I am going to buy one of these two cars this week.
Why? they are in my town ( I don't feel like flying/driving to get something). They are both in my price range., And by price range I mean what I am allowed to spend 
1987 Porsche 944 http://chambana.craigslist.org/cto/1313485530.html
1989 BMW 325i http://chambana.craigslist.org/cto/1329690593.html
Edited: I baught the 944 you can see it on page 2 of this thread.
I'll be the first to jump in here then.................. Depending on your needs blah, blah, blah I think the more logical choice would be the BMW. However, I vote for the Porsche which I think ultimately will be more expensive and difficult to work on. Sort of like my ex-wife.
I don't really think you can go wrong here. Must be rough having to make that kind of choice 
From what I gather 944 parts are expensive, I may be wrong though.
An E30 with electrical problems? I HATE, I mean I DESPISE troubleshooting electrical problems. There are enough E30s that I'd keep looking.
944 is really not much more expensive than any other german car to maintain. Shopping around for parts pays dividends. I vote Porsche, but I'm biased.
The 944 kind of defies the normal Porsche tendency to have uber-expensive parts. Instead, just fewer people make fancy hop-ups. The biggest choke point on the engine is the crappy trap-door MAF sensor.
I would get the 944, but then, I want to move into racing 944 Spec. Which, to give you an idea on cost, a 944 Spec car is much less expensive to prep than a Miata or E30, and about as reliable. Plus, I like the look of the 944.
Really, you can't go wrong.
I am leaning towards the 944 as I use to have a 924S and am familure with them. I know the E30 is in the trifecta though and thought I should give it a look.
I will have one of them by Wednesday though
I wouldn't go for the E30. I can't believe I just said that.
It has a horrible ricer stereo, and a keyless entry system. The previous owner probably butchered the whole harness putting that crap in. You'll be chasing electrical gremlins for decades.
Looking at those two descriptions, I'd be more interested in the Porsche. Chances are that the Porsche was treated better than the BMW over the years, and that accounts for alot.
When I was in the market for a new toy last year (I ended up with an MR2), I was looking at 944's too. One of the most surprising things was the cost to rebuild the front end. Be sure to check out the lower ball joints. If their condition is questionable, you may be able to use that for negotiating points since they're pretty pricey.
What do you want to do with the car? Daily driver? Summer toy? Track, autox?
Looks like it's unanimous. Porsche wins and that's funny coming from this board!
Only because the answer is almost always E30.
Porsche. But this looks like a win-win.
Thread jack....
Are there any autocrosses around the central IL area, Eric?
I like the Porsche... plus the mileage is low.
If there's any way to do so, drive the one you think you'll pass on before going to see the one you think you want. You never know, the car you think you want could have a death-rattle in the tranny or something - and if not, the prior test drive could put to rest any lingering doubts that you're making the right choice.
...one of these cars has decent quality pictures of it from multiple angles, including the interior.
The other has, "a few minor cosmetic & electrical issues"...
Just another tidbit... Any car I've seen with a VIPER alarm system... the alarm system has been worth more than the car.
And I'd also be a little wary of a seller who points out that the hood opens backward as a selling point.
Two negative points in my book on the Bimmer.
mtn wrote: Porsche. But this looks like a win-win. Thread jack.... Are there any autocrosses around the central IL area, Eric?
Yes, Champaign county sports car club (we have Jeff Smucker a national level driver, and other very good drivers) holds events in Rantoul at the old air force base, the club is 50 years old. And Heart of Illinois SCCA holds events in Rantoul and Peoria Illinois. I have raced with both and have been an SCCA Safety Steward for CCSCC in 2003.
Then We adopted a baby in 2006 and I sold all three of my Race cars, a 2002 New Beetle Turbo S, a 1988 Pontiac Fiero GT (5 speed) and a 1987 Porsche 924S. things have settled down now and it is time to get another "race car". It will be a daily driver - occassinoal autocrosser. I commute to work by bicycle or bus (Parking fees are outragous on campus) so it wont be "daily driven" every day.
mtn wrote: And I'd also be a little wary of a seller who points out that the hood opens backward as a selling point.
He/she also seems to think the engine is a "3.25l".
But I'd go for the Porsche, because it's cooler.
Very different cars. You should drive both to decide. I wouldn't trade my E30 for a 944.
I love my E30's, but I'd take a long hard look at that 944...and probably buy it. That car would be worth a lot more than 3k in this area, based on the crappy 944's I've been looking at...
Providing the car is in acceptable condition. I'll reiterate that $3K seems like a really good deal, especially for such a low mileage example. I haven't looked lately, but I didn't see any decent examples anywhere near that price when I was shopping for a 944 a couple of years ago (things have changed though haven't they!) After talking with a local used porsche shop, maintenance costs scared me away at the time. Now, I think I/they may have overblown the issue. I still want one . . . to go next to my aw11. I think I'm getting addicted to 80's sports cars. lol
I Go over at 7 tonight to see the Porsche. I have found out in some email exchanges that the Porsche has "some blemishes on the dirver side rear quarter panel from a hit and run" So maybe that is driving the price of the vehicle.
Oh Ehm Geeee
the Porsche is in pretty good shape (all things concidered)
I view the BMW tomarrow, but will probably get the Porsche. When I do, I'll do a full write up, the current owner has actually done a lot of work.
Eric
Cool stuff, good luck with whichever you get
I would buy the 944! I have always really liked those cars.
Oh and I CarFaxed it. It does have a carfax verified 66 thousand miles.
It has had 4 owners, all in Central Illinois. It sat for about 6 years due to a previous owners DUI.
The Blemish on the drivers side is not that dramatic and some body work will fix it in a weekend. My brother in law has all the tools for that :)
It does leak power steering fluid, but it is from teh tubes connecting so just a fe new connectors and tighten them down with a screw driver.
Going to the bank, drawing the money.
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