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I agree on the look, very classic and has aged well. I especially like the later style with the body colored bumpers.
I've had mine for about 6 months, and actually traded an '86 9kT for it (my '87 Turbo isn't going anywhere though). Objectively, compared it to the 9k, it's much smaller, has tiny back seats, a small trunk without fold down seats, gets worse fuel economy, has somewhat lower handling limits (mostly due to the little 14" wheels and tires I imagine), isn't quite as quick once up to speed, and is a little darty at high speeds.
That said, it's a really pleasant car to drive! Rear wheel drive is great and I do occasionally enjoy getting her a little sideways. The engine is a blast. Lots of low end torque for putting around town, a little weak in the midrange, but it loves to scream towards the redline and makes great inline six noises doing it. The transmission feels strong with good synchros but the shifter (at least on mine) is vague and awkward, the biggest dynamic flaw in the car in my opinion.
At 242k the paint and interior have held up very well, but it does have the starts of that damn e30 rust, despite being in NC most of its life. I get a lot of complements on the car, about as many as anyone could expect for a ~$1k vehicle. The Saab takes a little while longer to win people over. The engine has a weird knocking sound when cold (piston slap is the best I can come up with, but not a good sign!). I haven’t had to do any repairs on it yet. The engine does need periodic valve adjustments, has a timing belt, and probably won't last as absurdly long as a Saab engine, otherwise it doesn’t seem like a very high maintenance car to me (but then my frame of reference is the 9k, not a Honda).
All in all, I prefer the e30 for commuting and driving around town and the 9k for long drives, the highway, or anything where practicality is called for. I like the e30, but if I could only have one, it would have to be the 9k!
Craig
’87 9kT 291k
’90 325i 242k
posted by 65.114.26...
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