For Sale On used BMW 3-Series Cars

For sale right now on AutoTrader is a 2011 BMW 328i coupe that once belonged to Jersey Shore star Snooki.

Snooki's real name is Nicole Polizzi, but she got her nickname in the eighth grade for being the first girl in her circle of friends to make out with a boy. As the reality show star grew up, her reputation continued to evolve. She made her TV debut on the MTV show 'Is She Really Going Out With Him?' where she tries to deal with an over-the-top boyfriend.

The one episode was just a taste for the MTV celeb, and it wasn't until 2009's Jersey Shore that she was able to have a real shot at stardom. Her celebrity really took off in the show's fourth episode when she waspunched in the face by a local bar goer. The clip sparked controversy, and many groups wrote the network to complain. MTV pulled the incident from subsequent re-airs of the episode, but it was too late, the punch went viral on the internet almost instantaneously.

Post-punch Snooki found she could suddenly demand five times as much money for public appearances, and up to $30,000 for every episode of the MTV show. Now she is an author and Jersey Shore is set to enter its fifth season.

Earlier this year, the guidette came in to New York's Atlantic Auto Group to pick up a new ride. According to Paul Coppola who works at the dealer, Snooki bought a new Escalade and signed the sun visor of her old car she named Frankie.

The car is surprisingly subtle for someone from The Shore. No excessive modifications or over the top options are to be found on the little BMW coupe.

The car has a manual transmission and BMW's xDrive all wheel drive system, perfect for the area's cold, snowy winters. The one year old car has racked up a little over 12,000 gym, tan, laundry commuter miles, and with an asking price of $36,999 the car compares pretty well with the estimated KBB value.

We're not sure why so many people are interested in a Chevrolet LUV, but we think that if most consumers actually found an example of the small truck, they would be horrified by its downright unnerving performance. Manufactured for GM by Isuzu, the LUV preceded the popular S-10 as Chevrolet's small pickup offering in the United States. But since it was born out of the 1970s oil crisis, the LUV was designed to offer impressive fuel economy - and it did, consistently recording more than 30 miles per gallon. Unfortunately, it achieved those remarkable numbers without the help of today's technological aids, meaning the miserly figures came the old-fashioned way: low power. The little truck was never offered with more than 75 horsepower. Nonetheless, there were 1,200 searches on AutoTrader.com last month for the LUV, with just one example for sale.

6. Mitsubishi Starion

The Mitsubishi Starion succeeded at scaring its European competitors, proving that Japanese automakers could make solid performance cars. Last month, many AutoTrader.com shoppers agreed, with more than 1,000 searches despite only one or two Starion listings available nationwide. It's a shame the car isn't more common, as its athletic styling, torquey engines and direct feedback impressed early '80s journalists, who were used to more conservative sedans and hatchbacks from Japanese automakers. And while the Starion's 197 horsepower may seem average by today's standards, the coupe certainly succeeded in worrying automakers like Porsche, whose more expensive 944 model produced just 150 horsepower at that time.

7. Ferrari F40

It's no surprise that the Ferrari F40 is a scarce commodity on AutoTrader.com, with active listings rarely moving past two. And while we think most of the 1,073 searches for the car last month were likely daydreaming gearheads, we can't help but sympathize considering the F40's rarity, stunning lines and earth-shattering performance. Unfortunately, those desirable qualities come at a price, and despite the F40's stripped down interior that lacks even a radio, its notorious turbo lag, and its uncontrollable power, the supercar's price of admission is its scariest feature. With average values between $500,000 and $600,000, the F40 is definitely expensive to buy - but its carbon fiber body, high-strung engine and unique parts make it even more costly to run. And with routine services that can easily run five figures, the F40's costs certainly terrify us even more than its intimidating engine note.

8. BMW 325iX

BMW fanatics won't be surprised to learn that the unusual BMW 325iX made our "scarciest" list, considering its rarity and desirability. Indeed, there were nearly 4,000 searches for the 325iX last month, with only about four cars available. But while the all-wheel drive 325iX may feature handsome styling and all-weather appeal, the twenty-plus-year-old car certainly has its weak spots - and hair-raising mechanical reliability is among them. While the typical late '80s 3 Series is known for having more than its share of faults, the 325iX took it to an entirely new level thanks to unique parts and a complicated drivetrain, making it perfect for do-it-yourselfers - and downright scary for those of us who are at the mercy of our mechanics.

9. Dodge Omni

For the compact Dodge Omni, the devil was in the trim levels. Introduced in 1979, the standard Omni was little more than a mainstream, fuel-saving hatchback - but its performance variant was so much more. Released for 1984, the sporty Omni was originally going to be called 'Coyote' before receiving a last-minute name-change that saw it rebadged to Omni GLH, for "Goes Like Hell." And if the automaker's fire and brimstone reference wasn't unnerving enough, Chrysler later debuted an even hotter version called the GLHS, which is thought to have stood for "Goes Like Hell, Some more" - and it did, thanks to 175 horsepower in a vehicle weighing only around 2,200 pounds. According to Chrysler, the Omni GLHS could hit 60 mph in just 6.7 seconds - impressive for its time, and certainly enough to scare the shoppers who did 1,000 searches for the Omni last month.

10. Ford Festiva

Despite just four listings, there were more than 3,000 searches for the tiny Ford Festiva last month on AutoTrader.com, earning it 10th place on our list of the "scarciest" cars. And while its gutless engine, slow-witted transmission and miniscule tires are certainly enough to secure it a place among the scariest cars to drive, we find the Festiva alarming for another reason: its movie roles. In Suburban Commando, a meek and timid Christopher Lloyd drove a Festiva, constantly backing down from other drivers' challenges. In Fun with Dick and Jane, both characters lose their jobs and are forced into a lowly Festiva - which they use to rob banks. And in Election, Matthew Broderick tries to derail a student's life and fix a school election. His car of choice? You guessed it - a FordFestiva. We'd stay away, if only to avoid the unnerving stereotypes seemingly conjured by one of Ford's smallest vehicles

·         Have your mechanic check the car
Before you agree to buy the car, get an unbiased opinion from a mechanic you trust and not someone the seller suggests.

Inspect the vehicle during daylight

Under the cover of darkness, many flaws can be hidden out in the open. Make sure you check out the car in the light. Look for extreme wear of the upholstery, seats, brake and accelerator pedals. Also, note anything new as this could signal the car has had more than its fair share of use. Look closely at the exterior and watch for waves on the body which could mean bodywork or that the vehicle has been in an accident. 

Of course, it goes without saying; take it for a test drive. Drive at different speeds and on different road conditions to get the fullest experience possible.

Factor in the cost of insurance

Your insurance rates are determined, in part, by the car. Don't find out until it is too late that the cost to insure the vehicle takes you over your budget. Once you've got a car in mind, easily compare car insurance rate quotes online at Kanetix.ca to get a feel for how much it will cost to insure.