BMW 2002

So driving to work yesterday I ended up following a 2002 for about 10 miles. I dawned on me that I hadn't seen a live one on the road in years. You forget how small and handsome they are in real life, and how definitely from another era they are. Still, nice to see someone driving it as intended.

You'll see one being hooned at The Challenge this year

I know of a few around the Huntsville area. A friend is the original owner of a 75 2002, still has it and drives it regularly. Also has a Volvo 1800ES that's also regularly driven. Another friend has a 2002 and a couple Miata's. A guy in the local autocross club got his FIL's 2002 running and drove it a few times before giving it back.

My first car was a 2002 and I owned 3 of them between 1999 and 2005. They really are a pleasure to drive and very easy and fun to work on and modify.

I'm constantly on the lookout for another one, but the prices have been steadily climbing for decent examples.

I'm into my 21st year of ownership of my 74; I had a 73 for a few years before that. I still drive it regularly from whenever the salt washes off the road in the spring to when the first snow falls. It's just a really fun car to drive.

I love the look and feel of them but have never owned one. I saw a clean square tail light one for sale while out riding but it was pretty expensive and sported a bad repaint so I did not engage.

My garage is empty and an '02 with an M42 and a 5 speed would make a nice winter project. Hmmmm....

2002maniac wrote: the prices have been steadily climbing for decent examples.

This is why my examples are always so indecent (including my most recent one).

I'm always struck by how sparse the interiors look compared to bmw's, or really anything, today. Simple gauges, seats, steering wheel, no crap to get in the way. It makes me think BMW should change their marketing slogan to "The ultimate overly complicated distracted driving machine", especially after the whole iDrive thing.