Downgrade or give up?
Discussion
Hi guys. I'm in a bit of a quandary at the moment. Long story short, I'm currently driving a Z4 Coupe which I do like, but I am having numerous and potentially ruinous issues with it. I am also in the midst of moving out from a flat to a house, so I am going to have less money to spend on cars, and I still have a few debts I need to get paid off.
I am thinking of just chopping the car in and getting something else, but sometimes I dunno whether to bother getting anything "PH" now. I find that the opportunities I get to go on a hoon now are getting rarer, the girlfriend hates me driving fast, and I find roads and traffic generally more frustrating.
Part of me feels like I still want a car and don't want to give up completely, but the other part of me thinks what's the point? I mean I will still need a car but I just dunno what to do.
Has anyone been here before? Any advice? Cheers.
I am thinking of just chopping the car in and getting something else, but sometimes I dunno whether to bother getting anything "PH" now. I find that the opportunities I get to go on a hoon now are getting rarer, the girlfriend hates me driving fast, and I find roads and traffic generally more frustrating.
Part of me feels like I still want a car and don't want to give up completely, but the other part of me thinks what's the point? I mean I will still need a car but I just dunno what to do.
Has anyone been here before? Any advice? Cheers.
Shnozz said:
Not worth getting in financial difficulties for IMO.
I would be minded to get rid. You could always pick up a cheap 3 litre Z4 roadster as a halfway house?
If I did get another car, I've been thinking of something different. But it would have to be something that wasn't going to ruin me.I would be minded to get rid. You could always pick up a cheap 3 litre Z4 roadster as a halfway house?
Been having thoughts about a Celica T-Sport, MR2 Roadster or Swift Sport. I reckon these would be OK?
I think you may be a right, I think I need to chop it in. I personally reckon it needs a very minimum of £1K spending and that's probably cutting corners as it is. Double it and perhaps then some if not. I'd need to get another bank loan to afford this, which doesn't strike me as a great idea on a 10 year old BMW!
andyxxx said:
I think you are also missing the point. You can be mad keen about cars and own a jalopy or even no car at all.
PH is about the love of cars – not just fast and/or exotic ones.
To be honest, what I like most is simply driving. It's lovely to own some nice cars, and I have had some pretty nice ones in the past, but I've learned I just like driving in its own right. Therefore, I don't really need anything massively fast, in fact, I'm starting to think on the road too much power is hardly ever usable and rarely makes it more fun. As long as you've enough to get past dawdlers that's enough. PH is about the love of cars – not just fast and/or exotic ones.
Rsdop said:
Think it depends where you live but I agree, with traffic in this country too much power is a waste and you can have as much fun in low powered cars. I would spend 2-3k on something like you suggested such as a Swift, MR2 or even a Panda 100HP. Much less likely to throw a big bill at you and also cheaper to run in general.
Exactly, I live in Newcastle. The traffic here is horrendous, and you've got to get out into the countryside to enjoy yourself, but you really don't need loads of power on most roads. The Panda always looks a giggle but that crashy ride is a slight worry for me as its one thing thats jarring a little with the Z4!It'd also be nice to have a car I didn't worry about so much, I park my Z in a car park that, although nothing has happened yet, feels a little "dodgy" - although it will probably be quite safe given its used by doggers!
Mastodon2 said:
Horrendous? It's irritating at times but we should be grateful for how lucky we've got it up north. Anyway, buy a cheap, comfy car and a bike. Save money, have more fun.
Yes, to be fair actually, Edinburgh and Glasgow where I also work are worse - so yeah irritating rather than horrendous!I'm still waiting for the cheap comfy car suggestions
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.Johnny 89 said:
I would say sell the Z. There are plenty of 'PH' cars out there for little money as long as you're not hung up on badge or age.
Perhaps not the most exciting car in the world but I picked up an Alfa GT quite cheap and it's a nice car.
If you don't have the opportunity to drive fast, what about something like an MX-5 or potentially cheaper to run, a Suzuki Cappuchino?
Yeah I did think about another MX5, but I've had 2 of those. I'd be tempted to try an MR2 MK3. I've actually driven one, and it was fun, but the engine was fPerhaps not the most exciting car in the world but I picked up an Alfa GT quite cheap and it's a nice car.
If you don't have the opportunity to drive fast, what about something like an MX-5 or potentially cheaper to run, a Suzuki Cappuchino?
ked. Johnny 89 said:
Ah, if you've had them before then best to try something else IMO.
MR2 is a good shout.. I haven't driven a mk3 but only seem to hear good things. What about an MGF/TF?
I wouldn't rule out an MGTF but I'd think the Toyota is probably a "safer" choice. To be honest I am not loving the MR2 in terms of how it looks but at this price point I can overlook it.MR2 is a good shout.. I haven't driven a mk3 but only seem to hear good things. What about an MGF/TF?
Rsdop said:
I nearly bought an MR2 a couple of years ago and will get one at some point in the future. Do research them because they have more than their fair share of engine failures. Think the later facelift with the 6 speed are a safer bet but still do have issues.
Yes, the earlier engines suffer from some kind of bore lining issue IIRC. Mostly sorted on the facelift 2003 model onwards. I think they do like a drink of oil too but that's not too much of an issue.They are a car that I have "nearly" bought on half a dozen occasions and then ended up buying something else. Perhaps its time...
One thing is for sure, I am tending to agree with most of the comments on here, its time to sell up. I am not emotionally attached to cars so I wouldn't look back, but I am glad I had a years enjoyment out of it.
danp said:
MR2 roadster is a great little car, more fun than the Z4 roadster (3.0i) I had, so IMO it's not much of a downgrade. Well apart from the engine ;-)
Good to hear. Although I do like the engine in the Z4 I dont quite enjoy it as much as I hope. My 350Z (albeit with a cone and exhaust) sounded a lot better. I can imagine with 400 kg less, smaller wheels and tyres and an LSD its going to handle a lot better. The Z4 is OK but not as good as I expected.delays said:
Know how you feel OP.
Move the car on and get something cheaper, more reliable - it'll help settle the finances.
You might love the Z4 now, but given the financial burden, you'll grow to resent it and that's not fair on you, your passion or the car itself.
Bit in bold - I can already feel that starting to happen. As much as I like the car itself I'm going to start resenting it. I need to move one as you say. Unless I get a big pay rise I can't see me owning anything other than bargain basement again.Move the car on and get something cheaper, more reliable - it'll help settle the finances.
You might love the Z4 now, but given the financial burden, you'll grow to resent it and that's not fair on you, your passion or the car itself.
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.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff