Trade my 89' Pontiac Safari for a 89' BMW 325is?

[86560SEL]

89' BMW 325is... worth trading for?

Read this carefully first... I little rewind here. I have too many cars. I have a 1989 Pontiac Grand Safari wagon (fairly rare), 100% rust free that I owned since 1999 and hate to sell it, but its been setting unused for years and I have decided to sell it. Well, with the way that gas is now, no one wants a big car... even classic car fans and fans of wagons. I have a couple that want to make payments, etc. It runs good, but needs serviced, as its not been driven. Woodgrain is starting to chip, good interior and paint, etc. One older guy wants to trade me a red 1989 BMW 325is for it. Its got the spoiler, etc. Its a 6-cylinder, 5-speed. stated to run and drive good, good body, but paint is starting to fade. Nice interior, but front seats have wear. I am personally not a BMW fan, nor am I at all familiar with these cars. I got to thinking that maybe I would have better chance of turning this one over and selling it, since there is little interest in the wagon.

Should I do it? Anyone familiar with the 325 BMWs, tell me of trouble spots, or can direct me to a BMW site for some helpful advice?

Thanks in advance!

[450slcguy]

Originally Posted by 86560SEL

or can direct me to a BMW site for some helpful advice?

Thanks in advance!

Do a google search on "BMW forums" and take your choice.

[86560SEL]

Thanks. I will.

If its any guide at all, I seen another 89' 325is today at a car lot, with only 4000 miles less for $4000 and in no better condition.

The irony of it is there is a guy that wants to trade me a like new 1991 Caprice for it if I trade for the BMW.

[catmandoo62]

try bimmerboard

[86560SEL]

Well, I did it. I traded today for the BMW. I do not know alot about this car, because I took it as a trade for a wagon I had. The guy that had it could no longer comfortably drive a 5-speed, because of an accident and now has a bad arm, so I traded my car to him, with intentions to resell this one, because I have a bum knee and cannot drive it! lol. I just wanted to help him out and get my wagon a good home in the process! Also, I know nothing about BMWs but I have had some tell me that this is a desirable little and safe sports car. He drove the car to me over 50 miles, so it must be a good runner!

Its a red 1989 BMW 325is, which is the "sportier" model and much more desired than the base 325i. Its a red, 2-door coupe, inline 6-cylinder, 5-speed manual transmission, power windows, power locks, power sunroof, anti-lock 4-wheel disc brakes, etc. It has 178K miles and the PO said that he rebuilt the engine awhile back and installed some sort of part in the driveshaft, which was a $280 part at the BMW dealer. He said this car gets about 27-28 MPG if driven properly! Thats a nice thing for sure. The seats are leather and the front seats need repaired or covered. Dash has a couple of cracks. Carpeting and headliner is good, rear seat is in great condition. The car has clearcoat peeling on the top, hood and trunk, but this would be a easy fix. Seems to run good. He drove it over 50 miles to my house. Good tires and nice factory wheels. Radio is out, but there are some radios in the trunk. It has 178K and he said he had the engine rebuilt not too long ago and a new part in the driveline that was a $280 part! It has good tires as well and nice factory wheels. I have not cleaned up the car good yet, so no "good" photos yet, but will be some to follow. Car is nearly 20 years old and is sold as-is. NADA loan value on this car is still $3775. I am not looking to make a fortune on this car.

Hopefully I can sell it for at least what I wanted to get out of the wagon, or trade it... maybe for a Mercedes. LOL.

[iwrock]

A car like that would fetch around 2-3k over here. Especially a 325is. I have been eyeing one for sometime now, and the nice ones that are good mechanically and have clean titles are above $2500....