M3 or 350Z...
Author
Discussion

GI Jnr

Original Poster:

1,903 posts

283 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
My current £18k (ish) dilemma...

Criteria is loosely the following:
- A bit of poke.
- Can use it for work meetings if needed.
- Taking out GI Jane.
- No more than 4 years old.
- Reliability for 6 or so months. (hence a Cerbera being out if the question)

Any thoughts/comments/experiences.

Thanks in advance.
Tuan

RichBurley

2,432 posts

275 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
For me, there's no question; it has to be the M3

Davey S2

13,387 posts

276 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
I would save a few 3 and go for a BMW 330i

Fidgits

17,202 posts

251 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
I very nearly bought a 350Z a few years ago, nice, fast enough, handles nicely.

Interior was a bit crap, and for the size of car, it was pretty pathetic that it was only a 2-seater with a tiny boot (comprimised by the rollover hoop).

Considered a M3 last year (got the 996 instead), I never got around to driving one, but similar footprint to the 350, with 2+2 and decent boot - performance wise I think the beemer has the nod, and I would imagine the same for the driving experience.

If the image doesnt bother you, go for the M3

baskey

14,291 posts

248 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
for me it would have to be the 350z. i am not saying it is the better car, or the more desirable car. BUT it is the most desirable ownership proposition (if you see what i mean).

the downside is you're more likely to get bored more quickly. and they're bringin out a tweaked version with the new-fangled high reving engine, that might make you feel like you're missing out.

mackie1

8,168 posts

255 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
You could get a nearly new Monaro for that.

Go on! Be different!

www.pistonheads.com/sales/113267.htm




Edited by mackie1 on Friday 2nd February 13:01

GI Jnr

Original Poster:

1,903 posts

283 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
Fidgits said:
If the image doesnt bother you, go for the M3

That is the one thing that's bothering me to be honest...

baskey said:
the downside is you're more likely to get bored more quickly. and they're bringin out a tweaked version with the new-fangled high reving engine, that might make you feel like you're missing out.

Knowing my silly logic as I do, I'll get bored very soon anyway (within 6 months) and either sell it, or slap a Nismo 'charger in it for a bit of a laugh...

Fidgits

17,202 posts

251 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
GI Jnr said:
Fidgits said:
If the image doesnt bother you, go for the M3

That is the one thing that's bothering me to be honest...

completley understand, thats why i decided not to even bother test driving one..


Edited by Fidgits on Friday 2nd February 13:06

davevag

963 posts

240 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
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How about an S2000 or RX8?

Out of the M3 and 350z I would take the M3 sod the image.

LuS1fer

43,154 posts

267 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
I don't associate the M3 with other BMWs. It's always been a bit of a driver's car with a good reputation - at least round here. I'm afraid that I'm no great fan of the 350Z, especially as a fat-ass convertible, and find the image of these cars is rather worse, tending to be owned by older blerks indulging a mid-life crisis who like to be looked at and like to nod at passers-by rather than watching the road. I had the misfortune to follow one down a country lane (verty) where the elderly geezer tried his best to annoy the hell out of me by driving it like it was a pram. But that may be just round here.

For me, the M3 is the better car and the better image, probably because I've always sort of half fancied one myself.

m3evo2

2,064 posts

230 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
davevag said:
How about an S2000 or RX8?

Out of the M3 and 350z I would take the M3 sod the image.


Agree

GI Jnr

Original Poster:

1,903 posts

283 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
davevag said:
How about an S2000 or RX8?

_Dobbo_ and I went through a load of alternatives yesterday and shortlisted... Both of these were discounted due to having a little less grunt thatn I'd like.

Gazboy said:
There is a Monaro VXR 6.0 for sale at a similar price near me and I'd be tempted by that tbh.

This one's on the shortlist too. But I haven't seen any/many 6.0's sub £20k.

Tuan

Nuggs

4,640 posts

256 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
m3evo2 said:
davevag said:
How about an S2000 or RX8?

Out of the M3 and 350z I would take the M3 sod the image.


Agree

Given your PH login, that surprises mehehe

Fidgits

17,202 posts

251 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
Werent vauxhall selling of Monaro VXR's at 23k or something silly like that?

I imagine that'd have a downward impact on residuals of used ones?


again, depending on the image, what about a Jag XKR - not sure what you'd get for 18k, but arent they something like 350bhp?

Edited by Fidgits on Friday 2nd February 13:15

Fort Jefferson

8,237 posts

244 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
mackie1 said:
You could get a nearly new Monaro for that.

Go on! Be different!

www.pistonheads.com/sales/113267.htm

This looks a lovely car. But it looks like it's hidden in someone's back garden?

baskey

14,291 posts

248 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
Fort Jefferson said:
mackie1 said:
You could get a nearly new Monaro for that.

Go on! Be different!

www.pistonheads.com/sales/113267.htm

This looks a lovely car. But it looks like it's hidden in someone's back garden?


i wish this was a car i didn't like then i could use a 'shed' joke...

hehe

Neil_Bolton

17,113 posts

286 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
GI Jnr said:
My current £18k (ish) dilemma...

Criteria is loosely the following:
- A bit of poke.
- Can use it for work meetings if needed.
- Taking out GI Jane.
- No more than 4 years old.
- Reliability for 6 or so months. (hence a Cerbera being out if the question)

Any thoughts/comments/experiences.

Thanks in advance.
Tuan


Dude, if you wanna poke about in one, I'm sure GlenMH would take you out in his - they are very happy with theirs

eta: Oi whats wrong with ///M cars? (see my profile) hehe

Edited by neil_bolton on Friday 2nd February 13:25

KUB3

1,015 posts

230 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
Can I refer you to the recent Rattle free car's thread? The Beemer sounds like it will be far more solid

GI Jnr

Original Poster:

1,903 posts

283 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
mackie1 said:

If it's a Monaro, it's got to be the 6.0 got the coke snorting nose and so I can VXR500 it at some point.

Tuan

mackie1

8,168 posts

255 months

Friday 2nd February 2007
quotequote all
GI Jnr said:
mackie1 said:

If it's a Monaro, it's got to be the 6.0 got the coke snorting nose and so I can VXR500 it at some point.

Tuan


Can't argue with that! If I could afford it I'd have a 6.0 (LS2) VXR in a heartbeat. However it is possible to supercharge the 5.7 (LS1) aswell, several people have done it to good effect but it's not quite as straight forward as the VXR500-spec upgrade.

Be aware though that the 2005 model cars have a much smaller boot that the non-nostrilled 2004 models due to the fuel tank being relocated. It's still better than a 350z though.

A low mileage 6.0 VXR recently sold for £20k so it may be worth keeping an eye out for bargains. Vauxhall recently discounted a load of pre-registered ones to £27k in an attempt to shift them quickly in preparation for the new VE Commodore coming later this year.