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.