e34 540 6 speed

[99sidude]

In my hunt for a DD I ran across one of these: http://columbus.craigslist.org/ctd/908249854.htmlhttp://columbus.craigslist.org/ctd/908249854.htm

Apparently it is really hard to find these in a 6 speed with the v8. Has anybody had any experience with the e34? A couple of friends have e36's, those have held up to autox, road racing, and daily beatings for 200k miles. I don't know anyone personally who has had an older 5 series.

 

[Briansol]

gah, wood dash


it's a boat.

it's a nice ass car, but its a boat.

it's big.
it dives through corners like a buik
its a pig on gas


but its fun to drive.

 

[99sidude]

I called the guy and he isn't willing to budge from $7500. If I don't find something else in a few weeks I may see if he will go any lower. What do you mean "a pig on gas"? He claims he got 26 highway, and averages 20.

I'm in a search for a DD right now. I'd like to find something fairly quick, reliable, with a manual trans and 4 doors. Right now I'm set on either an e36 325/328 or a 4th gen Maxima.

 

[Briansol]

this is for sale.
1991 BMW M5


and yes, its a hungry v8. i think he's being pretty generous on the MPG

 

[99sidude]

I wish I could afford that. I think it would become more of a project than a dd as it would put my civic to shame in pretty much every respect except for gas mileage.

 

[99sidude]

My criteria are:

-Good car for cruising comfortably at 80 mpg on the highway
-Manual trans
-4 doors
-reliable
-under $7k
-decent mileage

I think an e36 fodo or a maxima are about my only choices

 

[MisterMister]

Dude, even an Insight isnt going to get 80MPG on the highway!

& yes, I know what you meant.

Seriously though, IF you can find one, I suggest a 5th generation (SXV20 A.K.A. 1996-2001) V6 Camry with the 5spd manual tranny. These are solid 14 second cars, and are basically bulletproof in stock form. On top of that, they wont cost you an arm and a leg in terms of repairs/parts, PLUS, 1MZ-FE 3.0l V6 is an engine with:

A) Top notch reliability
B) A ton of aftermarket potential
C) A bomb proof bottom end
&
D) Great fuel consumption

Granted, they aren't the easiest type of car to find, given that most Gen-V V6 Camrys came with the 4spd automatic, but if you can find one with the 5spd manual you have struck gold. These use the same basic transmission found mated to the SW20 MR2 Turbo running the 3SGTE engine, meaning that the shift stick is one solid piece of tech that moves very smoothly through the gates.

Hell, this car even got on Car & Driver's "10 Best Cars" list for a few years in a row. There is a good reason for that.

Furthermore, with the suspension changes built into this chassis design, it is no slouch in the corners. Add some wider/stickier tiers and you have a very nice canyon caver which also has a shit-ton of cargo/passenger room. Further add to the equation with a basic aftermarket shock/spring combo and you have something which will make much lighter 2 door coupes blush. The reason I say this is because my friend has a '99 Camry (4cyl) which absolutely OWNS at the auto-x events.

Besides, TRD also makes a Super Charger kit for these cars.

 

[99sidude]

Dude, even an Insight isnt going to get 80MPG on the highway!

& yes, I know what you meant.

Seriously though, IF you can find one, I suggest a 5th generation (SXV20 A.K.A. 1996-2001) V6 Camry with the 5spd manual tranny. These are solid 14 second cars, and are basically bulletproof in stock form. On top of that, they wont cost you an arm and a leg in terms of repairs/parts, PLUS, 1MZ-FE 3.0l V6 is an engine with:

A) Top notch reliability
B) A ton of aftermarket potential
C) A bomb proof bottom end
&
D) Great fuel consumption

Granted, they aren't the easiest type of car to find, given that most Gen-V V6 Camrys came with the 4spd automatic, but if you can find one with the 5spd manual you have struck gold. These use the same basic transmission found mated to the SW20 MR2 Turbo running the 3SGTE engine, meaning that the shift stick is one solid piece of tech that moves very smoothly through the gates.

Hell, this car even got on Car & Driver's "10 Best Cars" list for a few years in a row. There is a good reason for that.

Furthermore, with the suspension changes built into this chassis design, it is no slouch in the corners. Add some wider/stickier tiers and you have a very nice canyon caver which also has a shit-ton of cargo/passenger room. Further add to the equation with a basic aftermarket shock/spring combo and you have something which will make much lighter 2 door coupes blush. The reason I say this is because my friend has a '99 Camry (4cyl) which absolutely OWNS at the auto-x events.

Besides, TRD also makes a Super Charger kit for these cars.

Whelp... the search is over as I bought a 96' Maxima 5 speed. I looked into the Camry, and it was impossible to find a v6-5 speed. Not only that, its a little slower than a Maxima, doesn't look as good, and is equally as reliable.