323ci possible purchase - new tranny

[cpuken]

The credit union where I work sponsors a one day car sale each year. They offer their own cars (off-lease, repos) as well as have several dealers bring some of their inventory to a central location.
I stopped by to look around, having just purchased a 1995 318ti 3 days ago. I grabbed a fee diet coke and one of their welcome bags and strolled the lot I saw several cars that caught my eye but nothing in my budget. Looked over a Chrysler Crossfire (neat), then started making my way back to where I had parked my car... then I spied a 2000, BMW 323ci (blue) with a price of $15,500k! Being new to the BMW universe (only started looking a week ago), that price seemed very low. I would have expected it to be around $20-24K.
I figured it had a ton of miles on it, so I didn't get too excited. I eventually opened the door, grabbed the keys and had a closer look. It had the 76,000 miles and some wear on some of the entirior door panels (plus they looked a little soiled). Well, the miles were not as high as I thought they would be (with this $15,500 price)! The stereo system sounded great. I found the original sticker in the glove box: Base price $28,060... additional options took this MSRP up to $35,060. Hmmm, now I'm starting to get excited and worried at the same time. I had a look under the hood, looked clean without being detailed. I walked around to the rear to check out the trunk, that's when I got my first sign as to why the price might be lower then I thought... there was a trailer hitch! I opend the trunk and there was a lighting harness for whatever the previous owner had been towing!!
Still, with my limited knowledge, I thought this might still be a good deal. An investigation of the passenger's side, revealed a few dents on the pasengers door... nothing so severe that the paint was compromised. I could drive it that way and not be too distracted... fix it later when funds allowed I thought.
I eventually spoke with a credit union rep and discovered this car belonged to the credit union. It was a repo. They had it towed from Florida to Indy where they had the transmission replaced last week... is this good or bad. Since I already figured out the previous owner had been towing something at least it now has a new transmission.???
What do you guys think about this potential buy???
Would you be scared off by the towing thing? The replacement transmission?? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated. (it has leather seats, AM-FM-CD, auto transmission, moonroof, power everything...)
Thanks

Ken

[cpuken]

Does anyone have any suggestions on whether I should try and purchase this vehicle?
Any suggestions...
1. like buy it but don't pay any more than xxxx...
2. be sure and have parts XYZ checked out...
3. Don't touch this one...

PS. I drove back down to the sale (Saturday) to actually test drive the car but discovered that somone else had taken it for a test drive and it had overheated... again, is this something to be concerned about?

Thanks gang.
Ken

[Ski]

I'd walk dude..a bimmer w/ a 'trailer hitch' scares the hell out of me..

[MrM3]

Originally posted by cpuken@Oct 5 2003, 07:56 PM
Does anyone have any suggestions on whether I should try and purchase this vehicle?
Any suggestions...
1. like buy it but don't pay any more than xxxx...
2. be sure and have parts XYZ checked out...
3. Don't touch this one...

PS. I drove back down to the sale (Saturday) to actually test drive the car but discovered that somone else had taken it for a test drive and it had overheated... again, is this something to be concerned about?

Thanks gang.
Ken

yes.

that car doesnt sound good. you should be able to get a decent one in that price range in a year or two

[the///man]

thats got bad news written all over it

[Micall316]

the must be a fuxded up engine who the hell pulls a trailor or camper wit ha car


??

maybe an old school Caddy

just say
NO

[2.link]

Originally posted by Micall316@Oct 5 2003, 05:48 PM
the must be a fuxded up engine who the hell pulls a trailor or camper wit ha car


??

maybe an old school Caddy

just say
NO

Your worse than hang 10 at least he can spell swear words right.....

[cpuken]

That's the kind of information I was hoping to get here. Some of the reservations expressed by several of you were exactly my thouhgts... then there was the other little voice I kept hearing... this other voice says things like:
1. If this car turns out to be OK, you've gotten it for about $4-5K cheaper then the norm.
2. With a 2 year extended warranty, any other major problems will be taken care of with very little out-of-pocket expenses. (I was quoted about 1,600 for a 2 year extended, third-party, warranty). Even after you roll this cost into the price of the car, the final cost appears to be about $3,500 cheaper.
3. I may be able to have the credit union throw in the cost of the extended warranty... now is it a good deal??

Ken

[Ski]

You're gonna have major problems down the road imo that would not be covered regardless of any type of warranty..

[MrM3]

Originally posted by Ski@Oct 5 2003, 10:44 PM
You're gonna have major problems down the road imo that would not be covered regardless of any type of warranty..

yeah, plus aftermarket warranties still have deductables