Old School Corolla or E30 or...

[Blitanicle99]

So I am about to start my next project. I have been leaning towards an E30 for the LONGEST time, I have had some trouble finding one for the right price and not a complete piece of junk.

Recently I grew interest in a Old Corolla COUPE GTS or SR5 I don't care. I just have interest in them. Small, rear wheel drive, 5spd, nice and light.

Those of you with Corollas, is it feasable to get into one for about 1000 bucks?
If so, where the hell do I find one?

Those of you with E30s, I know its possible, Ive priced it out many times and been damn close but its getting tougher and tougher.
Any suggestions on this one?


Any other ideas for a project I am skipping over? I had an S13, well 3 of them and I don't think I want another. I mean, I loved it but just want something different this time.

[Elbow]

I say E30 > Corolla all day long

[Me86Rob]

its gonna be hard to get a corolla for under 1k.
just remember. the corollas are the biggest PITA car ever. if you are going to build one, dont expect some super fast car without $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
and you must have patience with them. but id take an Ae86 over an E30 all day long. i love minez

[Kalifornia087]

I say E30 > Corolla all day long
+1 for this. I love corollas as much as anybody else, but for the money, E30's are where it's at. Period.

[Sport1.3]

Volvo 242 B21 > e30

cheaper
faster
more reliable

[EP3sAreFun]

Mitsubishi Starion, Chrysler Conquest

Turbo 2.6 liter w/ factory LSD. Gobs of Torque. easy to get power from. great community. have a bunch of cool factory features.

If you want one i know i can find a bunch in the southeast
http://images.sportcompactcarweb.com/features/0612_sccp_03z+mitsubishi_starion+right_front_view. jpg

The starion isnt something you can go to a shop and drop money on like a honda. You have to have read the Service manulas(which are available on the net for free) and do your own repairs. But like i said the community is awsome and helps with any problem.

If you have a starion your pretty much immediately every other Starquest owner's friend.

Questions? ask me please

[Blitanicle99]

I know I didn't want another S13 but I found one for a grand. Its a shark nose with a good motor and tranny, stage 2 clutch and 11 lb fly wheel, lowering springs, S14 LSD... Im gonna test drive today

[RomansRotory]

i'd go with the E30....theres tons of the going around and very easy to work on. You drop almost anymotor in it. I mean just with a simple S50 or S52 motor in it intake and exhaust and they are pretty fast. I mean you can even drop a M50 or M52 motor and still be quick.


E30:goodjob:

[roscoe]

i'd def go with the e30. got the chance to drive one when we took it back to the owner after paint. dang quick and hella nimble

[scabtastic]

you wont be able to find a gts corolla for 1k, i spent a good bit more for mine, and just like every old car it's one thing after another, i wish i could get a e30 though, but i still love my corolla

[OnURleft]

E30. Hands down.

[Capt._Ron]

Unless you have at least 10K and the patience of a zen master i would stay away from the corolla. It seems like such a good idea until you actually start trying to build one lol.

[quickdodge®]

As far as I know, both are expensive to get and build up. The Bimmer will be more, though. Plus costly to maintain. Money-wise, you'd be better off with the Toyota. Later, QD.

[2turbo4u]

I like this thread, cause I had almost the same question. I had the Starion,300zx,e30 on my list. All I need to do is sell my car. Someone help me :cry:

[Revmaynard]

I say E30. I've always wanted to boost a M20 with all OEM parts. E block with an I head. The E block is strong and provides more low end tq than the I from what I remember. But with the head swap it provides a lower CR with stock e30 parts.

[Autofab]

BMW e30 all the way!

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k151/Autofab/BMW%20e30/redcarslideinfrontofautofabtrail-1.jpg

[Autofab]

or you can go with the Corolla and just put a BMW motor in it :D

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k151/Autofab/Hatchie%20AE86/100_4741.jpg

[DrivenMind]

I had an 86, but have spent a considerable amount of time behind the wheel of E30s.

E30's are cool, but they're not exactly uncommon.

I'd say an 86 all day long. You simply feel more connected to the car and the road, but you sure as hell aren't going to find a good one for less than a $1000. I paid $2200 for my GTS, put about $1100 into it in after market stuff, and had to sell it for $1500, to the low ball sharks. Of course I saw it on 240 Atlanta like a month later with an asking price of like $2500. I think the kid's name was JJ Alfano or something.

[Blitanicle99]

Damn. Well, the corolla idea was just a fling I guess. I always wanted one.

I LOVE e30s. But they are pretty much impossible to find.

However, I talked to a buddy of mine today and apparently he knows where a RX7 FC is in great shape for cheap. Right in my price range...

Hopefully go look at it later today.

[thomatt12]

I vote for the BMW E30 any time of the day. I remember it was my dream car specifically the M3 E30.

__________________
Battery Brain (http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/shop_brands/battery_brain.html)

[Blitanicle99]

Well updated.

I bought the FC. Love it to death.

[Revmaynard]

Post pics!

[DinanM3atl]

As far as I know, both are expensive to get and build up. The Bimmer will be more, though. Plus costly to maintain. Money-wise, you'd be better off with the Toyota. Later, QD.

That is just dead wrong.

Bimmer will be more? I know of a running e30 for 1700. 1987 325is with 170,000mi. New clutch and basic maintenance.

The e30 will more than likely be CHEAPER to maintain and you can actually drive one till the wheels fall off. Mods are plentiful and not too costly.

If you watch craigslist you will find sub 1,000 dollar e30s and you watch it religiously you can find one that says 'tow away this overpriced piece of shit'... Like I did. 1989 325i for free. Put a crank sensor in it and ran like a champ... Even had a BRAND NEW head on it.

Get an e30. There is a reason they have the cult following they do ;)


To OP you didn't look very hard... There are literally hundreds for sale in the SE in various conditions.

[Thighs]

e30 ftw.

theyre relatively easy cars to work on and VERY reliable. they have more power than ae86 gts AND a better diff. they are better balanced cars and are extremely easy to drive. and parts for them a extremely cheap believe it or not... they are ALOT cheaper than a miata to fix, cheaper to modify too.

for the money, you will be much better off with an e30.