Did I get a good deal?

[encore777]

1998 328 IS...pretty mint condition. Completely stock. 130,000 km. $11,000 (Canadian) bottom line (bought from a dealer). Comes with inspection, they are fixing the airbag light too.

Fair?

Update: Guy wouldn't take less than $10750, so I walked. Argh. By far the best thing I've found in 3 months looking, there just aren't that many bimmers to choose from up here.

Pics if anyone's curious:

http://www.agedstock.com/images/image.php?file=vehicle_517774_3873605.jpg&mode=window
http://www.agedstock.com/images/image.php?file=vehicle_517774.jpg&mode=window

[Nline6]

do you have more info and maybe some pics

[encore777]

Here's the craigslist ad.

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/ctd/942577975.html

Umm I'm a newb....so I'm not being sarcastic or anything, but what else do u guys need to know?

[E36 Phantom]

Welcome to the 'Fest. Car looks good!

11,000 CAD is roughly 8,800 USD right now, so with that mileage and condition I'd say you were on the borderline of good and high. From a dealer, then yeah that's decent.

Nothing to write home about, but you didn't get taken, either.

*Car markets do vary from location to location, so this is just what I'd expect to pay in my area.

[Nline6]

Look good, seems like a decent deal, although it does seem a little high, but thats a dealer for ya.

[encore777]

Appreciate the feedback guys. I've been checking craigslist for the past 2 months and this was the best deal I could find for an E36 in that condition/mileage around here.

Thanks.

[cmy_bimmer]

Yea looks good. Actually just today I coincidently saw an ad in cali for a 98 28is for only 5500 with 102k miles with contour rims, and 5-speed. Looked like a good deal but it wasnt from a dealer which is actually better. I am even tempted to buy it, I might convince my dad to get it since he might return his e90 and we need another car. Wierd thing it happened same day. Here's the link: http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/943791370.html

[encore777]

I'm going to try to bargain it down a bit more....my reasoning being that with the recession and all that, prices should be dropping. I'll see what I can do.

[cmy_bimmer]

I'm going to try to bargain it down a bit more....my reasoning being that with the recession and all that, prices should be dropping. I'll see what I can do.

Yea try it, and if you know the guys good enough try to get a couple month warranty like I did. I got a 6 month warranty on my car ( even though nothing happened '=(. ) But its worth a try and at least give you a couple of months with no worries.

[Cuahtemoc1]

Nice buy! WELCOME TO THE FEST! yeah id say you were border good and high...

[Nline6]

shoot the dealer a low offer and work from there, let them work the price up on you, rather then you trying to talk them down. tell them what you want to spend and I am sure they will work with you, I mean come on "commission" they want the sale, and times like this they want it bad.

[e36mike]

cough coulda bought a m3 cough or e46 3 series cough

[encore777]

cough coulda bought a m3 cough or e46 3 series cough

How much should I offer then?

[E36 Phantom]

cough coulda bought a m3 cough or e46 3 series cough
That's Canadian.........Convert to US that's ~$8800. That won't get you an M3 or an E46 323, unless the E46 is in BAD shape.

How much should I offer then?

Again, it depends on your local market. Personally, in the Bay Area I wouldn't buy it for over $7500, and that would only be with all records. But, in some areas the cars are worth more. We've got TONS of E36s running around the Bay so they don't sell for much here. If that's the lowest price that you've got, offer him a little below it, say $9500 CAD, when he counters back with XX, chances are it will be just ever so slightly below what he's asking now. Drop the price by about $100 from there and tell him it needs to include taxes and fees, boom. You're all set.

[e36mike]

hmm e36 phantom, i can find plenty of pretty good condition m3s for 7 and up in my area, and ive seen plenty of e46 3 series for 7.5 and up. now they might not be in very good condition(but most are that i seen) but im pretty sure id rather spend 8000 on a e46/e36 m3 that needs a little TLC than a e36 328i that costs the same :eek:


what do you know a 2000 e46 328i going for $8.2k with only 113k miles

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/ctd/945175156.html

or a e46 323i pretty good condition for $7.8k

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/945088060.html

e46 325i 74k miles! 8500$

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/945003790.html

guess its just where i live?

[Philip81193]

The interiors in those e46s are sooooo much nicer than the e36 interiors! :cry:

[E36 Phantom]

Mileage on those, except for the last one, are a lot higher than his.
Same with all the M3s I looked up, they're up in the 140k+ range. The E36 he's looking at is only 80k. Everyone has different priorities. I agree with you, I'd take a higher mileage, newer, nicer condition one than a slightly older lower mileage car (that's what I've done on all my purchases to get good deals), but some people prefer lower mileage.
I don't know what he wants, but I was looking in line with what he posted up. ;)

[e36unleashed]

cough coulda bought a m3 cough or e46 3 series cough

Cough *Stop spreading the germs* Cough.....Cough....Jesus.:rofl:

[encore777]

I assure you guys that I can't get an e46 for the same kind of price you guys are getting in the States. I don't really want to pay more for insurance anyway. And yeah milage is very important to me.

Thanks for the opinions though!

[e36mike]

hey i feel. you. hey e36s are better anyways. but definetly offer lower. id say 6000-6800$ is the most i would pay for that. if not jus twait for adifferent one.

[cmy_bimmer]

Yea, stick with what you got and bargain, but don't be afraid to give them your offer, even if its like 2-3k below because then thay'll know what price your looking at and would consider a fair reduction. And if everything goes wrong with the bargain, then at least you'll get a pretty clean car for a moderate price. Its worth a try and like Nline6 basically said, they're practically begging you to buy the car. :D

[cmy_bimmer]

[QUOTE=e36mike;3744759]hmm e36 phantom, i can find plenty of pretty good condition m3s for 7 and up in my area, and ive seen plenty of e46 3 series for 7.5 and up. now they might not be in very good condition(but most are that i seen) but im pretty sure id rather spend 8000 on a e46/e36 m3 that needs a little TLC than a e36 328i that costs the same :eek:

Where do u live in the bay area?

[bboyvek]

if u already studied the market in ur area you know way better than I. so i am gonna say that u already know the answer to ur question. Go N Get it.

[PhilipWOT]

.......~$8800. That won't get you an M3.....

O rly Chad?

Methinks it depends who you know. ;)

[E36 Phantom]

O rly Chad?

Methinks it depends who you know. ;)

Ya Rly Philip. If you want a high mileage one, sure, but for your regular private party M3 with reasonable mileage, I'd say most will be in the high 8's or above.

[PhilipWOT]

Ya Rly Philip. If you want a high mileage one, sure, but for your regular private party M3 with reasonable mileage, I'd say most will be in the high 8's or above.

Well you didn't specify private party. You're gonna pay out the ass if you go pp. Wholesale is what's up. :thumbup:

[E36 Phantom]

Average person doesn't have access to wholesale.

If they do, they don't know it. Lol.

[encore777]

If I offer something like $8500 Canadian (comes to about ~9750 w/ taxes and fees, and he originally offered $9600 Canadian which comes to $11000 bottom), and the guy says no, should I just walk away? I'm thinking no one else is going to buy the car in these kind of economic conditions, so ...I'm not that good at bargaining to be honest, total noob here. But I have not been able to find a better deal on an e36 in this condition with this milage in 3 months (I've been scouring craigslist for a while now).

[e36mike]

east bay, the 925 area code.

[cmy_bimmer]

east bay, the 925 area code.

Concord, matinez, dublin??? Im jus wondering just in case u ever wanna sell/buy items or wanna meet someday. Idk, not personal or anything

[E36 Phantom]

Concord, matinez, dublin??? Im jus wondering just in case u ever wanna sell/buy items or wanna meet someday. Idk, not personal or anything

:rofl:

Someone's lookin' for local action......:p :rofl:

[cmy_bimmer]

Hahaha, very funny Chad, :eek:

[e36mike]

yea martinez what about you.

[Eric Devier]

Concord, matinez, dublin??? Im jus wondering just in case u ever wanna sell/buy items or wanna meet someday. Idk, not personal or anything

:rofl:

Someone's lookin' for local action......:p :rofl:

hahahaha.

[e36mike]

ahahah

[cmy_bimmer]

I'm in VaLlEjO 7o7. :bigpimp:

[encore777]

Guy wouldn't take less than $10750, so I walked.

Hmm...took me months to find something even close to this. Bimmers are few and far between up here.....

[magl41]

I just bought the same model and year, coupe, 5 speed, blue, with 128000 mi, in good cosmetic condition but with minor mechanical issues, mostly stuff that just frustrates me cus its not perfect, $4700. I guess you're right though with location, Im in New England and looked through about 15 cars before i found this.