Restore the E30 or buy a new car?

[JinormusJ]

What exactly are you guys doing to you e30 that puts you 8k+ into it? Im probably 3k into mine and only gotta spend another 2 and that's for paint.

You asked




I thought it was ridiculous when people told me they were 30k+ into their e30. After doing the math, I can see why

[ThatOneEuroE30]

Restore the E30 or buy a new car?

Okay yea but only 3 of the things on that list are things "needed" to bring it back to good condition the rest are wants and goodies. No one needs 3k coilovers or 2k wheels.

[PootieTang]

Respray, body repair, reupholstering all seats, and getting the dash fixed along with miscellaneous things like the ac/heating will run up 7-8 easy

[ThatOneEuroE30]

I'm starting to see the 8k to be possible but above that is jut putting extras on the car. A lot of that cost can be cut by just doing it yourself which is what I do. My car will never see a shop

[Nesset]

Keep the dirty 30 and get a honda civic for a DD while you build your car!

[nando]

why do all the kids want a Honda civic? ugh. what an overpriced POS. there are so many better cars you can buy for the same money..

[PootieTang]

I live with my parents in the bay area. Our garage definitely wouldn't allow room for 2 cars, so it's either keep the E30 or get something else, can't have both.

I make close to what you do, probably about the same age, but own my own house. I came to a similar crossroads a few months ago. I ended up buying a used 2011 honda element, with low miles. Super reliable and very practical for errands that require space. I thought about getting a clean e30 as a daily, but opted for reliable low payment car, and then spends butt loads on restoring my e30. Its nice not having to be worried about your car not making it to work.

That's a smart move. Saving to buy a house out in the bay will likely take longer than it did you in houston though, a nice little townhouse runs $500k out here

[jalopi]

a nice little townhouse runs $500k out here

jesus fuck that's expensive. for that much money I'd buy a place 20-30 mins outside of houston and commute.

[MC Hammered]

That's a smart move. Saving to buy a house out in the bay will likely take longer than it did you in houston though, a nice little townhouse runs $500k out here

$500k gets you a new condo with one bedroom and den in downtown Vancouver.

[Nesset]

why do all the kids want a Honda civic? ugh. what an overpriced POS. there are so many better cars you can buy for the same money..

Not to modify but just to burn miles in. They are dirt cheap reliability at its best.

[nando]

dirt cheap? my buddy just bought one - used, 2012, for like $18k. that's an awful lot of money for a "cheap" car.

if you're talking about 90's civics, those are all trashed. the drug dealers here still drive them though..

[FredK]

Ha, not all 90s Civics are trashed in my area. You can get a serviceable one for around $1800 to 2000 that might need some work, but isn't primer gray, lowered, with EBay camber arms.

They can actually handle well on the track, it's just that the owners are usually more interested in doing zany modifications to the car rather than making functional modifications.

[ak-]

Ha, not all 90s Civics are trashed in my area. You can get a serviceable one for around $1800 to 2000 that might need some work, but isn't primer gray, lowered, with EBay camber arms.

They can actually handle well on the track, it's just that the owners are usually more interested in doing zany modifications to the car rather than making functional modifications.

I got mine to daily drive and save gas in. 100% stock 2000 Civic 5spd coupe, 1 owner clean body and interior for the price you just mentioned.
I love it.

The only thing I don't like about it is I'm a little paranoid leaving it parked somewhere other than my neighborhood for extended hours.

[pandaboo911]

Dude, keep your e30.
1. You have an mtech vert, which will only increase in value. New cars depreciate very quickly.
2. 141k is nothing for an m20, you can drive that thing to 250k easy with proper maintenance.
3. Do a refresh on the m20 when needed and drive it until it can't go anymore.
4. Don't waste money on stupid mods. Keep it DD.
5. Buy house.

Spend money on the important things, you can still modify cars when you're 40.

[e30ing]

You asked




I thought it was ridiculous when people told me they were 30k+ into their e30. After doing the math, I can see why

Most of that is unnecessary.