looking to buy, what to look for?
- Thread starter Kate
- Start date
Wow, a girl thats like cars (especially 2002's)!!!!! Most are like my stupid sister. Daddy, daddy fix my crappy truck. Daddy daddy, why doesn't this work.... i think you can figure out the rest!!!
Anyways, what to look for:
How many owners, how many miles, what does the underneeth look like? Is there rust anywhere? What is the condition of the interior/extierior? Pretty much just examine the entire car. Especially the electrical system. Older German cars tend to have crappy electronics (i know from expierience). And check out the VIN number on carfax.com. And if you think you ready to buy it, take it to a mechanic to check everything out.
Just remember to always think about how much time and money you really want to spend on it. hope this helps. If you have any other questions, just let me know and i'll try to help out!
Anyways, what to look for:
How many owners, how many miles, what does the underneeth look like? Is there rust anywhere? What is the condition of the interior/extierior? Pretty much just examine the entire car. Especially the electrical system. Older German cars tend to have crappy electronics (i know from expierience). And check out the VIN number on carfax.com. And if you think you ready to buy it, take it to a mechanic to check everything out.
Just remember to always think about how much time and money you really want to spend on it. hope this helps. If you have any other questions, just let me know and i'll try to help out!
I may be no expert on the subject of 2002s... but I suppose I could chime in.
Things I would watch for:
RUST! I have seen some pretty sad looking 2002s out there. Check everywhere on the car for pits, and parts that are rusted through. Check around the taillights especially and under the trunk lining.
Look for one with minimal undercairrage rust (the underside of the car). These will be solid cars for years to come if you find a clean one.
Everything I thought of has been previously mentioned. I have to reinterate this point... BE AWARE of how much time, effort and money you want to put in an old car! Be realistic about it! I am having trouble right now with a 535i I want to purchase, but I will then own 2 cars, and I am not sure of my financial situation say 4 years down the road, so I am beating myself up over it. I want to restore the 535 but I am not sure really how much I want to go in.
With a 2002 it will be hard to find someone specialized in the cars for restoration. I would find a restored one and drive it! Have it inspected as well
Sorry for going on a bit of a personal tangent there...
Things I would watch for:
RUST! I have seen some pretty sad looking 2002s out there. Check everywhere on the car for pits, and parts that are rusted through. Check around the taillights especially and under the trunk lining.
Look for one with minimal undercairrage rust (the underside of the car). These will be solid cars for years to come if you find a clean one.
Everything I thought of has been previously mentioned. I have to reinterate this point... BE AWARE of how much time, effort and money you want to put in an old car! Be realistic about it! I am having trouble right now with a 535i I want to purchase, but I will then own 2 cars, and I am not sure of my financial situation say 4 years down the road, so I am beating myself up over it. I want to restore the 535 but I am not sure really how much I want to go in.
With a 2002 it will be hard to find someone specialized in the cars for restoration. I would find a restored one and drive it! Have it inspected as well
Sorry for going on a bit of a personal tangent there...
From Carfax.com
We are unable to provide you with vehicle history information for vehicles manufactured prior to 1981, when the 17 character VIN became standard. The 17 character VIN is the code that is used to access CARFAX’s vehicle history information database.
To our knowledge there are no sources from whom pre-1981 vehicle history information is available readily. You could try to contact vehicle-specific clubs or groups focused on older vehicles.
We wish we could have helped you more. Please let us know if there is anything else CARFAX can help you with.
We are unable to provide you with vehicle history information for vehicles manufactured prior to 1981, when the 17 character VIN became standard. The 17 character VIN is the code that is used to access CARFAX’s vehicle history information database.
To our knowledge there are no sources from whom pre-1981 vehicle history information is available readily. You could try to contact vehicle-specific clubs or groups focused on older vehicles.
We wish we could have helped you more. Please let us know if there is anything else CARFAX can help you with.
Cool thanks, but I caution people who rely too much on Carfax. I know a guy with an M3 who was rearended. He and his fellow "driving instructor" decided not to inform the insurance companies involved (no police either) and had the car fixed. You could have reached into the truck without opening it, it was that bad. Now there is no record of the accident and some unsuspecting soul is going to buy that Mtrash.
![[:(]](/images/smilies/frown.png "Frown [:(]")