The Elusive Manual E53

[motordavid]

Beehive State car is nice...it isn't Sport, however.
Not that the OP is vectored on Sport only, fwiw.

When one isn't searching for something, it pops up underfoot in my experience on the planet, lol!
GL, mD

[Joshdub]

That is a tough question. As long as there is nothing wrong with it, I would probably rather spend less and do some work, providing it isn't body work and the car still drives fine. So maybe maintenance things like brakes, tires, suspension, lighting, ect.

Ideally, I would like a pre facelift in either grey, silver, white, or blue, possibly green, with black being my last choice and no gold. Interior color, I'd prefer black, but really anything other than tan. I'd like the sport package, and would pay more for one with it but I can always add the bits later. Heated seats are preferred but not required. I am not going to be picky about the trim, it just clips in and can be changed later. Nav, the upgraded climate control, and the pano sunroof are things I don't care about. Don't get me wrong, they are nice to have but they aren't a selling point to me. Also the 6th gear would be nice, but I am fine with the 5 speed. My E30 has short gearing and it doesn't bother me.

The black one in Utah does look nice. But like I said before the price just isn't there for me. Please don't get me wrong, it is a very nice looking sav, it just doesn't do it for me for the price.

Let me explain why I feel that way. For the sake of argument lets say I walk out with keys in hand for their asking price of 13k. It is going to cost just over 2k to get it inspected, to get there, to stay one night, gas to drive home (one day, 13hr drive), tax, an register it. The bulk of that being tax (nearly 10% for Seattle). So far I am into it for 15k and some change. I'm hoping nothing happens on the drive home through the middle of nowhere. Breaking down out there would not be cheap nor fun. And I still haven't put anything into for any deferred or preventative maintenance. So I am not very comfortable with it from that aspect. And while it does look to be in very nice shape, it has under 100k miles, It has a black interior, and it is actually a manual X5, there are things I am not too thrilled about. For example I am not a very big fan of the wheels, I'd rather have any of the other steering wheels, and while the black is nice I would still prefer almost any of the other colors.

If the car were in Seattle I would go and give it more of a consideration. But at the cost I just can't do it

[cn90]

This is the problem when you post a thread like this and don't clearly state your budget BEFORE DM registration, tax, hotel, flight costs etc.

People try to help you but have a very vague idea what your budget is.

[Joshdub]

What are you talking about? I said at the start that i'd like the asking price to be about 10k. Then multiple have been found with things that I want at that price or below, most being 8-9, with a couple at 10. So by now I'm not going to get very excited about one that is 5-3k higher and doesn't really have what I want plus I have to travel for it. Im sorry but i think that is pretty reasonable and I thought I gave an approximate for the budget at the start. It was hard to set a definite number as I wasn't finding much of anything worth while to study prices.

[cn90]

Just to give you an idea on the current market.

In June this year, I bought my 2006 X5 3.0 6sp MT with 115K, black on black, for $11,300 before tax, DMV, insurance etc. I used Kelley Blue Book and it was a fair price.

So, if you hang on tight and keep looking, you may find something nearby to save you travel costs (flight, hotel, meals etc.).

The name of the game is: patience.

[livin]

Might be listing my '05 6speed, dark grey, 93k in Chicago. Found the next 6speed german SUV that I might purchase. Let me know if you want details

Thanks

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by livin

Might be listing my '05 6speed, dark grey, 93k in Chicago. Found the next 6speed german SUV that I might purchase. Let me know if you want details

Thanks

Aka Porsche Cayenne? Only thing I'd get rid of my E53 for

Is yours modded at all? If you part out I might have some interest in mods

[livin]

Sorry no mods, and yes to the Cayenne

[Joshdub]

Thank you but I found a X5 a while ago. Good luck with the sale. I also almost bought a 6spd Cayenne before the x5.

[Ricky Bobby]

Originally Posted by livin

Sorry no mods, and yes to the Cayenne

AMAZING

Again, the only vehicle I'd get rid of the E53 for. And I thought looking for a manual trans X was hard to find, the Cayenne is even harder!