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I've pretty much narrowed it down to a 1995 BMW 318I but would love to hear some suggestions. I'm on a strict budget so please no out of the ball park figures. I don't like any american cars so lets stick to foreign brands. Shoot away.

 
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What happened to the civic...If you still got the civic then turbo it or swap it!

 
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i'm not into turbo or swapping out engines. for the money of a swap i rather use that money plus trade-in for a better car.

 
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i'd save it up for college/apartment funds since i already have a car. but speaking car wise, i personally would look into a DA integra (90-93 years) and swap in a b18b and go with the ls/vtec route.

'DA' integra = 2-4g
b18b complete swap = 1.5-2.5g
the works = 1g+

 
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Since you aren't into swaps are turbos, I'd say the 318 is a pretty solid choice. You could probably get a nice 240SX, as well (if you're into those). I know there's lots of other fairly nice used cars out there that can be had for relatively cheap amounts of money... but I can't think of any right now, cuz I'm half asleep, lol. I'd say, just look on eBay and get a feel for what's out there in that price range. I'm pretty sure you could get a used Lexus SC300 for around there, too. In any case, check out eBay to get a feel for what the price ranges are.

 
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get a cx hatch for 750-1000. Take off some weight, and do a mini-me turbo swap (homemadeturbo.com) or just get a gsr head and b20z bottom and build that.

 
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I don't know the exact figures, but you could try to score a 1988 BMW M3 if you're into European imports, they're amazing cars and a good platform for any future work if you don't want to go the swap/turbo route.

Personally I'd recommend an AE86, I've seen a few on Ebay along w. cheap-as-hell 4AGE front clips, definately good times w. those...

 
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AE86's are cool cars. From the few people that I've talked to, that actually own and drive them daily, they are not reliable daily drivers at all. If you plan on going to track events, and drifting, and things like that, then sure, go for the '86; but, if you're gonna drive the car daily, I'd pass it up. It'd probably become too much of a pain.

 
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maybe you can buy like a 96 Integra gsr

 
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318i is sooo slow. A civic would burn the 318 so badly.

 
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Why dont you do the smart thing and use it as a down payment on a new car. Or at least a newer car. I guarentee you if you buy a 95 BMW, you will start having problems and will end up spending more. I say use it as a down payment on a new car.

 
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Trade in it for a better car?? I dont think a 318 is better than any civic that was made past 1989. I mean my ego isn't about to explode or anything but common 318 is the biggest piece of **** around.

 
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A used Mazda Miata or like someone mentioned an older Lexus SC.

 
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i would use the money for a down payment.. even if its on a BMW, you will end up ahead in the end. the best advice i've ever gotten was never buy a used car, your just buying someone elses problem.

 
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99 civic si no ? in my mind

 
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Keep the civic and get a bike.I was going to do a k20 swap then took the $8000 and bought a bike.My bone stock GSXR rips 10 sec quarter miles all day.

 
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I agree, trade in the car plus the extra loot for a downpayment on a new car. Save for a winter beater I'll never buy used.

 
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If you have access to auctions around your area, goto one of those and auction a car...It'll run you at 4k the most, and use the remainder to fix up any body damage. You'll be looking at cars like 99' up bmws n such.

 
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That sounds like a great idea, do you know any auction places around toronto though?

Older cars are out, an AE86 may be cool to the enthusiat but to like 95% of the people I'm just driving junk. Like I said before I'm not into swaps so buying things to fix up is out also. I wouldn't mind a lexus but most come in auto. I don't want to buy a new car, I don't have the cash flow to pay monthly.

Just to let you guys know, I'm not trading in the civic anymore. I'm actually selling at 97 2.5TL. I don't want to drive auto anymore.

Also since when can a civic beat a 318I? stock for stock I don't think so. But I don't really care about that anyways. I never race my civic in the first place, I always baby drive it.

 
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you can get a half way decent 3000gt for that

 
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get yourself a nice gsr sedan. manual tranny, 170 hp, and room for four. i've seen a few with around 70K for 7 grand or so.

 
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what is it with people and buying old luxury cars? use the money to buy a new car that is reliable and worthy.... not a new car even, newER.

 
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gets some guns and make more money !jk
i putt 7000 in a stock before thanksgiveing and sold it now for 16,000 invest it and you can get a better car !

 
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318's were plagued with all sorts of problems, if you are thinking of a 3 series, make it at least a 325 otherwise don't bother. Regardless, expect to pay more for maintenance compared to a Civic or most Japanese cars for that matter.

IMO, either use it a downpayment on a newer car or better yet if you have a decent car already, use it for something else (ie. save up for a downpayment on a house, condo, etc).

 
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If I can afford a new luxury car I would get a new luxury car, but I can't. So I gotta settle for something older. Reason for the car choice is not because it's luxury (there are more luxurious cars out for that price), its because I'll be during the ultimate driving machine. BMW are amazing cars to drive, period.

 
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i might be dumb for just noticing this. but the Acura EL is a ****ing honda civic on the outside LOL wtf?

will EL parts fit on a 2002 civic? oh man, i want chrome trim around the outside of my car!!! thats friggin pimp, oh man thats clean!

 
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There's more to it. Its a Civic platform with more luxury options, better interior (ie. heated leather seats), different front and rear ends, 4 wheel disk brakes, 127hp D17A2 motor, etc.

See the EL forum for more info: http://www.7thgencivic.com/forums/fo...play.php?f=123

Or check out: http://www.acura.ca

 
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Like everyone else is saying, older luxury cars, esp. imported ones will wind up costing you a lot of cash in the long run for maintenance, thats why, if you look at depreciation, nothing depreciates faster than a luxury car. That and the fact that most people who can afford to buy a luxury car would rather have a new one versus a used one.

And yes, the EL is more or less a better looking version of a Civic sedan available only in Canada.

 
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I can understand why you want to drive a BMW. Many but not all of us on this site would probably agree. However I think the "Its a BMW!" appeal will wear off in a few months and what you will wind up with is an expensive car to fix that is on it's way down.

I'm not exactly sure what you are looking for in a car, (luxury, performance, status symbol, etc.) but my recommendation would be to find an older fully loaded Japanese vehicle. Eurpoean cars are prone to problems as they get older and are VERY expensive to find parts for.

But forget what I say, just do what makes you happy. :-)

 
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Maybe a 97-98 Acura 1.6 El if you can find one with low k's. If you have a small cash flow repairs and maintainance would be relatively cheep since it is basically a civic. The car is unlikely to depreciate in value that much...just leave it stock. A 5 speed should be rather easy to find as well plus a black leather interior would be nice too.