E30's are some of the best (imo) first cars you can buy in an "all around" point of view.
You get sports car feel, a quality and solid construction, not TOO expensive repairs (nothing like a VW), you get RWD and get to learn how to drive a RWD vehicle (much different than FWD!!), etc.
Plus they aren't TOO bad to work on.... atleast, not compared to a few other cars out there...hehe.