The $10,000 Car Thread

[euroshark]

Porsche 951, 928S / S4, BMW E36 M3, E34 M5, 540i6... Those would be my choices in no specific order.

[Funkmasta]

10k?
If you have a budget of 10k, SOOOOOOOOO many of these cars suggested are out. E36 M3? haha.

No way are you going to get an E36 M3 for sub 10k. It will immediately need much work. it seems like you like to keep your cars nice, so...

I would look into E36 328, E39 528, A4 1.8, or a C280. All of those have decent or better build quality... If you can, get a newer diesel mercedes. That thing will get great mileage, will ride great, and wont lose a dime of value.

[rThor432]

I know you said no E36 M3's, but..

I got my M3/4 for under 10k-

Perfect condition other than leaking p/s hoses and body-matched grill slats.

But really if I were to do it again I would look for an E30 M3.

Another car that comes to mind is the late 90's Impreza RS coupes. They are pretty sweet.

E30's are still the most fun cars that I have ever driven. Good luck with your search.

[Funkmasta]

I know you said no E36 M3's, but..

I got my M3/4 for under 10k-

Perfect condition other than leaking p/s hoses and body-matched grill slats.

REALLY?
If so, that is far from normal. Either that, or it's not really perfect.

[JeffNJM3]

I'd say a e28 M5, or WRX's have been dropping in price, Ive seen a few in the $10k range. or E34 540's are nice too

[shiftbmw]

No way are you going to find a decent E30 M3 for sub 10k...an E30 will sell for far more than a similarly conditioned/mileaged E36 m3...

[rThor432]

REALLY?
If so, that is far from normal. Either that, or it's not really perfect.

Well to be honest the owner had just dropped the price from $10,500 to $9,000 because he hadnt had any action on it, so I jumped on that deal.

By the way I realize that that is a terrible picture. It would be perfect if it had an overdriven gear.. But ah well it is good for a dd and my mom likes it. Reminds her of her old Biturbo.

[!RocknE30!]

I knew I wouldn't get an E36 M3 for under $10K, that's why I said not to mention it in my first post. Anyways, I just stopped by Devon's house and took a ride in his M-Coupe. After that we sat around and BS'd for half an hour or so and I came to this decision for my 318is:

-Downing Atlanta Supercharger Kit. It's $3400 and will give you a bit over 200hp at the crank which will be more then enough to keep me happy. It'd be stupid to sell my car after I've upgraded/replaced all the usual parts, especially since it still only has a tad over 100,000 miles and is pretty damn clean for an E30 I haven't dumped a ton of money into.

My next project, could possibly be an S5X powered E30. Devon and I were just shooting out ideas and I could just find an E30 shell that isn't totally destroyed for $500-$1500 and then go about replacing pretty much everything suspension related along with brakes, etc. Then, I could take my time looking for an S5X and pick up all the support parts that you'll need for the swap over time. The car would be a track slut, so the exterior wouldn't be messed with. It'd pretty much be a ratrod E30, not easy on the eyes on the outside, but you'd pop the head and have a clean ass S5x sitting there. Anyways, that's just an idea at this point, but the DASC kit will be a reality very soon. All I have to do is sell my quad and there's 90-95% of the $3300 the kit will cost me.

[sticksdaman]

glad to hear you found a solution to your dilemma but i must say that i am disappointed to see soo many e30 drivers jumping ship and suggesting domestics and what not. to each his own

idda suggested an S family swap and suspension work but thats already been said
good luck tho

[jmarch]

Beg borrow or steal another $3 to $5K and buy a Boxster. These cars are incredible deals.

[!RocknE30!]

glad to hear you found a solution to your dilemma but i must say that i am disappointed to see soo many e30 drivers jumping ship and suggesting domestics and what not. to each his own

idda suggested an S family swap and suspension work but thats already been said
good luck tho

The way I look at it, is that you have to be open to new ideas. I really don't discriminate against any type of cars. I respect the domestics, imports, euros etc for what they do and how they do it. We all aren't going to be driving E30's for the rest of our lives and since I'm only 18 I am going to branch out and open up different possibilities...


After college :D For now a DASC kit with a lightweight flywheel, new clutch, and some Hawk pads should be just what the doctor ordered for quite a while.

[rThor432]

I knew I wouldn't get an E36 M3 for under $10K, that's why I said not to mention it in my first post. Anyways, I just stopped by Devon's house and took a ride in his M-Coupe. After that we sat around and BS'd for half an hour or so and I came to this decision for my 318is:

-Downing Atlanta Supercharger Kit. It's $3400 and will give you a bit over 200hp at the crank which will be more then enough to keep me happy. It'd be stupid to sell my car after I've upgraded/replaced all the usual parts, especially since it still only has a tad over 100,000 miles and is pretty damn clean for an E30 I haven't dumped a ton of money into.

Yeah sorry to mention it. I did read the first post, but I was just putting it out there that you can find good E36 M cars if you really look hard.

I would like to pick up a 318is and do exactly what you are going to do. GRM's test mule car for the D/A supercharger kit put down 188 whp, so there you are already well beyond an M5x swap. And you can keep the E30. Great solution.

[blck325is]

Sooo, do they make a kit like this for m20's cause if they do that would be lovely...

blck325is<-e30 hopeful

[whiltebeitel]

Nope, but if you check out e30tech, there seems to be some people playing with SC M20's I AX more than anything, so SC may be better than a turbo. Turbo miata hits boost mid-turn. Spinning FTL!!

[MattE30]

I think the $10k maximum price tag does not mean he wants to buy one for 10k, then spend thousands on repairs and maitenence (ie. e36 m3, any porsche you guys keep mentioning)

He is in college, remember.