I am sick of auto crossing my RS in SM. It is just no where near competitive and it doesn't seem worth the effort to make it so. It also is the sort of car that you drive very ham-fisted and that feels like a handicap to improving my driving skills. So I have been planning on getting a NA miata in the next year to use as a dedicated auto-x car and later on a track car, maybe even a spec miata.

But my dad's friend has a very nice condition '87 325 coupe he wants to sell for cheap. I'm not sure if this is a good choice or not for what I want.

First of all, I'm not even 100% what it is. Since its a coupe I thought it might be a 325is, but it only says 325 on the back. Which makes me suspect it may be an 'eta' model and I'm not sure I want that. The stock classing is also confusing me. It seems that if it is a 325is then it falls under 3 series NOC and is in DS, but if it is an 'eta' then it would be in HS.

So I'm somewhat unsure if it would be a good choice. If it is in DS I am very worried newer cars, specifically WRX's, will smoke me. If it is in HS then it may be competitive, but the 'eta' models don't sound like much fun with a 4500rpm redline and all and I'm worried that if I move on to DSP or eventually spec E30 that it will be thoroughly out classed with that motor.

If anyone knows a lot about the different E30 models and can give me some more info on what exactly this would be and how it is equipped, that would be awesome. Along with that, if anyone knows what class it would be in and if it can be competitive, that would help a lot too.

Bottom line, would this be a good choice for a track car, or should I just wait and get a miata?

Miata has a better suspension. More aftermarket support too. I'd wait.

I would say look into the Porsche 944 as you can find one very cheap and they are very well balanced. It's a bit more expensive to repair as compare to the MX-5.

For the money, MX-5 can't be beat. I still don't like the Mazda if I had the chooice. I hate convertibles.

From experience its probably a 325e or "eta" I had one for a while. Great car but only~125 hp but tons of torque, about 160 lb ft. It was bmw's fix for americans who wanted a 6 cyl but wanted better gas mileage than an i or is. Its great for getting around town and can be ok at auto cross. The chassis is great just a little underpowered.

Bottom line I'd say wait and get a miata. If you want an E30 (they're awesome cars that can last a long time) I'd say wait until you find a nice 325i or is.

I would say look into the Porsche 944 as you can find one very cheap and they are very well balanced. It's a bit more expensive to repair as compare to the MX-5.

For the money, MX-5 can't be beat. I still don't like the Mazda if I had the chooice. I hate convertibles.

Same here, which is why I traded my 325 for one. It doesn't help that I'm too tall for the miata without modification

Same here, which is why I traded my 325 for one. It doesn't help that I'm too tall for the miata without modification

how tall are you? im 6'2" and fit in my SM with room to spare

I'm 6'-3". I know I could fit in a SM because of the racing seat brackets but I need something to tool around in until I get out of school and can afford to eventually turn it into a race car and the miata is just too small to serve as my gas saving dd. I like miata's but I'm a Porsche fan at heart even though they can be faster on some courses and are a little bit cheaper to run (a lot cheaper if you don't do all your own maintenance).

BMW's are pretty expensive to run and maintain.. i would opt for something more $$$ friendly.

BMW's are pretty expensive to run and maintain.. i would opt for something more $$$ friendly.



ummm..... no there not... e30 parts are cheap compared to recent my wrx/sti parts.... either way if your dads friend will let teh car go cheap and its in good condition i'd say get it :)

ummm..... no there not... e30 parts are cheap compared to recent my wrx/sti parts.... either way if your dads friend will let teh car go cheap and its in good condition i'd say get it :)

Well coming from several forms of the 240sx yes they are.. its even cheaper to run a SW20 MR2 than a E30/36 BMW. The comparison to the
AWD cars really isnt fair either.

Your gut feeling that the Miata is the way to go makes sense to me. Tons of cars available, great user community, every conceivable part, plenty of competition, nice looking, fun to drive.

As you can tell, I really like them. If I fit in one, I'd be there.

If it's an e model which it probably is like I said before you might be disappointed with the power and it only revs to ~4500 rpms too.

Well, I think I'm gonna pass on it. Sounds like if I wanted an E30, I'd be best off finding an i or is in good shape, but I think I'll just get a miata like I planned.

Thanks for the advice.