Would Today's BMW Buyer Be Happy With A 2002 From The 70's?

They simply would not put up with a 2002. That's how BMW people today are not "real" BMW people. A friend has a 2002tii and it is simple, basic, honest, and mechanical. I happen to love it.

I truly HATE the 2 Series because it is just a smashed down, cramped 3 series.

I'd love to see BMW do a bespoke small RWD platform that could spawn a 2002 coupe and sedan, a Z2 coupe and sedan, and a Triumph TR4 to be sold through Mini dealers.

Me personally would love the car, being a manual and a fun car to drive and whip around in. Those Tii's and rare Turbos (in white) are great looking cars.

But I think today's buyer, no. They couldn't lease it, no free maintenance, complain there is no Bluetooth, no cup holder, too noisy and all the little stupid stuff they could think of. And the majority probably couldn't drive a manual, check their oil.

I love very basic cars. It's why I tinker with TVRs. A buddy of mine has an OLD VW Rabbit that he dropped a 16V 5-speed into. It's a direct bolt in. It's crude as hell but fun. The 2002 probably was polished for its day, but these days people would complain about NVH.

I would enjoy a day in a 2002tii more than in an M3/4.

No. Today's BMW buyer is not the same guy who thrilled with the 2002 in the 70's. It's a different audience with different psychographics. Even the guys who thrilled with a 2002 in the 70's have changed substantially in the last 40 years.

BMW knows this. That's why BMW is arguably the most admired car company in the world... not because they make the "best" vehicles, but because they're excellent at being consistently profitable, recession-proof, and anticipating future mind-sets fairly well. Love 'em or hate 'em, BMW didn't become No.1 because of luck.

FWIW, BMW lost me as a customer during the Flame Surface era, but who cares? They've found more than suitable replacements for me in their current customer base.

I prefer the yesteryear Germans. I'd rather be in a Porsche 914-6 than a Boxster. The 914-6 is more honest. I lost a bidding war on one to my buddy Nick and then he paid my shop to renovate it, so I guess I won. LOL Too bad the damn thing lives with him in New Mexico. The Mercedes 450SEL 6.9 impresses me. The 450SEL 6.9 is honest. Don't even get me started on my love of the AMG Hammer.

I have to agree. There are not really any cars today that you say are pretty basic, simple yet great to drive. The 2002-2006 Mini Cooper was close, the Fiat Abarth is close, the current austere VW Passat and Jetta are close. Other than that I'm not sure what else is. I miss my old Alfa GTV6 and Spider. Those were simple cars.

The Mazda Miata comes as close to a simple "sports" car as you can get today - and it is a blast to drive. Even with the near impossibility of getting my body into the seat (only with the top down) - I enjoyed it. Having has a 6.9 though - I really cannot compare how "different" that car was to the regular cars of the NON AMG-M era. It was just so far ahead of all the others on the road.

But the 2002 is simply not comparable to the 3 series of today. If they are looking for the complete package - as todays cars can be - the 2002 isn't that. Me - I'd rather have my first car - a 1939 Chevy - which I heavily "updated" when I had it -= and then I "updated" it even more when he had me prepare it for his son.

The Miata comparison does not work. The older cars--like the 2002--feel fast because they were less refined and their lack of speed feels fast, whereas the Miata is a very polished design and therefore it ALWAYS feels slow. Ditto the Toyoburu.

I love the Alfa GTV6. I should hurry up and get one renovated so that when the Giulia arrives I can sell it at a profit. LOL.

We've done 2 6 cylinder 914 conversions because they are largely bolt in conversions.