For best price comparo, check Ebay Motors (ebay.com). I've got once a BMW on Ebay for 6.5k, and it was a good deal - '96 318i E36 sedan, excellent condition. 6cyl engine BMWs (325, 328 etc) of the same age start at $7,500. I suggest you go for a 6cyl version - sometimes I really lack the power

There're plenty of automatic trannies out there - but do your homework and find a stick shift. As somebody mentioned in this forum, a bimmer with an automatic is like a woman without a vagina

Have to agree completely with this one. As for E30s - stick shifts on Ebay are a rarity, and for 6k you are looking at '94 or earlier E30. I really should add that 3-series feels kinda small inside, so if you have 2 or 3 kids, go for 5-series - much roomier. (I know, I know - nobody in THIS forum would ever let their kids approach their favorite bimmer toy :cya - but you gotta be objective and cover your bases).