I’m absolutely serious, I love how that thing looks (minus the grill, expected for a BMW). What do you all think?
Hey guys! I was browsing the internet looking for cheap cars and came across a 1992 Miata with come cosmetic mods that can be easily removed for $5,500. I've got a test drive coming up on Tuesday if it isn't sold before then so I'm browsing again and find a 1997 BMW Z3 for sale for $4,500.
I know there is only so much advise that can be given without looking at the cars but from the pictures they seem in similar shape and have similar mileage, about 200k. What are some of the pros and cons between these two cars? Are they both going to provide similar experiences on track or will one be dramatically different? Is the $1000 difference between them going to dissolve with operating costs? Any advise or insight is greatly appreciated.
EDIT: one big difference between the cars is the BMW seems to have a service history and has been owned for 18 months. The Miata has been owned for 6 months and has no service history.
EDIT 2: My ideal use case for this car (whatever it ends up being) is a fun weekend/occasion car that I can take to Autocross events and modify season by season. I'm looking for something that will start off as stock as possible so I can be in street class, then modify as I find my and the car's limits. Start small and work my way up.
EDIT 3: The BMW has the 1.9L engine
I have been gifted a BMW Z3 2.3 and I’m undecided what to do with it. It’s in pretty good condition with just one minor problem to do with the seat belt sensor. My main worry is things going wrong with a car of this age and high BMW repair costs. Does anyone have experience with a Z3, how reliable are they, are they costly to repair?
Clearances are ULTRA tight between the end of the toe adjust bolt and the subframe washer. It is very difficult though absolutely possible to fully tighten the nut. Is this something your shop would charge extra for? I just don't want to bring it in and have the shop call me and tell me they can't do it, but charge me anyway for putting it on the lift.
I brought it to one highly rated place for a benchmark alignment and they put a 2 foot scratch in the side of the car that I did not notice for weeks because I drove the car home in the rain and garaged it without looking at it (there is no possibility that anyone else entered the garage). Anyway I found another highly rated place that specializes in European cars...basically I just don't want to get shafted again.
So now it's been winter I kept my car in the garage and drive it from time to time, mostly once in 2 weeks. Now last 2 times I found out that my battery died within those 2 or 3 weeks and I was wondering if this is normal.
It hasn't died completely, all the lights still work and radio as well. When starting I get that ticking noise. I always have my alarm off and my interior lights off as well. Anybody knows more or has some experience
