94-97 particularly.
I've been wanting to get into another E30, but finding a clean, rust-free example is proving difficult, even when trying to spend enough to build two challenge cars.
Since I DD my truck, it will be a weekend/HPDE toy. I do actually want to learn how to properly drive........so of course the Miata seems perfect.
Is there any area of the country where deals are more likely to be had? I'm in Tulsa, but don't mind traveling for the right deal/car.
Any place that gets snow will see dropping prices as Fall progresses. Convertibles are like boats in that regard.
Atlanta. There is no other place in the United States to even consider buying a used car.
When I was looking, I found lots of good candidates in the DC 'burbs and the southeast. The only other good cars all seemed to be on the west coast.
Consider shipping. It's barely more expensive than a fly-and-drive these days when you factor in gas and food.
Even though they seem to get lumped together, the E30 and Miata couldn't feel farther apart to me. I have a complicated but loving relationship with my BMWs. They're very willing partners, but you have to respect them if you want things to last. The Miata is happy to sit around for weeks waiting for you to show up and do absolutely unspeakable acts, then doesn't complain when you set it aside and ignore it all winter.
I have a weird relationship with that little car.
I have a relatively rust free, clean 85 318i
everything's for sale at the right price.
^I said rust-free, not almost rust-free.
z31maniac wrote: ^I said rust-free, not almost rust-free.
Oh yeah, good luck there. 
How much were you willing to spend?
While I had resigned myself to keeping mine and eventually prepping it for STX, the fact it will likely sit unused for another year doesn't sit well either.
$4k at least, more for the right car.
Mine would be more. If you recall, I bought it from a GRM member (Sonic) through a thread on this forum back in early '09. I've done a fair amount of work on it since and not really willing (or need) to take a big loss on it. But it's rust free. - especially for a northeast car with 200k miles. In many ways, it's really too nice to turn it into the autox/ track rat/ hill climb car I want...
See, to me, 'rust free' means the rust doesn't penetrate the body. Surface rust doesn't count. LOL
Love living in New England.
Given that definition, my E30 is rust free. 
Considering Sonic used it as his DD for quite some time when he lived in CT, the lack of rust is amazing. It even came with snow tires. 
The lack of rust is why I bought it and arguably paid a premium for it.
Went through the same process myself, ended up with a Miata. Don't fight the inevitable. 
Ian F, shoot me an email with info if you are truly considering selling it. My screen name @ gmail.com
I'm getting ready to sell my build turbo M20 which will significantly increase my budget.
Like you I struggle with it because I really want two e30s, an HPDE car, then a nice street car that's slammed on a nice set of wheels.
Maybe ill go drive a Miata today, my only experience was A MazdaSpeed Miata I drove a couple years ago. Chassis seemed fun, but was hard to tell with the crappy throttle response.
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