other 1,000 Mile 02' Reflection.

[Nesset127]

So, I thought I would make this thread for anyone thinking about buying a 2002 as a first car.. I did almost 2 years ago and I have loved (almost) every moment of it. I have been driving it and breaking it more than I have been talking about it recently. Today marked the day I have thrown one thousand miles on the car. Parked up and noticed the numbers...

I just recently started driving it once more recently when school started. I was in the pen for not having good grades but that's another story. In the time I have been driving it I have realized there are a bunch of cons to driving something this old on a daily basis. Rust, 4 speed, heater stuck on and it goes on BUT, there are many pros to it as well. It has been amazing driving it on a daily basis, getting waves and such from people. Hearing there story's about their 2002 or their dad/moms 2002. And we can't forget the driving experience. Learning to drive on a E90 M3 and a Dodge 3500 with a 24v cummins in it really makes you wonder where the true essence of driving has gone. Even the M3 which is supposed to be a amazing sports car (which mind you it is it's just not my style) feels watered down compared to my 38 year old rusty beat up 2002. The absence of a stick in both the Cummins and M3 really made the differance. The realization of driving a almost 40 year old car makes you think about safety. Safety is a first to many people and parents of young drivers. It is indeed a very risky drive every time you get in the drivers seat but if you take it slow where need be and be careful about your surroundings and traffic. You outta' be okay. I also live in a small town where traffic is somewhat heavy in the summer but dead in the winter. I could not fathom driving a 2002 in a large city or town due to the level of accidents that happen there. So honestly, if you live in a city these probably are not the best cars possible to drive on the daily grind.

Another thought is reliability of a old car. I have only broken 2 (crucial) components of the car so far. Trans mount and exhaust hanger mount. But other than that which both of those were going to happen anyways. It has been wonderful. Does the M10 run perfectly? No but I still have yet to replace the rotor, cap, wires and plugs. It is rough but it's not too horrid. I have also noticed the trans likes to stay warm. Cold the syncro's are crunchy on the down shifts but this could be due to the lubricant I have in the box...

Over all. The car has been a blast. Back road drives chasing E36's on the way home, passing fellow 2002 drivers on the way home. Going on drives with people talking and sharing your knowledge. The whole thing is amazing, the community might just make the car so much better because without you guys. The community would be rather dead and many cars would not be on the road... Including my own. Thank you all for the help and I look forward to the many o' years in my future with my 76' Fjord Blue 02'.

Honestly. Don't even know where I was really going with this but I thought I would share my 1,000 mile update on my first car...

Edited September 17, 2014 by Nesset127

[Nesset127]

Edit: can't figure out how to edit the original post from my phone but I was in the middle of lunch at school when I posted this so, please excuse my typing errors. Posting a rather lengthy post from a phone is somewhat difficult.

Edit 2: just figured it out lol...

Edited September 17, 2014 by Nesset127

[bimmercraze]

I bought my '02 back in march and daily drove it all summer. The looks and conversations with passersbys are incredibly fun. I've put 5,000 miles on mine and can't wait to put more on

[roadhog0]

Nice mate! Im on 24k with my 02 in the 5 years I've had it. Bought it as my first and just love the thing to death! Always gives me a smile

[OriginalOwner]

In the back of my logbook I've kept of record of "when & where" each time I clicked over 1,000 miles.

 

Cheers,

 

Carl

[Mike Self]

After just over 45 years of 2002s as daily drivers (but not in the salt since 2000) I couldn't agree more.  Although I love my E30 318is--it truly is a modernized 2002--even it's not quite the same experience as driving a 2002...

 

Glad a younger generation is appreciating a car that's double + their age!

 

cheers

mike

[Kile Brekke]

Very cool!

This post makes me want to figure out my speedo cable situation. I have lost track of my (recorded) mileage by not fixing it. Probably frowned upon for future owners, but hey, its not for sale  

 

 

Today marked the day I have thrown one thousand miles on the car

 

I put 1000 miles on my '74 every two weeks! You got some catching up to do! 

Although, your car's future owner will be happier with that though  

[Benjamin A.R.]

I've had mine since 14, drive it every day.

[danco_]

They are pretty fun, aren't they?

 

 

I think I put 1100 miles on mine over the course of 4 days. Such a fun little car to drive. 

[39jsland]

On the breakage issue rubber is a weak point. This is one of the few areas where American technology from back in the day is better. Keep an eye on the L. side motor mount as this will break eventually and can allow the motor to rotate so far the distributor cap hits the fender well. It can also keep the throttle stuck wide open if it breaks while your hanging. Not a comfortable situation should you be in a set of esses.

[76dailydriver]

I bought first 02 in 1997. It was squaretail. and after having gone 100k plus. She is now sold and being converted to a track car by a new owner somewhere in mt. Airy MD. She was indeed a fun car and very reliable as a dd. Now its time to start new memories with my 73' roundie.