WTB ZHP for New England Weather? Impossible! - Please help my search!

[E_Rak]

Well here it is boys, my shameful WTB thread. Please help. I'll have most of the typical cars.com / autotrader stuff already, but I want to see what kind of prospects you can throw at me!

Years: Any year
Budget: Likely around $13 at the top end. Kinda sorta on a college budget :dunno
Desired location of vehicle: East coast, northeast preferred
Desired Mileage: Any
Transmission type: Manual only
Desired number of Doors: 4 preferable, 2 only if it's the perfect car :wub
Desired Color combos: Anything less black paint, Alcantara HIGHLY preferred
Desired Packages: Folding seats/ski pass preferred
Have a car you need to sell first? YES! See sig below for the link

[Torxuvin]

Shameless plug http://www.zhpmafia.com/forums/showthread.php?9375-2003-IR-ZHP-Sedan-GA-13.5k-OBO :shifty

[Avetiso]

I seriously think Cam's car is perfect for you.

[Avetiso]

Buy my car and I'll pay to ship it to you. :shifty

[E_Rak]

I have had my eye on that car but it isss on the high end of what I want to spend AND far away. What it does have is a good owner and the right options hehe. I'll keep it in mind certainly.

Avetiso, if you were closer buy your car really would be under serious consideration, it looks like it's been properly fixed up..... silbergrau + silver cube... :drool On the house shipping too! :D

[Tnhl1989]

http://newhaven.craigslist.org/cto/3747531594.html

http://nwct.craigslist.org/cto/3677520667.html

http://newyork.craigslist.org/stn/cto/3777305582.html

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/3746035212.html

This is what I got for you for now.

[HokieZHP]

Well I'll be selling mine soon sadly but it's black so guess that's out haha

[Avetiso]

http://newhaven.craigslist.org/cto/3747531594.html

http://nwct.craigslist.org/cto/3677520667.html

http://newyork.craigslist.org/stn/cto/3777305582.html

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/3746035212.html

This is what I got for you for now.
Woah, what a coincidence. Was just looking a thread on E46F for the Imola, link #4: http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php?t=944874

[E_Rak]

Yes been following that one as well, will get in contact with the guy, why not?

EDIT: Read his build thread, the car is no longer for sale as of a few days ago

[Avetiso]

Bump.

[ELCID86]

One thing i've found in searching is sometimes ZHPs are hard to search for on AT.com and cars.com. Sometimes they are advertised incorrectly. I usually search for BMW by the years (I often leave out 2006 as the model changed mid year and '06s are too expensive for my purse) and look at the front end and then see if it's really a ZHP. Also, the CraigsPro and other C-list apps let you add multiple cities and I've seen some that way that don't show when I search craigslist.org. GL

[E_Rak]

Thanks for the tips Shawn. Yeah I usually search for 2003 - 2005 and look at the pictures to make sure. I've found a few incorrectly labelled, but manual ZHPs for short money are not the easiest thing to find. I do have a lead on a TiAG/alcantara with a good history and almost 170k for a good price that I might jump into, but it's a five hour trip and I'm waiting on more info from the shop owner.

[fredo]

I usually run 2 different queries: one with "performance" and another one with "zhp" for years 2003-2005.
This does not mean 100% of success, but it usually gives a lot of results back.

[E_Rak]

Hmmm never thought of using just performance as a search term... I'll give it a try.

[ELCID86]

I usually run 2 different queries: one with "performance" and another one with "zhp" for years 2003-2005.
This does not mean 100% of success, but it usually gives a lot of results back.

Yep

[Tnhl1989]

I run both inquiries and a normal 330i one to check all the photos. A 5 hour drive isn't too bad. I had two buses and a train to PA to pick up mine. Took about 28 hours all together.

[E_Rak]

Yeah Tony, the drive doesn't worry me. The mileage of the car and the possibility of wasting 2 full tanks of gas and a full day do however.

[Fender215]

I'm sure this is known, and perhaps silly to even mention, but don't rule out a car that's on the higher end of your budget IF it's had all the right maintenance etc already/preventative performed. The car in GA seems to fit that bill - no point missing a great car based on initial purchase price just to have to spend loads more fixing it.

[E_Rak]

Thanks Fender, of course paying a bit on top for the proper maintenance makes absolute sense... That being said, there are items that will need attention regardless of the previous owner, and unfortunately for me, being local is a bit of a priority for me. I don't have the cash to throw away if I fly somewhere and decide not to take the car...

[E_Rak]

Guys, I think I am going to have to suspend this WTB until further notice, I'm just not in a position right now to get a car worth buying with the right options and a good history. I had myself in the perfect situation to jump into a S/G on Alcantara 6mt this same time last year, but turned it down for reasons now unknown to me... hindsight is always 20/20 isn't it? Since then I invested some of my cash and stopped working while I was at school. I will be trying again once my finances change. Thanks for all the help in the interim.

[ELCID86]

Always a wise decision not to let your heart convince your head to do something your wallet can't afford. Hope you will stay active here. Who knows, a deal too good to pass up may come along! Good luck in school. Save your pennies.

[E_Rak]

Thanks Shawn, the mafia will still be my new #1 forum, don't worry there! (I took the e46f.c sticker off my window :p) I'll always have one eye on the classifieds too.