when i first got my car(s), all my friends thought that they were maybe 10 years old, and were amazed that they are actually 17/18 years old. They are very advanced for their time though, my grandfather has an 86 chevy s10 and that thing is so primitive compared to my cars, wouldnt be suprised if a 2002tii had more electrics than it does.
I agree with delmarco, I would much rather spend $40,000 on a couple of e30s with everythign done to them, than $40,000 on an e90 or even an e46, and even an e36. The new cars are nice and all, but they have too much to go wrong with them, and there is no way in hell you will be able to do anything yourself. Heck, i wont even buy an e36 because they are too electronic and computer engineered, well if i must a euro m3, but thats it. Newest i would go if it was my money, and i actually had to worry about paying for maintenance would be an e34, and thats pushing it.