When you’re looking at inexpensive cars for sale, and you come across something that seems too cheap, you can guess before clicking on the ad that it either a) is a scam, or b) has been mightily abused. There is absolutely no point in us ever looking at the former, but the latter is right up our alley. Today’s cars definitely fit that description. Before we get to them, though, let’s look at the results of our grandpa sedans from yesterday:
Well, color me surprised! I fully expected the Northstar to scare more of you away. Apparently the only thing scarier than a Northstar is rust.
Some cars, when you see their listings, you just feel sorry for them. They’ve obviously led hard lives, full of abuse and indifference, and it’s one thing if the car in question is a Subaru Outback or something that no one really cares that much about. But if it’s an uncommon mid-engined sports car, or a highly-sought-after European compact, you want to reach out to them. You hear Sarah McLachlan singing quietly in the background, and your heartstrings get a good solid tug. Every day, good cars get abused by bad owners. Won’t you help them?
1991 BMW 318i convertible – $2,000
Engine/drivetrain: 1.8 liter inline 4, 5 speed manual, RWD
Location: Gladstone, OR
Odometer reading: 145,000 miles
Runs/drives? Kinda-sorta starts sometimes, but that’s it
I don’t know if the chassis code “E30” is still spoken in hushed tones of reverence or not, but for a while, everybody wanted one of these. I imagine that’s why someone ias asking two grand for a beat-to-shit convertible that doesn’t run. Don’t get me wrong; they’re great cars to drive, but I can’t get past the fact that $2000 used to buy a decent two-door 325es that ran like a top.
Speaking of tops, this car needs one. But from all appearances that’s the least of your worries here. The huge dent behind the door can probably be left alone, though it might prevent that quarter window from rolling down. And is that really packing tape holding the corner of the rear bumper together?
But even a scruffy, unsightly E30 convertible could be fun to drive… if you could drive it. Unfortunately, the little M40 four-cylinder under the hood of this one does not run. It sounds like the seller bought it in a non-running state and tried unsuccessfully to revive it. It will start, sometimes, and sputter out some semblance of an idle once in a while, which is encouraging. Maybe someone with a bit more mechanical acumen would have more success.
If it were either banged-up or non-running, I could see it, but as it stands, I personally don’t see spending $2,000 on this car. But I’m not as BMW-crazy as some.
1988 Pontiac Fiero Formula – $1,200
Engine/drivetrain: 2.8 liter V6, 5 speed manual, RWD
Location: Vancouver, WA
Odometer reading: 90,000 miles
Runs/drives? More or less, yeah
In this case, I feel sorry not only for the car, but for the seller. It sounds like they bought this car for someone to help them out, and that someone trashed it, got it impounded, and left it behind. The seller got it out of impound, but it’s still trashed, and half-disassembled. It does, however, run and drive, albeit without an exhaust.
But if you’re after a Fiero, this is one of the ones you want. It’s a final-year Formula, with the V6, the good suspension, and a five-speed manual. It did not originally come with air conditioning, but the seller started to add it in, and got this far:
Sort of a minimalist vibe in this one. The seller says they have all the pieces, but you’ll have to put everything back together, whether you finish the AC install or not. The car also has no exhaust from the catalytic converter back, and the 3rd gear synchro is on the way out. Apparently Junior was a bit aggressive with it.
The good news is that it has a healthy 2.8 liter V6 with only 90,000 miles on it, a new clutch, and comes with at least some of the parts to fix it up. And when you do get it all back together, you’ll have a fun Fiero in the right spec.
Obviously neither of these cars is ready for prime-time, but they both could be fun cars with some work. It’s up to you which one you want to rescue.
I agree with the Fiero majority here and the “LS swap all the things” take. Buy the Fiero, fix it up, drop a V8 in it, WIN! Plus if I’m doing a raggedy Bimmer I want a straight six. To me a BMW without a minimum of 6 cylinders is like buying a V6 Challenger. You’ve got the style but the soul ain’t there…and I’m a SOULLLLLL MAN!
Damit, why did I have to start with a shit 1st year car when this Fiero eventually would have been the perfect candidate. Either one of these (or both) would be great candidates for a K20/24 swap. All this said by a guy 2 years into a K20 swap into a ratty ass Fiero that I hope one day to have back on the road.
I’m starting to believe this daily feature is automaker propaganda to sell people on the idea of 7 year car loans.
At the very least, next time I get a call regarding an extended warranty, Imma pick up.
The BMW is bordering on being a parts car at this point. You’re buying an idea and a project more than you’re buying a car. I’d have to go with the Fiero for the cheaper parts and much better starting condition
Yup, gotta be the Fiero, even if I would definitely be all about the BMW if it was a little more new-ish.
I don’t mind cleaning things and bolting them back of as much as I do pounding out dents and paying someone else to do stuff I can’t do, like the top and what I’d guess is wrong with the engine (points, condensers and carbs I can do, electronics and engine computers not so much.
It has been a long, long time since I’ve revived a Beater. These two remind me of why I hope it’s gonna be a whole lot longer!
Fiero, I choose you!
Seriously, this thing needs a smallblock V8.
E30s are wonderful machines. I had a coupe that I loved and it was positively a tank. That being said, the things that are wrong with this one are just too expensive to fix (correctly). It’s just about hopeless. The Fiero is the clear choice. I used to own a twin that was (unfortunately) an automatic. I was thinking even if this one WAS an automatic, I’d choose it over the *ahem* irreparably damaged Bimmer. Being a manual makes the decision process instantaneous. Plus, your cup of nearly-free parts cars runneth over. And these things are a hoot to drive. And have their own burgeoning collectability.
DUDE!!! V6 Fiero 5spd!!!?? No questions asked. That 318 is NOT rare, this Fiero is VERY rare.
Gotta go with neither, they’re just too far gone.
Is Tracy picking the cars?
88 Fiero wins. BMW is good for parts, not much else.
I’d skip the AC install on the Fiero and just put it back together. Worth more that way.
The Fiero.
Installing AC seems to be a hugely ambitious undertaking (compressor, bracket, dryer, lines, evap, HVAC head unit, belts/pulleys, etc.) – I admire the gumption.
I just closed my eyes and clicked, neither one interests me. In the spirit of the poll, I made a random choice.
I am wondering how that interior looks so good on the BMW with the top in tatters. I was expecting a shitshow in there. I’m sure the carpet is moldy as hell, but those seats look really good! I hate to say “parts car”, but that may be its future….
Clearly abused or another guy’s project? Hmmmm. While I tend to stay far far away from half-completed projects, that BMW is just so damn sorry looking. The fact that it is largely held together by tape is a big turn-off, and I couldn’t just drive around with that huge dent so I am looking at some extensive body repair bills. Also – that price! Jeebus! I’ll roll the dice on the Fiero, going in understanding that I will likely need to spend some time/money on the interior as I am sure some old brittle plastic parts didn’t survive the carnage. Some tranny work will be in order as well, but at the end of the day, I will have a late year Fiero in the right spec that shines up pretty well.
$2,000 for a convertible that has no rear window and doesn’t run is a joke. The Fiero wins this by default, though I do think it has great potential as a project.
I had to vote for the Fiero. It was in an abusive relationship and needs to see what a good relationship is.
While cheaper, the Fiero is the one that is more likely to ruin you financially.
“While cheaper, the Fiero is the one that is more likely to ruin you financially.”
Surely you jest.
Russian troll he is.
The fiero seems to have a better chance of becoming a functional car. Still think both should be 500$ or less. Almost if you remove it from my driveway, it’s yours price cars.
That’s not just any Fiero. It’s the Holy Grail Fiero.
Being an ’88 V6 5-speed, it has the redesigned suspension AND the Getrag 5-speed transaxle. It only came in this model, and it will take V8 power. LS swap all the things!!
NP. I want it!!
Not saying how I voted but… uh… anyone know how well that Fierro would accommodate a 6’6″ driver?
The Fiero! It’s the one where they sorted the suspension, and it has a manual. This will make an excellent rallycross beater.
I’m afraid that convertible is a parts car at this point.
I wanted to get the BavarianMoneyWaster but had to go Fiero. It’s a lot cheaper and it could be driveabile. I have no witty or insightful statements to make. These two are just sad, really.
“For only $20 a month, and a large tab at your local O’Reilly’s, you can help save this car and give it a better life.”
I actually saw a website the other day that does this. They find heaps and/or projects, buy and resell at a profit using that save this rare odd car harp strung.
For those who have a heart but don’t do the research. Donate to your local animal shelter. The Sara McLoughlin organization is a fund raising animal killing organization. Very little goes to saving animals.
There should be a craigslist just for potential Lemons race cars. These 2 could start it.
Tough call, but Fiero. It actually runs, if badly. Screw the A/C install at this point, just get her back in one piece.
And there’s just the siren song of bringing an oddball cool car back to life. Fixing up a BMW is like fixing up an old Porsche – cool, but expected and there are tons running around. But an infamous ’80s totally out-of-character GM product? The right kind of people will like you.
“The right kind of people will like you”? You mean us?
Or put another way, fan boy website denizens of the “I know a shop that can restore this for me, it will fit nicely in my collection” variety vs. “What’s the problem? I’ll just manually raise and lower that passenger headlight damnit!”
Or “f* it. Winking cars have character.” Haha.
No tough call at all!
I hate that I voted Fiero over BMW, but I voted with my teenage self who always wanted one. Sure it needs more work, but then I’d have a Fiero.
I am with you. I imagine if rebuilt and made into a decent thing the Beemer is worth more in the end, but man it needs a tone of work. The Fiero is also not a simple fix, but with the front drive LS v8 GM cars now hitting junkyards in quantity and that LS being nearly worthless, I would definitely consider swapping the V8 for a Imp SS front engine and trans out back and then really just drive it a bit ratty. Definitely would be more rat rod than the purposely patina’d slow rust rods I seem to see being called Rat Rods these days.
Pretty much the same idea in longer term for sure.