987S? Z4 35i? Something else?

[Dave200]

With a budget of about £14k I'm looking for something that can do touring, Nurburgring trips and 2-3 trackdays a year. The slightly tricky part is that I'm a bit taller and girthier than the average bear, so lightweights and small sports cars are out of the question. I'd really like a RWD car, and I'd really like a convertible that's civilized enough to do a few hundred motorway miles in a day. I did have a look at a 370Z the other day, but lack of steering adjustment left me in the most uncomfortable driving position I could imagine. I don't fit in an S2000 or Z4M, and I'd ideally like something that's new enough to qualify for clean air zones. The Boxster seems the obvious choice, and the Z4 35i is the newer, slightly less pointy and more grunty alternative. I don't think there's anything else out there that can answer this question, but keen to hear from people who've experienced both or who can suggest something else.

Edited by Dave200 on Monday 29th April 12:04

[Dave200]

Om said:

I think the Boxster is probably the best option barring the 370z.

I have a flappy paddle 370z and the lack of reach adjustment there isn't an issue for me, though I can imagine it could cause problems in the manual.

I also have a Cayman 987 2.7 and that is really good on long runs plus has plenty of storage space. Plus when you want to have fun it is more than capable.

The only other thing beyond the Z4 that springs to mind is the SLK. Not so much an out and out drivers/fun car (though I am not sure the Z4 is either) but ticks a lot of other boxes.

Boxster is still probably the pick.

It's a bit of a barren wasteland at my budget, to be honest. The SLK is rubbish to drive, and has a Fisher Price interior, so that's out of the question. I think I'm probably just going to bite the bullet and become a Porsche owner. The biggest problem with the 370Z is that the designers don't seem to have factored in that tall people need to sit back from the wheel and don't all have arms like apes. I actually have relatively long arms, but to get my legs in a comfortable position where they weren't hitting the wheel, meant moving my seat all the way back. This left me not having enough height adjustment on the wheel to clear my knees and needing to have almost completely straight arms to sit against the backrest. Such a massive ergonomic fail from a big company.

[Dave200]

Jamescrs said:

I’m 6ft4 so I have some experience in this area, I was playing with a smaller budget of about 7k when I did it and I tried the 350Z, 986 Boxster and an older shape Z4.

350Z was horrible for me I couldn’t get comfortable which was a shame as in paper I preferred it.

Z4 and 986 were both comfortable for me and I could have driven either happily, I went for the 986 because I already owned a BMW.

I’ve since sold my 986 again but aside of the hassle getting in and out which is a pain as a tall man I was very comfortable in it, mine went to Spa and the Nurburgring and did laps on both with no issue. If I had the choice again I’d probably go BMW, Porsche running costs even at specialists make BMW look positively reasonable.

The running costs thing is in the back of my mind too, particularly if it's going to get used on track. Perhaps there's no perfect car in this scenario?

[Dave200]

maz8062 said:

I’m biased because I’ve got one - SLK 55 AMG. It’ll do the cruising all day long, you’ll fit in it, it’s reliable and £14k will get you into one. Ok it won’t be as good as the Boxster on track and they can be juicy if you’re flooring it everywhere that you go, but for drama, comfort and reliability there really isn’t much else out there that can compete in my view.

I considered a Z4m coupe, a 987.2 S Boxster and a 370z before buying the V8. It’s not for everyone granted but once you hear that V8 you’ll be hooked, and it scares me every time I floor it even though it’s got a Quaife and semi slick rear tyres. It’s a beast.

Good luck

Edited by maz8062 on Tuesday 30th April 07:31

Edited by maz8062 on Tuesday 30th April 08:35

The interior quality and autobox put me off the SLK sadly, and they are right at the tippy top of my budget.

[Dave200]

SFTWend said:

It's a shame about the age criteria asi think a TVR Chim would suit you very well.

They are very reliable if well maintained, the car club is brilliant and you would have lots for company on trips to Le Mans etc.

A good mate has one, and I've actually done the Le Mans trip as a passenger. The seats are comfortable and the driver gets plenty of legroom, but the noise levels and lack of cruise control would probably tip me over the edge on a long run.