Sold my E30, Oppo now help fill my void! 

"ZHP Sparky, the 5th" (e30s2k) 09/12/2018 at 14:28 • Filed to: None

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Yesterday was a bitter day, hoping the next chapter can make it sweet. Yes, it is I – The Poster Formerly Known as e30s2k. Now with neither, I have officially sold my E30. This picture was taken right before the new owner drove off in it (realized I didn’t have a single photo of myself with the car) -

The car went to a wonderful new owner – a young lady who used to own a Z car, does her own wrenching, and helps out with a friend’s Lemons team. On top of that the car is going back home to California. In fact it will have a daily commute up and down the coastal twisties of Highway 1, pretty much car heaven if you ask me.

But where does that leave me? Confused and with a hole in my heart. The entire reason I sold the car was because I drove it far too infrequently, especially having a newborn at home. My wife is being amazingly supportive – even though I’d be OK just not replacing it anytime soon she’s encouraging me to just spend the money (and maybe a bit on top) on a newer, safer fun car I would actually use.

This is where you come in, Oppo. I’m no Doug De Muro…I won’t be buying any Ford GTs, but help me find something within my budget of $10K or less.

Requirements:

- $10k or less (hopefully less)

- Would prefer a sedan/hatch/wagon with rear doors but would settle for a coupe if rear seat access isn’t too bad. No 2 seaters.

- Safe commuter car – driver and passenger airbags, traction control, etc. Rear airbags a plus if possible

- Manuals only

- Would prefer RWD but would settle for a full-time/rear-biased AWD platform

- Reasonable mileage and reliability. Must be relatively easy and cheap to maintain.

- Gas mileage not a huge concern, but at least 20-25mpg highway would be nice

Mostly I’ve been trending towards what I already am somewhat familiar with:

- E46 330i, preferably ZHP

- 06+ Subaru WRX (partial to the “hawkeyes”, preferably wagon, but hard to find especially unabused) or Forester XTs (hard to find, especially with a manual)

- I’ve also seen a few early E91 wagons within my price range that I’ve always lusted after, but harder (and more expensive) to find with a stick.

I feel like I’m being drawn to Subarus and BMWs because those are the brands I know and have been around for the last few years. I thought of Infiniti G35s but friends who have had them had maintenance issues…not sure if that’s true across the board. I’d consider a FWD car like an Acura TSX, but I feel like I’d be trading in a little bit of fun for more reliability – not sure if I might get bored too easily with that.

Completely out of left field I’ve also been obsessed with GX 470s – and older ones can be had within my price range. But it will mainly get used as a commuter, so between the gas mileage, size, automatic, and simply not using it as intended for the most part, I don’t think it’s the right choice for me. I have dreams of getting outdoors and overlanding, but in reality with a 3 month old baby at home much of that isn’t happening any time soon.

Other suggestions you fine folks would recommend me looking in to?

functionoverfashion > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/12/2018 at 14:52

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I know you already know what a joy a ZHP would be. So I’ll just say, “go find a nice ZHP and be done with it”

- source: daily driver manual E46 wagon since 2009

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > functionoverfashion 09/12/2018 at 14:56

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That’s certainly what I’m leaning towards right now. Talking with a guy selling one that looks pretty clean, not sure how much maintenance history exists is the only thing. Will see how it looks in person and maybe do a PPI just to be safe. Definitely the most obvious choice.

KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/12/2018 at 15:05

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E46 330i, preferably ZHP

Looks like you’ve already shown us the perfect choice.

BeaterGT > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/12/2018 at 15:05

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Outback XT and Legacy GT sedan/wagons can also be found for under 10 grand. They might have some miles on them and the manuals will be harder to find obviously.

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/12/2018 at 15:21

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i found just the thing... for four and half grand

https://www.autotrader.nl/klassieker/voertuig/bmw-2002-glas-1304-cl-collectors-item-benzine/2bd59512-dbfe-412a-840e-b2281ebdae70/?from=zoeken&index=17&safemake=bmw&bodyType=stationwagen

course its in the netherlands.... and hasnt moved in 20 years.... but that just adds to the fun right

Chariotoflove > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/12/2018 at 15:28

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You’ve already mentioned my first thought, the G35 or G37.  I was not aware they had especially bad maintenance issues, but then I have no reason to look.  Maintenance shouldn’t be expensive on those cars (I would think).

M.T. Blake > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/12/2018 at 15:29

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Buy my 2006 G35 sedan 6MT rev up! $6200. 

nerd_racing > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/12/2018 at 15:33

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I’d go with a 135i with the M sport package.  

djmt1 > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/12/2018 at 15:34

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JZX9 0 Chasers are  legal now...

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > farscythe - makin da cawfee! 09/12/2018 at 15:37

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Haha I guess this is the obligatory Torch type answer for any “what car should I buy?” post

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Chariotoflove 09/12/2018 at 15:38

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Yeah I might do some digging to double check. An old coworker kept having o2 sensor issues with his. But also there aren’t too many of them around - they’re either auto or stanced out with tinted lights all around...I just can’t trust what else those folks might have done to their cars. 

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > BeaterGT 09/12/2018 at 15:39

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You’re definitely right. I actually used to own a ‘05 legacy gt 5MT wagon...so that itch is probably sufficiently scratched and am looking for something a bit different. It was a bit too bargey for me, hence why I’m thinking a WRX wagon might be a bit more my size. The interior quality on the legacy of that generation is miles ahead though, that’s for sure. 

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > djmt1 09/12/2018 at 15:40

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Don’t tempt me! I know the wife will veto a RHD car, and I don’t think I’m up to the challenge of trying to source parts for something that wasn’t sold here. 

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > nerd_racing 09/12/2018 at 15:41

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I’ve looked but they seem to be pretty high up there in price still. Do see a few random 128 and 328s every now and then though. 

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > KingT- 60% of the time, it works every time 09/12/2018 at 15:42

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Yeah I really think that is the perfect choice. Just as a check the box for safety I wish it had rear airbags, which I don’t think it does. But as far as a fun yet modern-ish commuter goes it’s pretty perfect. Good timing as far as price curve goes too with prices starting to trickle upwards. 

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > M.T. Blake 09/12/2018 at 15:43

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Hmm, so you say. You’re somewhere in CA right? Ad/info? Have an email address I can reach you at if yours is actually for sale?

As mentioned through friends I’ve heard some negative stories, but am willing to be educated otherwise about reliability/cost of ownership. 

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/12/2018 at 15:47

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tbh... i was looking for a nice bmw wagon of the shark nosed variety for you

this just popped up... i couldnt resist... its a 2002 underneath i think (cant be sure... googles not being helpfull)

BeaterGT > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/12/2018 at 15:55

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That’s fair, I’d be hard pressed to buy a car I used to own unless I really, really missed it. Although I do still want to compare an 08/09 XT/GT to my 05...

I would also suggest a CTS-V but not sure what condition they would be in for <10k.

M.T. Blake > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/12/2018 at 16:00

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Hah. I misspoke. I dropped it to $6000 yesterday...  https://sacramento.craigslist.org/cto/d/2006-infiniti-g35-6mt-sedan/6680758540.html

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > farscythe - makin da cawfee! 09/12/2018 at 16:05

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Oh wow, interesting. That’s a super weird car...I also love how it manages to be so square/angular yet droopy at the same time. 

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/12/2018 at 16:17

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huh.. welp i was wrong... cars at least partially made by ex bimmer guys

but looks to be its own thing and not a 2002 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glas_1004 assuming the wiki aint lying

i dunno

but i love accidentally finding stuff i never heard of before

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > M.T. Blake 09/12/2018 at 16:33

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Damn, in true oppo fashion that is one clean and honest looking car. Price looks excellent for what it is too. Distance is my only issue..finding any free time is next to impossible, slipping away for a weekend to drive a car back from Sacramento doesn’t seem to be in the cards for me :(

Keep oppo updated on this vehicle! I’ll ping you if some time opens up for me to make this a reality. 

M.T. Blake > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/12/2018 at 16:38

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Bummer. I try to keep everything clean. I’ve got far more than 6 into it :(

Chariotoflove > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/12/2018 at 16:42

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There’s a G37 coupe I see around here plastered with meticulously applied  GT-R decals so that you can be pretty sure the owner actually thinks he fooling people.  Still, that’s the kind of damage that can be undone.  At least he didn’t slam it on the cheap chrome rims I see the boy racers go for.

dogisbadob > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/12/2018 at 16:44

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Mazdaspeed 6

Volvo V50 (yes, manual V50 wagons with AWD do exist)

There’s also the Accord V6 manual sedan from 06-07, even if it is only FWD.

first-gen Lexus IS300 (only the sedan was available with a manual, not the wagon). There’s also the later second-gen IS250 manual. Classic Toyota Quality too.

You can get a first-gen CTS-V for 10k, but not sure what the gas mileage would be like. If it’s not good enough on gas for you, there’s the non-V CTS which was sold with a stick back then, too.

ihm96 > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/12/2018 at 16:45

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Go for an E34. More practical daily, cheap to buy, and still fun

RPM esq. > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/12/2018 at 16:48

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I’m glad to hear  it went to a good home!

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > RPM esq. 09/12/2018 at 16:49

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Thank you, sir! 

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > ihm96 09/12/2018 at 16:51

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I think the E34s are a bit too old for me (and the Mrs. has some safety equipment requirements...I suppose she has a vested interest in me not killing myself). I’m tempted by E39s but the M5s are out of reach, and the 540i can be pretty costly to maintain with that engine...the rest just feels blah. 

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > dogisbadob 09/12/2018 at 16:54

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This is good oppo, thank you.

Mazdaspeed 6...I’d consider, but pretty hard to find and mostly stanced out.

V50 completely hadn’t even known about...will consider looking in to it, but not sure how fun that might be from a driving pleasure perspective.

Agreed on Accord, I have a couple of Acuras on my radar...like TLs with the manual. Holding on to those as a last resort though.

IS300...man, the one that got away. There was a local manual car with the Sport Design package or whatever it was called that just sold last week. Was too early for me to start looking in to it...and they were asking $10k which felt too high for that car. But it was clean, and 2JZ yo!

Will have to do some studying on the CTS-Vs. Again worried that it’s a car that would’ve been beat on too much given the crowd it tends to attract, and the price point. 

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Chariotoflove 09/12/2018 at 16:57

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JDM Skyline badges I’d understand…at least there’s some truth to that. GT-R lol. True that can be undone, but I’d also constantly be asking what other madness the previous owner did or didn’t do to that poor car. But that sounds way tame compared to the G35s I see dropped to the ground, beat to death, and dildo shifter to boot.

Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/12/2018 at 17:05

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Ive considered trying to replace my 2012 Turbo Beetle for something more practical and/or fun and my requirements look similar to yours and probably predictably so have the cars I’ve considered. A couple to add:

BMW 128i

Audi A4(wagon)

dogisbadob > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/12/2018 at 17:07

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The V50 is on the same platform as the Mazda 3 and also the Mk2 Focus we didn’t get over here. Plus, your V50 will probably have the turbo-5 that Volvo has been using forever, and it is also shared with the Mk2 Euro Focus ST . So the street cred is there, and you will probably find it acceptable.

Sometimes a good second-gen manual IS can be had for less than a good first-gen manual IS. Yeah the first-gen 2JZ is cooler, but the second-gen with the 4GR is good too.

Remember than the non-V CTS can be had with the manual, too, if you can’t find a good V.

Chariotoflove > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/12/2018 at 17:40

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To be fair, he did have S kyline decals, but he was clearly trying to make that Skyline GT-R conflation, which wiped out any credit I might have given him.

I couldn’t see anything obvious that he did to the mechanicals, but who knows...

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > dogisbadob 09/12/2018 at 18:19

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The V50 is on the same platform as the Mazda 3 and also the Mk2 Focus we didn’t get over here.

Wow, add that to car geek trivia that I didn’t know or didn’t make the connection between until now. Driving a V50 for those reasons (as opposed to “well it’s a Volvo so it’s safe”) is the epitome of cool, where 99.9% of people don’t even know what level you’re at.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Neil drives a beetle and a fancy beetle 09/12/2018 at 18:21

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Yup 128i is definitely on the list. But a bit hard to come by, especially with manual and hopefully sports package. And at that point the E46 ZHP is a pretty tempting alternative.

I don’t know, Audis especially of that generation, always scare me as far as maintenance goes. I hear they’re better now, but gonna take a while to get past that stigma.

Manny05x > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/12/2018 at 21:02

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Tsx with a Manual.

pip bip - choose Corrour > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/13/2018 at 06:51

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Camry 40-series?

nerd_racing > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/13/2018 at 07:08

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I had a 128i and it was a ton of fun while it held up.  Mine wasn’t maintained well by the previous owner though. 

Berto > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/13/2018 at 07:58

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Audi A3 wagon with manual and s-line package.   4cyl turbo with lots of options for future upgrades.  Based on golf, one of the best cars I ever owned.  Plus good amount of room for all those baby accessories.

I like cars: Jim Spanfeller is one ugly motherfucker > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/13/2018 at 08:03

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2001 Trans Am

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Berto 09/13/2018 at 10:14

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This is a pretty good suggestion. I’ve always liked the size and look of those things. Will have to do some research on reliability. And I know it’s front biased but maybe it’s good enough, won’t be running any track days at this point. 

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > pip bip - choose Corrour 09/13/2018 at 10:15

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Ah, the pinnacle of Toyota’s exciting styling and driving characteristics! 

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Manny05x 09/13/2018 at 10:15

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Yup, TSX and TL are definitely on the maybe list. Thanks! 

functionoverfashion > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/14/2018 at 10:21

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I’d love a ZHP but I really need the wagon space, so I’m stuck with the 325 as far as the E46 platform. My next one might be a 2011 or 2012, the last years with the manuals, and you can get a 328i with awd (one of my requirements).

My only fear is that by the time I start looking for a replacement, the manuals will be priced high because #savethemanuals. Hell, ZHPs have probably bottomed and are on the way back up for pricing.

OH and I saw someone mention a V50 wagon. My wife had the sedan, S40 with awd and the T5 engine, 6-speed manual. Really fun car.

Luder94 > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/14/2018 at 10:25

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Been in your shoes... Actually had an e46 325xi 5spd manual , when first kid was born. Replaced it with a GS 430, because the BMW was too small for child seats.

I’ve also been an s2k owner since 2000, currently have 3 of them. Also have a BMW E39 wagon as a daily (two kids in sports, a dog, and tool around car parts) .... Which I think would fit your needs perfectly.

You can find manual versions here and there, but they are easy enough and cheap to convert to manual if all you find are autos.

Sweet Trav > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/14/2018 at 10:47

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2011- 2014 V6 Mustang. ticks every box, and the 3.7 is actually a pretty good motor.

Luder94 > ZHP Sparky, the 5th 09/14/2018 at 13:02

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I feel your pain....our kindred car spirit animals must be the similar if not the same. So, years back when my wife and I had our first child, we had a 5spd manual, e46 325xi...kitted beautifully (Racing Dynamics kit with Hamann HM2 wheels). Loved that car....thought we’d be alright with the one kid in back. Unfortunately, we had to size up to a GS430...the rear seat in the BMW was too small for child seat and for an average size passenger in the front seat to sit comfortably.

I also own a 2000 S2000 brand new....wasn’t the most practical car with child, so I ended up buying another S2000....and another after that (yup, 3 of ‘em; wife no longer tells me that it’s impractical...otherwise we somehow end up with another S2K).

With that and onto my recommendation , I also own for a little over a year now, an e39 wagon. It’s an automanual, but manual trans wagons are out there. Th ey are also quite easy to swap to manual and wouldn’t put you out of price range for a $10k or less fun car to drive that has space for a family and stuff, and is safe.

As my daily, the wagon has been great for throwing my family (2 kids, wife, and dog (or if not dog, then the kids sports gear)) and trekking wherever we needed to go.    Just a thought..... btw, I work from home and don’t DD as much as I have in the last year....I could consider selling my wagon (this isn’t meant to be a pitch for you to buy my car; I rather like my touring).

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Luder94 09/14/2018 at 14:19

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Haha oh man, 3 s2ks! How’d you pull that off, and what do you do with all 3 of them?! I see cheap ones on the market every now and then and am tempted but it’d be too selfish a decision!

My wife already made me promise that I won’t buy an automatic car and take on the project of manual swapping it. Doesn’t matter how cheap auto E91 wagons are compared to the manuals! She’s right though, it’s something I’ll never be able to pull off on my own and end up taking way longer and costing way more than I anticipate.

Thankfully this car won’t be a regular family vehicle - just needs to take the kid in a pinch or for short journeys. Mainly will be just for me to putter back and forth to work. I just noticed how cheap R56 mini cooper s cars have gotten, but a friend who has owned a bunch just talked me off that ledge.

We’ll see where things go ...I think E46 is the most likely end result here.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > Sweet Trav 09/14/2018 at 14:21

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I have no legitimate response to explain why, and you’re probably right , but just no!