Hello people, I currently own a 2000 e46, 323i, the car is kind of old although I try to keep it in good shape, but it is asking me more and more for parts, and they are not cheap; within the last three months I have spent on it about $2,500 on parts and mechanics, and I am feeling very frustrated about this situation, I still need some stuff to do to it and it will be a couple of hundred more.
I can’t keep going this way, the car is draining my pockets, but I don’t know what to do, in principle I would like to change it for a more modern car expecting it to be less demanding for parts replacement.
What would yo recommend me to do?
Here some facts about me:
1. I live in a third world country, not in the USA, here cars are about 1.5 X the price in the USA market.
2. I make $1,000 a month, so yes, I am a poor ass man, but you can’t not earn a lot more that that here unless you own some kind of business.
3. I have no savings, I count on a loan to do so and expecting to get about 5,000 out of my e46.
4. I am looking for something no more expensive than 12,000.
5. I don’t want to sell a 18 years old car to get a loan and buy a 14 years old car, preferably I would like to have something around year 2012.
6. Safe, fun to drive and easy to maintain and get the parts (I can order anything by mail from the US).
Where do you recommend me to look at? What should I avoid?
Thanks