. That can be fixed, but not a good sign that it is exactly in the place where the car needs structure the most.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > fintail
09/14/2020 at 12:26

Honda Nissan Ferrari

Ah, yes, this. Anyone who thinks someone will cross shop a 2002 sans roof with a Rolex is delusional. And a craigslist rolex no less listed in the automotive category.

I bet this probably had roof damage to begin with as it is too nice otherwise to have been hacked off like that. But the green carpet also hints that it may have been like this for some time and it has stayed together thus far. I’d really want to see it in person without these grainy compressed photos to be able to tell.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
09/14/2020 at 12:28

It may be the cheapest way to get into a running 2002 that’s not a total basket case but the basket is being woven as we speak. I feel like this one might be too far gone for most purposes but could make a great donor to a clean shell. The uncracked dashboard alone hints at a caring owner prior to getting the roof hacked off.

Even with no roof you’re gonna want air conditioning in Georgia.

Green carpet hints at the roof getting chopped somewhere in the early 2000s or late 90s I think. Could be earlier, but it would need to go. Does seem to bode well for its structural stability.

Tripper > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
09/14/2020 at 12:29

Yeah gotta see it and he’s out to lunch @7500 for a chopped 02. You can have a BEAT but running (whole) car for that much. If there is no more rust than you can see. I could see 5-6 on this

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Tripper
09/14/2020 at 12:29

What if it is missing a vital part of the structure. Like maybe a roof in one random non specific example? I love these cars but this one is more of a parts car to swap into a shell.

Tripper > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
09/14/2020 at 12:36

Haha I made the swap sell comment to zoidberg as I’d be looking to strip it and put it in a well sorted shell and then drive it, maybe sell it.

I have looked at so many of these at this point that I can’t make any real calls without seeing them in person.

At a distance this car seems like a waste of time. However if the engine does not leak and all of the usable parts are good... booya, but for a good bit less than the seller wants.

I honestly don’t know much about the convertibles, I would assume there is some extra chassis bracing but have no idea.

The good thing is that 95% of 02 heads won’t even look at a car like this thus maybe netting the buyer a deal. Again assuming it isn’t a complete disaster underneath.

For somone looking for one to have and drive right away, I’d look to spend a little more than 10k on a nicer (complete) car.

Tripper > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
09/14/2020 at 12:40

FYI,

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1970-bmw-1600-3/

This is going to go for too much because there are plenty of shops and dealers that can turn this into a 50k car in a matter of weeks.

However, if it does not we can have an oppo bidding war because I want it BAD.

ranwhenparked > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
09/14/2020 at 12:44

That would be my guess - a tree fell on it or something and the owner chopped the top off instead of trying to fix it

fintail > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
09/14/2020 at 12:50

The more than minor body damage on the passenger side, of course not mentioned by the seller, could also be linked to roof removal. Could have impacted the B-pillar, which isn’t a good thing. “Not with a 10 foot pole” is the feeling I get from this one.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Tripper
09/14/2020 at 13:07

Dang it, Tripper, you got me wanting a 2002. Not that I ever didn’t want a 2002 but now I’m lots of very bad ideas.

That 2002 seems to have had all the hard work done so yeah that’ll not exactly sneak by. Should have put it on Dougslist.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Tripper
09/14/2020 at 13:08

The only ones I’ve seen that low are transplant rust buckets with bondo and a prayer holding them together. How hard is it to weld a roof back on?

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Tripper
09/14/2020 at 13:12

It isn’t a convertible as it doesn’t convert. The holder of the sawzall didn’t make any provisions for keeping out the water in rainy Georgia. Still, there are a lot of good parts in this. The seemingly crack free dash alone has got to be valuable.

I would expect some rust but it’s hard to tell without any pictures. No signs of thru rust from the pictures but I don’t know. Most of the good rust free ones were bought and shipped to the north for a profit long ago.

I presume a tree fell on it and someone just made a homemade convertible out of it judging by the slight body damage on the sides. I doubt it was this owner though. Seems like the kind of thing that changes hands a lot.

Tripper > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
09/14/2020 at 13:39

Haha, I’m unapologetic. I will likely further encourage you.

If you stay away from the snooty cars there are 10k drivers out there. I personally know of one in MD. Colorado orange 76' 5 speed swap, LSD. Asking $10,500. I looked but am holding out for a roundie.

Also I say this all the time, but for every “ OMG 50k for a 2002!?” car on Bring a Trailer . There is a reasonably priced driver or even a notch nicer than “driver spec” car. The 1600 I almost bought a few months ago went $10,800. I have seen a few go under 10 on BaT, and hemmings.

Honestly the best way to go about it is to shoulder up with any 2002 local community you might have. I’m lucky to be in somewhat of hotspot for BMW cca groups (Philadelphia area). Regardless of your location, if you get serious about wanting one I’m happy to reach out to the people I know. Most 2002 guys are absolute junkies for all cars, I have met some really cool people over the past year and a half.

Tripper > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
09/14/2020 at 13:40

More difficult than it is to find a better car, haha.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Tripper
09/14/2020 at 13:56

I don’t think I’ll be in a position to own something like that for a while. At the end of the year I might end up replacing my Cruze for something more fun but wouldn’t want to spend more thank 8k including initial repairs and work. Preferably less than that. An NB is a good shout at that price but they're hard to find in good condition.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Tripper
09/14/2020 at 13:58

Yes but less expensive? Maybe. Definitely more sketchy but arguably less sketchy than going roofless.

Tripper > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
09/14/2020 at 14:01

Yeah it’s been said a million times but you really can’t beat a miata. My best friend found a running na for 800! We missed it by 15 minutes (planned to co buy/build and track). It was rough, but like it runs...

I’m really hot for an E30 automatic project (I’d be swapping for a manual so just looking to save the money up front) my wife wants it to be an classic cooper. Definitely have to scour for affordable ones.

Tripper > Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available
09/14/2020 at 14:03

Agree, I mean if you can steal this thing and its in as good of shape as he says mechanically...could be a super fun whatever tf you want project.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Tripper
09/14/2020 at 14:08

Classic Coopers are high on my bucket list of rides. I love mid century cars of the people especially and that is an iconic one. It would be easier to source parts for than a 2CV too besides being easier to find in the first place, but I do love me a Citroen.

I’ve mostly narrowed down my search to Miatas and early Coopers but there is nothing at all on the low end of the used market for sale right now. I just want a fun simple car to learn the ropes of fun car ownership with. It doesn’t need to be very practical so I want to try a two door while I can get away with it.

Who is the Leader - 404 / Blog No Longer Available > Tripper
09/14/2020 at 14:08

A project is not something I am in any position to take on.