You will get a lot of car for 3k, but not a minter. There will be the usual things like worn suspension (megabucks to replace control arms front and rear), blacked out LCD ac panel. Despite the engine and gearbox being bulletproof, they still require regular maintainance. Make sure the cambelt has been done.
Buy the best you can afford mate. Air suspension is only on imports (Celsiors) and is EXTREMELY expensive to fix on older cars. AVOID like the plague mate..
You just missed out on a real nice low mileage series 3, it was sold by Chris Skelton on here, and he'd spent a good few grand doing a complete suspension overhaul.
The cars for 3k still drive ok, but most folk having never driven a brand new LS don't even realise how sloppy the suspension has become on a 10 year old car that hasn't had the overhaul. Go drive one that's had the overhaul, and one that hasn't, and you will see what I mean dude... :winky:
Just be realistic about what to expect with these cars that once cost 50 big ones..
Oh, and to answer your question. I'd say 3k would probably get you into a MINT series 2 (93-94) model. However, you could also pick up a very high mileage series 3 model (95-98) too. Probably an early 1995 model.
Yes you are right Maneesh, think I would go for the mk2.