E30/36/46 3-series would be my choice. Tons of aftermarket, great designs (IMO).

Definitely an E36 M3, wish I still had mine.

E36 M3 is the one for sure

i own a f30 335i 6mt, and it’s a blast, but it has me wondering about e36 M3s. why’d you sell? they seem to be the perfect blend of driving dynamics, no frills interiors (I don’t need a screen or high tech), & garage mechanic friendly.

Got rear ended 😞 Replaced it with a 2016 M235i

Pretty close to a spiritual successor, at least compared to the modern 3 series.

After driving several models, this one felt closest in a modern sense.

Its not too Sporty but i bought a e39 5-Series

Loved my 540i 6sp. Very fun car

540i is really nice my budget only was for a 523i touring 5 speed auto

Oh the wagons have always had a soft spot in my heart. There’s always a bigger fish but the e39 is such a timeless car imo. Enjoy it!

Yeah i bought it because it was dirt cheap and i always had a soft Spot for them but sadly it needs alot of fixing before its allowed back on the road. The ABS sensor is broken and the jacking point is completly rusted away.

Hey some e39 is better than what I got now which is no e39 lol consider me jealous

Thats true i really cant wait to get it back on the road i have driven it a few meters and loved it

They're so close to the perfect car in my eyes. Very jealous.

I still have a soft spot for the E39. It’s one of my most favorite designs ever so a few years ago I bought a 2001 540i with all maintenance history and was so excited to restore and drive this beauty. Well I ended up spending over $10k in repairs over 18 months and it was an absolute nightmare to own even though it was so incredible to drive when it worked. High mileage, big engine, automatic German cars absolutely do not mix well. I say never again, yet when I see an M5 I start thinking again…

Im really interested to see how much i have to spend on it. The good thing is here in germany most parts are dirt cheap for it. Mine has 211k miles on it and also a 5 speed automatic.

Had one with sport package, BBS basketweaves, sits a bit lower too. Sweet looking car. 98 528i. Not a powerhouse but smooth, sporty and got 28mpg on the freeway. Great handling without a punishing ride too.

Id love to have these bbs rims but damn they are expensive. A good set of them costs more than what i paid for the whole car

they were gorgeous, especially that big polished lip. But the fronts would always show brake dust pretty quickly on that same lip, and they were kind of a bitch to clean! My wife has a Cayenne with the RS spyder design wheels, someone told me they didn’t want those because of how difficult they would be clean, but after having those basketweaves on that old BMW, nothing is that hard! Ha ha

Definitely far into luxo-barge territory. Even E39 M5s feel pretty bad when pushed hard due to the steering box instead of a steering rack. The I6 E39s feel much more sporting, even if they are slower and weren’t positioned that way in the lineup. I’ve owned both an I6 and V8 E39, and the I6 is simply a better car in everything but straight performance. An E36 M3 is way better for a fun classic tho.

I own the 523i but i agree it isnt the Sportiest still fun to drive though

There are different levels of sportiness for sure. An E39 with an M52 or M54, sport package, and 17” wheels feels pretty good to toss around for what it is. My 540i M-Sport just never felt good, even after tossing some E39 M5 parts on like the rear swaybar and steering box. Felt like a slightly slower M5… which is to say kinda sucked in corners.

The e39 always was a luxury barge that could handle curvy roads and you notice it. It loves autobahn driving alot more

R129 gen SL500. In my opinion it is one of the finest automobiles ever made. Or alternatively a VW Corrado SLC. I just think those things are cool as fuck.

Agreed. Or the r107 for a more classic look.

Phenomenal car. Though I don’t know if they’re great on fuel.

Saab 900 SPG if you can find one

Imposssssible to find (please don’t look)

I own a 1998 Lotus Elise, if not that a Mk2 Golf GTi 16v or maybe Mk1 Sirroco.

16v is a great option here but from my experience so hard to find!

"classic 80s-90s-00s sporty euro... cheap, reliable, not fuel slurping, sporty (150-250/300hps)" Those things don't go together. That said, I'd get a BMW E36 Compact.

>Those things don't go together Exactly what I was thinking lol I have an e39 and e24. Both need wrenching periodically, Both of them slurp the fuel. Both of them were reasonably cheap though :D

Any Peugeot with the ES9 V6 engine. It is sooooo underrated. The V6 crowd is glorifying the Alfa Busso, the classic-French crowd is all about the PRV6, so you got a gap in between that neither party discovered yet - hence the 605, XM and 406 V6 sell for peanuts.

Well now i want to try one. V6 busso deserves the love it gets imo, but now im really curious about the Peugeot engine

[удалено]

Fuel sipping is an understatement and damn is it fun to drive fast 😂 I have an 84. No where near 250-300hp tho. Couldn’t imagine that car with a built 1.8t

BMW M3 E36

Probably something like a Mercedes SL320 (R129) shape.

Agreed! The sl320 even came as a manual (if you’re lucky enough to find one!)

Gen 1 BMW M Coupe

E36 328i

Volvo V70r

VR6 GTI

900 Turbo

100%, but not a NG 900

Oh I didn’t think that needed clarified. Of course a pre 1994

Ha! Yeah I’ve owned both and I’m sure you know the OG 900 is where it’s at

Volvo S60/V70 R

Finally people with reason.

Something small like a Triumph TR7 or a Fiat 124 spider. Or a little bigger in an E21 BMW maybe.

Me personally, I'm all about rally heritage when it comes to euro cars, so I'd probably go for an Audi Quattro or a Lancia Delta Integrale

Not really reliable or cheap lol

BMW E30 or Mercedes W123 sedan in Schwarz or dark blue. I don’t care about the sportiness but rather how it looks

Mercedes 190-E

Define cheap. For some people that's 50k, for others that's 5k. Throwing my hat in the ring for something unique, I would look for a Fiat x1/9. But really you'd be best off with a miata depending on whether or not you like to work on the vehicle to keep it running.

I purposefully left details out so people could have a wide range to choose from (since it is a hypothetical question, I'm not looking to buy as of right now), but I'd say I consider cheap anything below 20 maybe 25k

Reliable, cheap, not thirsty and sporty? Tough one. But all of these could be relatively thirsty for European standards. Audi A4 B5 Quattro 2.8, Saab 9-5 2.3T Aero 2004, any VW with VR6 engine, Volvo S80 T5. Volvo and Saab are fast cruisers, not very keen on bends If you can consider diesels sporty, then many options appear, like BMW 530d E39 or pretty much any VAG with 1.9 TDI(but those wouldn't be very classic). And then there are ones that are not very reliable in particular, but also not too shit either. Renault Clio 182, Ford Puma 1.7, Ford Focus ST170.

Porsche 928 Porsche 944 (Turbo if possible) Porsche 968 Porsche Boxter Volvo 850R or S70R (I’d get the wagon) Volvo 240 Audi A4 or S4 if you can afford it. BMW z3/4 Mercedes SL - any R107 or R129 model with bonus points for the 450SL, 500SL or 600SL — but those are heavy on fuel. Mercedes 500E Alfa Romeo Spider

Mercedes Gullwing

I'd try to find a mid 90s Jaguar XJ6 or Vanden Plas. Time has really show that period to be great, reliable cars. I'd definitely do my own maintenance though.

DeTomaso Pantera

Citroen DS…

🤤

BMW with an I6 and manual transmission, I wouldn’t touch anything else with a 20 foot pole.

1995 855 t5r in canary yellow.

Jaguar Series III XJ6.

Something French.

Renault 5 Maxi no doubt

If I could get one (Or the same one I had) the very few produced Saab 9000 CD Carlsson with the 2.0 litre engine, no cat, and full Garrett turbo. That exact specification only numbered about ten. The rest were the CSE 2.3. Or another Swede (If money was no object) Volvo V70 R. Not to buy, but to maintain!

A red Lancia Delta Integrale 🤩

I don't think you're gonna find a car that matches all that criteria, especially the reliable part.

Saab 9-3 og Aero. Fun car, relatively reliable as well as economical, and actually a pretty decent car allround.

Austin Martin

Buy as much 911 as you can afford

911

E34 535

Bmw M5 E34, BMW 8 E31, Alfa Romeo GTV

BMW 6 Series E24. Black. Probably one from around 76 - 78.

What's your budget? Can you diy any of the maintenance?

It's more of a hypothetical question since I'm not in the market to buy at the moment, but the budget would be around 20k and about the experience I've only had vehicles that required very basic stuff like oil changes but I wouldn't mind getting my hands dirty on not too elaborate things

Mercedes 380sl/560sl. Ride in style.

I would get a xantia activa.

VW Corrado.

Many but a Mercedes 450SEL 6.9 or a 560 SEC are up there for me

Saab 900 or BMW e30 for chill euro-vibes with easy to find parts. If you can find a well-maintained e28 BMW 535i, they are wonderful to drive too. The Busso V6 in the Alfa 155 is a symphony of great sounds but, depending where you live, you may be hard pressed to find a mechanic to work on it.

You included 2000s. Pass me a C-300 done up to look like the AMG Black Edition Brabus.... Otherwise, pass me the 1996 first generation Cayman. Since it's an older car, and you want it sporty, white or silver with a racing stripe, nice alloys, and some caliper covers. Keep everything stock, should be a nice car to drive around.

I always liked the simplicity of those 80's BMWs. I really want a 635CSI, but the prices for decent ones are out of control now. I guess I'd probably get an E28 535i.

Mk2 golf gti

My fav classics: BMW 325 and any 911.

80s and 90s would be a 911 00s would be BMW M5

E31 8 series is an all timer for me. Not really cheap in manual form but they’re gorgeous

Gods Chariot is the only choice.

The Renault twingo!

Saab og900 personally looking for one right now

Porsche Boxster, or 911 996 e36 m3 z3 2.8, z3M r129 sl500 Lotus Elise Caterham 7 TVRs The first, handbuilt 6cyl M5, can't remember the e## Alfa GTV6 Peugeot 205gti

Renault Alpine A610 GTA absolutely gorgeous car

probably one of those rectangle volvos

Get a BMW E30 325is.

1980 mercedes benz 300td. Bulletproof engines and nice ride.

https://www.nettiauto.com/bmw-alpina/b3/13819736 There is a e36

LCI E46 330i/E39 530i or LCI E90 328i/E60 528i

An alpine a310 for me or an Alfa Montreal if budget allows

Clio williams/16v VW corrado ideally a G60 or VR6 BMW 3 series FIAT Coupe 20v T

I plan on getting a 2006 Volvo V70R in the next 2 years. I've had 3 Volvos so far and I have decided that the P2 platform is my favorite. It'll either be that or a manual swapped and tuned 2006 Volvo V70 2.5t

Quattro cinco cinco seis, or a Scirocco.

Audi 80 2.0 115hp

Mercedes 190e 2.6 (Sportline if you can find it) or 2.3-16 Cosworth (if you can find one that isn’t 20k+)

Mercedes E55 AMG

210 or 211?

211

Jag stype

E30 M3, E36 M3, E46 M3, and E39 M5. This one’s more in the modern time period than those, but also E90 M3 (the sedan) and the 1M.

Any classic car in your required years may have half of the original hp due to parts aging. Any classic car in your required years having original hp today may have doubled even tripled price than the original msrp, at least around the original msrp. Just take a look at E92 M3. I hate myself for not buying it before Covid, it was just around $20k-ish in the US. Nowadays, the majority of them are around $40k. Those priced $30 worth under $20k a few years ago.

Money no object, f40. As it'll appreciate the expensive servicing will probably balance out. A gamble bit has the potential to be a cheap longterm vehicle. I'd probably lean to an e36 or e46 3 series or vw golf though.

I was able to pick up a really cheap e36 325is (auto but that’s pretty fixable for cheap) for like $1000 that had been in a minor fender bender (just bent the hood and grill eyebrow thing). Interior is fine and everything works, engine sounds great. Could use a little tlc with the hood and maybe the valve cover gasket but for ~$1000 you can’t go wrong.

An old Porsche 

Like a 944/928?

924/944/968 are all pretty reliable as long as you keep up with the maintenance. Also decent on gas and are known as good driver's cars. I've had a 968 for the past 12 years. I do all the wrenching on it myself.

Ye 968 is a solid car.

Or even a 968

Depending on your market, cheap, reliable, and fuel efficient doesn’t exist. The E36 is probably the safest bet though. Relatively cheap, and while not all that reliable, still has parts availability.

Nissan 300zX

Volvo 242 with an LS swap

Nah, go 780 coupe. Far less known, and IMO, much more gracefully designed. Quintessentially Volvo, but with a dash of Maserati tourer thrown in

928

300 hp but not fuel slurping?

Obviously fuel consumption correlated to power, in terms of no American style 4 km/L at 150 hps

if resto-mods are allowed then it's the Totem GT Super. OMFG!!!!! If you haven't seen it, do yourselves a favour and have a look!

E39 m5..964 turbo…

Boxster is a fun time

id only be buying a euro to repower it. like a 2000 C200 MB but kick the tiny engine to kerb and use a twin turbo LS. maybe a porche cayman: because no one wants the boxter with a roof.

Mid 80s Aston Martin V8

Whatever looks cool and in my price range?

Volvo 940 Turbo. Not very sporty, but at least RWD and 165/190hp in a reasonably light car. Without having owned any 90s BMW etc, propably much more reliable. Fuel consumption is reasonable for a large 90s sedan/wagon.

For me, it's an old British roadster. I want a spitfire or a mg pretty badly. Would more than likely yank the existing drivetrain and update to something more modern.

I still think of classic Euros as being 70s in which case I already own a few of those, but I just bought a 944 which I think fits your bill. For some of the other answers. I've owned a few E30s and like them, but the 944 is a better car sports car IMO. E36s all tend to be shitpiles at the moment, except for E36 M3s which don't seem to be great values when you can get an M coupe or E46 M3 for not too much more. So if we're defining "cheap" as under **$25K** as some seem to be I'd do (in no particular order, prices +/-): E36/8 M or Z3 Coupe E46 M3 996 Boxster/Cayman 968 MK1 Scirocco Under **$15K**: 944 Turbo Corrado VR6 2002 (70s car, but whatevs) GTI 16V MK1/2TT Under **$10K** (+/-) Saab Viggen MK1 TT 944 or 944S E46 325/328/330 MK5/6 GTI

E28 M5 E39 540i msport 911 964 cab BMW M Coupe E500 (I can’t remember the release, I want to say sledgehammer, but I doubt that is correct) E190 cosworth GTI MK1 Mini MK2 with the copper treatment (I think that’s right - rolling not sliding windows) That’s all that would be on my wishlist that is what I consider “attainable” - both by price but also they exist in the US (though that sledgehammer is rare as hens teeth - I just wanted it on the list)

One of the three cars that I owned during those years. Audi GT Coupe Saab 900 Porsche 944. Except for electrical switches for the Audi and exhaust system for the Saab, they were very reliable cars.

I think 80s/90s Alfa Romeo spiders are an amazing value. Pretty simple, parts easily available, super fun On the newer side I think e82 1 series would be great. n/a or turbo 6cyl, coupe or convertible really that and the z4 were the last n/a 6 BMWs

VW Phaeton W12. Heard those are super reliable

Wish I still had my e30. Bullet proof.

I have had an Alfa Romeo GTV6 for 5 years now and there is nothing else I could replace it with for the same money. Except maybe a Fiat X1/9. But then I couldn’t bring both my kids with me for fun drives. So I guess I will just have to keep the Alfa and get a Fiat to keep it company!

Audi Quattro Coupe

Honda type r

Alpina b11

Always wanted the Renault Clio with the engine in the back. Also Wiseman or TVR.

964 Carrera 👌🏼 any flavor

Mercedes 190E 2.5 16V or Volvo 240/740 Turbo. If you're willing to give up some sportiness, you can also get R129 SL500s for what I think is a good deal (10k-20k).

Probably a BMW Z3 with the straight 6. Reliable, cheap and relatively abundant parts, easy to service, good driving dynamics, plus that sweet exhaust note. It's the one roadster I have a bit of a craving for.

Miata G184

Cheap, reliable, sporty?... You can't have all 3

Mazda MX-5 is all of those, they're getting expensive to buy though. It'll luckily not depreciate though, maybe even gain value

Not 300hp Miata though

300 HP's wouldn't be the target, it was just to give a range that would allow people to include cars like some 2000s BMWs like the 335