Getting back in the game again - Shopping for 100-Series (#2)

[pfran42]

RobRed is getting closer on the 01-02s. Don't quote me but I think he is shopping harness fabricators in order to control costs. I am not up to speed on the 03-05s but I think we all would have heard something is there were any show-stoppers.

Congrats on getting back in the 100 game. One question, I get the feeling you don't really care about how new your vehicles are so why the focus on 03-05? Interior update? The sweet spot is hovering around 00-02 right now and I see low mileage examples popping up out of the well-to-do burbs all the time at half the price you are looking to spend. The only must-have on my list would be the LATCH system for the kids and I think that started with the 01s. If you get one with right around 100K on the clock and can verify the 90K tune-up, going 10-15 years is going to be child's play.

The high-mileage thread on Mud has yet to find a 100 that has died of natural causes. People are breaching 400K with nothing other than scheduled maintenance.

[ChuckB]

PFran,

Thanks for the update on the NAV.

You're right. I'm not too concerned about the year. The newer interior is not a deciding factor for me and I would clearly prefer non-NAV. I'm really only initially leaning toward the '03+ for the 5-spd. Most posts and opinions I have read from people recommend going with the 5-spd because they believe it is that significant of an upgrade. I don't have an opinion between the 4 and 5 spd at this point because I have never driven the 5-spd. In general I prefer the Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS) philosophy when it comes to mechanical/electrical items, which is why I want to stay far away from the NAV if at all possible.

I believe you are correct on the LATCH system, '01-02 is what I'd be looking at for the 4-spd 100s. I would not pass up a well cared for '02 if I could find a low mileage example (~100,000 miles) several thousand dollars less than an '03 in similar condition. As I look around online, I'm starting to re-think my initial budget predictions. I may seriously consider spending less now, as I initially was going with the philosophy of purchasing the newest vehicle I can afford in the '03-05 range. If I can make a purchase without taking a loan I would be willing to sacrifice the extra gear in the tranny.

Thanks again for your thoughts. This type of conversation is exactly why I posted this thread. I'm really trying to not make an emotional decision this time around.

[pfran42]

PFran,

Thanks for the update on the NAV.

You're right. I'm not too concerned about the year. The newer interior is not a deciding factor for me and I would clearly prefer non-NAV. I'm really only initially leaning toward the '03+ for the 5-spd. Most posts and opinions I have read from people recommend going with the 5-spd because they believe it is that significant of an upgrade. I don't have an opinion between the 4 and 5 spd at this point because I have never driven the 5-spd. In general I prefer the Keep It Simple Stupid (KISS) philosophy when it comes to mechanical/electrical items, which is why I want to stay far away from the NAV if at all possible.

I believe you are correct on the LATCH system, '01-02 is what I'd be looking at for the 4-spd 100s. I would not pass up a well cared for '02 if I could find a low mileage example (~100,000 miles) several thousand dollars less than an '03 in similar condition. As I look around online, I'm starting to re-think my initial budget predictions. I may seriously consider spending less now, as I initially was going with the philosophy of purchasing the newest vehicle I can afford in the '03-05 range. If I can make a purchase without taking a loan I would be willing to sacrifice the extra gear in the tranny.

Thanks again for your thoughts. This type of conversation is exactly why I posted this thread. I'm really trying to not make an emotional decision this time around.

I am coming from an '04 545i so I know what good power feels like. My '02 with the 4 speed never feels weak or rough shifting. In fact it is quite the opposite. You had a 100 for a while so I am sure you know what I am talking about. I am sure the 5 speed is smoother and delivers the power a little better but it is never going to pull like a sports car. It think Toyota got it right with the torque numbers. I never go WOT mainly b/c I never need to. If I had to have to the updated console and gauge cluster, I would go '03+ but if the 5 speed was the only reason, i'd skip it and save $10K.

[Sawyer]

Hey,

I know you already had one, but when you get back from deployment. If you want to check out my 2000 to compare against other years, shoot me a PM.

[ChuckB]

Hey,

I know you already had one, but when you get back from deployment. If you want to check out my 2000 to compare against other years, shoot me a PM.

Sawyer, thank you for the offer. I appreciate it and may take you up on it at some point over the summer.

Doing a quick AutoTrader search does reveal some significant savings on the '01-02s and there were actually several under 100,000 miles to my surprise. From what I have seen so far the prices appear to be hovering around $20K.

I'm in the middle of the ocean right now, but when I return, the only way to solve this is to do some shopping and test driving. I will also allow my wife to weigh in on the interior aspect as she will be the primary driver at least initially.

[Sawyer]

Bring the wife along if you come to check it out. And be patient in the search if you can. I bought mine in '05 with a 106,000 on the clock and only paid 16K for it.


Fair winds and following seas on the way home!

This is mine:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/foru...58#post1085558

[ChuckB]

Excellent thanks! I'll let the wife check out the interior while I check out your mods

Are those first two pics from Anza Borrego? We need to get out there once this purchase is finalized!!

[Sawyer]

Yeah the 1st one is the campground off Fish Creek Wash. The 2nd is going over Diablo Drop off.

[Containerized]

As a 993 C4S and 997 GT3 owner, I suggest you keep the porkchop. Get the 470, mod it as cashflow allows. Set the Swedish nonsense vehicle on fire.

[ChuckB]

Fire is just the beginning of what I had in mind for that car...