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Car Corner
Cool Cars Under $7,500
March 1, 2009
By Scott Lewis
The last time I visited this topic I looked for cool cars under
$15,000. I didn't just look for any cars, but cars that would normally
be way out of the price range of the average consumer. Those cars
included Porsches, Mercedes, BMW and even Jaguar.
This time I am going to pick cars that were affordable, or reasonably
affordable, when new, but now could be had for pennies on the dollar. I
did end up finding some higher dollar cars, but at this price point
mileage is way up there. In fact, any time you consider a car with the
kind of mileage these cars have you need to be very careful and expect
repairs.
I was disappointed in the lack of Camaros, Mustangs and Miatas that
caught my attention. In fact, I didn't find any Camaros that I would be
willing to buy. Remember, I owned a 93 Camaro and I am biased. I know
the LT1 engine in the 93-97 Camaro has a nasty cap and rotor system. I
would avoid these unless it was a car too tempting to pass up. That
happened with a 25th Anniversary 94 Trans Am. I would prefer a 98-02
Camaro or Firebird if getting the V-8.
I didn't find any Mustangs that inspired me. I was really hoping to find
an older LX model, from the time when the LX was a notchback with a trunk.
Those were the lightest and best for performance, so would make really
good project cars. No such luck, and all the other Mustangs just blurred
one into the other and didn't capture my interest.
The Miata was the biggest let down. Again, I am biased and really like
the body style change they did in 1999, so I only looked at 99 and newer Miatas. Very few stuck out in my mind.
Let's see what I did find that interested me.
1992 Toyota MR2, 86,880 mi, $5,950
Description: Rare!!! Rare!!! Rare find. This MR2 is
in absolute mint condition. All stock, original condition. Power
windows, power door locks, flip up sunroof, books and records.
Comments: I have a friend in New York that still owns one of these. He
has owned it since new. These cars are a blast to drive. Don't waste
your time getting one of the turbocharged cars. They will be well
thrashed by now. This car is very low mileage considering the age. For
under $6,000 you could have a fun little car to drive around in. I would
offer $4,500 and see what happens.
1985 BMW 635CSi CSi Automatic, 130,000 mi, $3,200
Description: Beautiful Classic. Must see and drive to appreciate. Well maintained.
Clean, clean. Current inspection and registration, new tires. I've owned
the car for the past 6 years as a weekender. Runs and drives great. No
leaks of any kind. Every power option works. A/C and Heat work perfect.
Texas car, no rust. I've priced it to sell!
Comments: I really like the look of this car, and have
since they were new. And I am not alone as this
is why the 6-Series made a come back. This price is so low I have to
wonder what's wrong with this car. If he is telling the truth then this
is the kind of car I really like... a private seller that takes good
care of his cars and just want to sell it. I feel like calling right
now.
2002 BMW 325Ci Sport Package, 177,000, $7,000
Description: All scheduled maintenance, Looks & runs great, Perfect first car,
Comments: Clearly this car is priced so low because of the mileage. We
have to hope this is easy highway miles. This car looks like it would
look fine sitting next to the new BMWs on a lot. This is so new it
almost seems like a regular car that should not be on this list.
1999 BMW 323is Sport Package, 145,000, $6,000
Description: Must see, clean, 2nd owner BMW 323is RED with sport package.
Excellent condition and well maintained with 145,500 miles and have
owned since 25,000 miles. Car has ground effects, fog lights, spoiler
package, aluminum alloy wheels and sun/moon roof. Leather interior and
rear seating which fold to enlarge the trunk. Also features an advanced
oil change monitor and has had synthetic oil per factory recommendations
from new. New tires, belts and hoses and heater/AC control unit (known
problem with this model BMW).
Comments: A little older but with less miles, and in resale red.
Obviously I like BMWs.
1994 Pontiac Trans Am, 143,000, $7,100
Description: 25th ANNIVERSARY EDITION TRANS AM. These are very rare cars with only
1750 being made and only 700 with these options. This car has T-tops,
auto, cd, power windows and locks, White leather interior with special
25th Anniversary embroidery. Have all service receipts, including
receipt for engine rebuild at 99K. New front and rear brakes. This is a
great car for your high school student or adult collector.
Comments: The LT1 engine in the 93-97 Camaro/Firebird is a pain to work
on. The distributor cap is a bad design that sits behind the water pump.
If it get wet it is ruined. I have had to replace the cap and rotor on
my 93 after an overheating. I still liked the car. I remember being a
little jealous of the 94 Trans Am when it came out with this paint
scheme after buying the 93 Camaro Z28. I don't know if this price is too
much or not. If I was serious I would check around a bit and see if this
is a fair price for this car.
2002 Pontiac Firebird V6, 94,500, $4,200
Description: Nice 2002 Pontiac Firebird, V6, PS, PB, 5-Speed Manual, looks and
runs great, cold AC, non-smoker. Has been driven sensibly, well
maintained, new plugs and wires, good tires and battery. 24MPG in mixed
driving. It is a pleasure to drive.
Comments: This car was located in San Antonio, so I thought I would list
it. The V-6 Camaro/Firebirds are nice enough cars. You get the looks
without the bad boy reputation. I wouldn't mind getting something like
this and letting my son drive it.
1990 Nissan 300 ZX, 73,300, mi, $7,500
Description: Silver/grey interior cloth, 5 spd, coupe, 73,300 miles, purchased
from original family, very good condition, covered in garage, glass roof
panels, cruise control, power seat, everything works, after market
stereo.
Comments: There are not a lot of these around anymore. These cars were
bad-ass when they were new. I remember my wife and I looking at a 92 300
ZX 2+2 when they were new. It was too expensive for us back then. The
salesman was the husband of my wife's coworker and he let us drive both
the 300 ZX 2+2 and a 300ZX Turbo, even though we had no chance of
affording the Turbo. We held out and bought the all new Camaro Z28 in
93... and I don't regret that one bit. But these cars still look tough,
and it should feel pretty fast without the turbo. The mileage is very
good for a car almost 20 years old.
1993 Mercedes-Benz 300CE, 169,000, $3,600
Description: Coupe, black w/black leather interior, auto, runs great, sunroof, 169K, cold
ac, good running car,
Comments: I remember these cars when they were new. They looked great. I
am amazed I found one priced so low, even with the mileage. I don't know
if this is a bargain or a car that needs very close inspection. Either
way I think it is worth a closer look.
1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SL, 151,000, $5,300
Description: Gold, a/c, leather, alloys, abs, power windows, cd, convertible, tint,
new tires, runs & looks great!
Comments: I did not expect to find any SL convertibles in my price
range. Imagine when I found 2. This one is the price champ.
1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SL Roadster Convertible, ??? mi, $7,500
Description: Red w/ tan. Beautiful inside & out! All
power, both tops, service records, sacrifice.
Comment: This is the second 560 SL I found. It costs more, but it has two
things going for it. 1) This is Bobby Ewing's car from the TV show
Dallas, and 2) It is in resale red. Red looks very good on this car. Plus
this car was located in San Antonio. I almost called.
1999 Honda Prelude SH, 92,000, $6,500
Description: Rare 1999 Honda Prelude SH Looks & runs great, with Low mileage. Car
has been kept in California and not driven much due to owner being in
the Navy. Timing Belt and all other belts have been replaced within the
last 60 days. Very clean interior, Non-smoker, well maintained, runs &
drives great.
Comments: The Prelude was always a special kind of Honda. They don't
make it anymore. I assume the Accord Coupe has picked up the sales of
the Prelude. The Prelude was always the best looking Honda. I really
liked them. This car looks good and the mileage is decent. If my son
liked the look of this car I would have no trouble buying this for him
and sharing in the driving.
2000 Mazda Miata MX5, 72,000, $6,750
Description: 2000 Mazda Miata, 72K miles, silver, black interior, runs good, 35MPG
Comments: I did not see a lot of Miatas that inspired me. This one had
low mileage and looked as stock as could be. I like that. This could make
a great little weekend car at a very reasonable price. I could see
getting this and using it to offset the mileage on my 335i. Then trade
back and forth with my son when he reaches driving age.
Conclusion
Do you have a list of cool cars for an affordable cars. Let me know.
