engine and drivetrain newb-ish guy needs help

[kikass_2002]

HELLO ALL,

I have been drooling over all 2002's since i was 6 i am almost 16 now and with a licence, well you guys can guess what car im looking at. so i know the basics of what to look for rust, dents, paint, engine, smog stuff an all that. but i would love if you guys could guide me towards the best 2002 for me. i have been saving up for a while now and just about the 5000 range. i will most likely like a little sporty one because , well im a 16 year old guy that loves cars. but not a stupid driver.

so this is what i would be looking for myself in the car

engine

paint

interior condish

wheels

sporty-ness

i will probably pre order the turbo airdam and flares before i get the car possibly suspension as well.

if you guys have any suggestions please do tell

any cars you might want me to look at i will defiantly have an open mind

thanks much

Dylan

[Pinepig]

Where are you from?

If you are not from California consider buying one from here anyway, most are rust free to start with.

If you are in the rust belt, this can be a big problem.

[Vroomer]

Also consider regular occurring expenses: gas money, insurance, replacement parts, possibly labor to install said parts.

So consider a $4000 car with a $1000 cushion

HAPPY HUNTING! and welcome to the nut house. ;-]

Hey G-Man, see what you can find for this pup. ;-]

[FutureMan]

$5000 should get you a pretty nice example. good luck searching

[eastsidebimmer]

Find a car in good shape, learn it, make it safe and reliable to operate and then decide over time what you want to burn your money on. You may quickly find that your flare fund goes to unforeseen additional expenses when completing every project.

Good luck and please share with us what you find!

Ben

[Napes]

Might want to contact me. We have my son's ' 74 2002 for sale right now (see Cars For Sale, about the 9th line down). He's been working on the car since he was 14 (he's now 26) and is has many aspects to it that a younger owner might be looking for. We'll have additional pics ready by tonight, but you can see it in the front in the Avatar to the right.

[BarryA]

Where are you from?

If you are not from California consider buying one from here anyway, most are rust free to start with.

If you are in the rust belt, this can be a big problem.

emissions laws, and if it looks like you won't get stuck with ever having to deal with emissions testing, watch for '76's coming up for sale in CA.

'76's are the only '02's that are subject to CA's very tight smog check requirements, so cars that are otherwise in very decent condition become major liabilities for their owners here when they won't pass smog, can't be registered, and become very difficult to sell (CA law makes the seller responsible for providing proof that the car has passed emissions testing).

I know of at least 2 or 3 '76's in my immediate area that have sat idle for some time because they won't pass smog and can't be registered - one of them (a straight, running Fijord blue sunroof with a/c) just sold for $750. If you live almost anywhere other than in CA, chances are good that if you look a bit, you can find a solid, rust free CA '76 for less than you'd spend for a rough earlier car elsewhere.....

[JohnW]

Like others have said, 76 2002s in California could potential represent a good value if you live in a smog free area and are willing to have it shipped. This one looks like it might be a good deal. Price is now down to $2950. That said, I really don't know any more than what the ad says.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=488105

[JohnW]

Like others have said, 76 2002s in California could potential represent a good value if you live in a smog free area and are willing to have it shipped. This one looks like it might be a good deal. Price is now down to $2950. That said, I really don't know any more than what the ad says.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=488105

[ingraham]

http://www.bayarea02.com/toolbox/buy-sell_resource.html

In my opinion more stock and fewer mods is better. With an unmolested car there are fewer "repairs" to undo. Spend your early efforts on fixing what's broken and doing normal maintenance. Be patient (and hang around here); it will take you a while to learn which mods are worthwhile.