What would you do given money and a stock e30?

[Dukedude0017]

I've had my 87 325es for about a year, and my dad is giving me an option now that he knows I'm not an idiot driver and am not going to just smash up whatever car I drive. Option 1 is a new car option 2 is $ to put into my current car.

It's bonestock. Exterior is ehh okay, dull alpine white with a chalkboard hood.

Interior is decent minus driver seat and shift boot.

Motor ticks and makes funny noises.


What would you buy in this situation?

[87e30]

How old are you, I'm assuming 17?

I'd keep that car, and try and talk to your dad about getting something newer later on. If you want a project, and enjoy working on cars, do small things to the car now to make it enjoyable but wait longer to see where your interests and finances lie. (college? long drives? want something newer? love the e30? love your friends e46? etc)

I think shitty cars are great in high school because of the inevitable retards in the parking lot and dumb shit that can happen driving. (spinning out, anyone?)

[evandael]

I'd much rather have an old car with a bit of character, that I can work on.

Put a bit of money and time and sweat into it, much more gratifying than just moving up to a newer car.


Plus there's a stigma with new cars. I like having the 80's yuppie rich kid car... 20 years too late =D

-eric

[Raxe]

Girls like new cars.

[Wh33lhop]

It really depends. Do you really feel rewarded by repairing and building something? Honestly, if you can get a new Civic Si or something that would be something I'd seriously consider. An E30 will break. It may never leave you stranded, but stupid things like blower motors, horn contacts, door locks, seals, etc.

So far I've replaced my control arms, tie rods, steering rack, clutch and transmission, engine (M50), radiator, sway bars and full suspension, rotors pads and calipers, master cylinder and booster, shifter bushings, blah blah blah. I still have an intermittent coolant leak and despite having replaced my water pump twice my water pump squeaks loudly like I have a loose belt. My friend broke my passenger's side door handle and my blower motor doesn't work. On old cars little shit just goes wrong, there is no getting around it unless you completely strip the car and rebuild it from the ground up with new parts. Of course, you can always just fix stuff when it breaks, but I haven't had time to do little stuff with work and school, and you may not either. I love E30s and I like working on them, but sometimes it gets old when they break. Old cars just can't compare to something just off the showroom floor. I'd check out something fun like a Mazda3 or a Civic Si, give them a testdrive, see how you like them compared to what you imagine your car to be with some money into it.

[Dukedude0017]

I've pretty much narrowed it down to a higher mileage e46 or mod this car, but I don't know what I'd like to do to this car.

And yeah, I'm 17.

[D-rock]

I love this car so much. I could probably get a newer bmw at this time since money is getting a little better but i wont. I only need one car i dont care if people dont like it or laugh at me cause i have an old car (miami :/) I enjoy working on my own car, very frustrating at times but in the end i am happy i did it and not a shop. This car gives me such a rush not cause a speed cause ugh idk. Like others said character!

[Wh33lhop]

I've pretty much narrowed it down to a higher mileage e46 or mod this car, but I don't know what I'd like to do to this car.

And yeah, I'm 17.

Oh. If it's between an $8k E46 and putting a few Gs into the E30, then that might be the better option.

Honestly, if you had some time, another means of transportation and a good amount of cash, I'd say tear it down and do a full build. Get a low mileage M50 or something, freshen it up, Z3 steering rack, control arms, suspension, brakes, yadda yadda.

[BigTe30]

It comes down to why you like your e30. Do you like your e30 because its cheap, or reliable, or different, or you like working on your own car...etc. Me personally, its a bit of a combo, i like working on my own car, and i like that you don't see them around all the time. A perfect example was recently at the uconn car show. I am parked next to a worked subaru and a slammed vdub on BBS's that were probably worth more then my car, but ten times more people came up to me to talk about my car because its different.

[e30e]

I would drive a higher mileage e30 over e46 because of parts prices and ease of working on the e30. I love e46's they can be a major bitch sometimes and that's coming from an e36 owner.

[D-rock]

Also you said you are not happy with the paint! That will be 2-3k for a legit paint job.

[dvmotorsports]

Also you said you are not happy with the paint! That will be 2-3k for a legit paint job.

Vinyl

[Mossman]

Have you tried cutting the paint? It's single stage and you have a detailing thing in your sig so if you don't have a good reason for it still being dull change your sig,

[george graves]

Motor ticks and makes funny noises.

hahhahahah. You sound like a girl.

[Holland]

hahhahahah. You sound like a girl.

Seriously, lol, ever heard an M10?