I have always had bad experiences with prior BMW purchases: 82 320i, 84 528e and 86 735iL...electrical gremlins, running issues, etc. So, I was browsing craigslist the other day and stumbled on a 1987 325 convertible for $500...looked at it today, black, black top, no rust, the outside will look great with some wax, dent-wizardable dent in one fender, Michelin tires that look almost new. The bad is the leather front seats are torn up and it needs an alternator (won't hold a charge in the new battery), and has 225xxx miles. I offered $375, the seller came back with $400, and we have a deal. Will I never learn???

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2002 Ford ZX2
2 x 2013 Honda Civics

sounds like you can't go too far wrong.

you could part it out for a sizable profit.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Hiya Tom...parting it is my fallback position...I figure the wheels and Michelins should be worth $200 by themselves. If by some fluke I coax it to life I'll have a good summer runabout like the 560SL rustmobile I had last year.

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2002 Ford ZX2
2 x 2013 Honda Civics

yep.

good luck

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Dave, That's a great buy, a convertible and Summer, around the corner, 4-5 mos. up here where Tom and I are! With the body being rust-free and basically sound otherwise, you can 10x your investment when ship-shape!

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SONNY was right...Nobody Cares.
Calogero, from the movie, "A BRONX TALE."

If it's been maintained at all, sounds like a great deal. I don't like convertibles myself but that's just me.

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

We have a limited convertible season around here, it gets over 100 degrees in the summer, with brutal humidity so black leather and the top down sounds AWFUL in August. Spring and fall are great for drop-tops though.

Do any of you guys know anything about Put In Bay or Port Clinton OH? My wife wants to spend a couple of weeks on one of the Great Lakes this summer...she's from a small town in MI and misses the weather. I'm looking for ideas.

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2002 Ford ZX2
2 x 2013 Honda Civics

Like pastmaster wrote:

If it's safe and doesn't need any major work, fix that alternator, remove the dings, throw on some seat covers and detail her. Come May, when everyone has spring fever, you might get a few grand for it.

...of course that blows your idea of cruisin' in a ragtop on a budget, but if you got the itch for some extra dough.

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'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

there are lots of places for rent. i don't know how far in advance you need to reserve, but i bet you better get looking.

there are some beautiful places on the great lakes in summer! we like saugatuck. don't go there though if you are homophobic. ... or whatever the female equivalent is.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Dave, Put-in-Bay and Port Clinton are on Lake Erie cities, and Cedar Pointe, is in Sandusky, right there. If you like like big monster roller coasters and scare yourself rides, this is the place! Go to their site and you'll see.
Anyway, you are between Toledo and Cleveland, Ohio, with those cities. There are so many places and so much to see!!!

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SONNY was right...Nobody Cares.
Calogero, from the movie, "A BRONX TALE."

I grew up in Cincinnati but we NEVER traveled into Ohio because the rest stops along I-75 and I-71 were gross, according to my mom, so we always went south?!

I don't know doodly squat about anything north of Dayton.

We did some checking, and we're looking at $1000/week for a small house, but most are not dog friendly and my wife would sooner die than leave her Boston Terrier Oreo at home or in a kennel...I'll be working so I can watch the other dogs, but not her baby. Don't know what we're going to wind up doing yet.

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2002 Ford ZX2
2 x 2013 Honda Civics