APART from hundreds of emails of abuse I get every week, lately there have been a few complaining that I talk only about expensive cars.
Stephen Brook and Phil King, my bosses here at Weekend A Plus, have told me to highlight some cars for poor people. So today our panel of experts, Michael McMichael and I, recommend four non-Australian classics under $30,000.
Of course, first out of the blocks is the BMW 2002. Built between 1968 and 1976, this was the car that saved BMW financially and reputationally. In one of his classic but sexist reviews, Car and Driver journalist David E. Davis wrote at the time: "In its unique ability to blend fun-and-games with no-nonsense virtue, this newest BMW also reflects another traditional American article of faith — our unshakable belief we can find and marry a pretty girl who will expertly cook, scrub floors, change diapers, keep the books and still be the greatest thing since the San Francisco earthquake in bed."
Disgraceful. McMichael, the world's greatest BMW technician, says: "If you are not mechanical, spend $15,000 on a good one." If you can get the very sporty tii, you will be looking at close to $20,000. Best not to think about restoring one — it will cost you $100,000 to do it perfectly.