Opinion on CL Find Aka: Worth it to do a manual trans swap?

[Sevorith]

I've been looking for months for a decent e30 around my area and unfortunately I'm coming up empty. There were a few considerations but fate has had different plans for those cars.

What I'm looking at right now is this baby: http://york.craigslist.org/cto/5108842529.html

The first thing that sticks out is that it's an Mtech. Very clean looking, but unfortunately automatic. That would definitely have to be rectified if I were to buy it. I know it's doable, but I also know it's sort of an unnecessary expense and I wouldn't consider it if finding a 325 wasn't such a hassle and if this one wasn't so clean.

So, with the price tag of 6k in mind and the potential for a ~2k trans swap, what do you guys think?

[TurboJake]

Overpriced.

But, my view will be different than everyone else here. I think they're all overpriced. That one at least by 2k.

[wcipolli]

As someone who has been looking for weeks for a nice, clean vert within 700 miles of SC there are TONS of standard e30's available with a manual transmission.

You might be in the same boat that you're looking for something specific and this fits the bill but 2k is a lot for that switch - think about the difference in a 6k e30 and a 8k e30.

ie: here are some in MD from a quick search

http://frederick.craigslist.org/cto/5138075116.html

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/5119466276.html

http://westmd.craigslist.org/cto/5135220600.html

[James Crivellone]

Has a nice interior, mtech2, looks halfway decent.

Its a fair price

[rcsoundn1]

These cars are not getting cheaper. I'd buy the best example I could and do a swap later on. Buy swap parts now. IMO 6k isn't bad. But I also looked at a GLH for 6k

[James]

That's fairly priced by looking at the photos.

[russc]

You could probably negotiate a bit, but that price isn't terribly out of line.

[Schnitzer318is]

Agreed on price... would snap it up if I had the opportunity and was in the market.

Auto be damned... can fix that later by buying another e30 w/ manual. Swapping everything over and then selling auto swapped e30 for probably near what you paid for it depending on condition, specs, etc.

[flyboyx]

i like it...a lot. i say its worth the 6k. if i was in the market, i would buy it too.

[fiveightandten]

Totally worth it. M tech coupes are not cheap or easy to find. It looks to be in great shape too. I'd buy it all day for $5K. At $6K, it's less of a deal after the 5 speed. But still totally worth it, IMO.

[jalopi]

http://westmd.craigslist.org/cto/5135220600.html

of the three, i like this one best OP. 90% of the shit you'd probably do to it has already been done. the suspension and engine swap alone would cost you nearly $4k. it's also probably a short drive from you, vs driving up to york and finding out that there's an issue with the car

[e30austin]

http://westmd.craigslist.org/cto/5135220600.html

of the three, i like this one best OP. 90% of the shit you'd probably do to it has already been done. the suspension and engine swap alone would cost you nearly $4k. it's also probably a short drive from you, vs driving up to york and finding out that there's an issue with the car

I definitely wouldn't pay $5k for a car that had been crashed pretty hard up front.

[Schnitzer318is]

I definitely wouldn't pay $5k for a car that had been crashed pretty hard up front.

Agreed... I'd take that mtech over that swap car every time.

[jalopi]

eh? what are you guys talking about? re-read the ad and it says nothing about a hard crash up front

are you talking about the hood gap? i'm pretty sure that's from hood risers

[Wschnitz]

Look at the front panels again buddy, none of them line up, valance looks hammered, and the paint is a different color.