Downgrade or give up?
Discussion
cerb4.5lee said:
I'm like that and since I've had the N52 engine it's made me appreciate a V6 engine far more, and the straight six just doesn't really deliver noise wise.
Really sorry to hear about the woes with the Z4 because I know at first you were really happy with it.
Yeah I'm with you on the V6 noise. I've come to the conclusion that, for me, V6s sound much better than a straight 6. I guess the latter howl better, but otherwise, not much competition.Really sorry to hear about the woes with the Z4 because I know at first you were really happy with it.
I was really happy with it mate, I had actually planned on it being a keeper, but I can't shake the feeling its not worth the expense I anticipate with everything else coming up.
I feel like I still want to have fun in cars, but my attitude and circumstances have changed. Probably the most fun I've had was in my old MX5 (a relatively slow car) with the roof down
TameRacingDriver said:
cerb4.5lee said:
I'm like that and since I've had the N52 engine it's made me appreciate a V6 engine far more, and the straight six just doesn't really deliver noise wise.
Really sorry to hear about the woes with the Z4 because I know at first you were really happy with it.
Yeah I'm with you on the V6 noise. I've come to the conclusion that, for me, V6s sound much better than a straight 6. I guess the latter howl better, but otherwise, not much competition.Really sorry to hear about the woes with the Z4 because I know at first you were really happy with it.
I was really happy with it mate, I had actually planned on it being a keeper, but I can't shake the feeling its not worth the expense I anticipate with everything else coming up.
I feel like I still want to have fun in cars, but my attitude and circumstances have changed. Probably the most fun I've had was in my old MX5 (a relatively slow car) with the roof down
V8RX7 said:
Obvious PH choices that won't break the bank:
Puma 1.7
Swift 1.5
Clio 172/182
E36 328
E46 328 (not 330 as the throttle is crap)
Forester XT (I have one and don't rate it)
MR2 MK2 or 3 (I have a modified V6 MR2 and it's fantastic)
Cheers. I have owned the Puma, E36 and E46 328 and a Clio 172 Mk1 and 182 Mk2. You're not selling the Forester to me Puma 1.7
Swift 1.5
Clio 172/182
E36 328
E46 328 (not 330 as the throttle is crap)
Forester XT (I have one and don't rate it)
MR2 MK2 or 3 (I have a modified V6 MR2 and it's fantastic)
I'd probably rather a Swift Sport than a 1.5. That leaves the MR2 (is this a sign?)greenarrow said:
I bought an old Mk2 MX-5 last year for £1200 and it really has been the most fun car I've owned. If you want something fun, but not particularly fast, but which you can extract all the performance without upsetting other road users, its hard to beat. I run mine as a second car and its so easy to live with. Bulletproof mechanicals, just the a=hem rust that is the problem! I know its a very predictable choice, but for good reason!
Yeah you're not wrong but as I've already had 2 MX5s I would probably go for the MR2 Roadster for this reason; I've also had an MR2, a Turbo Mk2 but the Mk3 is a completely different proposition.TameRacingDriver said:
CrouchingWayne said:
What issues do you have with the Z4?
Main one is the gearbox. Its started to go haywire. Its the auto. Its fine in drive, but in Sports mode or manual it intermittently starts to go mental. I've already had the car and gearbox serviced recently and it's not helped. That's not the only issue by any stretch though, but its the main one.*Al* said:
Is it a software issue? They can require updates.
Dunno Al, but I dont get why it would be OK for the last 10 months but then give me the hassle it has. I've had the gearbox serviced and have disconnected the battery, but it has not helped. I honestly can't see it being a cheap fix and I have other issues demanding attention after that.... 
DickP said:
As someone said before, why not a quick hatch like an RS Clio? Keeps some practicality if you're buying a house too!
Even though I have not had the greatest of luck with Renault, the one I'd seriously consider is the original 172 Cup. Lightest, best PWR, and cheapest to look after, but I dont see many around now. If theres one thing I did like about them it was that the most compliant versions soaked up imperfections in the road.TameRacingDriver said:
Has anyone been here before? Any advice? Cheers.
You have! Is it not the case that you chopped the Clio in after spending loads of money on it? Did the 350Z not go because it was expensive to run? You probably know as well as anyone what the costs of chucking a car for a cheaper one are. If the Z4 were a manual I'd have urged you to fix it, but I struggle be similarly enthused for an automatic. As for traffic around here, Newcastle can be an irritation at rush hour and the constant road works are s
t, but it's nowhere near as bad here as it is down South! If I were you, I'd be tempted to get a motorbike. Buy a cheap runner for commuting and get a nice bike for having fun on. A little money goes a long way with bikes, they're more fun than cars and you can avoid riding it and piling the miles on for every day stuff. You're not far from some of the best biking roads in the country, and it could finally be the change you need to break your cycle of car buying!
Not read the thread after the first post so excuse me if this isnt what you are looking for but why not a E46 of a 328/330i variety? Coupe,saloon,touring or convertible so all body styles covered.
I have a estate e46 330i which I paid £400 for. About £300 later it had a mot and a set of coilovers (chinese stuff to replace 4 shagged shocks and 2 snapped springs). Its not exactly a sports car but it is still fun to drive on the twistys.
I have a estate e46 330i which I paid £400 for. About £300 later it had a mot and a set of coilovers (chinese stuff to replace 4 shagged shocks and 2 snapped springs). Its not exactly a sports car but it is still fun to drive on the twistys.
mybrainhurts said:
TameRacingDriver said:
mybrainhurts said:
You need to dump her fast, then...
And stop saying long story short, or I'll have to shoot you...
And stop saying long story short, or I'll have to shoot you...
Thats the last time I say that I promise
She won't come round to you driving fast later, and you'll end up doing 40 to garden centres wearing a hat.
I'm a fellow Z4 Coupe owner, and I know how much you loved it at first. However, if the time has come to move on to something else, then do so. If you get into financial trouble now, it will limit your options for nice cars in the future. But if all your driving is in traffic, then I don't think any car will be much fun.
Commuting everyday in traffic can dull your enthusiasm for any vehicle. I used an Elise everyday, and it lost it appeal. Same with a sportsbike. Eventually I figured out that commuting was too big a drain on me, and rearranged my life so that work is now a half hour walk (if I choose to walk). Now I seem to be generally happier with what I have in the garage and on the driveway, and not much desire to change.
Commuting everyday in traffic can dull your enthusiasm for any vehicle. I used an Elise everyday, and it lost it appeal. Same with a sportsbike. Eventually I figured out that commuting was too big a drain on me, and rearranged my life so that work is now a half hour walk (if I choose to walk). Now I seem to be generally happier with what I have in the garage and on the driveway, and not much desire to change.
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