Evo vs. M3

[nando]

There are 3 guys who I go to track events with locally, one has a modded Evo X, one has a modded Evo IX MR, the other has a modded S2000. All are so much more capable then my e30 (basically spece30) that they generally are lapping me in a 15 minute session (we are about equal in skill level). They perform amazingly. I'd love to have one, but I'd still track an e30. Something about e30's, and how fun they are, draws me in and leaves me with a smile on my face all day. I also have an e30 as a street car, and wouldn't trade that for any other car. A new Evo, STI, or even a newer e46 or e90 would be so much more practical in my 2 hour daily commute. But not nearly as fun :)

SpecE30s are basically stock though. They're supposed to be for inexpensive close racing, not to make the E30 as fast as possible. of course an Evo is going to be faster than an E30 with basically off the shelf suspension and a bone stock motor.

both of my wifes cars are (were) also way louder inside and they're way newer, I always thought my E30 was pretty quiet inside.

[ogbimmer]

EVO/STI are great/fun performance cars for 30k WITH warranty. You can't beat them. Ok there was also a GTO :)

Of course it's fun to build up a car how you like and have it perform on par or maybe even better than new cars etc. But it depends on what you like.... you can throw 50k into your e30 and it will be fast and look great etc but you'll still have to deal with problems of it being not as modern or maybe even safe as newer cars. Also you'll have to worry about it getting hit or stolen or totalled. All of this doesn't matter as much with a 30k out the door performance car you don't have to do nothing to.

My 2 cents.



You can make a Geo metro compete with newer car if you throw enough money at it.... ;) Apples to Oranges dude!

you could throw 6k in an e30 and hang or beat pretty much any new car
you could throw 15-20k in one and slay just about anything.
ask me how I know ;)

[87e30]

Also, you have to keep in mind that a lot of these "builds" that are keeping up with newer cars are much more hard core feeling than a newer car. This is fine if you want something rattling and jarring, but maybe not so great for others.

[Jean]

EVO/STI are great/fun performance cars for 30k WITH warranty. You can't beat them. Ok there was also a GTO :)

Of course it's fun to build up a car how you like and have it perform on par or maybe even better than new cars etc. But it depends on what you like.... you can throw 50k into your e30 and it will be fast and look great etc but you'll still have to deal with problems of it being not as modern or maybe even safe as newer cars. Also you'll have to worry about it getting hit or stolen or totalled. All of this doesn't matter as much with a 30k out the door performance car you don't have to do nothing to.

My 2 cents.

http://www.onelapofamerica.com/histo...10&res=OVL_CUM

I'd say this is definitely proof that an e30 can stick with newer cars....

You can make a Geo metro compete with newer car if you throw enough money at it.... ;) Apples to Oranges dude!

[diegom6]

I'd have time to finish the m3. It'll take me about 3 years I'm guessing working on it with breaks and summer. The trouble is if I get an evo it will decrease in value and I wouldn't be able to just sell it and get the same M3 i'd have if I had waited and built it myself. Basically I'm just wondering if the e30 m3 is THAT good to drive. I mean everywhere says they're damn amazing but I can't see it being better then an evo or something of that sort....

I have a two friends in common, that one had a Jap spec Subaru STi 2.0L (yeah, is faster than the 2.5L) andthe other friend who had a WRX NBR special edition or something like that.both agreed that the e30 M3 (the first had one in the past) handles equal or jsut better than these Suabarus if they are properlly setup the suspension and couldn't believe the M3 being a lot older could keep up or over take the modern AWD turbo toys.

I drove EVO V - VII and owned a Subaru GT once, they are nice a lot of power for what they are, I have also my e30 m3 (two, one in restoration progress and the other being driven) with shot suspension , still they are hella fun at the corners, with the right suspension and tires, you can feel the e30 m3 as a lighter machine, that stick on rails, the balance is awesome, easy to drive, but yeah lacks of power....

In few words, you have to decide if you want a RWD history/classic car like the e30 M3 is (that keeps raising the prices) or the more modern faster car with less value after many years.

I will keep the e30 M3 anyday over those cars, besides you can alway drive sometimes your friend's EVO or STi Those are vast

[blunttech]

The M3 isn't all that great to drive, but I'd drive it just for the body.

It handles about the same as your 318is, but is a little faster.

i love the way the e30m3 drives. its just a fucking slug. even with a built 2.5 its slow. I wish we could have the same balance and 300whp

[17sd]

I've only driven an GD STi extensively, but I think the STi and EVO are quite comparable.
Comparing it to my E30 M3, I think the STi certainly beats the M3 in every performace aspect.
But the E30 is so much more unique and handsome.
They are both nice cars though.

[briansjacobs]

Who are you going with? If I was driving myself then yeah, e30 all the way.

I mean I love the e30. And it's a fun car, but I think it's funny that you don't consider new performance cars enthusiast cars when you consider an older sedan that happens to be RWD a performance car.

Suspension, engine, and overal car designs have come a long way.

That said, in the future I very much want a classic porsche project. (so much more legit than an e30 m3. :) )

about once or month or so I take a 3.5 hour road trip with my wife and kids to St. Augustine.

I took a 67 mini for a road trip from Manhattan to NJMP, yeah that 2.5 hour road trip was about 45 minutes of fun!

[tehwickerman]

http://www.onelapofamerica.com/history/2010/results/showResults.shtml?y=2010&res=OVL_CUM

I'd say this is definitely proof that an e30 can stick with newer cars....

[JGood]

There are 3 guys who I go to track events with locally, one has a modded Evo X, one has a modded Evo IX MR, the other has a modded S2000. All are so much more capable then my e30 (basically spece30) that they generally are lapping me in a 15 minute session (we are about equal in skill level). They perform amazingly. I'd love to have one, but I'd still track an e30. Something about e30's, and how fun they are, draws me in and leaves me with a smile on my face all day. I also have an e30 as a street car, and wouldn't trade that for any other car. A new Evo, STI, or even a newer e46 or e90 would be so much more practical in my 2 hour daily commute. But not nearly as fun :)

[87e30]

hitting a road trip I do not even look at my E46, Yukon Denali with a big 6.0L V8 fron and rear AC, TV, Ipod control to stream Pandora. And oh yeah, people move out of the way for a Denali on their bumper before a BMW.

Who are you going with? If I was driving myself then yeah, e30 all the way.

I mean I love the e30. And it's a fun car, but I think it's funny that you don't consider new performance cars enthusiast cars when you consider an older sedan that happens to be RWD a performance car.

Suspension, engine, and overal car designs have come a long way.

That said, in the future I very much want a classic porsche project. (so much more legit than an e30 m3. :) )

[briansjacobs]

hitting a road trip I do not even look at my E46, Yukon Denali with a big 6.0L V8 fron and rear AC, TV, Ipod control to stream Pandora. And oh yeah, people move out of the way for a Denali on their bumper before a BMW.

[87e30]

Precisely. Most people aren't car enthusiasts. IMO, anyone who buys a car like an STi or EVO isn't a true car enthusiast (there are exceptions). An enthusiast IMO would buy a car that isn't already "modded" and make it the way they want. Evo's and STi's to me are just so lame. They are so common that when I see Lancer or WRX that isn't an EVO or Sti, I appreciate it MORE than if it were the latter.

I whole-heartedly agree to keep the 318 and save your money. Use the EVO or what ever you decide to get as a goal to finish college.

So all the new performance cars aren't for enthusiasts? s2000s? srts? mustangs? challengers? STI? Evo? MazdaSpeed? RSX? M3? 335i? m5? rs4? WRX? Legacy GT? 350z? etc etc

While the e30 is a fun and cheap car, it can't truly compete with a newer car. Isn't it nice to be in a new car that's just as fast but has a smoother ride, more grip, and you can actually have a conversation inside? I know I plan to buy something newer when I'm out of school.

[ck_taft325is]

I think anyone that has an evo or an STi is an enthusiast, just not into what you are into. I personally dont care what anyone is into, If they are passionate about a Yugo, to me that is cool and he is an enthusiast. For you to say they are less than you is just arrogant!

someone else said in another thread on here before, "You are driving a 25 year old BMW that is worth $5000, get over yourself!" I have had several E24's, E36's a Ferrari 355, and many other BMWs. I love my E30 and dont think I could part with it, ever. I do love that fact that on a road course it is comparable to current cars running midpack in ST and it is still an M20.

That made my day brighter ;) Thanks, man!

[briansjacobs]

I think anyone that has an evo or an STi is an enthusiast, just not into what you are into. I personally dont care what anyone is into, If they are passionate about a Yugo, to me that is cool and he is an enthusiast. For you to say they are less than you is just arrogant!

someone else said in another thread on here before, "You are driving a 25 year old BMW that is worth $5000, get over yourself!" I have had several E24's, E36's a Ferrari 355, and many other BMWs. I love my E30 and dont think I could part with it, ever. I do love that fact that on a road course it is comparable to current cars running midpack in ST and it is still an M20.