"MentalJuggernot" (MentalJuggernot) 01/07/2014 at 15:34 • Filed to: None

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Basically I have the opportunity to pursue one of these three cars. My daily driver is out of commission with what I believe is a blown head gasket; I'm just waiting to find someone with a compressor that I can borrow to do a leak down test and see for sure. In the meantime, I've been splitting cars with the rest of my family.

I know the answer is always Miata, but the idea of a Corvette (and a car that potentially has value in it) really appeals to me. And of course, the chassis of the E36 can't be forgotten. There may be an outside chance I can pursue a E36 M3 as well in which case that's the one, but for now it's these three.

I can't decide; I need to have a car that works in the near-ish future, but the barn find is really rooted in my mind. What are your thoughts?

EDIT:

Corvette: "Was told it was a running car when parked in 2007 but I haven't started or tried since key is special. This is a complete car with a good but dirty interior. Original corvette wheels. The down side is , This car has no KEYS. A locksmith pulled the ignition switch out so the wheel and trans can be operated. Hence the low price on the car. Great for parts or motor and trans for a street rod project."

318I:

Clear coat is a bit faded, rear tint needs to be redone, and drivers seat needs seat cover.

133k

Miata:

After market seats w seatbelt harness
Running on super flushed steelies
Bozozuki exaust
Spoon rear view mirrors
Stock engine

180k

BMW 740i:

Smog was done within 90 days so it's good for transfer
Bilstein shocks all around
Timing chain guides and waterpunp changed 1 year ago

210k

Miata 2:

All fine.

All of them are auto except the miatas...

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > MentalJuggernot 01/07/2014 at 15:38

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Corvette: forget it.
318i: not sure, but 4 banger and auto isn't a great combination.
Miata 1: look for a more original example.
740i: neat.
Miata 2: neat.

For Sweden > MentalJuggernot 01/07/2014 at 15:40

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The real answer is V8, so Vette or 740i*

*This opinion doesn't not consider cost of ownership or reliability

Montalvo > MentalJuggernot 01/07/2014 at 15:42

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I would probably skip all of these and keep looking but if I had to choose one of these it would probably be the red miata because it looks the cleanest, is manual and is the easiest to make your own. If that E36 M3 does become a possibility depending on condition that would probably be the winner for me.

RotaryLover > MentalJuggernot 01/07/2014 at 15:44

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Check if the maintenance has been done properly on the 7 series. If you can afford the repairs and running cost, get the 7 series. If not, Miata no.2. I don't get what was in the guy's mind when he modded miata no.1....the 3 series doesn't seem too bad at all. It's much livable cost wise compared to the 7 series...but the 7 series is somthing else.

oldirtybootz > MentalJuggernot 01/07/2014 at 15:47

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If those are my choices, I'm going Miata 2. Maybe Miata 1 just to save it from another asshat doing more tasteless mods.

gmctavish needs more space > MentalJuggernot 01/07/2014 at 15:49

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Corvette's a project, you do not want to be relying on that as a daily

318i: Sweet jesus the E36 with the M42 is slow when it's manual, I can't imagine how it would be when it's auto.....

Miata 1: Sounds like stancebro owner that didn't do engine work, just looks? I also don't know Miatas at all.

740i: Should be reliable, if bad on gas. Sounds well taken care of, they're usually just offloaded before that work is done

Miata 2: ?

I'd say 740i or second Miata if it's stock or lightly modded. The 318i could be okay, if the Tchain housing gasket issue has been rectified, and the tranny is actually in good shape. Still slow as balls.

Audi-os, amigos > Goshen, formerly Darkcode 01/07/2014 at 15:51

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Is there a more handsome BMW than the E38 7-series? Looks like a fucking literature professor in an arm chair sipping scotch just PARKED.

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > Audi-os, amigos 01/07/2014 at 16:17

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The 507.

Audi-os, amigos > Goshen, formerly Darkcode 01/07/2014 at 16:24

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The 507 is more your fun WWII-vet grandpa who drinks Sailor Jerry and curses when your parents aren't around.

Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder > MentalJuggernot 01/07/2014 at 16:31

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Corvette!

2 years ago I got a ride in one, and that thing was brutal!

it was a very normal cruiser and then I thought, that it?

He floored it, I got pushed in my chair and my brain melted.

The sound! The everything!

Oh, he daily'd it too. he bought it for 6000 euro.

StoneCold > MentalJuggernot 01/07/2014 at 16:44

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Go for the 740i, all the way!

offroadkarter > MentalJuggernot 01/07/2014 at 16:51

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Corvette: no

318I: no

White miata: What a piece of shit, oh my god

740i: While I love the e38's, the Style 37 wheels on that car are worth half, if not more, of the price of that car. They aren't known for being the most reliable 7 series

Red miata: no

Final verdict: keep looking

offroadkarter > Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder 01/07/2014 at 16:59

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Nothing about a L98 TPI Vette is "brutal", its a 250hp truck engine with no top end.

Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder > offroadkarter 01/07/2014 at 17:09

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It was really fast, and I smiled the rest of the day. super comfortable, and awesome 80's digital dash.

offroadkarter > Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder 01/07/2014 at 17:12

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whats the fastest car you've ever been in

Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder > offroadkarter 01/07/2014 at 17:24

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That Corvette or maybe a 65' mustang.Audi RS,

offroadkarter > Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder 01/07/2014 at 17:24

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so what your saying is it felt fast because you haven't been in a fast car

gotcha, thats understandable

Pabuuu, JDM car enthusiast & Italian parts hoarder > offroadkarter 01/07/2014 at 17:27

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What do you call ''fast'' then?

Aaron James > MentalJuggernot 01/07/2014 at 20:40

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Hard to really make a suggesting without pricing info. Corvettes in that condition are a dime a dozen. It will cost more to paint and fix it than it will ever be worth even if it's free. If anything goes wrong with the seven series it will be big bucks to fix. The 318 is slow but if it's taken care of, it can be reliable and not insanely expensive to maintain. Miatas are everywhere too. They're all so different and have good and bad sides. The only one I'd say to drop from the list for sure is that Corvette.

Aaron James > MentalJuggernot 01/07/2014 at 20:45

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On a side not here, from my experience cars that run and drive rarely get parked and left alone. 99% of all cars that "ran when parked" either don't run at all, or had a serious problem like a rod knocking, a bad transmission, or a hole in the crankcase. If it doesn't run, expect at least the cost of a full rebuild even if you're told it ran when they parked it.