Be realistic: What IS a car that is a good replacement for a E30?

[Staszek]

I was also a tech. I too realized there were greener pastures elsewhere.
I went back to school to taking classes nights for two years until I was able to find a flexible job that paid enough to go back full time during the day and finish a BS in Information Technology. I'm now working in medical IT, and save wrenching for my spare time. It was a challenge going back to school, working odd hours, and studying whenever I could, but it was well worth it in the long run.

Back on topic...

I don't think a miata is a suitable replacement. I had an NA for 7 years, and while it might offer similar fun behind the wheel, the lack of practical usability means it doesn't live up the the e30's capabilities.
If you live in a low rust area, a vw beetle with a built type 1 (original engine), or a type 4 (bus or 914 engine) or subaru engine swap is a similar experience. Great aftermarket support, easy to work on, and builds can be as mild or wild as you can dream. It still has a roof and a back seat, and can be daily driven comfortably with simple updates and mods.

I hear you! I worked on cars and its all I wanted to do, car stereo, then moved on to suspension work etc, a friend of mine talked me out of it early, he was like do this and you can make money to play with cars vs just working on others.

I still wonder though if I would have stayed with it started my own thing I would have enjoyed it more then my current job.

As for the main topic and I am not sure it came up yet if we are talking new cars I really like the 235 m sport, thats a great successor I think to the E30 (although bigger).

Older cars are a bit tougher, I tried the GTI route, I love them but they are FWD. The Neon's are cool cars my ex had a Gen 2 back in the day, but again FWD. I tried buying FWD cars and I just dont like them.

I would say though if you want FWD a late model RSX Type S is a great choice, reliable, fast, good mods I would consider one of those.

[Exodus_2pt0]

I would say though if you want FWD a late model RSX Type S is a great choice, reliable, fast, good mods I would consider one of those.

All but the fast part. It's realistically not much quicker than an m20 E30.

Reliable, good handler, well built, but not fast.

[2mAn]

As for the main topic and I am not sure it came up yet if we are talking new cars I really like the 235 m sport, thats a great successor I think to the E30 (although bigger).

nobody wants a FWD car to replace an E30 with.... :hitler:

Have you driven a 235? It really has a major disconnect between driver and road. If you arent heading straight, it limits the throttle input it allows you to do. Car is trying to protect the driver by intervening on what the driver wants the car to do ie killing the fun

[marshallnoise]

I would think a 135i would be a blast to drive.

[nando]

nobody wants a FWD car to replace an E30 with.... :hitler:

Have you driven a 235? It really has a major disconnect between driver and road. If you arent heading straight, it limits the throttle input it allows you to do. Car is trying to protect the driver by intervening on what the driver wants the car to do ie killing the fun

all newer BMWs without LSD are like that. including the 135i and 335i. Any indication of trying to have fun, it bitch slaps you in the face and cuts the throttle.

why else do you think automatic transmission, AWD 335i's are so popular? all those guys care about is putting the hammer down and driving fast in a straight line. The irony is the 3 series has become what American cars used to be (straight line only) while the Mustang and Camaro have caught up with the M3..

[Andy.B]

Subaru WRX engined VW Beetle. Yes please.

[Staszek]

nobody wants a FWD car to replace an E30 with.... :hitler:

Have you driven a 235? It really has a major disconnect between driver and road. If you arent heading straight, it limits the throttle input it allows you to do. Car is trying to protect the driver by intervening on what the driver wants the car to do ie killing the fun

I have driven it, although the two I have driven have been with the BMW Performance Package LSD option, and a lot of track time. So you could be completely right for the non-LSD versions.

Steering is a bit off I agree, my M3 is way more direct but its also hydraulic verse electronic, and so far the M235 has one of the better electronic steering versions (save Porsche).

While it may not be as direct as an E30 its pretty good, you can completely turn off DSC and its pretty fun.

It did keep up with the E46 M3 CSL very well.

There are tons of cars out there nothing will be as direct as the old ones, just not how they are built anymore unless they are super expensive purpose built cars now (Looking at you Porsche spending twice as much to remove half the content).

I will say one I forgot which is a fun car RWD, Is the Subaru BRZ or the Scion FR-S

[MrSlacker]

What about Porsche Cayman? Can find 06-07 for around $20K with decent miles

[JGood]

As far as a similar replacement, I'd say:

Volvo 240/740/940, preferably turbo.

RWD
Fun to throw around on back roads
Last forever, will take whatever punishment you throw at it
Comfy
Easy to work on
Very cheap to mod/maintain
A $5 MBC will give you massive gains (15psi)
Boxy body, just the way we like it

[marshallnoise]

I would love a 240gl.

[BECKSTER]

Have to agree with these guys ^

The Volvo 240/740/940 turbo's are blasts to drive and super cheap to maintain .

[Vincent Brick]

nobody wants a FWD car to replace an E30 with.... :hitler:

I have seriously considered replacing my E30 with an SRT4. I have wanted something halfway fast for a very long time. I need to get it out of my system.

[Stanley Rockafella]

only way to do that is supercharge your e30!!!

[nando]

I'm sorry but the SRT4 is absolutely terrible. I'd rather drive a pink Miata. :p

[ahrensNW]

^agreed. SRT4's are white trash hot rods.