I've just bought some poverty Pork…

[snotrag]

Yep. Also been through the same as you would expect.

I like the looks of the Z4 - right colour, wheels, interior etc, and I think it is a good 'safe' option.
There's lots of boring ones though (even more than Boxsters).

But I did think as standard it felt a bit like a 3 series convertible, eg. a bit dull.

However I have an inkling that they can be improved greatly with choice mods.

The engine in particular is very very good though.



Incidentally - I quite like the Z3 - the 6 cylinder ones actually have a real hot-rod character.They are bad but in a good way - loads of character, wobbly, bit leaky, but a great noise and 'aura'.

[C70R]

snotrag said:

Incidentally - I quite like the Z3 - the 6 cylinder ones actually have a real hot-rod character.They are bad but in a good way - loads of character, wobbly, bit leaky, but a great noise and 'aura'.

Agreed.
Definite character, but suffered by comparison to many better contemporaries (TT, SLK, MX5, MGF etc.) due to not really being set up for drivers. The seating position is poor, the non-Sport seats are appalling, the steering wheel is out of a 5-series, and the chassis is horribly wallowy.

[DanG355]

I can see the appeal of a 6-cylinder Z3 or Z4 and did consider one, but for me the Boxster is just a more appealing car. Other than oversized steering wheels there's not much wrong but a Boxster has a more exotic look and mid engine appeal.

Mine is a 2001 2.7 but has very few options and that's what I was looking for - 3 simple heater controls, big rev counter in front of me, manual gearbox and a flat six howling behind my head. Raw driving pleasure and a classic sports car feel. I'd have been happy with a basic as they come 2.5 but when the 2.7's are a similar price and available without all the bells & whistles then it's a bonus (the 3-spoke steering wheel was the only "extra" I wanted). A totally different proposition to my previous car (645ci).

I can see these basic cars, particularly early original base spec 2.5's being very desirable in 10 years or so when turbo/hybrid/elecric/self driving cars are the norm on the second hand market.

[DanG355]

p.s. - good work Rosewood Red! Keep us updated when you're back from holiday and hopefully driving the cheapest litronics Boxster yet seen.

[ooid]

I've driven all roadsters, 2 seaters. Z3 and Boxster were my favourite. Never liked the Z4 move somehow, the car lacked a bit soul imho. Z3 is a great looking car, compact, modest, quick and probably more reliable and cheaper to maintain than 986 but the driving feel of flat 6 cylinder mid-engine is nowhere near. Especially if it's not a daily use, I would definitely go for mid-engine porsche or lotus elise at least for the fun aspect, but again 986 offer much more with these values comparing to lotus.

[ooid]

Has 997 gen1 finally seen their bottom prices? There are at least 6-8 of these on autotrader less than 19k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

The problem though, even if you can fully rebuild their engines, who wants to drive gen1? The engine is pretty outdated and wondering what else might be wrong with them in the future

[mikees]

ooid said:

Has 997 gen1 finally seen their bottom prices? There are at least 6-8 of these on autotrader less than 19k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

The problem though, even if you can fully rebuild their engines, who wants to drive gen1? The engine is pretty outdated and wondering what else might be wrong with them in the future

Have you driven one? It's my daily hack and drives in a lovely way. The bobbly front end on bouncy lanes is a joy.


I expect a rebuild at some point but I've spent the same on a 964 and 993 in the past when their prices were static and they were unloved and not appreciating.

A 997 for high teens is such a bargain and they ( I think) won't go lower.


I thrashed mine from Wycombe to Poole and back last weekend. Loved it.


Mike

Ps agree on the z4. The coupe on run flats and in Si form is a hoot. It tramlines like a bd and is a lovely comedy drive. If they drop further I'll get one for a track bh and station car.

[andy97]

C70R said:

I'm inclined to agree with your "underrated" point. I think the Z4 is almost unfairly maligned because it shares lineage with the singularly unimpressive Z3.
...

Hmm, sort of. Doesn't the Z4 have a multi link rear suspension rather than the z3s E30 derived set up?

I actually quite like the Z3 "Breadvan" and have thought about a Z4 but it would have to be one of the original coupe hatch back variants.

[ooid]

C70R said:

I think the Z4 is almost unfairly maligned because it shares lineage with the singularly unimpressive Z3.

How dare you guys calling a "Bond Car" unimpressive!



I really like them, still looking good to be honest and somehow in poverty spec/price though, sharing the same faith with 986 strangely.

[ooid]

mikees said:

Have you driven one? It's my daily hack and drives in a lovely way. The bobbly front end on bouncy lanes is a joy.

Yup, my old man had a c2 a few years ago as his company car. Luckily, I managed to enjoy it a few times but the car has been changed later on and they had an engine replacement under warranty just before 50k. (He is not sure what was the issue, lives in abroad). Love the car, but I think 997.2 looks like a safer move, I really would not want to end up in one of those on m25 without a hard shoulder!

[Scooobydont]

How weird of this thread to turn to Z3's. Currently rolling a 2.8 widebody. Bought as I was contemplating a boxster but couldn't find one I really liked and this was half the price of a boxster. Agreed the seats are horrendous and it tramlines over 80 (on private roads). Love the pull and noise of the v6 (stainless exhaust fitted). The looks have really grown on me since I bought it but, must admit to still keep perving at boxster ads, not planning on getting rid of it but contemplating replacing my daily (Focus) with an older boxster. I do 6 miles a day to my work so no real issues if both are broken for some reason

[ReaderScars]

You're OK to start discussions about Z3's at any time, and feel free to drop into any discussion you like.

[wjb]

Barmyfluid said:

Just own both - 987 Box and 3.0si Z4 coupe. All your hooning poverty options are covered ,for all weathers.





You won't get me in a company oil burning piece of dogsh*t again.

Edited by Barmyfluid on Wednesday 21st September 01:09

Taking values out of the equation, which would you keep if you could only have one?

[C70R]

andy97 said:

C70R said:

I'm inclined to agree with your "underrated" point. I think the Z4 is almost unfairly maligned because it shares lineage with the singularly unimpressive Z3.
...

Hmm, sort of. Doesn't the Z4 have a multi link rear suspension rather than the z3s E30 derived set up?

I actually quite like the Z3 "Breadvan" and have thought about a Z4 but it would have to be one of the original coupe hatch back variants.

Sorry - "lineage" was more a case of the Z3 casting a bit of a shadow over the Z4, rather than contributing much mechanically (which I gather it didn't - E30/36 vs E46 oily bits).

A widebody Z3 with staggered wheels and a modest drop looks fantastic for me, but I just hate the way they drive. For the amount you'd spend on one, you'd be better off getting into a Z4 2.5.

Anyway - apologies for dragging this off-topic. I'll be keeping an eye on the thread (among other places) for a 2.7 that might sway my decision.

[ATM]

C70R said:

Anyway - apologies for dragging this off-topic.

Accepted.

[LordHaveMurci]

ooid said:

Has 997 gen1 finally seen their bottom prices? There are at least 6-8 of these on autotrader less than 19k

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

The problem though, even if you can fully rebuild their engines, who wants to drive gen1? The engine is pretty outdated and wondering what else might be wrong with them in the future

I doubt they've bottomed out yet.

Who wants to drive a Gen.1? Lot's of people I'd imgagine

Outdated? Gen1 are what, 8yrs old or more? Of course they're outdated, what a daft comment!

[C70R]

LordHaveMurci said:

Who wants to drive a Gen.1? Lot's of people I'd imgagine

Outdated? Gen1 are what, 8yrs old or more? Of course they're outdated, what a daft comment!

Indeed. I'd gladly take one as a high day/holiday car.

I wrote off the above as "Car-Bore Hyperbole". Sadly an all-too-common occurrence on the internet.

[ooid]

All the worries about the m96 engine is completely fine for me as 996 development going back to way too early 90s and it's their first water-cooled 911.And with the values they have, it's not a massive concern. Unfortunately, it's pretty lame that they have not done anything with 997.1 engine in 2004, most issues repeated, and there was not a decent upgrade.

I wonder if they ever see 15k this year though?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Edited by ooid on Wednesday 21st September 14:44

[NJH]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Honestly I think its just the bobbly front end, but kudos for stating the elephant in the room on that subject.

[aadhay]

A `98 2.5 just popped up within walking distance from me, temped to have a look, looks in good condition but its ~140 miles and clutch hasnt been changed... is that too many miles or worth a punt if in good condition?