car choices

[slammin.e28]

I get 28mpg in my M50. With a lighter foot I can probably push 30. Add megasquirt and you can lean that motor out as much as you want and get 1 million+ .

[rwh11385]

In college and am interested in getting into a newer car here soon. I was telling myself that I really wanted an e36 m3 (and I do!!), except today at the gas station I filled up my m20 for $52!!! I don't think a 3.0/3.2L m3 is going to help at all seeing as my car is only 2.5L right now.

If you were to take out your automatic disgust for all other car brands other than BMW for the simple fact that it isn't a BMW, what do you think of one of these cars? I am a college student looking for good gas mileage, but still a fun car to drive (5 speed). Ideally I like rwd (bmw's), only two doors, and a bit newer. Here are some cars I'm just throwing out.

- '02-04 Acura RSX Type-S (2.0L 4cyl producing 200hp 142 ft/lb torque and 0-60 in 6.4 sec)
- e30 318is
- mk4 (20th anniversary) gti 1.8L
- 2002+ audi a4 1.8

I really like the rsx but i know everybody in the bmw world hates them, they are japanese blah blah blah. I'm looking for an efficient and fun car that I can work on. I really like the e30 318is and I would get one if I found the right one at the right time, but a newer car would be nice.

Lets hear it!

Fuel economy differences in an '02 RSX Type-S and a '98 M3 5spd are marginal at best. 12.5% won't necessarily break the bank... although repairing a ratted out bf.c teenager's M3 might. [RSX = 21/28, 24 combined. M3 = 18/26, 21 combined.]

Still, I enjoyed my Integra and liked the RSX's. In a similar thread on bf.c, I supported the RSX. The Non-S gets even better mpg, at 24/30, 26 combined and apparently regular not premium gas (5% savings in gas price difference and 8% more Non-S vs. S is as big of an improvement of Type S vs. M3)

I completely ragged on my 200K Integra and the only thing that needed replacement was the brakes and tires. My E30... what didn't it need??

[dannyyisntt]

Buy a yugo, it'll get all the ladies.

[JinormusJ]

Just get an eta........

[slammin.e28]

Buy a yugo, it'll get all the ladies.

....but not be able to carry them. You need something with large cargo space and a padlock on the rear door.

Conversion van, sir, you need a conversion van.

[nokincy]

I've currently got a 2010 Honda Fit, 1995 Miata, and a 1991 318i. The Miata gets worse MPG than the e30; I drive them pretty similarly and average about 26 in the Miata and 28-29 in the e30. The Fit on the other hand I DD and it sees 38-40 MPG, has room to haul everything and then some, great 5-speed, handles well, and they're reasonably priced for a newer car. However; the Fit is slow. Slower than my other slow cars.

[MikeM]

well this generated a lot of interest!...so to summarize it all up

- e30's are god's chariot (i've never heard that before)
- rsx's are an okay option....if only they weren't front wheel drive
- gti's are popuar to a few of you
- audi's blow

and other cars receiving recognition:

- 2003 saab 9-3....MY DAD LITERALLY BOUGHT THIS CAR 3 WEEKS AGO
- mr2's are a good option


is that all?

[stamar]

Those are 3 nice cars. I think you need to get rid of either the 318 or the miata, they are too similar to the same thing.

op theres lots of great cars. You have to narrow it to a budget.

One I had and really liked was an infiniti g20. I think I like all e30s better except the early 318i though.

I like e36s and e46. I really like the 318 ti I like mercedes 190 e. I like pontiac fieros.

[Vegas227]

Miata or any VW would be suitable.

[Wh33lhop]

You can't go wrong with an RSX-S, awesome all-around car. The M3 can actually get pretty good mileage if it's healthy and you don't romp on it everywhere (better than I've managed with my M50 E30 but my motor is tired), but you will have to address the cooling system sooner or later if it hasn't already been done. I wouldn't buy either car from anybody under 25 and I'd make sure it had a full service history.

[MikeM]

price range would include anything up to around $8-9,000

[stamar]

mike m.

A guy I grew up with is a really noticable member of the timbers army, Jamey Billig.

Know him?

[MikeM]

mike m.

A guy I grew up with is a really noticable member of the timbers army, Jamey Billig.

Know him?

I don't think I know that name. I am a pretty big timbers fan, and I play soccer in college, but I don't get to go to a lot of games because I am away at school.

[stamar]

Ok nm. Game only sort of guy. He does have a green vw thing, not something you see everyday.

He does play soccer in like old people leagues.

[redsubdivisions]

Go with what you want, because in the end you are going to end up driving it.

I just recently picked up an E46 330i sedan and I'm quite pleased with it. Only problem is that I don't get to drive it; my woman does and it's comfortable, safe, and a hell of a lot easier on gas than my Navigator could ever be.

I still drive my E30 and honestly, it's not that bad on gas. Just don't do jackrabbit starts from stop lights and be more conservative.

To put it into perspective, watch the clip from Top Gear where Jeremy Clarkson has a Prius and an M3 go around the track. In the end he says, "Don't change your car, just change your driving habits". I couldn't agree more with what he said.