Need some opinions

[ATF]

Hey everyone, me again. Ran across another ad on AutoTrader.

http://tinyurl.com/2th6rb

I really like the looks of the ad. I sent him an e-mail asking for some more pictures before I go check it out. But with 65K miles and all service records, it sounds like a pretty safe buy. Either way, I still plan on getting a test drive or two because it's relatively close by and hopefully completing the purchase in the coming weeks. I just wanted to get any feedback from you all. If I get pictures I'll be sure to post them up. Also, can anyone tell which model this is from the pixelated pic he has up? I forgot how to identify the different models so I'll probably be back asking if I can get some more pictures.

Oh, anything in particular to look for when a car is under 100K miles? Any mechanical issues?

Thanks for listening to my ramble,
Nick

[weezer]

By looking at the bumper, it's the M// Sport model, however, that model should have a rear bumper diffuser, M// Sport logo on the door mouldings, door sills, shift knob and steering wheel. I don't recall these models come with Auto trans. If not, be wary if previous accidents as the front bumper could have been replaced because of this.
Good Luck with it.

[1996 328ti]

Like Fariz said, it looks like a Sport but they do come with automatics.
All cars except 99 have a 4 spoke steering wheel.
Nothing unique about them.
It appears to have the M-technic side trim.

[ATF]

The seller got back in contact with me today via email

Dear Nick:

No major problems or accidents. You can look up VIN # also. The car is in Westport Connecticut and I work in Massachusetts during the week. I have not taken pictures of it simply because of time, but it is in great shape. Again I have all of the service records from the dealer where it was serviced over its life. If you want to give me a call to set up at time to see it, then use my cell at 203-xxx-xxxx.

So now I'm in the process of scheduling a time to meet up with him. I was wondering if anyone could run a CarFax on it for me if they've got the unlimited deal going on. Thanks
-Nick

[weezer]

Good Luck! Maybe you can try to talk him down.
I bought mine 3 yrs ago at 69.5K for $7000

[ATF]

Originally Posted by weezer

Good Luck! Maybe you can try to talk him down.
I bought mine 3 yrs ago at 69.5K for $7000

Sounds like a plan, I'm both nervous and excited at the same time.

I've been trying to do my research to make this a quick and easy transaction (assuming the car checks out), but Connecticut DMV confuses me sometimes..
http://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a...=|27868|#27871

I've sent in a request for form H-13 which is the Title. I can print out the Bill of Sale. I've got an acceptable form of ID (drivers license). So now my main concern is proof of insurance. Since I've never owned my own car, I'm not quite sure how this works, maybe my dad knows though. If I haven't purchased the car yet, how does one insure it? Anyways, if I end up insuring it what do you guys recommend in terms of coverage?

Sorry for all the questions, just want to get things right the first time around and want to look like I know what I'm doing when the time comes
-Nick

Edit: So I just had a chat with the old man.

CT Minimums are
$20,000 bodily injury per person.
$40,000 bodily injury per accident.
$10,000 property damage per accident.

Dad told me to choose $1000 for Collision and Comprehensive.
Geico quotes me @ $438 a Month
Esurance @ $325 a month
Progressive @ $330 a month
With good student discounts... kind of sucks (19, Male, 0 Traffic Violations)

[weezer]

Originally Posted by ATF

Sounds like a plan, I'm both nervous and excited at the same time.

I've been trying to do my research to make this a quick and easy transaction (assuming the car checks out), but Connecticut DMV confuses me sometimes..
http://www.ct.gov/dmv/cwp/view.asp?a...=|27868|#27871

I've sent in a request for form H-13 which is the Title. I can print out the Bill of Sale. I've got an acceptable form of ID (drivers license). So now my main concern is proof of insurance. Since I've never owned my own car, I'm not quite sure how this works, maybe my dad knows though. If I haven't purchased the car yet, how does one insure it? Anyways, if I end up insuring it what do you guys recommend in terms of coverage?

Sorry for all the questions, just want to get things right the first time around and want to look like I know what I'm doing when the time comes
-Nick

Edit: So I just had a chat with the old man.

CT Minimums are
$20,000 bodily injury per person.
$40,000 bodily injury per accident.
$10,000 property damage per accident.

Dad told me to choose $1000 for Collision and Comprehensive.
Geico quotes me @ $438 a Month and Esurance @ $325 a month.
Both with good student discounts... kind of sucks (19, Male, 0 Traffic Violations)

My insurance agent always recommends me to get the highest deductible to keep premiums low. For us adults with mortgages they also recommend up to $1m for bodily injury and $250k property damage.
Anyway, when you've agreed on the price, you get the bill of sale and have it faxed to your insurance agent and he will fax back a "folder" back to the dealer with proof of insurance. They will offer/insist on administrative fees to register your car for up to $500 extra, but just decline that and register the car yourself.
Good Luck.

[PettitWC]

when i bought my car out of state i just borrowed the other guy's plates for a bit and then took everything I had down to the dmv. Once you pay for the insurance they can give you a letter right there (if you can't print something out) that should count as proof of insurance and then I'd just bring all the stuff I needed down to the DMV.

[SDKmann]

Honestly I wouldnt go for it. An auto 318 is definitly not something you want. Trust me, I regret jumping on my car even though it was an auto every day. Hold off and wait for a good manual model, you will be happier in the long run.

[ATF]

Originally Posted by SDKmann

Honestly I wouldnt go for it. An auto 318 is definitly not something you want. Trust me, I regret jumping on my car even though it was an auto every day. Hold off and wait for a good manual model, you will be happier in the long run.

I've juggled that in my head for a while, auto or manual.. But I think I'm going to be more happy with an auto for now. The main purpose of the car is to A. get me around Boston when public transportation isn't convenient, B. get me from Boston to Stamford, CT and C. Get me to co-op. Odds are I'm going to have traffic for all of them.

When I get a steady, well paying job, I'll upgrade my toys and play around with the standard. For now I think I'd be better off with the automatic.

Thanks for your input though I appreciate it

Originally Posted by weezer

My insurance agent always recommends me to get the highest deductible to keep premiums low. For us adults with mortgages they also recommend up to $1m for bodily injury and $250k property damage.
Anyway, when you've agreed on the price, you get the bill of sale and have it faxed to your insurance agent and he will fax back a "folder" back to the dealer with proof of insurance. They will offer/insist on administrative fees to register your car for up to $500 extra, but just decline that and register the car yourself.
Good Luck.

I think my dad is going to take me under his wing with Geico for the time being. Also I *believe* it's a personal seller, not a dealer so I'm going to bring any copies of documentation needed to the seller to make sure I don't get caught with my pants down. What I don't get is how I get the car from his house to my house if I don't have insurance & plates? Unless I borrow his plates as PettitWC mentioned (but that doesn't sound legal). I guess I could leave it at his place while I get the paperwork squared away?

[ATF]

News Update, Got a hold of the seller on his cell phone. Going to check out the car this Sunday @ 1. Going to bring my digi cam to take pics so I can drool after I leave. He just got the car checked out this past April and needed to replace some power steering hoses i believe. Reinforced the fact that he had service records of it. Sounds like he's an older gentleman so I don't feel like I'm being shafted I might not even try to bargain him down.

[PettitWC]

Originally Posted by ATF

News Update, Got a hold of the seller on his cell phone. Going to check out the car this Sunday @ 1. Going to bring my digi cam to take pics so I can drool after I leave. He just got the car checked out this past April and needed to replace some power steering hoses i believe. Reinforced the fact that he had service records of it. Sounds like he's an older gentleman so I don't feel like I'm being shafted I might not even try to bargain him down.

you always gotta bargain...goes with the territory

[StealthBimmer]

I think you got a good deal with the ti! Good luck on the sale and keep us posted. Maybe we can see you at a future MA meet.

[ATF]

I feel silly asking this question, because I know it's been covered. But I'm just too damned lazy to search this time

How do I tell whether it's a Base, Active or Sport?

For Base I know only Base's came with cloth seats, but I'm pretty sure they also came with leather?
Active, not a darn clue.
Sport, these have the adjustable seats right? They have the little extension on the ass part of the seat. Don't laugh if I'm wrong , ok just little but not to my face.

And value wise, Sport > Active > Base?

Thanks guys

[ATF]

I'm really excited about tomorrow heh. I remember walking around Boston and spotting a blue ti parked on the street. I probably stared at it for a good 5 minutes before leaving. I wish I had some 318ti.org stickers I could have left under his wiper.

But yeah, if everything looks good, I chatted with my dad, he said he'd buy it and pay for the insurance 'til I'm out of school. Seems only fair, he did that with my older brother too Hopefully I can milk him for some more $$ so I can get some other extras for the ti and I can't wait for the next meet.