The Essential Question

[Habla]

I, rather, my family, owns a 1994 Accord LX 4 door 5-speed. Since I hate ricers, and I am madly in love with 1989-1991 E30s, I want to get a different car. I am only 17, but I want to get off on the right foot car-wise. My parents said that if i want to sell the Honda, give them back what they paid for it ($1500 from neighbors wholesale), then I can use the profit from the sale and my funds to get a car that I like. Thus, my question is:

-- Should I get a 318is, 325es, or 325i coupe (there are no 325is's for sale in Seattle)?

-- Should I keep searching for a stick or just go with a clean auto and then swap to stick this summer?

Basically, I prefer coupes, manuals, plastic bumpers, and 6 cylinders.

Thanks in advance for your input.
--Habla

[DSchultz325e]

325i with as many options as you can find, and a manual transmission. The 325es wasn't made in the 89-91 period.

[bmwannabe]

Get a manual and save yourself the hassle. The swap is labor intensive and expensive. Also get an i model, more power.

[BS87]

Get a manual and save yourself the hassle. The swap is labor intensive and expensive. Also get an i model, more power.

$1040 and ~3 days of labor (5 if you're slacking).

In Retrospect, You can go either way. If you're really commited, you can get an auto that hasn't been beat on as much as a 5 speed, or if you find it easier, just get a 5 speed to start with. All depends on if you feel like swapping stuff. It's quite a trivial question.

[Mystikal]

Go find a clean 5-speed 89-91 325i/iS and live happily ever after.

Then again, being 17, a 318iS would use less gas, cost less to insure, and be a safer car to learn on. Think about it.

[george graves]

Then again, being 17, a 318iS would use less gas, cost less to insure, and be a safer car to learn on. Think about it.

yep....

Plus think of it this way, you can always get a "faster" car later in life. Once you drive something with power, it's hard to go back. (this is what I am finding with my m30 swap...)

[rwh11385]

Keep the Honda, stock preferably or just suspension, and you'll enjoy the lack of maintence and good gas mileage when you hit college.....as well as better people capacity.

[Mystikal]

Then again, being 17, a 318iS would use less gas, cost less to insure, and be a safer car to learn on. Think about it.

yep....

Plus think of it this way, you can always get a "faster" car later in life. Once you drive something with power, it's hard to go back. (this is what I am finding with my m30 swap...)

Very true my man. I learned to drive on a Grand Am GT and my mom's 323i 5-speed, then got my 325is. Anything 4-cylinder NA feels retardedly slow now.

[Schniddy]

Go find a clean 5-speed 89-91 325i/iS and live happily ever after.

Then again, being 17, a 318iS would use less gas, cost less to insure, and be a safer car to learn on. Think about it.

Hell I wish my mom woulda had an M42, I dont care what people say about ETAs being slow. When your learning to drive thats still alota power. Lets hope god watches over me cuase I dont wanta ruin beautiful mtech1 kit :?

[silverblades181]

You should just find one in good condition. Keep in mind that it's a 15-17 years old car and that you might need to put some money into repairs and if you choose a 6 cyl, the gas is expensive right now. I'd go for a nice 318is. I have a 320i, it's the smaller 6 cyl and I love it. You don't need too much power for your first car. Anyway, that's my 2 cents. Btw, as many said, you should get one that already has a manual transmission.

[Anthrsckmnd]

A 318is is a super fun car to drive, and probably cheaper to maintain. I've had one for a year, and it's the best car I've owned. If you're not planning extensive mods, a chip and some new suspension will make a 318is perform well. the poor man's m3...

[royalflush313]

Re: The Essential Question

I, rather, my family, owns a 1994 Accord LX 4 door 5-speed. Since I hate ricers, and I am madly in love with 1989-1991 E30s, I want to get a different car. I am only 17, but I want to get off on the right foot car-wise. My parents said that if i want to sell the Honda, give them back what they paid for it ($1500 from neighbors wholesale), then I can use the profit from the sale and my funds to get a car that I like. Thus, my question is:

-- Should I get a 318is, 325es, or 325i coupe (there are no 325is's for sale in Seattle)?

-- Should I keep searching for a stick or just go with a clean auto and then swap to stick this summer?

Basically, I prefer coupes, manuals, plastic bumpers, and 6 cylinders.

Thanks in advance for your input.
--Habla

I think you answered your own question.

It appears that 89-91 325i coupe or 325iS is what you want. Get it in manual, if you get auto, i doubt you'll ever get around to actually doing the swap - its way cheaper, and also less hassle.

You already have a car, and therefore don't rush yourself to get a car. Wait for weeks, months, years till something 'right' strolls around.

Also, before you set your mind on the 6 bangers, go test drive the 318iS too, and see what you think.... because like some others said, its cheaper, cheaper gas, cheaper insurance, with a relatively a maintenance free engine.

[graphik]

Keep the Honda, stock preferably or just suspension, and you'll enjoy the lack of maintence and good gas mileage when you hit college.....as well as better people capacity.

yep.

[Habla]

Thanks for the input.

So, I've learned that an auto to manual swap is around $1000. Very useful info, now I will only look for a manual, as I am a high school student earning $7.25 cleaning the deli at the local market.

I could get by with less power if it saves gas... They get what, 28mpg? Pretty good. My Accord is a 4-banger, and its not exactly slow...

Is the back seat of an e30 coupe even worth sitting in? Could I roll with four people? This is an issue I totally forgot about.

Insurance is not an issue because all cars are the same price for me is I don't add collision to it.

The reason I don't want the Honda is that it is not a BMW. I LOVE BMWs, and a Honda is far from it. Plus, it is ugly and beat up. I'll post pictures soon to let you know what I am talking about.

So, it's narrowed down to 325i or 318is stick.

Thanks for the input so far.

[MattM20]

you considered swapping transmissions, but not bumpers? you wont get to keep much from your accord since it will most likely sell for under 3k, so i'm guessing that you were not too serious about swapping transmissions since you're working with a small budget, especially if you had to pay labor to have it done. in my opinion, the overall condition of the car should be the deciding factor as long as it meets the requirements of having a 5speed and 6cyls. you'd be kicking yourself if you passed up a good condition 87-88 325is for a fair condition 89 325i/is and immediately had to drop a grand on initial repairs (which can easily happen) , when $1000 could get you a full bumper conversion.