you can probably find yourself a rather nice 2002 or 1600 for that price range-- however you'd want to stay away from the tii's if your budget was fixed.

As for "i'm no mechanic"

I'm not sure that all of us were before buying a 2002, but I can speak for myself only. As a result of buying a 2002 that had been, in some respects, neglected or misrepaired-- I found it much easier to learn to work on it myself as I didn't usually take off weekends like many mechanics do. My point is that your car WILL break and it WILL need to be fixed. THIS WILL HAPPEN WHEN YOU CAN'T CALL A MECHANIC to bail you out.

That being said, learn to turn some basic wrenches. I'm not saying learn to rebuild the engine or rear end. What I'm suggesting is buy a nice quality starter tool kit (craftsman or the like) a test light or multi-meter and become familliar with the tools while tinkering with the 2002 that you buy. BRING YOUR TOOLS WITH YOU. Since by day I'm in a more professional environment I mostly work on my cars with latex or nitrile gloves too-- It keeps me from having black stains in my skin.

You may start with changing the spark plugs, fuel filter, and testing for and replacing bad lights and switches, fixing wiring, tightening squeaks or loose stuff. You may end up in no time at all adjusting your own valves or doing your own brakes.

You don't have to be a machinist or heavy wrench. There are mechanics to take the car to for the heavy stuff you don't feel confident about but could mess something up if you did it wrong.


Keep lingering here. There are often cars for sale here on the cars for sale board. Additionally members usually post when they see a car for sale that may be of interest to a board member. My personal favorite place for looking is Craigslist.com-- There is a Dallas TX site there and you can find cars in your area.

What to avoid-- Rust
here is a good guide http://www.bmw2002faq.com/content/view/80/32/


What else-- Shoddy repairs or "Upgrades" but again you can rely on the FAQ board for the expertise. Chime in and bounce your questions off of us. "hey I went to look at a car today and I found that the ...." is this right? Should I offer less..." Maybe another FAQ er could go with you too? I'm always down to look at 2002's-- kind of like women really.

Become more familliar with 2002's by looking at the rest of the 02 FAQ's that are linked to in the header of this site.



Just giving back.
_________________
Make it different... or just do it differently

Bill in Petaluma, CA

1969 1600 The current distraction
1970 2002 RIP -- crashed then quartered
1971 2002 M20/02 RIP -- nothing but pieces now
1972 2002 gone, but not missed POS

buy a Hanes repair manual too. It's a good reference.
_________________
Make it different... or just do it differently

Bill in Petaluma, CA

1969 1600 The current distraction
1970 2002 RIP -- crashed then quartered
1971 2002 M20/02 RIP -- nothing but pieces now
1972 2002 gone, but not missed POS

thanks guys...good info. i would expect to be doing some simple things to any car that's old, so yeah, i'm willing. also, when i said dealer, i meant shops that restore/repair/locate 02s specifically; 2002ad.com for example. thanks again and let the education begin...

ie---> http://dallas.craigslist.org/car/649992363.html

from selectclassics.com

Not sure if you're aware... There's an informal '02 gathering/drive tomorrow.

We're meeting at Sedalia at 10 AM

http://www.rmbmw2002.com/smf/index.php?topic=272.0

If you want to learn more about rust, I can help.
_________________
Martin
'73tii rustoration
2002tii-restoration.org

right on martin. thanks for the heads-up. my fiance and i may show up and ogle over the cars at the grill. who's got an 02 they're driving? oh, i just signed up for the rockymountain 02 forum too. thanks.