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

[nando]

Suprised no ones said E46 yet. The 330ci with ZHP has always caught my eye. Some of them even come in AWD if you need it. If you weren't worried about price you could even get a 1-series, some in my area are in the 15-18k range.

they are nice cars but they're a lot more bloated, larger, and just don't feel the same. my E90 330i is a great car but it's not a replacement for an E30.

1 series might come close. the newer cars do have better steering feel, but the rest of the car just isn't as responsive. the lack of an LSD and the super annoying traction control are a big factor.

[BobombETA]

In a similar price range? The only thing to think about is an E36 M3, but cheap E36 M3s are at least as tired as most E30s these days.

Came here to say this. People slap half the parts off of one on their e30 anyways. From window switches to drivetrains.

[zig553]

Suprised no ones said E46 yet. The 330ci with ZHP has always caught my eye. Some of them even come in AWD if you need it. If you weren't worried about price you could even get a 1-series, some in my area are in the 15-18k range.

[bumada]

I'm never selling it because the price of them keep going up. It's my retirement planning.

[econti]

Really I don't think there is a true replacement outside of a BMW. Few mates have S14s and 15s and they just aren't the same. They don't have the charm of a E30 and are not built nearly as well. Been in, and driven with, a multitude of cars in the same sort of class and nothing compares that I've found.

E30s seem to be unique in that they are a classic that people recognise as such, and yet are totally happy to daily drive and are economical and reliable etc while still being amazing fun to drive hard. Nothing else that I know of, that we have here, seems to match that.

Never sell your 30s boys

[nrubenstein]

In a similar price range? The only thing to think about is an E36 M3, but cheap E36 M3s are at least as tired as most E30s these days.

[flyboyx]

dodge neon
yugo
kia sol

[Reichart12]

My friend had a fox body mustang that was kinda fast. Could be a fun car if set up right, and they're cheap.

I find myself looking at the wrx wagons I think 2009-12ish but they're in the 20k's. Might find a used lot with one with a small warranty.

[DrJosh]

I look at this list and Id prefer to have my E30 over all of them.

Well duh. I think that is why we all own E30s and not any of the others.

How a about shifting gears and getting into some American muscle? 67 firebird. Cheaper than Camaro but pretty much the same thing. And you can actually make muscle cars handle contrary to popular belief.

[Cabriolet]

510

id agree. i want a 510 sr20 swapped as a dd after i unload my e30.

the reason i love the m20 is bc my dad's 260Z, also a deep pockets car but so much fun to drive.

[pandaboo911]

Miata is a good car if you like e30s. They are fun to drive even stock.

If your wallet is bigger get a Datsun 510. I would even consider a Honda CRX but it would have to be super clean

[Hooffenstein HD]

but drifters?...

Drifting is fun and those are damn good cars. Hard to find clean ones because of the drifters though.

a MR2 spyder with a 2ZZ swap would be the poor mans Elise and its been something Ive considered, but at the end of the day Id rather have the E30.

I really like the MR-S but in Australia they are all semi auto and adding the clutch pedal to convert to manual seems like too much cost/effort. If you could get one in manual, it would be a great car. They look pretty damn good with a hard top but lack of space would be a killer if it was to be your one and only car.

Do something crazy and import a VS SS 5.0 Ute from Australia.

[MPLFoster]

s2k

[2mAn]

2002

Something old, boxy, light, rwd.... AE86 gts

510

YES! ... & ..YES... I think...and Absolutely, but I think 510s are fairly expensive now?

E34.
Miata, preferably NB.
99-01 Imprezas.
If you can dig FWD, an EG/EK Civic. Hell, even a CRX.

no no NO NO!! .... too heavy, too slow, too bro and why would anyone go back to FWD after having the beauty of RWD

Speaking of fwd, I liked my old Saab 9000. Practical AND fun. What more could you ask for?

Hooffenstein answered that already

R32 GTST with an RB25DET
S14 200sx
BEAMS 3SGE swapped AE86

but drifters?...

Maybe try a 944 or 190e. I loved my 90 but that is awd, and you're clearly familiar with the MK IIs.

944 have a bad rep for being too slow or too much maintenance. a Cossie 190 is fun, my brother has owned one for a long time now.

I look at this list and Id prefer to have my E30 over all of them.

Get creative guys...

For me the ones that have popped up lately are a 6swapped 914, or turbo 4 perhaps... even a subie swapped one would be legit

Another one is the 2002, and I think a nice worked over M10 would be good. Still wouldnt be as fast as my E30 in a straight line, but those backroads would be great.

Problem is that both of those cars have rust issues and finding one with the rust fixed immediately gets you into the 10k+ range and 100bhp.

I like Miatas, and MR2s (come on, MR2MAN, its like it was meant to be ;) ) but the JDM world has killed my boner for those and they both seem to be underpowered.

a MR2 spyder with a 2ZZ swap would be the poor mans Elise and its been something Ive considered, but at the end of the day Id rather have the E30.

Im giving up so much more than what I gain with most of those cars Ive listed, moreso with most of the recommended cars....

what else?? learn me!

[Das Delfin]

^ I was looking at new gen 900s and they seemed nice, but lacked the flavor of my 9000. Weird, since the Saab community held the old-gen 900 as the last "real" Saab. But I liked it nevertheless. 10/10 would buy again, at same price ($500)