Well, did some research and some local credit unions offered some decent rates way better than my own bank. Most were ~7-9.5% APR, which is workable. I also test drove an 07' Fit Sport 5spd and a 2000 Prelude base VTEC. The Fit was nice, being a new car and kinda versatile, but the Prelude actually surprised me with the way it drove. Nice and smooth, pulled real good and drove pretty well for a a 7-year old car.
Unfortunately, after talking to a few guys who work at a BMW dealership near me - I've decided to kind of ditch the idea of an E39 5-series. I'd be capable of doing any work needed on it - but the parts would make me broke. I'm still gonna keep an eye out for E30 4-doors and 2-doors, but I'm all set with the 5-series.