twentysixknots
06-17-2005, 09:03 AM
Hello all. I just joined this forum and think it's an awesome resource I plan on using for a while. I am in the process of buying a 98 318ti with 96000 miles for $7,200, which seems to me to be a fair deal for the condition of this one, with leather, alloys, CD (guessing it's a Sport - not sure). OK, honesty here - it's 3AM and I can't sleep because I'm so damn excited!
Here's what I learned from this experience:
1) Test Drive a bunch before you decide to buy anything.
2) Private parties are probably the best place to buy.
3) It's more about the maintenance than the mileage
4) Be Patient (I try to pretend that I'm not in the market till next week)
I was amaized at the varrying condition of 318ti's all in the same price range and description. I drove over 350 miles around New England this week to test drive (5) 318ti's. The three that were on used car dealer lots all left me with an uneasy feeling (including one I almost left a mile from the dealer when I noticed the temp gage in the red), while the two from private parties were clean and well kept vehicles. It'a also a better feeling talking to the owner rather than a guy who moves cars across a lot for a living!
I started with the vehicle I was least likely to buy, working up some experience saying - "no thanks", confident that I had better prospects down the road.
Looking forward to many happy years with my ti
-Chris
Here's what I learned from this experience:
1) Test Drive a bunch before you decide to buy anything.
2) Private parties are probably the best place to buy.
3) It's more about the maintenance than the mileage
4) Be Patient (I try to pretend that I'm not in the market till next week)
I was amaized at the varrying condition of 318ti's all in the same price range and description. I drove over 350 miles around New England this week to test drive (5) 318ti's. The three that were on used car dealer lots all left me with an uneasy feeling (including one I almost left a mile from the dealer when I noticed the temp gage in the red), while the two from private parties were clean and well kept vehicles. It'a also a better feeling talking to the owner rather than a guy who moves cars across a lot for a living!
I started with the vehicle I was least likely to buy, working up some experience saying - "no thanks", confident that I had better prospects down the road.
Looking forward to many happy years with my ti
-Chris