Cars that compare to the E30

[Q5Quint]

So for 'compare' I will assume that means 1989 rwd sporty-type car on a budget that has decent stock handling but can be upgraded to hang with the more pure 'race bred' models like the 911 or a corvette.




1989 Porsche 944. 2900lbs. ~160 hp stock 2.5 liters. 188-208hp s model. 250hp turbo model.
Almost exact same as e30 stats.





1989 240sx/280/300zx
2700lbs 140hp 2.4liter or 165n/a to 205hp/turbo for the slightly heavier 3000lbs 300zx models

Toyota: MR2, (Corolla & Celica were close but fwd, unless you can find the rare all-track awd versions turbos, but from that came the rwd supra..... wahoo)
Mercedes: 190E
Volvo: 240 (with turbo versions wahoo)
Mazda: Rx7/ Mr2 / miata

Oddballs that I am unsure of but somehow tickle my balls: 3000gt, dodgecolt/mitsubishi mirage turbo, mitsubishi eclipse/plymouth laser/eagle talon turbo, ford taurus sho/turbo, audi quattro, 88mph turbo delorean, old subaru anything.



Pretty much all the standard cars of the time that would compare to the import 'sports car':



This oddly brings up the type 1 beetle which was actually produced till 2003. While not a good direct comparison, the cheapness + easily upgraded rwd platform still makes it a 'poor mans porsche'.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSsg1IwH1rg

[slammin.e28]

Did I miss mention of the late 80s RX-7?

....or are we all a buncha apex seal haters in this joint?

[LateFan]

Alfa

Alfa Romeo Giulia Super. Older than 80s-90s, but still...

RWD
Great suspension
7000 rpm, all aluminum Twin cam
Factory headers
Dual Webers
Aluminum 5 speed

[LateFan]

Alfetta sedan

RWD
Alum twin cam 2 liter
5 speed rear transaxle
Inboard rear brakes
DeDion rear suspension
Russian steel that rusts like a pig!

[LateFan]

Alfetta GTV and GTV6

[LateFan]

Giulia GT / GTV

[LateFan]

Small-bumper Volvo 142

(because it's...)

A crisp-looking 2 door coupe with pop-out quarter windows.
Solid.
Reliable.
Indestructable.
Fun to drive (not an Alfa or an E30, but fun)
Was raced and rallied.
Has a similar cult following.

[keefy6]

I forgot about the Escort GT. Been ages since seeing one though

[Kershaw]

The FC3S Mazda RX-7 competes with the E30 very well. I get the same feeling from my E30 that I did from my FC's, happiness anytime I'm driving and especially in corners.

the fc is better than an e30 in about every aspect except looks though.

edit: and reliability. :rofl:

[cagedbunny]

the fc is better than an e30 in about every aspect except looks though.

edit: and reliability. :rofl:

And fuel economy..

[e30evolution]

no one says anything about the milano verde, yet post about much older and more expensive cars?

[keefy6]

^ i've never heard of that car..

[LateFan]

no one says anything about the milano verde, yet post about much older and more expensive cars?

Good point! Ran out of time!

The Alfa Romeo Milano (75 in Europe)

RWD
Alfetta-based chassis
Fantastic suspension / DeDion rear suspension
50/50 weight distribution / rear transaxle
Busso-designed aluminum V6 - great sound
Recaro seats
Interior switches in odd places - you have to figure out how to lower the windows.
South African 3.7 liter variations available.

[Andy.B]

Not a car, per se, but likely appeals to the same type of owners:
Vw transporter, particularly the baywindows and vanagons
These vans can do everything.


They can even be track cars.

Easy to work on, huge enthusiast followings, lego like compatibility for upgrades, can be built for a variety of purposes, and are near indestructable.

Some e30 parts are used for popular upgrades to the bus. Power windows (to replace the manual cranks) are an easy diy swap, as well as front seats for improved comfort and style.

Disclaimer: I may be biased, since I own a 72 transporter, but I honestly feel that it is a perfect compliment to my 2 door e30. I can fit tons of stuff and people in it, endlessly tinker and improve it, and have so far been unable to kill it. I lost a compression on a cylinder a couple of summers ago, and the thing kept running through the fall until I pulled the engine for a rebuild.

[E30 Wagen]

This thread defines my taste in cars. :)