Need a daily driver for a 26 mile each way commute. It is on mostly divided highway, pretty straight forward.
1990 Honda Civic CRX HF
- Already Own It
- *EVERYTHING* on it is new or replaced [except the head gasket, not a known weak point]. 160k on it
- Two sets of rims tires (Summer and Winter)
- FWD open differential (eh... )
- 44mpg driving it with spirit
- No ABS, no Airbag, ~1930lbs + driver
1991 BMW 318IS
- About $3000 to get into a decent one (looking at one with 120k this weekend)
- RWD, LSD
- Classier
- Estimated 34mpg aiming for mpg
- Probably more cost for upkeep, and I will want a set of rims and tires for winter, + any missing maintenance (est $1000)
- SAFER (ABS, front airbag)
So, as a 25-30 year old male, recently married, I am fine driving the CRX back and forth to work (Wife is in a W203 C230 Sports Coupe Kompressor, also mine). However, both her (and my mother, ha) pine for me to be in something safer...
I somewhat agree, but the CRX is very nimble, and it's completely ready to go, and I won't get my $$ back out of it (about $3500 into it, so not bad). Could let it go and get ~$1500 is my estimate with everything.
BMW E30 is safer, classier (I do not like the 'kid' connection with the CRX), and RWD and LSD is nice. A set of snows and being careful, it's fine for winter. ABS is okay too, I can live with or without it. Airbag is a gen1, and I always wear my seatbelt and maintain 12-14'' from the steering wheel.
Thoughts? What would you do? I can afford to buy the E30 and keep the CRX... but why? Around town grocery getter? Track toy (motor swap/etc), except I have no TIME (apartment living too) to have a track toy... I'd probably moth-ball it (store it somewhere free).
Input welcome.
p3