I've been driving a 2006 focus ZX3 S since I bought it new, but after 100k miles I'm thinking about something different. I just picked up a 1990 E30 4 door with 139k miles. I'm thinking about using it to replace the focus. Considerations are fuel economy, interior space, and cost of ownership. Neither car is or will be a project; just daily transportation.
Also, here in minnesota, salt/ice/snow will be a factor.
Thoughts, advice, or stories of your own experience?
BMW's were built for winter, but in MN, they like to rot (as I'm sure you know). I'd say it'd be a lot more fun than a Focus. Don't know much about cost of ownership, but then again, I DD pretty much whatever I feel like finding the keys for.
mndsm wrote: BMW's were built for winter, but in MN, they like to rot (as I'm sure you know). I'd say it'd be a lot more fun than a Focus. Don't know much about cost of ownership, but then again, I DD pretty much whatever I feel like finding the keys for.
Stock for stock I'm not sure that's a true statement. A stock ZX3 is a lot of fun car, I had one for years, the only reason I no longer have it was a momentary lapse of reason in a parking lot resulting in the front end of the car being about 8" too far to the right.
The E30 is a wonderful canvas to play with, but not a dynamic or performance ball of fire stock.
For a DD in a northern state I'll take the FWD car that's 16 years newer every time. Especially if I've had it since new and therefore know it's history.
E30's aren't inherently unreliable, difficult to maintain, or expensive, but neither are Focii. I find oversteer easier to control than understeer in slippery conditions, myself, so I'd go for the E30. Is the E30 a four or six? Mileage and history? Any rust? (If the E30 is already a bit crusty I say sell the Focus and go for it)
My son has a 2000 SE. I knew they were fun little cars before he picked his up, and he added the SVT springs to it, really woke up the handling. Fun car.
I have an 86 325es, and stock it was plenty fun. Springs and 15x7s later it handles better than it did before. I put Euro bumpers on it, very pretty. Also a fun car.
Once the nickle dime stuff is out of the way on the E30 you should be pretty reliable (sort of project-ish?).
As a 1990 four door, I think your car is by definition a 4cyl, which means it wouldn't be as fun as my six, and honestly the torque (and that inline six sound) is what makes the E30 more fun than my son's Focus. But not by that much. E30 looks better IMO.
Depends on what your primary motivation is. If it's fun driving, and your Focus is still stock, throw some springs and wheels on it to wake it up. If you're tired of staring at the Focus dash, go E30.
I would stick with the focus
Age versus rwd fun is what I see.....why not book in the bimmer, but mostly daily the fukus.
pushrod36 wrote: I've been driving a 2006 focus ZX3... I just picked up a 1990 E30 4 door with 139k miles.
Sounds like you already own both.
This is one of those "and" things, not an "or".
(If you must get rid of one, drive both for a couple months and make the decision then.)
OldGray320i wrote: Once the nickle dime stuff is out of the way on the E30 you should be pretty reliable (sort of project-ish?).
After nearly 3 years of E30 ownership, I'm still waiting for this to happen... the reliable part... it's got the "project" part down pat... just sayin...
Yes, I do own both already, but one will have to go. I already have tire-slaying summer only awesomeness in the garage.
Sounds like I basically have to decide how practical I want to be about this. Thanks for the input, guys.
Tire slaying awesome? What is this vehicle? Perchance have I seen it before? (I'm in MN, frequent all kinds of shows and things)
1968 GTO with LS1/T56. I've only got 400 miles on it since the swap, so you probably have not seen it.
Ahhhh, probably not. I'll have to keep a look out for it.
Ian F wrote:OldGray320i wrote: Once the nickle dime stuff is out of the way on the E30 you should be pretty reliable (sort of project-ish?).After nearly 3 years of E30 ownership, I'm still waiting for this to happen... the reliable part... it's got the "project" part down pat... just sayin...
The first couple years took care of all of it; daily'd it for about 3, and only a couple of things kept it off the road. The only reason I'm not DD it now is that I wound up with a new Focus (Long story. Long drive actually is what the story was...).
I am ready to part with it though. Wistfully, but ready.
In reply to OldGray320i:
I have tried to use mine as a back-up DD, but it just won't stay in one piece long enough that I'll trust it anymore. It currently sits in my 2nd driveway where the AAA flat-bed deposited it a few weeks ago. As soon as I get it fixed and cleaned up a bit, the for sale sign goes on. I'm done with it. I will never be so happy to be rid of a car. I've pretty much regretted the purchase since day-one. Maybe regret is too strong a word... disappointed, I suppose. The car has simply never been the fun car everyone says they are. Not fun to work on. Not much fun to drive.
As far as the OP is concerned, I'd take the Focus 100%.
SlickDizzy wrote: I find oversteer easier to control than understeer in slippery conditions, myself...
What? Just pull the hand brake!
jstein77 wrote:SlickDizzy wrote: I find oversteer easier to control than understeer in slippery conditions, myself...What? Just pull the hand brake!
One word. SNOW TIRES oops, that's two words, how about SNOWTIRES
Also I realize everyone on here except me has lightning fast reflexes and skills that shame Fred Alonso and Hammy, let alone the second string drivers like Vettel, but even with your god like talent, other people can still hit you, even though you are all obviously so good you'll never make a mistake, have a lapse of or poor judgment in a critical situation. For a DD I want Air bags, ABS and modern crumple zones. I don’t' care how great a car the E30 is or was, being T boned by an Escalade, I want the Focus 103 times out of 100.
I trust my 1990 E30 4 door, 5sp. (M20) more than my Z3M Coupe for DD.. Couple the E30 with a nice set of Bilstein/HR Springs and add some 15X7 D-Force wheels...... You're good... Just like me...
I've replaced every questionable part known to man on the E30, but its still a "project" ..
Enjoy!
Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts, experience, and advice. Based on comments from you and others, and the sad fuel economy result (19mpg), the focus wins this contest.
I am sure that the car would get better FE in the summer, but the fact is it will be used in the winter, too.
Roommate has a Focus, we have an E30 for the summer months, and I drive a Miata year round.
You want the Focus. More reliable, if only because it is 17 years younger/newer, safer, better fuel economy, better in the snow (tires being equal--and no, I've never driven an E30 in the snow, but I do have extensive experience with an E34 and a Miata, I think I can make a good assumption on this one), and it will be less susceptible to salt rot. Or it will be less of a tragedy anyways.
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