Where have all the good cars gone?

[Gil]

Maybe I could make a hit song from this line?

Anyway, I have been keeping an eye out for a decent '74-'76 02 or 320i (to 1981) that I could get collector insurance plates for. I have been watching ebay, craigslist, classifieds, Roadkill.com, etc. for one on the west coast. Man, there just aren't many nice ones around for sale these days. What's happened to them all?

Most of them have significant rust, paint, mechanical or other issues that would require far too much expense to get one to collector status. I'd like to find something that doesn't need much more than some misc. easy work. Are they out there? I saw one good one in the southwest, nut the shipping cost was prohibitive.

Anyone have tips on how or where to find what I am looking for? I can't be flying all over the place to check cars out either. Is it a case of just looking and waiting?

Gil

73 02

[esty]

not sure where you're looking but there are a few nice ones on ebay now....02's on ebay

also....HERE

[02Les]

During the month of March, I noted nearly 50 '74-'76 2002s on Ebay, Craigslist, etc. These ranged from basket cases to the Golf with 10k orig miles. There are decent ones around, but maybe not on your doorstep. You may need to travel eventually to get the one you want, but there are '02 folks all over and some more than willing to help & check out a car for you and give an honest opinion.

[Gil]

I prefer one that is unmolested. Some look nice, but have high mileage with original engines, and may need engine rebuilds. Despite some that claim the cars to be rust free, I see suspicious signs. I want to avoid a car from a wet and/or cold climate (where salt is used). Some cars have been repainted, and it is hard to tell if the repaint was done okay. Some have faded or peeling paint. I don't want one that has a boom box stereo installed, or door panels hacked out for speakers.

And I don't want to buy an expensive restored car or Tii. I contacted 3 sellers of good ebay candidates, but got no replies. Guess they didn't want to sell that badly.

I had another car that looked good, but when I contacted the guy, he had the top end all apart and was rebuilding the head himself, plus had done some other engine bay mods., so that car was out. I don't want a car that some amateur has mucked around with.

I looked at a local car that looked really nice in the photos. When I saw it, the shock towers were really gone, and he did not take photos of the "bad" side of the car which had major rust. Arghh.

Here is one that caught my eye, but I don't know what the reserve was. The shipping cost was going to be too high for me.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4626095025&rd=1&sspagename=STRK

I guess I need to have some patience and keeping scouting.....

Gil

[JsnPpp]

No offense, but this is ridiculous. What you are really saying is that you want an unmolested, solid, decent running, clean, low-mileage, never-mucked with 2002 for a very cheap price.

Who doesn't?

Cheap, Solid, Decent Running - pick two. Gil, there are deals to be had, but you have to be patient, and yes you have to take your wallet out on occasion if you find the "right one" that isn't exactly in your price range. If you complain about the cost now, wait until you try to restore even the once that have been maintained well, and our cars aren't nearly as expensive to maintain as other collectibles.

Good luck, it's out there, just keep looking, but my recommendation is not to overlook a car for secondary reasons...

Jason

[Guest]

Fly to NM and drive it home! Seller said he would pick you up at airport and give you a full tank of gas. Ship a box of tools and spare parts to the seller and have a great time. Join AAA if you're not already a member and you'll be covered for any towing if needed. I'm sure any FAQ'r along your route home would be glad to assist you if needed. Life's too short and there's not enough opportunities for an adventure like this, take advantage of it! Just my $.02 worth....

[Delia]

...Long time passing...

It appears as if the party's over for 2002 obscurity. The cult is broken and prices are creeping up. This is due, in part, to the recent marketing of the new BMW 3-series and how the lineage is traced back to the fundamental concept of "sporting sedan."

Seems as if even the BMW CCA Roundel guys can't deny the roots of the new uber-expensive, flame-surfaced Bavarian Marvelous Wonders. Thank you Mike Self, Joe Chamberlain, and Satch.

A few years ago, I responded to a request from journalist David Kiley, who needed a ride in a 2002 as research for a book about BMW entitled "Driven: Inside BMW, the World's Most Admired Car Company." I showed up in Ann Arbor, Michigan one afternoon, and let him have a turn at the the wheel. Then, I took him for A RIDE! He was impressed enough to thank me in the acknowledgements section -- BEFORE he thanked Dr. Goeschel, et. al and Chris Bangle. I am honored. The book, touting the origins of a company that has survived nearly a century, is advertising for a 2002 as much as anything else.

If you've owned 2002s for a lot of years, you might take for granted that "the stuff is just out there" the way it always has been. Wrong. It's far too easy to throw out everything you don't want, modify it, or take the attitude "it's mine, I can do what I like." I have no problem with that atitude, BTW.

But, historically, the Porsche 356, reminds us what happens when we believe there is an abundant supply of old tubs to race, wreck and modify. Prices for old cars and those "trashed" stock bits are prohibitive to the "little guys."

Rust never sleeps. Even California cars get rusty.

At Barrett-Jackson in Arizona in January, a bone stock, '73 car'b 2002 -- 60K, never hit never in rain, never repainted, fetched a cool $17,200.

Time, above all, works against you. The cars just disappear--scrapped by less-than-knowledgeable owners, or not wanted by young kids in favor of pickup trucks and SUVs, or sold to novice enthusiasts who think it's cool until they find out its a lot more work than a new Honda Civic. They sit, they rot, they become burdensome junk.

My advice: keep looking. Travel to investigate. If it looks good, don't hesitate.

My $.02

Delia

and "Orange Julius"

'73tii

#2762756

[Mike Self]

In 1975 I decided to look for 2002 with a sunroof, non-metallic paint, a 4 speed and (preferably) A/C. This was in the days before the internet, but we did have the Tradin' Post, newspaper, car delaerships/lots etc.

I looked for three years! Finally found Ludwig eight blocks from home via a newspaper ad: 46k miles and met all my requirements. That was 28 years and 158k miles ago.

Just be patient. Plenty of cars out there, and a nationwide search engine to find 'em.

good luck

mike

[Gil]

Not saying I want a very cheap car as you indicate. I am prepared to pay a fair price for one in decent condition. It just seems hard to find many in good or original condition anymore. Restored ones, really clean examples, or Tiis are going for a premium - on ebay at least.

What I am trying to say is that there doesn't seem to be much out there to even choose from, even in a 320i.

Gil

[JK]

My advice would be to find a well maintained one with original paint but don't look for a "rebuilt" engine. How well do you think that someone planning on selling a car had it rebuilt? There are plenty of good engine rebuilders out there....so don't pay a bunch for a reringed "rebuilt" motor.

I think that as the value of the '02 goes up the importance of matching block will also become significant in the next ten years.

I was also amazed at the price increase, especially for parts since I got back into '02's.

[mankins]

Not to pile on, but I think you're getting good advice: '02's are increasing in price, and perfect ones are impossible without big money. Story from a few weeks back: One of my car buddies (a Porsche guy) was lamenting to my girlfriend and I that someone wanted $10k for a 911 that needed work. My girlfriend (not a car person) said "if you don't want to pay that you could probably get a 2000 or 2001 Honda for that price". That totally put it in perspective. A decent '02 will cost a couple of grand but you'll have a decent '02 and not some disposable econo box. Good Luck.

Phil.

'75 '02 (jadegrun/rust)

[Gil]

Only a couple of grand?! I wish. It seems like I need to spend at least $5 or $6K for something kinda decent, and more for something really nice.

I agree, there is good advice so far. And I agree with the rebuilt engne comment.

Gil

[FL02]

Did you see the nice TII thread above that might be sold...sounds like a match to me. That tii is nice...

[Arizona02]

twice as many 02 for sale in the summer than in the colder months.

Door panels with speaker holes can be replaced & boom box can be removed.

You dont live in a area abundent with old bmws, Seattle may have more 02 but the rain may have made them rusty.

[gpetrus]

I think a big part of the reason their are not alot of unmolested 02s around is that they were everyday cars. Driven in snow and rain, holes cut in for speakers etc.. You don't see may 356's or Mercedes SL or Ferrari used like 02s were. They were just a really good mode of basic transportation, that few people ever considered would end up being a collector car.