Z4 or Boxster £5k

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Discussion

Hasbeen

2,073 posts

220 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2014
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As an old F1 driver, I had the same problem. My son pinched my 330 BHP TR8. I didn't think I'd miss it, but I did. It had to be convertible, as my knee won't let me into a low coupe some days.

I tried them all, but found the MR2 too toy like, the Porsche a bit wishy washy, the MX5 a bit slow, & the Z4 handled dreadfully. Even tried a Mog +8, but not for my roads around here. I was getting resigned to not finding a replacement.

Had not even thought of an S2000, I'd forgotten they existed, till a mate said try one.

That was it. Sliding down into it felt pretty much like sliding into an open wheeler, the gearbox was about as good, & the engine superb.

They are not a kind or gentle car. If you are not good enough an S2000 WILL BITE YOU. If you can drive a bit, & keep good young unworn tyres on it, it is an absolute joy.

One thing they are not is a cruisers or posers car, too much car, & not enough bullst.


edc

9,230 posts

250 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2014
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furtive said:
With Boxsters someone in the know told me to avoid a 3.2 that's <2009 and a 2.7 that's <2007, which probably rules out any of the cheap ones
The usual sort of Internet scaremongering that keeps prices low.

3000GT ANT

347 posts

155 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2014
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what about a 350z?

The Surveyor

7,576 posts

236 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2014
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Difficulty with the OP's question is that it's easy for us to express our preferences over the Z4 or Boxster based upon either our own experiences, or contemporary road tests, but in the £5k bracket it will come down to the individual car regardless of reputation. An abused Z4 will be a costly nightmare compared to a lucky-purchase Boxster and visa-versa. At £5k there will be very few 'good' cars to chose from and you will have to wade through the badly modified, crashed, thrashed, and dodgy coloured rubbish to find the elusive gem.

For me, I found the Z4 cramped inside but nicely balanced (a 2007 2.0 with m pack), and the Boxster S (2005)just a little dull compared to the Chimaera I had at the time.

My suggestion to the OP, buy what you like, but spend the £1k first-year maintenance budget on a newer car with dealer warrantee as there will be a better selection in the £6k bracket!


ShadowsB

Original Poster:

10 posts

114 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2014
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Asterix said:
Why not have a drive of a S2000 anyway. Just give it a go - you have nothing to lose.

Also, it's a very different car to the MX5. I'd never think of putting them in the same grouping.
If I can find a good one near me, I will check it out, wouldn't want to unfairly discriminate.

furtive said:
With Boxsters someone in the know told me to avoid a 3.2 that's <2009 and a 2.7 that's <2007, which probably rules out any of the cheap ones
It definitely rules out any of the cheap ones!

edc

9,230 posts

250 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2014
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ShadowsB said:
Asterix said:
Why not have a drive of a S2000 anyway. Just give it a go - you have nothing to lose.

Also, it's a very different car to the MX5. I'd never think of putting them in the same grouping.
If I can find a good one near me, I will check it out, wouldn't want to unfairly discriminate.

furtive said:
With Boxsters someone in the know told me to avoid a 3.2 that's <2009 and a 2.7 that's <2007, which probably rules out any of the cheap ones
It definitely rules out any of the cheap ones!
Please do your research properly. Most Boxsters on the road and nearly all regular 996 and most 997 models share a similar engine design which has a now internet-notorious IMS bearing. There is no distinction on this between a 'cheap' one and an 'expensive' one. Only those very latest cars which had a complete engine redesign do not have this consideration.

As somebody has already mentioned old cars wear components out. Some owners just wait until parts fail and some just live with failing parts. Others stay ahead of the game and address them and some are OTT and go for a more full-on 'rebuild'. If you are going to buy at the bottom of the food chain for a Boxster then you have to be prepared to live with a few bits which will be serviceable but won't be tip-top and be prepared to do some maintenance. They are 10+ year old car buy now of course.

HughG

3,537 posts

240 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2014
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The Surveyor said:
For me, I found the Z4 cramped inside but nicely balanced (a 2007 2.0 with m pack), and the Boxster S (2005)just a little dull compared to the Chimaera I had at the time.
That's a good point, as no one has mentioned them are the days of the £5k Chimaera gone? I'm sure you could get one for that a couple of years ago.

Sidewindow

300 posts

222 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2014
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The 3 litre Z4 is quick, sounds great and is cheap to run. A good solid car and nice place to sit however i sold mine because the ride was shocking (even without runflats), the steering lacked feedback and without lsd it span power away (somewhat amusing in the rain). It felt like it was made for people that wanted a 'sporty' car but didn't know much about cars. They were built in the US I think.. Never tried an S2000 but that would be my choice - if you want a driver's car and can afford to spend a little more on fuel. Probably a better image too if that's a concern. Boxsters still look great but unfortunately it sounds like they come with Porsche running costs!

The Surveyor

7,576 posts

236 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2014
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HughG said:
The Surveyor said:
For me, I found the Z4 cramped inside but nicely balanced (a 2007 2.0 with m pack), and the Boxster S (2005)just a little dull compared to the Chimaera I had at the time.
That's a good point, as no one has mentioned them are the days of the £5k Chimaera gone? I'm sure you could get one for that a couple of years ago.
Looking at the OP's wish-list, I think a £5k Chimaera, parked outside on the street, only used occasionally would be a disaster, and that's from me as a proper TVR fan-boy biggrin

Paul

Timfy

318 posts

118 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2014
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This will probably be a long, incoherent and very subjective post given I've not driven any of the alternatives for more than a couple of miles so take it with a pinch of salt!

I had a similar dilemma.

Wanted a £5k fun car- convertible preferred.

Ended up with a an early Boxster (that recently had new clutch/flywheel, air conditioning condensers, radiators, god knows what else but the stack of invoices is impressive, the only thing that rang alarm bells for not being in the service history was the IMS bearing not being upgraded/replaced when the clutch was done...)

Car seemed OK, a few nicks in the paintwork and plenty of stone chips, but runs and drives beautifully (best of the few I tried including lower milage, cosmetically better cars), bought it at a little over £4k hoping the bills were a sign of a reasonably doting previous owner not a complete money pit.

I've had it for six months and just under 5,000 miles of throughly happy motoring. Just about to give it a service but the only issues so far have been a cut in a tyre rear tyre (£300 as I just replaced both- but tyres don't really count as they're consumable!) the coolant/expansion tank cap failing within a week of buying the car (£15 replacement from OPC-it's common for the older caps to fail.) some minor corrosion on the brake lines (picked up on MOT, fixed with a bit of emery cloth and a dab of grease to keep it at bay (<£20) & a microswitch on the roof cover (clamshell) that needed a clean.

Still waiting for the first big bill, but the car is great fun, did briefly consider selling it just to try owning something else (S2000/Z4/MX5) but just can't see me parting with the Boxster until I'm in a position to buy clean 987S.

There's a few things I'm planning on doing in the near future mostly for preventative reasons:
-Replace the brake lines to make extra sure corrosion won't be an issue for the rest of the life of the car (expensive and not really necessary, but once it's done it's done! will consider rebuilding the callipers at the same time, probably when the fluid next gets changed)
-Replace front engine mount (which shouldn't have much life left in it)
-Get a bit of cash ready to replace some suspension parts & bushes etc.

With regards to DIY maintenance if it's something you'd normally do, the biggest issue seems to be access, it's a bit of a PITA to get to engine compartment if you're used to just lifting the bonnet and things like removing spark plugs are a bit more swear wordy/knuckle grazing than I'm used to! For the cost of the parts/consumables plus the hassle of removing the interior access panels and working around a half up, half down roof, it's probably worth paying one of the many reasonably priced & well regarded indy specialists to do a lot of it.

I'm sure when something unexpected and expensive fails I'll ranting about what a massive unreliable money pit it is and there's still plenty of time for it to turn out an expensive mistake, but at the moment I'm glad I took a risk with it!



budfox

1,510 posts

128 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2014
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I've had a 3.0 si Z4 and whilst I loved it, I just didn't drive it enough. When I did, the options were:

Hoon it and watch the fuel gauge fall.
Drive it boringly and ask myself why I didn't just go for a two litre.

The ride wasn't good, and the gearbox not great, but other than that it was a damned fine car.

I've had an MR2 Roadster in the past, and to be honest, with £5k I'd be all over a TF300 one of those rather than a Z4.

J4CKO

41,273 posts

199 months

Tuesday 23rd September 2014
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3000GT ANT said:
what about a 350z?
Five grand is bottom end for 350Z's, below that point its leggy ones, imports, autos and generally most are coupes, if he wanted a Convertible like the others then its realistically over six, I prefer the looks of the coupe but for all the impracticality and fuel cost may as well have the convertible.

It isnt a Sports car quite like the others, more tail wagging muscle car (LSD as standard, the Z4 and Boxster dont have one), and they are noticeably worse on fuel. Mine seems very well made, that weight that everyone goes on about means its pretty solid and for a convertible, minimal scuttle shake.

They are more powerful than all the other options but the weight negates most of the advantage, I found it to be marginally quicker than the earlier Z4 3.0, more on a par with the later si model, quicker than the non S Boxsters, in a straight line at least.

I like the fact that you dont see many in comparison, have only ever a couple of others but they are all good choices, we are pretty lucky in this country having this kind of stuff available pretty cheaply.

My 350Z hasnt cost much in the year I have had it, put disk and pads on for £200 or so, tax is expensive at £500 but insurance was only £250, nothing has broken and it still seems to be worth what I paid for it.




ShadowsB

Original Poster:

10 posts

114 months

Friday 26th September 2014
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Thank you chaps for your very helpful advice.

I've ruled the Boxster out (will wait till I can spend £15k).

The Z4 is sitll an optioA few other options, some a bit out of left field;

Alfa GT

Audi TT

BMW 3 series

Thoughts?


edc

9,230 posts

250 months

Friday 26th September 2014
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I've forgotten whether you want a drivers car and sports car or an everyday style cruiser.

ShadowsB

Original Poster:

10 posts

114 months

Friday 26th September 2014
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edc said:
I've forgotten whether you want a drivers car and sports car or an everyday style cruiser.
As per OP I wanted a Boxster but I've resigned myself to that not being a good option at this price point.

So I am open to suggestions, my usage isn't that heavy (6k miles a year) so I am open to different options.

edc

9,230 posts

250 months

Friday 26th September 2014
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None of your new options will handle anything like a Boxster. I've had a 2009 TT and an E46 3. S2000 is probably the best bet if you don't want to buy a Boxster. I'm on my second Boxster now. Great cars.

Monkeynut21

67 posts

121 months

Friday 26th September 2014
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I used to have a 2.2 Z4 and I now run a 987 Boxster S. Like you I've never had the inclination to try the S2000 or MX5, they're not bad cars just not my bag. Like others have said the chances are an old Boxster will cost a lot to keep on the road and I don't think they are aging well visually. Z4's are good cars and easier to fix and get parts for if they do go wrong. Two things to look out for is broken rear springs and water damaged hood motor.

Have a look on " Z4 Forum " they are a great bunch and very helpful/knowledgeable and they have a for sale section that might just help too.

Put it this way next year I'm getting married and the Porker will have to go to help pay for it and I'll be getting a 3.0 Z4 in it's place.

Edited by Monkeynut21 on Friday 26th September 07:01

Shurv

955 posts

159 months

Friday 26th September 2014
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Buy a Z4, no question. I ran one for 5 years and now have a 996 coupe. I've spent more in 12 months on the Porsche than I did in 5 years with the Z4. The beemer is an often forgotten great car, it has it's faults (hard ride,lifeless steering),but overall is a great car to own and fast enough to be enjoyed.

3000GT ANT

347 posts

155 months

Friday 26th September 2014
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J4CKO said:
Five grand is bottom end for 350Z's, below that point its leggy ones, imports, autos and generally most are coupes, if he wanted a Convertible like the others then its realistically over six, I prefer the looks of the coupe but for all the impracticality and fuel cost may as well have the convertible.

It isnt a Sports car quite like the others, more tail wagging muscle car (LSD as standard, the Z4 and Boxster dont have one), and they are noticeably worse on fuel. Mine seems very well made, that weight that everyone goes on about means its pretty solid and for a convertible, minimal scuttle shake.

They are more powerful than all the other options but the weight negates most of the advantage, I found it to be marginally quicker than the earlier Z4 3.0, more on a par with the later si model, quicker than the non S Boxsters, in a straight line at least.

I like the fact that you dont see many in comparison, have only ever a couple of others but they are all good choices, we are pretty lucky in this country having this kind of stuff available pretty cheaply.

My 350Z hasnt cost much in the year I have had it, put disk and pads on for £200 or so, tax is expensive at £500 but insurance was only £250, nothing has broken and it still seems to be worth what I paid for it.
Yeah your right, i was just trying to give other options. One of my friends has one (2007 313BHP one) and its a lovely car, he has recently had to spend £1100 or so as some things had failed. Thats exactly why i suggested it aswell being a rarer sight on the roads and one which in my view looks better than the other options :-)

jc84

129 posts

122 months

Friday 26th September 2014
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Have you discounted the S2000 then? That would be my choice. Had a play with one in my modified impreza a few years back and it was extremely quick (more so than the figures suggest) and more importantly the chap looked like he was having the time of his life.

Friend of mine has a 911 and he said the car that always surprises him on the roads is an S2000.