Fun summer car. Boxster S, S2000, 350Z or Z4M Coupe?
Discussion
kambites said:
Out of interest, why isn't the 370Z on the list, rather than the 350? It's a vastly superior car, IMO, and probably no more expensive than the BMW.
A few on the Z forum with the 370 miss the 350 when they get one, apparently its a bit polite in comparison, less earthy, a bit quiet.Is the chassis vastly better ? hadnt heard that bit.
J4CKO said:
kambites said:
Out of interest, why isn't the 370Z on the list, rather than the 350? It's a vastly superior car, IMO, and probably no more expensive than the BMW.
A few on the Z forum with the 370 miss the 350 when they get one, apparently its a bit polite in comparison, less earthy, a bit quiet.Is the chassis vastly better ? hadnt heard that bit.
"No complaints whatsoever about the handling, though. We took the car along a stretch of road I normally reserve for supercars - the last time I drove it was in an LP640 - and the new Z shone as brightly as its yellow paintwork. It works so much better than the 350, I was travelling 30mph faster in the 370 and the car was just absorbing all the extra velocity. The 350's understeer has been greatly reduced, and the power oversteer is still as readily available as ever, so after a few miles it's easy to think you're a bit of a tasty driver."
http://www.topgear.com/uk/nissan/370z/road-test/v6
elementad said:
J4CKO said:
kambites said:
Out of interest, why isn't the 370Z on the list, rather than the 350? It's a vastly superior car, IMO, and probably no more expensive than the BMW.
A few on the Z forum with the 370 miss the 350 when they get one, apparently its a bit polite in comparison, less earthy, a bit quiet.Is the chassis vastly better ? hadnt heard that bit.
"No complaints whatsoever about the handling, though. We took the car along a stretch of road I normally reserve for supercars - the last time I drove it was in an LP640 - and the new Z shone as brightly as its yellow paintwork. It works so much better than the 350, I was travelling 30mph faster in the 370 and the car was just absorbing all the extra velocity. The 350's understeer has been greatly reduced, and the power oversteer is still as readily available as ever, so after a few miles it's easy to think you're a bit of a tasty driver."
http://www.topgear.com/uk/nissan/370z/road-test/v6
Not sure what they would have done to allow another 30 mph though !
I would have to have one in that blue colour, looks fantastic but I think I will be going GTR next.
Edited by J4CKO on Thursday 28th November 20:55
otolith said:
Surprised at the comments about 350Z running costs, the wife's has cost peanuts.
Think people mean the 20 mpg thirst for super and £490 ved, other than that they seem pretty cheap to run for a 300 bhp car, they don't seem to break, the engines seem to have no Achilles heel, having to replace a Boxster engine will soon destroy any small fuel saving. The specialist who did some of the work on my 944 said to avoid them like the plague when I suggested one, which seemed a strange thing for someone who would probably be fixing it if it did break to say.I will say in defence of the 350, the chassis was hardly terrible to begin with, so improving on something already good seems a fair stance. Likewise, the VED can be £2xx, if you buy an earlier version, but it's a summer fun car, so I doubt a £200/year saving is going to be the deciding factor.
As for a winter fun car, I do know that with the slick roads we've got, I need to keep my side windows as clean as my windscreen...
As for a winter fun car, I do know that with the slick roads we've got, I need to keep my side windows as clean as my windscreen...
TREMAiNE said:
MX-5!!!!!
But seriously, of the cars you presented, I'd go for the S2K, it is what stands out to be most. VTEC is awesome, the revs are nuts and it has character, which IMO the Boxster/Z4M don't. The Z is awesome, but as a summer car the Honda is more appropriate.
Put an S2000 and Z4M side by side and tell me this is true.But seriously, of the cars you presented, I'd go for the S2K, it is what stands out to be most. VTEC is awesome, the revs are nuts and it has character, which IMO the Boxster/Z4M don't. The Z is awesome, but as a summer car the Honda is more appropriate.
For price the S2000 all day long..... but as a direct comparison no chance. I know two S2000 owners who would quite happily change their car for mine the only exception being that an equivalent Z4M is generally almost double the price of a S2000 and it isn't double the car but the law of diminishing returns applies.
TVR's are a good shout too.
If you need 4 seats a 996 C4S or RS4 convertible would be my choice or at the lower end of budget a C2S or E46 M3 as S4's sound good but are bland and there aren't too many other options or there wasn't when i was looking last summer.
Smitters said:
I will say in defence of the 350, the chassis was hardly terrible to begin with, so improving on something already good seems a fair stance. Likewise, the VED can be £2xx, if you buy an earlier version, but it's a summer fun car, so I doubt a £200/year saving is going to be the deciding factor.
As for a winter fun car, I do know that with the slick roads we've got, I need to keep my side windows as clean as my windscreen...
I spent a while looking at 2004/2005 models, thinking I cant buy that because its £490 to tax, when actually it is another £210 or an extra £17.50 a month, which is cock all really in the scheme of things, if £17.50 is a big deal then you are looking at the wrong cars !As for a winter fun car, I do know that with the slick roads we've got, I need to keep my side windows as clean as my windscreen...
My thinking is that mine was FSH, low mileage and a really good price, it isnt really depreciating and doesnt need anything, my 944 was allegedly cheaper to run but had a £300 cambelt, £500 when it conked out and I couldnt get it started, plus all the various Ebay sourced bits, after this the Nissan seems pretty cheap to run, I reckon about £1200 in VED, insurance, maintenance (I do it) and depreciation, just add fuel, ok its crap on fuel, but so what, its not like my other cars are free, the C1 does more than twice what the Z does but I enjoy the Z more and save it for journeys that warrant it (nice weather, dry roads, no supermarket car parks) etc.
Would have loved an Z4M but like has been said, it was a more expensive car new and it more expensive second hand, cheapest I saw was £12,000 and really, cheap M cars, do you want to go there, realistically £15,000, maybe next time. Z3M roadster was an option but so rare and another one prone to unravelling the boot floor. I love the look of both M Coupes but cant really see the point of a fun car without a soft top, big part of it for me but can see how it makes sense for a daily.
I think that we are acually a bit spoilt in the country with the choice of really rather nice sports cars available for pennies, MGF for £400 or an MX5 for not much more, S2000's from 3k up, the Z3 from a coupel of grand (they seem to have gone up), Z4's from 4 grand, trouble is the whole country either wants one but cant insure it or fixated on diesel hatchbacks.
J4CKO said:
I spent a while looking at 2004/2005 models, thinking I cant buy that because its £490 to tax, when actually it is another £210 or an extra £17.50 a month, which is cock all really in the scheme of things, if £17.50 is a big deal then you are looking at the wrong cars !
You can justify/rationalise almost anything using this logic. How many adverts have you seen saying "costs only £XX per day...less than a pint of beer!" etc.Why are people complaining about rising costs of energy when the average impact is just 30p per day?
I can buy an S2000 for £10/day - that's hardly anything!
When it costs almost 5% or more of the value of the car, and it's a 2nd, 3rd or 4th car, I'd argue that the higher VED is a big deal.
plenty said:
J4CKO said:
I spent a while looking at 2004/2005 models, thinking I cant buy that because its £490 to tax, when actually it is another £210 or an extra £17.50 a month, which is cock all really in the scheme of things, if £17.50 is a big deal then you are looking at the wrong cars !
You can justify/rationalise almost anything using this logic. How many adverts have you seen saying "costs only £XX per day...less than a pint of beer!" etc.Why are people complaining about rising costs of energy when the average impact is just 30p per day?
I can buy an S2000 for £10/day - that's hardly anything!
When it costs almost 5% or more of the value of the car, and it's a 2nd, 3rd or 4th car, I'd argue that the higher VED is a big deal.
All the other costs are the same, its £210, not pocket change but relative to how much you pay for the car, insurance, the other half of the VED and fuel it shouldnt be perhaps be as much of the decision as it is, people buy brand new 20 - 30k diesels to save money on VED and fuel, then lose 10/15k in three years, that to me is more worring than a few extra quid on VED.
I put £40 a month into a separate account so the money is ringfenced and ready and I dont have a nasty shock next August, not such a big deal on the C1 with its £20 and Galaxy at £200 ish.
I then ride my bike past all three in the morning, so take no notice of what I say as am obviously mental.
Froomee said:
Put an S2000 and Z4M side by side and tell me this is true.
Other stuff...
.
As an S2000 owner, and huuuuuge fan of the car for god knows how long before I got one. I won't lie and say to look at the Z4M Coupe does have more of a sense of occasion. And that i do want one Other stuff...
.
I've not driven one so can't comment, but when it comes down to the fun factor behind the wheel I can't imagine it being 2-3x the fun compared to the extra cost.
DanielSan said:
Froomee said:
Put an S2000 and Z4M side by side and tell me this is true.
Other stuff...
.
As an S2000 owner, and huuuuuge fan of the car for god knows how long before I got one. I won't lie and say to look at the Z4M Coupe does have more of a sense of occasion. And that i do want one Other stuff...
.
I've not driven one so can't comment, but when it comes down to the fun factor behind the wheel I can't imagine it being 2-3x the fun compared to the extra cost.
Aside from the £500 tax, servicing works out at approximately £350 a year for 7/8k miles at a main franchised dealer including brake fluid. Insurance for me is £470 and 30mpg is possible although mine sits around 20ish.
Reasonable for the performance
Froomee said:
Agreed.
Aside from the £500 tax, servicing works out at approximately £350 a year for 7/8k miles at a main franchised dealer including brake fluid. Insurance for me is £470 and 30mpg is possible although mine sits around 20ish.
Reasonable for the performance
Can't go wrong with that really. It always amazes me how much cheaper the Z3/Z4M coupes are too insure than the M3. Aside from the £500 tax, servicing works out at approximately £350 a year for 7/8k miles at a main franchised dealer including brake fluid. Insurance for me is £470 and 30mpg is possible although mine sits around 20ish.
Reasonable for the performance
Finances permitting its definitely a car on my list to replace the S2000 when I do get bored with it.
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