Winter beater, peugeot 205 GTI,bmw E30 325 or Cadillac STS ?

I’d go with the e30 325. It’s a solid, reliable car, and most importantly for winter rwd! V6 sounds great, and from the owners I know just requires regular oil checks to keep it in top condition.

205 Gtis are fantastic cars and can be great fun on tight twisty roads, but you’ll probably have difficulty finding one that isn’t falling apart, and when you do chances are the seller will want stupid money.

Sadly I don’t know anything about the Cadillac to comment.

Just my opinion though

Regards

Martin

 

oh yeah, it's a straight 6 isn't it, my bad! Fantastic cars though, can't go wrong with an e30

 

My brother used to have an E30 325 sedan that wore its age remarkably well. If you want a used car that looks and drives new, you may have your car. Unfortunately, it was a complete lemon in every sense of the word. The car had endless gearbox, vaccum, and electrical problems. It was on a tow truck a great many times, and after dumping thousands into repairing it, he eventually sold it for less than he paid for it.

I wouldn't advise buying an E30 325. However, I did like the car (apart from the engine) when it was working properly, so if you are willing to put up with the repairs and breakdowns, I believe it may be a good bet.

I've heard negative things about the reliability of the Cadillac STS, but I have no firsthand experience. I know nothing about the Peugeot.

 

Gallardo, it is AWD afterall

 

I would probably get the STS, just as I vaguely remember the E30 not doing so hot in accidents...

 

STS

 

I daily drive an E30 325, I love the car to death. Its great on gas, never let me down, and handles great.

 

I would suggest staying away from the E30 325 as a winter car - it is fun to drive and handles great due to low weight, but the fact it's so light and RWD makes it a very poor car in the snow. I had to put bags of salt and cinderblocks in the trunk to give it enough weight over the wheels as to not be too slippy, but it is not confidence inspiring in incliment weather.

 

My 325 has over 210,000 miles on it and I drive it daily. Never had the head off, still get 27 mpg on the highway and use less than a quart of oil in between oil changes.

Handles great. Just watch the rear a little on the slick stuff and anticipate the movement and you will be all right. It you want good traction, go for the 325iX, the AWD car. I had one back in the late 80's and could go anywhere reasonable.

 

I had a 2003 STS.

The car was bullet proof and phenomenal in foul weather (snow, ice, rain,).

It is by far, the best FWD car I have ever driven. I actually prefer the styling of that car as opposed to the new STS.

 

For $2500, how can you go wrong. They are a lot of fun to drive stock. With a few mods they can really make you grin for what you will spend. The E30 is pretty easy to work on yourself. Just go get a shop manual at Auto Zone, O'Reilly's or another parts store or whatever kind of auto related store you might find in Sweden and read it. Lots of pictures to help you along the way.

Mine is still rock solid 20 years later and I feel very safe in it. It does not surprise me with unexpected moves. Though not fast in todays terms, it will run up well and run all day long at 80-100 mph and feel very confident doing it.

Can you tell I am biased toward the E30?????

 

The e39 540 I drive now is not a good winter car, too long with the ASC kicking too much for too long making it very slow going around turns in show and going up steep hills with turns is a nightmare. Best winter tires I could find doesn't seem to help much.

I just turn ASC off and rally it around turns, much faster and more fun.

 

E34

E30s were not particularly safe cars...

 

I thought STSs were RWD, while DTSs were FWD?

 

STS and DTS are front I believe, it was the CTS that is RWD