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

[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

[MrSlacker]

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

[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

[Andy.B]

Subaru WRX engined VW Beetle. Yes please.

[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..

[marshallnoise]

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

[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

[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.

[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.

[Andy.B]

Damn, and you were a tech, those are the guys that actually have a chance at making a buck. Please feel free to PM career suggestions, been trying to come up with something I can do for years now, I am absolutely clueless. With my age and health issues its hard to have a lot of hope.

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.

[jasonbk]

How does S2000 ride on harsh road? I drove miata with billstein setup and it was too harsh compared to my e30(billy + H&R sport).

Btw R53 mini had closest driving feel to e30 (closer than 128i or E46 ZHP) from my experience. Tight turn in, responsive, firm ride, better brake feel and quicker steering than e30. I'd still take my e30 though.

[Vincent Brick]

I responded to your request within 24 hours and found one for you IN San Diego for $30....

Yes, and i appreciate it, but it took several days of searching and dealing with flakers before I found your ad or you responded to mine, then was offered one supposedly for free so I turned yours down, but then they suddenly wanted $125 for it after I had it set up on the car. The car, used parts, having people do the things I can't, finding a place to wrench, about half the time I get fucked. Shit gets old.

[ttrousdell]

nissan sentra looks like an e30

[Nesset]

2002

Alfa Romeo Milano/75

Alfa GTV-6

RX-7 FB?

[2mAn]

And S2000 parts are so much easier to come across in San Diego. LA, Orange County and those guys have no problem finding E30 parts, they got a tight scene, but down here I needed a strut housing recently and it was either drive 4 hours for one at a reasonable price or search 4 days in SD to find one for 4x the cost.

I responded to your request within 24 hours and found one for you IN San Diego for $30....

Lately Ive been thinking of a M54 or S52 powered clown shoe