e30 m50 swap or Challenger R/T

[JetGirl]

Husband needs a car to drive to work and back. He cant bring himself to buy a honda or toyota (horray). I got a daily driver last month (impreza..*dodges flames*) and now he needs one. However he wants a GOOD car. He has a 240sx shell that is in the stages of becoming a KAdet, but is far from such due to money and parts and time. He wants to take his time and do it right, etc.

So he has given me a propostion: Get a new Challenger R/T @ 600 a month and keep it forever, or (knowing ive been wanting one for 4 years) buy a 600 dollar running e30 shell and throw an M50 in there @ 600 a month in parts.

He wants specific reasons why the m50 swap is worth it... suggestions pls.

[FredK]

I would lease a Honda Civic for $179 a month, put a NOS Fogger kit on it, and spank E30 M50s left and right and look stylish while doing so.

[JetGirl]

yeah but your still in a honda...

[Jean]

With warranty, working A/C, heat and everything else. LOL

[FredK]

Those options are at the opposite ends of the spectrum. One is a janky bucket with a slightly more modern engine in it, one is a $30K car.

If I recall correctly, you are like early 20s. I say, screw taking on long-term debt on a heavily depreciating asset. If time and money are tight such that another janky bucket can't be completed (240SX) then the E30M50 project will probably take a long time too.

[DrMcDave]

Why are you so limited to a challenger r/t or a swapped e30. For 600/mo you have an awful lot of options. Certified preowned 335i that will spank both of the above listed. You could swing a 135 for that as well. Mcoupe, e46 M3, e36 m3. I'm just saying there are a ton of cars. Even and STI or EVO....and on and on....

[shmutzigE30]

id get a used e46 m3 for that price a month


e46 ftw

[shmutzigE30]

or an e39 m5

[rThor432]

What's wrong with a Honda?

$600 a month is steep for a company in the financial state that Chrysler is in.

For a car that is simply a commuter, between the two, I'd go for the E30. Just get an eta and keep it that way. It'll be efficient and you cannot kill that motor.

If he really wants a 24 valve, then the best reason for justifying the swap would be the "modern-ness" of the motor (even though it was designed 20 years ago now). M50 E30's are reliable and efficient. I wouldnt want to daily drive a Dodge land yacht, but that's my personal preference.

[JetGirl]

ok to clarify, Ive wanted another e30 since the one that died in high school.

he is offering those two as the only options because he wont settle for anything else, weve been to every car lot while looking for mine and he wants that challenger bad. if he gets the challenger we cant afford an e30 or to fix his 240sx and it will get sold for parts.

if we do the e30 way, i get an e30 and he gets a Daily Driver thats not for little girls and organic tofu eaters

[FredK]

So he will drive the Impreza, you will drive an E30, and the 240SX will sit in the garage?

[JetGirl]

I'll drive the impreza (cuz i take the kiddo to daycare), he will drive the e30 (weekdays), and the 240 will slowly be rebuilt in its entirety correctly, its literally completely apart (engine included) and in need of resurfacing, etc.

[hugh jass]

have you read the reviews of the challenger? it sounds like a real pile, just like every other chrysler automobile product. you sure you want to spend $600 a month on that thing?

[JetGirl]

what just because it can only go in a straight line? not my problem, he is the one that wants it, i was just trying to get some reasons why the m50 swap is a better bet than a challenger

[Charlie]

Buy the challenger. American car companies finally started making fun cars again, someone has to buy them.

-Charlie