Good morning! To start out this week, I’ve selected two different cars united by a common drivetrain configuration. And it’s a configuration you don’t see very often anymore: a straight six, an automatic transmission, and rear-wheel-drive. But that’s about the only thing these two have in common.
Before we get to those, however, let’s finish up with Friday’s low-mileage Nissan Stanzas. I’m disappointed in myself about Friday’s headline, because it just this minute occurred to me that it should have been “Poetry In Major Motion,” not just “Poetry In Motion.” Can’t believe I didn’t think of that earlier. It’s like when you come up with the perfect one-liner comeback to someone three days after the conversation happened. So annoying.
Anyway, I expected the stickshift wagon version to win, and it did. But really, I think they’re both decent choices. I hope they both make some new owners very happy, and each garner their own share of “wow, I haven’t seen one of those in forever!” comments.
Today we’re looking at cars in sunny Southern California. We’ve got a pair of slowpoke inline sixes with mushy automatics, both for the same price, both of which come from places known for their beer, coincidentally. But which bottle will you set on the roof on a hot day – Bitburger or Leinenkugel’s? Let’s check out the cars and see.
1984 BMW 325e – $2,500
Engine/drivetrain: 2.7 liter overhead cam inline 6, four-speed automatic, RWD
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Odometer reading: stuck at 141,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives, but “needs a lot of work”
I’m about to commit automotive heresy. Ready? Here goes: I don’t understand the hero-worship of the BMW E30 platform. Yes, I have driven a few. Yes, they drive nicely. And yes, I could definitely see the appeal – back when you could buy a nice clean stickshift one for $2,500. This is the first running, driving E30 I’ve seen this cheap in a while, and it’s an undesirable spec, and frankly, a bit of a pile. Yet I fully expect it will sell for this price within a few days. Decent ones sell for three or four times this much, to start. I just don’t get it.
What makes it undesirable, for the uninitiated, is the engine: a low-revving, economy-minded 2.7 liter version of BMW’s otherwise awesome M20 inline six. Built to boost BMW’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy numbers, this engine is about as malaise-y as BMW ever got, just as American engines were climbing out of the doldrums. To add insult to injury, this one is a junior-executive-special automatic transmission model, which is the BMW equivalent of the Fun Police. A manual 325e is OK – not great, but OK – but an automatic is just dull. It does run well, according to the seller, though it needs exhaust work and a new battery.
Speaking of dull, there isn’t a flake of clearcoat left on this car. This sandy-gold color isn’t bad when it’s shiny, but I don’t think this one has been shiny since Bill Clinton was in office. At least it’s a two-door, and the sheetmetal looks straight. I suppose that’s the appeal here: a complete, straight body that can accept any number of more exciting drivetrain options.
We don’t even get any photos of the interior. The seller describes it as “completely wasted,” and “you name it, it’s broken.” That’s as may be, but we’d still like to see it.
1977 AMC Hornet – $2,500
Engine/drivetrain: 258 cubic inch inline 6, three-speed automatic, RWD
Location: Chula Vista, CA
Odometer reading: 79,000 miles
Operational status: Runs and drives, but won’t pass smog
Now we go from the green hills of Bavaria to the green hills of Wisconsin, and turn our attention to another automaker known by three initials: AMC. Kenosha’s favorite son introduced the Hornet in 1970, as a replacement for the Rambler American. The basic design defined AMC’s models for a decade and a half, spawning the Gremlin, the Concord, and the Eagle 4×4 wagon. It was state-of-the-art when it was introduced, but quickly became outdated. By the time Chrysler took over AMC, the Eagle felt positively ancient.
The Hornet is powered by AMC’s venerable inline six, in this case displacing 258 cubic inches, or 4.2 liters, if you prefer. It powers the rear axle through a three-speed “Torque Command” automatic, AMC’s name for the Chrysler Torqueflite transmission. This one runs, but it failed its smog test. Apparently all the smog equipment was removed or plugged up at some point, and needs to be reinstalled or reconnected. I can’t imagine who would yank all that stuff in California, knowing it will be needed to make it legal. The good news is it’s all included, but reassembling everything and getting it past a smog check will be the new owner’s responsibility.
My favorite thing about AMC cars has always been their interiors, and this one is a good example. The bullseye air vents, the plaid upholstery, that weirdly-shaped steering wheel – it’s all so distinctive, and, from what I remember, quite comfortable. That modern stereo below the “Weather Eye” climate controls looks out of place, but it probably sounds a lot better than the original AM/FM/8-track.
Apart from the stereo, it looks very original, right down to the hubcaps. It’s a good looking car; I’m not sure why AMC insisted on all the chrome and landau top nonsense of the later Concords. Oh, and by the way, while a six-cylinder automatic Hornet may not be anyone’s idea of a high-performance machine, it bears remembering that this is the car that pulled off one of the greatest movie stunts of all time.
Both of these cars are going to be pretty pokey. They both clock in at a little over a hundred horsepower, and both are geared for economy rather than acceleration. But speed isn’t everything, as we all know. These are both interesting cars, and $2500 is cheap for an interesting car these days. You just have to choose between Germany and Wisconsin.
(Image credits: Craigslist sellers)
Bitburger is common and BITTER. It’s served in German cinemas. I’ll take Leinenkugel over Bitburger. Offer a good German beer, not their common crap.
I’m in Wisconsin- totally agree!!!
Out here in L.A., any yahoo could (and does) drive a BMW. The AMC Hornet, however…it’s pretty unique. Drop a couple grand on repairs and turn some heads.
Is this shitbox showdown for real? Hmmmm, an expensive to fix sexy BMW , or a homely cheap to fix AMC. Gotta go with the homely one on this battle. The less money you take out of my wallet, the sexier you get as time goes buy! Hornet for me
Bimmer…and I’m surprised more than any other Showdown that it’s not winning! I still love AMC too though
Never much of an E30 fan, so it’s an easy win for the Hornet. The “Veracruz” fabric seats are a bonus.
The Hornet wins this one for me. How can you pass up those hella sweet hubcaps?
That’s a terrible Bimmer and a terrible time to buy an E30. Around here, anyway, we seem to be at some sort of peak-nostalgia for E30’s. All sorts of beautifully restored versions have shown up over the last few years, so these people have to start with something. This one really is sad, though.
The Hornet has that awesome interior and it gets cool points for being a running AMC. The smog aspect is a pain, but I can’t imagine it can’t be figured out. Easy decision to go with the Hornet.
Once you move that hornet out of socal and into any moisture, it will fall apart from rust in a matter of months. I owned a 73 yellow coupe. My dad bought it from my aunt in 81 for $900 and gave it to me for high school graduation. She got rid of it because she lived in Portland Oregon, and it wouldn’t pass an emissions test there unless she had it completely re tuned just before the test and then put back so it could run after it passed. Best quality of the car was its paint! It ended there. I drove it for two years, put a set of radial tires on it and installed a flip up sunroof. Mom re-upholstered the bench seat. Sold it in 84 to a guy up the street for $1200. He gave it to his daughter for hs graduation because he liked the looks of it. I bought a used 82 mustang with the 255 cu in v-8. A story for another day.
I’ll get the Hornet and have it painted green.
Hornet all day, every day, especially in that condition. No smog where I live, and drivetrain upgrade options are plentiful.
I think neither is the answer for me. I definitely don’t want to deal with the smog issue, being in California and having done that dance in the past with the Smog Referee stations. But that BMW is just done. Really, both engine compartments of these cars are begging for a lit Duraflame log and me to just walk away.
If I had to vote for one, it would be the E30. But only (assuming that I don’t have to evict a racoon family) to put the bare minimum into to it to make it presentable and then sell for 3x that price. For some reason, people are going absolutely nuts over these, even the “e” models.
In this case, I’m going with the Hornet over that beat to shit BMW.
The Hornet is a way more interesting vehicle to go slow in. A lot cheaper and easier to fix. This is the kind of plaid I want in my life.
I’m not in California, so the smog check is no concern of me. Anything pre-OBDII is exempt where I live.
yeah the interior sold me on the Hornet
I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating. The first automaker that has the stones to sell me a new crew cab pickup truck, with two plaid bench seats, gets my money.
I wouldn’t be worried about smog, since I would transplant the AMC to NC where no inspection of any kind is needed on cars over 30 years old. Then I would take it to the Mopar Nationals in Columbus and hang out with that cool group of AMC guys that are there every year.
A $2500 Hornet is a cheap car.
A $2500 E30 BMW is not a cheap car.
Kenosha all the way home.
That is a really good way to put it. There is nothing more expensive to own, than a cheap German car.
Not a great year for the Hornet, but also not a great model for the BMW. The Hornet is in much better shape, and it has that lovely interior, so I suppose I’ll go with it. Assuming the 328e has always been a Cali car and is free of rust, it could make a decent engine swap candidate.
I’m all over this Hornet.
My problem?: I come from the faroff land of red/white/blue pavement pounders, Scrambler SC, Rebel Machine, AMX (390 & 401).
The first thing my next-door neighbor did upon his return from Vietnam was head down the street, lay down a stack of cash, and drive off with a royal blue AMX with two fat white stripes running bumper to bumper. 1970.
He rumbled up the street, his mother clutched her pearls, and then he offered 13-year-old me a ride around the block.
So, Hornet.
The BMW is a sh#t spec, but I’ll still pick it if it doesn’t have any rust in the typical E30 spots and use it as swap candidate. I have a friend who swapped an M54B30 into one like this.
Since Illinois doesn’t require any kind of testing on pre-1997 non-OBD-II cars, I have nothing to worry about with the AMC. Plus, that’s my least favorite BMW.
Can you drop a fuel-injected 4.0 and a 4-speed from a Jeep in there? Or maybe a Hellcrate?
You absolutely can drop a 4.0 FI. You can even frankenstein the block and heads between the two engines for an instant “stroker” kit for the Jeep FI motor. There are also V8 swap options galore, both AMC and non-AMC.
My driver’s ed car, minus the ride-along brake pedal! No, i didn’t go to HS in the Black Forest.
Didn’t get to drive outside class, lest the premiums increase on the family car, so two hours per week behind the wheel of the Hornet in evening rush-hour, with three kibitzing classmates in the back seat, and a broken-spirited gym teacher in the passenger seat, were not conducive to appreciating the car’s qualities. Was so happy when an uncle sold me a cheap Honda Passport (Cub).
Knowing now the attention AMC gave to rust-proofing and crash protection, i really wish they’d survived, and avoided Renault and Chrysler.
It’s been awhile, but no one wins this poll. Set both on fire
I had that exact BMW. Uninspiring to say the least. Didn’t handle as well as my 94 Taurus wagon. Hornet for me.
I drove one of those E30s with the miserable economy tuned engines. It was absolutely awful. It felt like driving a normally aspirated B230F unless you buried the pedal in the carpet. Then it was simply tolerable. Ad says it needs a lot of work and I can assure you, unless you plan to do an engine swap, it’s not worth it.
That Hornet would be buckets more fun to drive. So, Hornet.
Having had a Hornet company car back in the day, I would buy this one, pull the engine to sell to someone trying to restore a crapped out Jeep (DT?) then set the rest on fire to purge the memory from my soul.
No longer have e-tests where I live. Maybe drop a new powertrain into the AMC and enjoy a classic.
Ha ha for a second I took that as no e”30″ tests