Megane 250 Cup vs Z4 3.0 vs S2000 vs 350z
Discussion
Thinking about changing my Meg 250 Cup for one of the above
Initially i was just looking to get an FN2 but gone off that idea now as its just a bit too pedestrian compared to my meg, and doesnt really offer anything different other than 100bhp less (mines running 300bhp)
So the only change i can think of is going away from a hatchback, it only needs to fit one passenger daily and golf clubs at the weekend so dont need anything massive
Would you make the change from the Megane to one of these? Budget is upto whatever i get for mine so about 12.5k
I have been offered an S2k for 8.5k with 54k on the clock mint condition, enthusiast owned also comes with hard top
Ive had renault sports for the last 5 years so time for something different i think, 2 182s, 200cup, R26 and the 250cup
Initially i was just looking to get an FN2 but gone off that idea now as its just a bit too pedestrian compared to my meg, and doesnt really offer anything different other than 100bhp less (mines running 300bhp)
So the only change i can think of is going away from a hatchback, it only needs to fit one passenger daily and golf clubs at the weekend so dont need anything massive
Would you make the change from the Megane to one of these? Budget is upto whatever i get for mine so about 12.5k
I have been offered an S2k for 8.5k with 54k on the clock mint condition, enthusiast owned also comes with hard top
Ive had renault sports for the last 5 years so time for something different i think, 2 182s, 200cup, R26 and the 250cup
I have also been considering the likes of BMW Z4 3.0, Nissan 350z, Boxster 3.2 and S2000
In that order ^
I've test drove the first two, which are both very different:
350z sounds lovely, meaty and growls with that 3.5 v6. I've heard of owners setting off car alarms in car parks by giving it a little burst. Downsides are that it is quite heavy for its class, which is apparent when cornering in a lighter 2 seater. The interior is also very plastic feeling also when comparing to the other cars listed. It does however have 280bph (pre 2006 models) from stock and also an limited slip diff which is always a bonus! as well as the ability to hit 70mph in second gear, not that you should.
Z4 3.0 straight 6 sounds a little dull in my opinion with the OEM exhaust, nothing that can't be fixed. Interior is German and solid, I tested the soft top on a sunny day which was great, press and hold a button and back it folds! light and nimble with 260bph in the 2006+ models, it was a sport I drove and the solid suspension and 18" alloys did feel like it found the potholes. The boot space isn't bad and you aren't restricted by the strut brace like featured in the 350z.
Both cars usually come with heated seats and optional sat navs ect. People above are opting for Boxster (which isn't on your list) I did consider one and my only worry was costs for service and repairs as accessing the mid engine layout is apparently tricky. The pre 2005 interiors are also pretty dated. No doubt externally they still look good for their age.
S2000's are holding their value well and have a nice output from the 2.0 engine, these are getting rarer and rarer, like rocking horse plop.
Choice is yours, I'm confident I'll go for the Z4 once my car sells, though at the lights last week a sunset orange 350Z pulled alongside me all clean and polished. It did look fantastic and I'm sure you get more people stopping and staring as opposed to the more common Z4 which comes in various 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 guise.
At 12.5k you are just falling short of the 370z and Z4M, but in the right budget to get a pristine and low milage example of one of the cars you have mentioned.
In that order ^
I've test drove the first two, which are both very different:
350z sounds lovely, meaty and growls with that 3.5 v6. I've heard of owners setting off car alarms in car parks by giving it a little burst. Downsides are that it is quite heavy for its class, which is apparent when cornering in a lighter 2 seater. The interior is also very plastic feeling also when comparing to the other cars listed. It does however have 280bph (pre 2006 models) from stock and also an limited slip diff which is always a bonus! as well as the ability to hit 70mph in second gear, not that you should.
Z4 3.0 straight 6 sounds a little dull in my opinion with the OEM exhaust, nothing that can't be fixed. Interior is German and solid, I tested the soft top on a sunny day which was great, press and hold a button and back it folds! light and nimble with 260bph in the 2006+ models, it was a sport I drove and the solid suspension and 18" alloys did feel like it found the potholes. The boot space isn't bad and you aren't restricted by the strut brace like featured in the 350z.
Both cars usually come with heated seats and optional sat navs ect. People above are opting for Boxster (which isn't on your list) I did consider one and my only worry was costs for service and repairs as accessing the mid engine layout is apparently tricky. The pre 2005 interiors are also pretty dated. No doubt externally they still look good for their age.
S2000's are holding their value well and have a nice output from the 2.0 engine, these are getting rarer and rarer, like rocking horse plop.
Choice is yours, I'm confident I'll go for the Z4 once my car sells, though at the lights last week a sunset orange 350Z pulled alongside me all clean and polished. It did look fantastic and I'm sure you get more people stopping and staring as opposed to the more common Z4 which comes in various 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 guise.
At 12.5k you are just falling short of the 370z and Z4M, but in the right budget to get a pristine and low milage example of one of the cars you have mentioned.
I would think all will feel slow compared to your megane.
350z doesnt feel as quick as it is, best noise, golf clubs supposedly fit in the boot but not in my experience. Not the most plush interior. I went for this as it was the most emotive, had the most spacious cabin feel and reports of relatively low running costs to offset 27mpg average.
Bmw z4 i almost bought, nice enough interior but noise and drive was fairly uninspiring. Reports of vanos and roof motors sounded expensive. Probably best mpg of the three.
S2000 was my favourite of the three on paper but when looking i couldnt believe how small it was. Way too claustrophobic with the roof up for me, you may not have that issue. Reportedly the best drive.
Boxter i didnt look at due to the fear of repair costs and im not that keen on early models looks. The best sportscar though.
350z doesnt feel as quick as it is, best noise, golf clubs supposedly fit in the boot but not in my experience. Not the most plush interior. I went for this as it was the most emotive, had the most spacious cabin feel and reports of relatively low running costs to offset 27mpg average.
Bmw z4 i almost bought, nice enough interior but noise and drive was fairly uninspiring. Reports of vanos and roof motors sounded expensive. Probably best mpg of the three.
S2000 was my favourite of the three on paper but when looking i couldnt believe how small it was. Way too claustrophobic with the roof up for me, you may not have that issue. Reportedly the best drive.
Boxter i didnt look at due to the fear of repair costs and im not that keen on early models looks. The best sportscar though.
Edited by IAJO on Friday 3rd July 15:47
Dakkon said:
350Z is way better on paper than it is in real life, had two now and there won't be a third, put simply it is less than the sum of its parts
yeah, thats telling Nissan how s
t it is, by not buying a third one 
I looked at the Z4, its a good car but the Z is more extrovert/yobbish and much much rarer, I love it, not the most delicate or fastest but despite not being so it still manages to do the job, mine is a convertible and I have a cat back Cobra exhaust which sounds rather good.
Go on, get anotherZ.Been thinking about selling mine, but replace it with a Z4, a Boxter, claustrophobic S2000? None of those three do it for my.
Yes the Z id a little heavy, dont do golf so no problems there.
But the things my car does nicely, I think it will stay with me for a while yet, even at 106000 and original clutch!!
Yes the Z id a little heavy, dont do golf so no problems there.
But the things my car does nicely, I think it will stay with me for a while yet, even at 106000 and original clutch!!
Well I test drove the s2k and it is absolutley lovely, doesn't feel as gutless low down as some say, but does get a little flat mid range, but the noise when you hit vtec with the top down is just awesome
And I made sure my clubs fit in the boot lol
I do really want to test a z4 still, soft top or coupe both look the dogs and obviously more powerful and more torque (si model)
The one thing that's putting me of the 350z is that my best mate had one, and it was modified so well, I'd be disappointed with anything less (and he wrote his off so can't buy it from him)
And as an added bonus to all this, because the s2k is so expensive to insure, it made me look around a bit and can now insure it for 480, instead of my company wanting 1099, it's also cheaper than I pay for the meg to at 590, the z4 is slightly cheaper still
And I made sure my clubs fit in the boot lol
I do really want to test a z4 still, soft top or coupe both look the dogs and obviously more powerful and more torque (si model)
The one thing that's putting me of the 350z is that my best mate had one, and it was modified so well, I'd be disappointed with anything less (and he wrote his off so can't buy it from him)
And as an added bonus to all this, because the s2k is so expensive to insure, it made me look around a bit and can now insure it for 480, instead of my company wanting 1099, it's also cheaper than I pay for the meg to at 590, the z4 is slightly cheaper still
I do like the S2000 but my wife wasnt so keen and I wanted a six cylinder having just come from a 944 S2, there is something very special and focused about them, they are dwindling now and there isnt a replacement, consequently prices are going up.
The Z4 is a great car but they are pretty numerous, there is plenty of choice with them so its kept prices from getting silly, a tidy 3.0 for four/five grand is serious value and a quick car.
The 350Z does have its flaws, not least being the £500 ish VED and incredible thirst, I dodnt generally do long journeys in mine and its showing 18/19 MPG, on SUL, in mixed driving it is 24/25, 30 is possible but unlikely but I dont do many miles so it doesnt matter. I am not sure where the doesnt feel fast thing comes from, on my country commute I can hit 90 mph in fairly short order down some of the clear straight bits, its as fast as I ever really need to go, there are plenty of faster cars but dont think they are slow, they just down have a peaky power delivery like some.
Apart from the VED and fuel difference, note I say difference as it will be more expensive to run, but it isnt like any other car with any performance similar runs on fresh air.
None of these options seems to have depreciated in the last two years, I look th Z prices and mine seems to be worth more than I paid for it, I have not had to spend much, exhaust was my choice and I put brakes on all round for £200, a couple of oil changes, gear box oil and thats it. So, if you can stomach the Ved and fuel they dont actually cost much to own, the Z especially is tough, one benefit of it being a heft lump is its built properly and doesnt rust.
The Z4 is a great car but they are pretty numerous, there is plenty of choice with them so its kept prices from getting silly, a tidy 3.0 for four/five grand is serious value and a quick car.
The 350Z does have its flaws, not least being the £500 ish VED and incredible thirst, I dodnt generally do long journeys in mine and its showing 18/19 MPG, on SUL, in mixed driving it is 24/25, 30 is possible but unlikely but I dont do many miles so it doesnt matter. I am not sure where the doesnt feel fast thing comes from, on my country commute I can hit 90 mph in fairly short order down some of the clear straight bits, its as fast as I ever really need to go, there are plenty of faster cars but dont think they are slow, they just down have a peaky power delivery like some.
Apart from the VED and fuel difference, note I say difference as it will be more expensive to run, but it isnt like any other car with any performance similar runs on fresh air.
None of these options seems to have depreciated in the last two years, I look th Z prices and mine seems to be worth more than I paid for it, I have not had to spend much, exhaust was my choice and I put brakes on all round for £200, a couple of oil changes, gear box oil and thats it. So, if you can stomach the Ved and fuel they dont actually cost much to own, the Z especially is tough, one benefit of it being a heft lump is its built properly and doesnt rust.
E92Dan said:
How about a Z4 coupe? Now that's going to easily swallow your golf bats. + it looks the nuts
I don't play Golf but I like a roof so that's what I bought last year! And yes the boot is surprising spacious. I also prefer the looks of the Coupe, and it is a lot rarer - I definitely see less Z4 Coupes than Nissan Z's!
If you can you probably need to try them all before you decide.
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