Would I be stupid buying this??

[cramman]

I'm after a cheap car, but I want a car with a 'something' about it.

Looking to spend around about a grand and want something that won't cost the earth to run/insure.

I spotted an Accord and thought it may be worth a look (sensible head on) and then noticed this for sale in the same garage - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

I love the look of it, but, would I be stupid thinking this is a useable car. It'll not be a daily drive, but will do the commute once or twice a week, possibly more in the winter.

Thoughts please.

[warch]

Apart from being dog slow, I'd say yeah, although it does seem a bit pricey to me, even if it has been well cared for. These small engined 'premium' cars were often owned by tedious old buffers, who spent days polishing them to the bare metal, fitted clear plastic seat covers and used a tennis ball on a piece of string to avoid front of car/back of garage interface problems. It'll probably have been serviced to death too.

I reckon 600 quid and keep an eye out for a bigger mill, it'll be a cheap upgrade. Road tax will be dear for the output but it shouldn't be too thirsty, I reckon about high 30's to the gallon.

[rassi]

As much as I like the E30, this one (at the same dealer) would IMHO be a better bet: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

[cramman]

rassi said:

As much as I like the E30, this one (at the same dealer) would IMHO be a better bet: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

Totally agree, just it doors look much 'cooler'. This was the car the made me check the website, http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

[neil_bmw]

rassi said:

As much as I like the E30, this one (at the same dealer) would IMHO be a better bet: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

That Laguna would be a serious money pit, cheap motoring it would not be. The E30 will see the same mileage again no problem. The laguna would be bigger, safer, comfier, probably more economical but i would still have an E30, no question.

[danp]

neil_bmw said:

rassi said:

As much as I like the E30, this one (at the same dealer) would IMHO be a better bet: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

That Laguna would be a serious money pit, cheap motoring it would not be. The E30 will see the same mileage again no problem. The laguna would be bigger, safer, comfier, probably more economical but i would still have an E30, no question.

Agree, wouldn't fancy my chances with an old-ish French car with much in the way of electronics on it personally. At the 1k level not a bad idea to have something relatively simple that was built and designed properly IMHO.

The Honda would probably be more realiable than either, and would obv have a bit more poke than the BM.

Depends what you're after, I have a lovely old mk2 Golf (1.3 and a mighty 55bhp) for my daily, not very quick but I still enjoy pootling along in it, and can even do the odd bit of work on it myself, parts also cost peanuts.

Good luck with the hunt!

[griffter]

An E30 with under 65k for (probably a cheeky) grand?

IMHO you'd be stupid not to!

Assuming it's straight and needs nothing major I can see it being reasonable, enjoyable daily drive which will retain its value.

[Kawasicki]

try to get a later 318i from 1990. They have much better performance and economy. As in Much better.

[rassi]

That E30 316 has a 320i (or not original) exhaust on it - any chance that it is actually a 320?! And having looked at the photos again, it does look very clean, even if the mileage is suspiciously low (and easily clocked).

[jboy72]

The Renault would be a good bet if you dont mind bits falling off as you drive from A to B, leaving a husk of a car flashing up all sorts of warnings at you in 12 months time.

[cramman]

Thanks for the replies.

Now I'm really confused and have no idea what I want, again.

With regard the golf, I'd love another MK2 or a 3, but there are just no half decent ones local(ish) to me. I really cannot be arsed to travel the country to buy a shed.

Cheers,

Cramman.

[danp]

cramman said:

Thanks for the replies.

Now I'm really confused and have no idea what I want, again.

With regard the golf, I'd love another MK2 or a 3, but there are just no half decent ones local(ish) to me. I really cannot be arsed to travel the country to buy a shed.

Cheers,

Cramman.

Give us a postocde (not yours!) to search from, will find you some to look at ;-)

And go try/kick the tyres of the E30 if it's local! That's half the fun, the thrill of the chase.

[griffter]

rassi said:

That E30 316 has a 320i (or not original) exhaust on it - any chance that it is actually a 320?! And having looked at the photos again, it does look very clean, even if the mileage is suspiciously low (and easily clocked).

and the ad describes it as a 1.8. Go find out! I still say for a manual e30 thats good value.

[griffter]

DVLA lists it as a 1.8. Date of liability (VED) April 2011. Suggests its been in stock quite some time. Scope for a cheeky offer I'd say.

[fushion julz]

That is a very poverty spec car...Steel wheels, keep-fit windows and no sunroof, foglights or OBC...also has standard cloth interior and standard bus-spec steering wheel.

Having said that it looks clean...

Overpiced IMHO...have a look on E30Zone if you want to pick up a decent one of these...

This car, though, if in as sound structural condition as it looks, would make a good track/racing car base...non-sunroof shells are rare in E30s and are needed to get a cage in (although a lot of people just plate or carbon-panel fill the roof).

Also note this is an M10 engined car on a carburettor.

[E30M3SE]

A 1986 316 has a 1.8 M10 engine running a carburetter.

[cramman]

Thanks again for the replies, it#s local so weather depending (only have a motorbike at the minute) I'll have a look this weekend and report back.

danp said:

Give us a postocde (not yours!) to search from, will find you some to look at ;-)

And go try/kick the tyres of the E30 if it's local! That's half the fun, the thrill of the chase.

If you really want to, here is a postcode close to mine - ne33 3hy

[M888SXY]

Beat me to it.

E30M3SE said:

A 1986 316 has a 1.8 M10 engine running a carburetter.

[MarkwG]

jboy72 said:

The Renault would be a good bet if you dont mind bits falling off as you drive from A to B, leaving a husk of a car flashing up all sorts of warnings at you in 12 months time.

absolutley agree - my brother-in-law had one new, & it fell to bits around him (as I said it would...) - he has seen the light now...

[p4cks]

Cramman, I've just bought a Clio Williams as my shed



£900 and I have to pick it up from Oldham next week. That Beemer will a nightmare in the snow, no?