200 SX S14 buyers guide?

[iamthestig]

Looks like I'm getting a new job closer to home and will be able to cut down to one car, at the moment I'm torn between a BMW E36 328i coupe or a 200SX S14 both from circa 1996-97 ish and up to about £3k ish.
I much prefer the facelift S14 'mini Skyline' looks but most that I see advertised are automatics, obviously by being on this site I consider myself and enthusiast and would prefer a manual. How good/bad are the autos? Would it be possible to convert an auto to manual for less than a grand?

Any other things to look out for?

Thanks in advance for your words of wisdom.

[Hates_]

There should be one on the SXOC

www.sxoc.com/vbb/index.php?

[turbo-tastic]

I wouldn't bother going down the conversion route, just find a manual, there are plenty about

SXOC is the best place to ask techy questions, but I recommend using the search first, as its been covered a few times

[iamthestig]

Thanks for the link fella's - will check it out when I get home.

[turbo-tastic]

www.sxoc.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=199998&highlight=buyers+guide

Thats a good one for starters, as there a some threads linked in it, but it covers most f what to look for etc