e30 in College?

[Boule30]

Hey guys! I know it's been asked a million times, but after searching and searching I'm still conflicted.

I'm in college and I've been driving around in me and my dad's miata since high school, and the time has come for me to buy my own car. I'd love for it to be an e30, but of course I've got to think about the car's reliability and how much of my time and money it's going to take to keep the car in good shape. How does owning an e30 stack up against just buying a Honda like everyone will tell me to do anyway? (lol)

[Dozyproductions]

You def get them bitches with the e dirty. Depends on how well sorted your new bought car is. You'll be spending hundreds on immediate maintenance most likely and hundreds more in the near future. But you'll have the ultimate driving machine and way more fun doing road trips in and the likes. If you ain't made out of cash or have the time, get the honda.

[Roysneon]

If you have tools/time/knowledge to do basic maintenance then go for it. Buy it now, change everything that could go wrong over the summer and have a freshened, reliable E30 to scoop sloots wit.

[Q5Quint]

I bought a e30 ix when I was in my 2nd year of college, after selling my auto 325is, and that was after selling my 85 318i.

Then I put a turbo on it.

Most girls don't like flat black turbo bmws with loud exhaust. It was a good indicator of if a relationship was going to actually work out or not.

If you do all your own maintenance it wont be any more expensive than a honda or a ford of the same year. Just make sure to get a vert. The ladies love the classic 80s vert.

[Conki]

It costs close to nothing to maintain an E30 as long as you have some tools and don't mind getting your hands dirty. I was on a very tight budget in college, bought my E30 for $1500, and enjoyed the shit out of it for two years. I don't think you could get a presentable looking Honda as reliable for that money, but I might have lucked out. Also, go for an Eta for both the good mileage, and the low wear and tear on the engine due to the low r3vs.

[F34R]

All depends on if you get an e30 from a known member that took care of it, or picked it up from someone on CL that listed it with a V6. Boils down to a few things:

1. How much do you have to spend?

2. Are you willing to learn how to work on cars? if not see #3 and refer back to #1.

3. If not how much are you willing to spend on repairs?

[Thehemiman]

I've driven 3 e30s throughout my 4 years of college and have never had a single issue with any of them. I sold one to a friend who uses it as his daily and still have two of them.

Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

[88SuperETABD]

I've owned my e30 since junior year of high school, and im about to graduate college in may now. the only time my e30 has every stranded me was when the alternator went out.....easy 100$ fix. 305K miles strong now.

Ive spent probably close to 10k on my e30 now tho, its an addiction. You will skip drinking a few nights to save money to buy parts.

[Vivek]

As long as you look at it as a hobby, you'll be able to allocate enough money to maintain an e30. If you wanna spend 2k on a car and never put anything but gas and oil in it again then it isn't the car for you.

[TheTacoMan]

Most girls don't like flat black turbo bmws with loud exhaust. It was a good indicator of if a relationship was going to actually work out or not.

Most conversations went like oh you have a BMW? Then they saw it and were like whats that. 100% that happened.

[TimKninja]

I had E30s all thru my college years. granted i had a good job and could afford the upkeep. Id suggest a late 318i. I had one torwards the end of my college years and the New owner has been using it throughout his college years.

Its an old car. itll need more attention then a Honda, that goes without saying.

[TobyB]

I went to college before there were E30's.

Keep the Miata. It's paid for. You'll be able to
afford more beer if you're not paying for a car.

hee

t

[Boule30]

As long as you look at it as a hobby, you'll be able to allocate enough money to maintain an e30. If you wanna spend 2k on a car and never put anything but gas and oil in it again then it isn't the car for you.

Only in my dreams would I find a decent e30 in Florida for 2k
But yeah, I wouldn't have this mindset with any car, much less a 25+ year old one.
How much a year should I be expecting to spend on maintenance and repairs?

[Sea Aych]

^ Again, depends on what shape it's in when you get it - do you have any from ads in your sights? Post 'em here and we'll look!

[dillon7]

I bought a e30 ix when I was in my 2nd year of college, after selling my auto 325is, and that was after selling my 85 318i.

Then I put a turbo on it.

Most girls don't like flat black turbo bmws with loud exhaust. It was a good indicator of if a relationship was going to actually work out or not.

If you do all your own maintenance it wont be any more expensive than a honda or a ford of the same year. Just make sure to get a vert. The ladies love the classic 80s vert.

I live in Boone why have I not seen this beast.

But OP, it depends on how much money you have. If you have 4k-5k to buy a well sorted bmw that already has a lot of maintenance then you will be a lot better off.