This is local to me. I currently have no need for another vehicle, but this is calling to me a little. What's the skinny on these AWD E30's. Could this be driven for a few months and sold for a profit in a different market?
http://boise.craigslist.org/cto/4772724005.html
I've owned three of them, they're great little cars and unstoppable in the snow. Of course, that's assuming the car is in good condition mechanically. The car looks pretty good in the first two pictures, although the other pictures belong in the Craigslist Hall of Shame. 
Besides the AWD bits, for the most part they are like any other e30 - look for rust, make sure the timing belt is good and/or replace it right away, etc. If it checks out I think the price is good.
Make sure the viscous coupling in the transfer case is in good shape. You'll still have AWD even if it's busted but it won't quite work as intended.
I liked mine
The transfer case is the weak link. They break often and are pricey.
Also, some of the suspension parts (front?) are $pecial to that car.
Transfer cases mainly break if they've been allowed to have the fluid leak out, which is apparently not that uncommon. There are a bunch of people who run them in turbo'd cars and they seem to survive OK.
IIRC the transfer case is something like $2500 from Pelican, so not exactly what you'd call cheap.
The rear of the car is the same as any other E30, except they got a viscous rear diff instead of a clutch type or open. I believe manuals were 3.91 and autos were 4.10.
The front is very, very different. Struts, strut mounts, and even the strut tower location are different. I think the control arms might also be different, and they have a taller ride height. The engine is very similar, but the oil pan is different and has a passthrough for the front axle and diff. Trans mount is different. I can't remember for sure, but there is something weird like the oil pan that also spins the opposite of a normal E30. I don't know if that's what it was, but there is something odd like that. Obviously they have driveshafts and such going to the front. The front diff is open, the center is viscous, and the couplings are non-replaceable. The ABS is different and has a different calibration. The AWD system is very robust, but suffers from a lack of spline engagement on the front propshaft, which can be remedied with a spacer. This eventually results in sheared splines. Leaks are somewhat common and can also cause tcase failures. When set up and maintained properly, though, they can can take a lot of abuse.
had an auto one. Was hands down the best car i've ever driven in snow.
The auto sucked the life out of the car the other 98% of the time though. If you're in the market that seems like an excellent deal for a manual one. And if I were to ever own one again, it would have to be manual.
The front lip is usually busted or gone, and they are pretty desirable parts because of that. Even looks like that paint might buff out well.
As far as checking the center diff splines and coupling, drive round and round in really tight circles (like steering lock) and listen for clicking. Clicking would likely be bad splines. Probably the easiest test without lifting the car.
rcutclif wrote: The auto sucked the life out of the car the other 98% of the time though. If you're in the market that seems like an excellent deal for a manual one. And if I were to ever own one again, it would have to be manual.
One of mine was an automatic as well, and I agree. It was a good little car but it was s-l-o-w. A manual transmission in an iX is the only way to go.
M20's do enjoy boost. Heavy front end that likes to push compared to normal e30's.
Don't think you could sell it for more anywhere else, that seems pretty typical.
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