ok new twist on the daily driver....

[ASRoff]

so I have decided that I'm tired of driving the 16.5 mpg green hulk to work every day (45min commute) so I have decided to pull the trigger and build my own car for the commute....

the requirements are:

1. fun to drive (especially here because of the twisty back roads)

3. Fuel economy

2. dead nuts reliable

3. easy to repair

4. Cheap and easy to get parts for

5. manual ONLY!

6. decent vintage vibe.

So with that said,

no one makes what I want.... I really don't want a new car because of 1. I hate payments and 2. easy to work on.... I really don't want to earn my PHD in electrical engineering... 3. electronic gadgets have never been my thing... Hell, I don't even listen to the radio when I drive because I feel the drive is sort of my moment of zen before I get to work.

So I have decided on a BMW E30 for less than a grand I can make it into a corner carver that is still comfortible.... but the catch is I still want fuel economy so I am waiting on an AII auction that has a 2011-2014 Mustang v6 6-speed that I'm hoping to snag on the cheap... the target is fun for under 5 grand....

I'm thinking that a "dirty E30" that weighs about 2000-2500lbs with a 305 hp v6 will be a blast to drive....

So the hunt for a good (solid no rust... don't care about the engine/ trans) E30 begins...

 

[DeFormula]

You sound like me...nobody builds what I want.

 

[Tin]

E30s are bad ass. Good luck with your search.

 

[Scooter70]

I was just going to suggest a 2002. Even cooler than an E30.

That said, have you sat in an E30? Do you fit?

 

[AutoRoc]

Go snag a later model turbo 2.3 mustang and vinyl wrap it in some vintage scheme. . Turn up the boost while you are at it!

 

[AutoRoc]

https://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/cto/d/19855-mustang-svo/6330200839.html

 

[Tin]

https://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/cto/d/19855-mustang-svo/6330200839.html

Wow nice find. That would make a great daily.

 

[4Gas$]

Go snag a later model turbo 2.3 mustang and vinyl wrap it in some vintage scheme. . Turn up the boost while you are at it!

https://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/cto/d/19855-mustang-svo/6330200839.html

Denny nailed it! All the fun and none of the headaches!!!
And it would appear this meets your criteria.

 

[DRAG-ULA]

https://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/cto/d/19855-mustang-svo/6330200839.html

I drive by that car on my way home every day. Looks pretty nice

 

[WhiteHawk]

I don't know if I would put a 32 year old car in the "Dead nuts reliable" category. That being said, the Mustang would be an awesome ride.

-Geoff

 

[derbydad276]

my marquis is 40 years old ... runs like a top

 

[WhiteHawk]

my marquis is 40 years old ... runs like a top

Tops spin for a minute or two, then wobble and fall.

-Geoff

 

[JPK]

I like this idea until you say DD, then dead nuts reliable and cheap and easy to repair. It's just asking for problems. Also why not go with an LSx motor there a ton available, they're good on gas, great support for engines swaps as they've gone in almost every vehicle imaginable.

I hope you keep posting on the progress of this. I'm curious as well to see how this works out.

 

[AutoRoc]

That E30 will be cool. A modern engine will make it haul, modern tires will make it it stick. Not sure what your transmission options are but im sure you do.

 

[ASRoff]

Denny... Funny I was looking at a low mileage SVO mustang until the "dirty E30" bug caught...

as far as fitting...I daily drove a 1997 Saturn up until a year ago.. e30's have more room... plus I have a welder..

as far as a 30 year old car is concerned.. even high mileage E30 chassis have proven to be dead nuts reliable. the engines are ok as long as the oil was regularly changed.. but with that said I plan to put a low mile mustang v6 an trans into it... the reason why I dont want an LS...

1. everyone does them

2. the mustang V6 sounds "right" in an E30. (with aftermarket exhaust they sound like a well tweaked S54 3.2L

3. 305hp in a 2200 to 2800lb car is fun.... the v6 torque isent going to tear up the E30 rear diff.

4. Since the 3.7L gets 31-32 mpg in a 3500lb car imagine what it gets in a e30m that weighs only 2200 to 2600lbs (coupe) and has roughly the same drag coef... (.35)

5. the engine sits behind the front wheels vs. and LS that hangs over the wheels... making the balance even better... I can get a set of "true" coilovers for 400 for a cheap set 600 for a decent set of 1200 for a set of killer ones...

I've contacted the owner of this and plan to go look at it Saturday (his convenience) and yeah the "bags" will be up for sale if this goes thru... LOL!

https://fayetteville.craigslist.org/cto/d/1989-bmw-325i-bagged-e30/6329725131.html

 

[moneypit]

I've contacted the owner of this and plan to go look at it Saturday (his convenience) and yeah the "bags" will be up for sale if this goes thru... LOL!

https://fayetteville.craigslist.org/cto/d/1989-bmw-325i-bagged-e30/6329725131.html

Make sure you get it all the small parts will nickle and dime you to death

 

[ASRoff]

Make sure you get it all the small parts will nickle and dime you to death

stainless sheetmetal screws for the win!!!

 

[mdhmi]

https://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/cto/d/19855-mustang-svo/6330200839.html

I think something like that would be a blast on the street.

 

[Rumblestrip]

The answer is always Miata.

 

[Tin]

The answer is always Miata.

Hell yes. They aren't fast, but they're a riot on the twisties.