is a BMW the only cheap factory 4cyl Rwd 5spd 4door?

I have been looking for a 4 door 4cyl Rwd 5spd car, It would be a daily driver. The only option seems to be a older 1980s-1995 BMW 3series, for any car in this configuration in my price range (Around 2500). The BMW's i find in my budget usually need work, or have high miles. I am currently driving a 1996 Honda Accord LX 5spd (Non Vtech) Ive got a 4yr old Daughter so 4doors is a must, but i cant see giving up my honda for a BMW because even though id love having rear wheel drive for its handling, i dont think the car would be nearly as reliable and on top of that i assume replacement parts are harder to find/more expensive. Are replacement parts For a BMW really more expensive than a honda? Are there any other options for a cheap factory 4door rwd 5spd 4cyl car?

Volvo is your friend here..

Volvo 240 and 740. Think of your daughter! Then add a turbo, or drop in a V8.

midniteson wrote: i cant see giving up my honda for a BMW because even though id love having rear wheel drive for its handling, i dont think the car would be nearly as reliable

I have bought them with 200k on them and driven them further. My last E30 had 220k on it and ran beautifully when I clobbered a deer and made it a race car. It ran two seasons with the same motor (approx 60 track days) before I changed EVERYTHING.

The car before it was an E36 M3. It did 60k miles of regular driving and no kidding here... 40k miles of track only. Never did anything but obsessive maintenance and aftermarket upgrades.

I also had an E28 I bought with 188k on it and got T-boned in NJ at 230k something... just fluid changes and brake pads/rotors.

They might not be a Honda, but they ain't too shabby.

Not much. Here's non-BMWs I can think of in alphabetical order from after 1980, not including corporate twins.

Chevy Chevette

Ford Fairmont

Jeep Cherokee 2.5

Mid '80s Mazda 626

Even older Toyota Corolla or Camry

Volvo 240 / 740 / 940

I actually really quite liked my '84 Mercury Marquis (Ford LTD). But mine had the V6...

I hadn't had many other cars at that point; I'm not entirely sure what I'd think of it now, but I'm occasionally tempted to find out... And I wouldn't put it up against an E30 for driving enjoyment, though I will never be able to own an E30 without swapping for a quicker steering rack.

BMW m42/44 engines are tough and long lasting as long as they aren't allowed to overheat. As far as e36 parts- a radiator is 115, heater motor 75, oil filter housing gasket (cause of a leak) 12, I haven't really come across parts that are out of hand expensive - more than an old chevy, but definitely cheaper than a porsche. There's great support and m3 parts bolt in, so any time you want to start upgrading... The secret to e36s is to do your own work. Paying others is where they get expensive in a hurry.

here's a projecty one in yakima Unfortunately, the owner didn't get the memo that bmw cooling systems are maintenance items. Looks like he killed two engines.

The Camry has always been FWD, but they did make a Corona, which as I recall was like a 4 door Celica (20R type).

Mazda 929S

The four door thing kind of blows a lot of the available options away. Without it, you open a lot of doors, heh. You can put a 5 speed in a Cressida, I suppose.

Options? Sorry, I jacked your price.

Nissan Frontier 4-cylinder, 5-speed, and a real frame underneath the body like a 1967 Datsun Roadster 1600. What else do you need?

http://www.courtesynissan.com/details/New+2012+Nissan+Frontier%20King%20Cab+2.5L%20Manual%20S+1N6BD0CT7CC407476+Richardson

rotard wrote: The four door thing kind of blows a lot of the available options away. Without it, you open a lot of doors, heh. You can put a 5 speed in a Cressida, I suppose.

Cressida's were available with a 5spd up until the last body style. They don't handle particularly well, and aren't very sporting though. They are more like a Japanese Mercedes, only not as bank-vault like.

just because they're the only choice doesn't mean it's a bad idea. i've had a bunch of crappy old e30's. parts and reliability experience right in line with honda, particularly at that price point.

though now that someone reminded me, i'm on cl looking for cheap fairmonts....

I've found my e30 easier to work on than any Japanese car of the last 30 years as well.

kreb wrote: I've found my e30 easier to work on than any Japanese car of the last 30 years as well.

+1, and the E36 is easier than the E30.

Alfa Milano too, they are pretty similar to an E30. Euro cars do require more maintenance than American or Japanese cars, but I dont think they are less reliable if you maintain them properly. If replacing things before they are broken doesnt sound fun, it might be better to avoid anything from europe though.

Speaking of Milano... off to "Almighty" thread...

lets see.. my 318ti was bought at 90,000 and is now at 160,000. I replaced the waterpump and thermostat along with all belts and hoses when I got it as preventive maintance.

The interior did require some sorting (door panels and headliner) and it needed all new bushings shocks/struts when I got it..

but it's only failure in all those miles was a fuel pump.. and mine was HIGHLY abused before I bought it (totalled, repaired, and the title washed)

In reply to oldtin: i was looking at the same ad lol, that ones a lil too much work.

i appreciate everyones input a lot!

In reply to mad_machine:

Sums up my attitude......mine has 175k, and that hasn't changed for the last few years.

There are also many Corollas ( 1980-83). Available in 2 dr sedan, 4 dr sedan, wagon, and a few 2 dr coupes as well.

I love your taste in cars, but apparently you are the Dr. Kevorkian of fun old BMWs.

In reply to Giant Purple Snorklewacker:

If I absolutely had to have a 4 door sedan, I'd probably go E36 318i, although I'd seriously consider increasing the budget a bit and look for a clean M3/4. You'd have a much more fun car for a minimal mpg penalty. Probably easier to find in non-beat condition too.

BMW parts are relatively inexpensive (no more so for my M3 than for my Miata), and often have the advantage of being made in Germany, as opposed to China.

If the BMWs you are looking at are STILL running 25 years later you probably shouldn't worry about reliability issues . . .