Yay! Wife wants an E30!

[markseven]

Right now she drives a C240. We have to sell it because:

1. The warranty will expire in 12K miles
2. We need something more economical, both fuel consumption and maintenance

I think we can sell it for 12K, which would buy a used Civic or Corolla outright, or get us 60% of the way to a brand new Camry or Accord. She said she would rather have an E30!

[T Verdier]

that's a lot of money to play with an e30

[george graves]

That's cool! My two cents? I'd want wifey in something with airbags galore.

[AdironRider]

Man, I know its sweet and all but you want something thats easy/cheap to maintain and reliable for your wife. The newest e30 is 17 years old. I say go the civic route.

[Teaguer]

Man, I know its sweet and all but you want something thats easy/cheap to maintain and reliable for your wife. The newest e30 is 17 years old. I say go the civic route.

x 1000

[StereoInstaller1]

Mine calls me in a panic every few days or so, something or other gone wrong.

Buy her a Civic and an E30...put the E30 in the garage, completely restore it, and then let her drive it.

[sefb222]

my wife drives a bone stock 1990 325i. i bought it with 90k original miles on the clock, no rust, and a flawless interior...
it's been remarkable. no real issues aside from the squeaks and groans associated with a car thats 18 years old.
recently we've decided to do a 24v swap to make it faster and so she can sorta keep up with me.

if you can find one with low mileage and a good service history, id say go for it.

[markseven]

All very valid points.

I was all for getting her an E30 until I realized that we would drop $4K on a nice sedan and then another 2K to make it a reliable, efficient, comfortable commuter. Lack of airbags and stability/traction control factor in as well. However, I would like to believe that an E30 is structurally more solid/crash worthy than a tin can Civic or Corolla (My sister and I grew up riding around in Datsun 510’s and Toyota Corona’s, but SUV’s weren’t sharing the road and posing collision dangers…)

The fact that a bouncing baby girl will arrive in late may warrants the extra money for a Camry or Accord.

[StereoInstaller1]

Camry...check the headlight and tail light connectors, known failure points, have seen 3 or 4 lately.

Anything Honda, check for theft damage. Target H!

[Bimmerista]

Accord > Camry

[markseven]

Camry...check the headlight and tail light connectors, known failure points, have seen 3 or 4 lately.

Anything Honda, check for theft damage. Target H!

Will do - thanks for the heads up!

[markseven]

Accord > Camry

Yeah, I'm leaning toward the Accord, but Camry's are cheaper. Money is a big issue now, and every little bit helps, ya know?

[GaryE30]

Camry's are good cars. I say you'll be fine with any of the common econo-cars you hear about or see every day (civic, accord, camry, corolla, etc)

[markseven]

Camry's are good cars. I say you'll be fine with any of the common econo-cars you hear about or see every day (civic, accord, camry, corolla, etc)

Yup. I think anything Japanese is good, with some Korean cars offering a lot of creature comforts to increase value, but questionable crash-worthiness keeps me away from them.

[Hick]

No kidding. Get something else, sh can ride around in your e30 when she wants.

My GF has an 84 325e that recently has been a PITA. As a matter of fact, it wont start right now. She called me over the phone and told me what was wrong as if i was supposed to have it running right then and there. Once im off work i get to go try and fix it!