Is this a good deal? '87 325is w/ issues

[Ghetto_325is]

So I have an ugly 1990 Miata. It's mechanically sound, 156k miles, AC & Heat work great, good top, great interior, but the paint is really bad and there is a somewhat big dent on the passenger door. Car also does have a salvage title.
I love the car and didn't really want to sell/trade it, but I've also always wanted an e30, sooo badly. I'm guessing the miata is worth around $1500-$1700

Well recently I got offered an E30 to trade. It's a 1987 325is with 205k miles, 5 speed manual. However, the car does have issues, here's what the owner told me:

Heater and AC controls are not hooked up
AC doesn't work (holds pressure but no r12 in the system, not hooked up)
Sunroof doesn't work
Passenger window doesn't work, the motor works fine though
Stereo system cuts in and out, amplifier apparently has some wiring issues
Passenger parking brake cable is shot, brake still works kinda
Needs bushings for sway bar
The driver side rear hub apparently is missing 1 of the lug nuts because it's stripped or something.

Car runs fine, drives pretty good although the throttle feels a bit sticky, but it also feels way different from the miata.

Is this a decent deal? My car does have less miles and is in a better mechanical condition, but generally E30s are worth more. I do love my Miata, but I also really want an E30. Also are any of these issues hard to fix (besides AC).

Here's some pics:





(i hope I'm not posting in the wrong section lol)

[ELVA164]

I'm not sure how much time you're willing to spend on the car or what you're willing to live with, but almost all of those are time-suck jobs. I personally wouldn't drive around with a missing lug bolt so that means replacing the rear hub. At 205kmi the other one probably needs it too, so that's two. At that point, may as well do both parking brake assemblies and the brakes (unless they're fairly fresh). Sunroof stuff is really not fun to work on, and could be super bad if the cartridge has started to disintegrate or the cable assembly is coming apart. Sounds like the window regulator is bad or something which isn't horrible. Wiring stuff always scares me, and I guess you'd have to wait and see what the stereo installer did to the car's wiring when you pull the head unit. Sway bar bushings are pretty easy.

Also, no heat and A/C would be a dealbreaker for me, because I know the A/C at least would become a headache.

Also I'd like to know why a fender was replaced and the hood isn't properly aligned, as well as what other regular maintenance was done.


...Oh, and welcome! Haha.

[ThatOneEuroE30]

I want that zender wing

[916e30Dave]

I'd do it. But I like the challenge of bringing it back to full operation. As long as it drives. However, you could probably sell your miata and buy an e30 with that money with less issues. However, it won't be a 325is model

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[Ghetto_325is]

I'd do it. But I like the challenge of bringing it back to full operation. As long as it drives. However, you could probably sell your miata and buy an e30 with that money with less issues. However, it won't be a 325is model

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I would just buy an E30, but they're pretty damn hard to find ones that are manual and under $2500.

[djjerme]

Depends on your resources.


For me - the E30 is easier to get most problems solved since I have good local network of parts/mechanics/my own parts stash.

[UlrichFennec]

I would just buy an E30, but they're pretty damn hard to find ones that are manual and under $2500.

Good things come to those who wait. You just gotta find the right one.

[AllydNYC]

Good things come to those who wait. You just gotta find the right one.

Yeah. Pass on this. If I spent $1,500 - $2,000 more on my E30 I would be enjoying it right now. But 2 1/2 years later and about 1,000 miles driven I've instead spent $3,500 on parts and various tools (good investment on tools) to refreshing everything but the engine and transmission... which is next because the clutch slips, I have no heat or AC, the engine leaks oil and coolant, I have a vacuum leak so it idles weird and is at 250k. So now I'm going to do an engine swap on something I just did my first brake/suspension job on.

With the price of the car and parts it currently the cost per mile to drive this car is similar to an exotic/super car.

Really hold off, some of those jobs don't sound too bad but you're better off waiting for one in better condition. Do you know if the timing belt was changed?

[Ohgeemee]

Good things come to those who wait. You just gotta find the right one.

I can completely agree to this. Patience can go a long way.. "Wants and needs" man

[Ghetto_325is]

Yeah. Pass on this. If I spent $1,500 - $2,000 more on my E30 I would be enjoying it right now. But 2 1/2 years later and about 1,000 miles driven I've instead spent $3,500 on parts and various tools (good investment on tools) to refreshing everything but the engine and transmission... which is next because the clutch slips, I have no heat or AC, the engine leaks oil and coolant, I have a vacuum leak so it idles weird and is at 250k. So now I'm going to do an engine swap on something I just did my first brake/suspension job on.

With the price of the car and parts it currently the cost per mile to drive this car is similar to an exotic/super car.

Really hold off, some of those jobs don't sound too bad but you're better off waiting for one in better condition. Do you know if the timing belt was changed?

Owner has no clue when the timing belt was last changed, so no...

[CanadianDirty30]

Good things come to those who wait. You just gotta find the right one.

I agree on this one. Just hold out and wait for the right one. I had to look through many beat e30's before I found the right one and bought it.

[BECKSTER]

Do it and save another e30.

[ELVA164]

My last input, but I think you'll regret buying that.

[Ghetto_325is]

Alright guys. Decided to keep the Miata and I'll save up maybe 3-4k and buy a nice clean one.

[uturn]

Good call on waiting.... it wasn't a 325is anyway. '88 was when super eta engines were offered, '89 is when we finally got the 'i' engine in coupes and sedans, before that they only came in convertibles and grey market cars. You can confirm the model by the VIN placard on the door pillar.