Help me pick a new (used) car - options inside

[darin]

Budget is $7500, or 7000 Euro. Plus or minus.

I'm torn between a few options. Namely, a E32 M3 vs a neat truck.


286hp 1995 M3 sedan, $8000:

https://secure.pic.autoscout24.net/images-big/243/013/0291013243001.jpg

?Hp LR Defender 200, $8000

https://secure.pic.autoscout24.net/images-big/831/562/0282562831004.jpg

64hp LR Santana, $3500

https://secure.pic.autoscout24.net/images-big/511/921/0284921511009.jpg

Japanese! Mistu Pajero, $5000

https://secure.pic.autoscout24.net/images-big/845/473/0286473845001.jpg


I'm torn for a few reasons.

First off - When I leave here I hope to downsize and prepare to go off-grid as much as possible. Until then the Bimmer would be awesome fun on track days. Would be neat to have what looks like the standard 240hp M3 (the US version was neutered) but have the 286hp engine :)

But any of the other trucks would be useful. Ideally the place I live would require a truck for access, maybe even snow machine in the winter. Makes the bimmer just sorta 'neat'.

If I was ready to buy today I think i'd go for that 200. It's already done (lifted and stuff). Could see that hauling my RX8 to the track and back, too.

[hjmick]

Are the LRs in the states? Older than 26 years?

Why Are The Feds Obsessed With Seizing These People's Old Trucks? (http://jalopnik.com/why-are-the-feds-obsessed-with-seizing-these-peoples-ol-1672381729)

Land Rover confiscated search results (https://www.google.com/webhp?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&gws_rd=ssl#q=man+has+landrover+confiscated)


My office is next to a customs clearance station, they had two LRs sitting in their yard for four years...



Me? I'd take the Land Rover in a heart beat.

[NightTrain]

Are any of those rigs able to be shipped back to the States? My understanding was that European vehicles need to have work done to make them compatible with EPA regs & safety standards.

At any rate, the Defender looks like a pretty decent offroad rig.

[darin]

Anything more than 25yrs is absolutely fine to bring in. :) So - my cut-off will be 1995 and older.

[Abbey Marie]

The LR Santana, IF you won't be tooling around the suburbs in it, is very kewl.

[fj1200]

I'm torn between a few options. Namely, a E32 M3 vs a neat truck.

Are you bringing it back?

[crin63]

I would look at the long-term maintenance of each vehicle and cost too own.

How's the availability and pricing of parts? What's a simple oil change going to cost? How will each affect insurance?

I'm a truck guy! I don't own a car because if I had speed, I would use the speed. I would end up spending my time and money on speeding tickets. Besides, I'm a Redneck.