Much has been written about the BMW 2002, calling it an icon, a cult classic, and lavishing praise on its handling and light weight. Predictably, many of these cars succumbed to attrition when their owners probed the limits of the handling, and many more to structural rust. In 1975, their 9th year of production, the 2002 had sprouted giant bumpers, a thermal reactor, and retarded timing to comply with new emissions regulations. However, they are also said to be better built and handling, and this 1975 BMW 2002 Automatic is available for $2995 in San Jose, CA.
Archive for September, 2013
Poor Man’s BMW #2 – 1975 BMW 2002 Automatic
September 25, 2013Again! 1985 Renault Encore
September 24, 2013Sold as the Renault 11 in the rest of the world, the Renault Encore was introduced in 1984 to compete with other hatchbacks like the VW Golf, Ford Escort, and Chevrolet Chevette. While there were over 600,000 Alliances and Encores sold from 1983-1987, very few remain since they were budget cars. Of those, very few Encores remain, to the extent this seems to be the first one available for purchase in several years. You can find this 39,000-mile 1985 Renault Encore with bidding at $1526 and about one day left to go in San Luis Obispo, CA.
Poor Man’s BMW #1 – 1977 BMW 320i
September 24, 2013By the mid-1970s, BMW sorely needed a replacement for its aging 2002. By 1977, when its replacement came around, it was 11 years old – can you imagine any passenger car model lasting that long nowadays? Its replacement was the E21 320i, which had big shoes to fill, coming with the 2002’s 2-liter M10 engine. The engine itself was equipped with K-Jetronic fuel injection for cleaner emissions and a 10hp bump, but this was offset by an extra 400 lb. of weight. This and more insulation took away some of the feel of connection to the road, and the 320i got mixed reviews in the press. However, buyers still cited performance as one of their main reasons for purchasing the car – you can have your own taste of this somewhat forgotten 2002 successor with this 1977 BMW 320i, available for $1950 in Milpitas, CA (although possibly in northern Nevada, according to the listing text).


