Restore the E30 or buy a new car?

[JinormusJ]

Most of that is unnecessary.

No one specified and he asked

Without that list, I am $5k into my e30 easy, and that's with 100% doing absolutely all labor myself. The e30 will see another $2k to tackle AC/upholstery/bushing/wheel bearings/etc. before I can even get to the "unnecessary" mods

[johnt325ix]

Owned a e39 m5 for 8 years. I've had my e 30 for 12 years. Had to choose between m5 and e 30 so I could restore a muscle car. Although the m5 is in my opinion, one of the best cars ever made, unless you plan to turn wrenches and buy a set of tires every 12-15 thousand miles don't do it. That car will kill your dreams of owning a home. I chose to daily drive my 325ix with 265,000 miles. Two years ago. I made the right choice. Not much out there that is as fun to drive, and gives you pride of ownership as a sorted e30. And I still work on my cars and shift at 49. Come on man, you don't need a slush box Lexus in your 20's. Buy a house and save your money.

John in CT.

[markt51]

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

Ha! shit i just decided one day "i want to buy a house" and just saved money during the closing process. Think i only had $1k in savings at the time. It was only about $9k for all the inspections and closing costs. I was renting a house for $1300 at the time, so owning a home and saving like $500 a month on mortgage was a no brainer, and i got a pool lol. $500k in houston city limits would buy you a pretty damn nice/big house in a very nice area, Just outside the limits would buy you a mansion lol. I opted for a nice house outside of the city limits in north houston area. Get alot more house for you money outside the city limits vs inside the city limits, and crime is alot better too.

This is what less than $500k buys you in my area lol. Bet Cali houses couldnt wave a twig at this kind of house for this price.

http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/16003-Maplehurst-Dr_Spring_TX_77379_M76676-58068?source=web

[e30ing]

No one specified and he asked

Without that list, I am $5k into my e30 easy, and that's with 100% doing absolutely all labor myself. The e30 will see another $2k to tackle AC/upholstery/bushing/wheel bearings/etc. before I can even get to the "unnecessary" mods

That's respectable. Real talk. 7k isn't much.

[RUFFLZ]

ahh dammit blesi!
that was your bucket parked outside fitness 19 the other week??

dem triton hoes ain't loyal to the mtech tho?
saw it from afar, but it looks like it's going to take a good chunk of change to bring it back to par
I would maybe pick up a zhp e46 or something comp if I were in your shoes..or keep the mtech on the side if at all feasible.

And to put into perspective for some of you peeps; a 1,500 sq. ft house in our hood goes for a million.
case in point: http://www.redfin.com/CA/Danville/10.../home/23391395

shitty for OP, but good for our parents as it's a crazy seller's market here.

[MT325is]

i say do the e30... It s a blast to drive and they are beautiful cars.
In my current one i am about 3.5k into it and thats including brand new megan coils, poly rear bushings, SS brake lines, e36 m3 rack, control arms and lollipops, tear free rear seat, new top, lip, and a paint job with body repair.
i still need a couple things like maintenance, new speakers, wheels, and maybe redo interior to different color..
what im trying to say is if you shop around you dont have to spend that much money on it.
This is my third e30, and i regret selling the other 2!, so this time i plan on keeping it for a while.. so i dont have any withdrawls:)