Special / interesting daily driver for £20K

[Ecosseven]

I’m thinking about changing my current diesel mondeo for something far more interesting. I guess I’m having an early mid life crisis!

I don’t have any kids so two seats is fine. My other criteria are listed below.

1. It must feel special to own and to drive. I am looking at coupes and sportscars only.
2. Must have manual gearbox.
3. Preferably under 3 years old.
4. Manufacturers warranty and potential to extend this is important. Car will probably be purchased from an authorised dealer.
5. Reliability is very important. This will be a daily driver. I have struck a Boxster off the list for this reason.
6. Budget of 20-22K.

Current possibilities include a 370Z and a Z4 (sdrive 23i)

All the best.

[Mazdarese]

Ecosseven said:

5. Reliability is very important. This will be a daily driver. I have struck a Boxster off the list for this reason.

I don't understand.

I was going to suggest a Cayman S.

[RobM77]

Z4 Coupé (3.0 or M version, the former will be cheaper to run and still feel special, but the M is a lot faster)
Boxster/Cayman - they're extremely reliable, so I'm not sure about your comment. The running costs may be higher than the Nissan or BMW though? Perhaps this will be offset by depreciation?
Elise - Plenty of people use these as a daily driver; I did for three years and loved it.
Honda S2000 - worth a look.

[Ecosseven]

Mazdarese said:

Ecosseven said:

5. Reliability is very important. This will be a daily driver. I have struck a Boxster off the list for this reason.

I don't understand.

I was going to suggest a Cayman S.

I've heard too many stories about engines failing. Leaving aside the cost of fixing the engine there is also the hassle of having the car off the road. A cayman S won't fall within budget anyway.

[Mazdarese]

Ecosseven said:

Mazdarese said:

Ecosseven said:

5. Reliability is very important. This will be a daily driver. I have struck a Boxster off the list for this reason.

I don't understand.

I was going to suggest a Cayman S.

I've heard too many stories about engines failing. Leaving aside the cost of fixing the engine there is also the hassle of having the car off the road. A cayman S won't fall within budget anyway.

Have you heard any stories of engines not failing?

[kambites]

I'd say your requirements scream "Boxster S". There may have been a problem with engine seals on older cars, but I'm pretty sure that problem got fixed on later engines. I'm sure someone will be along to confirm or refute that soon.

Faced with the same decision, I bought an Elise but most people seem to think that's a silly idea.

[Snowboy]

BMW 135i. (or 130i)
Perhaps the cabrio or coupe.

You say it's a daily drive.
This car has a good mix of speed for the open roads, and comfort for the heavy commute.
You could consider the auto with the flappy paddles. Also useful for heavy traffic, but you can play with the gears if you want to.

S2000 is a great little car. But I found it a bit heavy going as a daily driver.
Other people experience may vary.

[300bhp/ton]

Ecosseven said:

I’m thinking about changing my current diesel mondeo for something far more interesting. I guess I’m having an early mid life crisis!

I don’t have any kids so two seats is fine. My other criteria are listed below.

1. It must feel special to own and to drive. I am looking at coupes and sportscars only.
2. Must have manual gearbox.
3. Preferably under 3 years old.
4. Manufacturers warranty and potential to extend this is important. Car will probably be purchased from an authorised dealer.
5. Reliability is very important. This will be a daily driver. I have struck a Boxster off the list for this reason.
6. Budget of 20-22K.

Current possibilities include a 370Z and a Z4 (sdrive 23i)

All the best.

How many miles are you going to be doing, because rationally, when you look at cold hard facts, points 3 and 4 seem somewhat restrictive and counter-intuitive.

I do actually like both cars you've listed, esp the 370z, but there is simply so much more choice out there if you really want interesting.

[LuS1fer]

If you can put up with LHD, then Corvette C5 (Z06 even) or Mustang GT - the Vette having the higher performance/handling in stock form, the Mustang by far the better gearbox.

Here's a Z06:
http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3119749.htm

You can buy an aftermarket warranty if you like but neither car has any issues at all and reliability is a bye-word so I doubt you'll be using it.

Add in cheap insurance, VEL and glacial depreciation and it's a winner.

[Ecosseven]

Mazdarese said:

Ecosseven said:

Mazdarese said:

Ecosseven said:

5. Reliability is very important. This will be a daily driver. I have struck a Boxster off the list for this reason.

I don't understand.

I was going to suggest a Cayman S.

I've heard too many stories about engines failing. Leaving aside the cost of fixing the engine there is also the hassle of having the car off the road. A cayman S won't fall within budget anyway.

Have you heard any stories of engines not failing?

I'm sure there are plenty of Boxters and Caymans around that have never had any problems. But I have heard of a number of stories about engines failin due to IMS, scored bores, pistons going oval, etc. It's enough to put me off. I could buy an extended warranty from an official Porsche dealer but the cost is extortionate. I have only ever heard of one engine failure of a 350Z / 370Z.

[Ecosseven]

kambites said:

I'd say your requirements scream "Boxster S". There may have been a problem with engine seals on older cars, but I'm pretty sure that problem got fixed on later engines. I'm sure someone will be along to confirm or refute that soon.

Faced with the same decision, I bought an Elise but most people seem to think that's a silly idea.

An Elise is a possibility but I already have a Caterham that I'll be keeping so perhaps too closely related.

[ewenm]

Snowboy said:

BMW 135i. (or 130i)
Perhaps the cabrio or coupe.

Why would you pick it over the Z4 with the OP's criteria? I'd have said that both meet the "daily drive" criteria easily but the Z4 would be more "special/interesting" than the 1-Series.

[Ecosseven]

300bhp/ton said:

Ecosseven said:

I’m thinking about changing my current diesel mondeo for something far more interesting. I guess I’m having an early mid life crisis!

I don’t have any kids so two seats is fine. My other criteria are listed below.

1. It must feel special to own and to drive. I am looking at coupes and sportscars only.
2. Must have manual gearbox.
3. Preferably under 3 years old.
4. Manufacturers warranty and potential to extend this is important. Car will probably be purchased from an authorised dealer.
5. Reliability is very important. This will be a daily driver. I have struck a Boxster off the list for this reason.
6. Budget of 20-22K.

Current possibilities include a 370Z and a Z4 (sdrive 23i)

All the best.

How many miles are you going to be doing, because rationally, when you look at cold hard facts, points 3 and 4 seem somewhat restrictive and counter-intuitive.

I do actually like both cars you've listed, esp the 370z, but there is simply so much more choice out there if you really want interesting.

I'll probably do about 10-12K miles a year and I'll be looking to keep the car for 4-5 years. Most of manufacturers allow you to extent the warranty on the car although the cost increases as the car gets older.

[Rich A]

I drive an S2000 daily and have no problems with it at all.

If I had your budget though, i'd consider a Cayman S or Exige S2 for sports cars, or a Maserati 4200 for a coup.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2750732.htm

[Ecosseven]

LuS1fer said:

If you can put up with LHD, then Corvette C5 (Z06 even) or Mustang GT - the Vette having the higher performance/handling in stock form, the Mustang by far the better gearbox.

Here's a Z06:
http://pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3119749.htm

You can buy an aftermarket warranty if you like but neither car has any issues at all and reliability is a bye-word so I doubt you'll be using it.

Add in cheap insurance, VEL and glacial depreciation and it's a winner.

A C6 might be an option. I don't like the C5 styling and a mustang doesn't compare favourably in terms of buying costs to the 370Z (which is also RHD) although I recognise the savings in insurance and road tax.

[Ecosseven]

ewenm said:

Snowboy said:

BMW 135i. (or 130i)
Perhaps the cabrio or coupe.

Why would you pick it over the Z4 with the OP's criteria? I'd have said that both meet the "daily drive" criteria easily but the Z4 would be more "special/interesting" than the 1-Series.

Correct. The 135i is a great car and I'm sure it would be a pleaseure to own. But it just doesn't float my boat compared to 2 seat coupes and sportscars. I will admit it would be the first choice if I needed something a bit more practical.

[300bhp/ton]

Ecosseven said:

I'll probably do about 10-12K miles a year and I'll be looking to keep the car for 4-5 years. Most of manufacturers allow you to extent the warranty on the car although the cost increases as the car gets older.

I really don't think age should be the most major consideration, not for this sort of mileage.

Also, many cars are perfectly reliable, or will cost less to maintain than the depreciation you'll receive over 4/5 years ownership of something much newer such as a 370z.

[Snowboy]

Ecosseven said:

ewenm said:

Snowboy said:

BMW 135i. (or 130i)
Perhaps the cabrio or coupe.

Why would you pick it over the Z4 with the OP's criteria? I'd have said that both meet the "daily drive" criteria easily but the Z4 would be more "special/interesting" than the 1-Series.

Correct. The 135i is a great car and I'm sure it would be a pleaseure to own. But it just doesn't float my boat compared to 2 seat coupes and sportscars. I will admit it would be the first choice if I needed something a bit more practical.

I was just throwing it into the hat as it hadn't been suggested.
The OP mentioned a coupe or sportscar – The 135i can be a coupe or a cabrio.

Also, the OP mentioned owning a Mondeo, I resumed this was relevant, so I was trying to think of something that wasn't too much of a leap from the practicality of the mondeo.
The 1 series has more interior and boot space than the Z.
It might be relevant – or not.

Better to have different idea perhaps, then all saying the same thing.

[LocoBlade]

Ecosseven said:

I'll probably do about 10-12K miles a year and I'll be looking to keep the car for 4-5 years. Most of manufacturers allow you to extent the warranty on the car although the cost increases as the car gets older.

If you get a BMW extend the warranty after 3 years, pay for it monthly then it never goes up for as long as you keep paying, its just a rolling payment regardless of how many miles the car has on it. If you do it annually the price goes up significantly after 60k miles.

[RobM77]

Snowboy said:

Ecosseven said:

ewenm said:

Snowboy said:

BMW 135i. (or 130i)
Perhaps the cabrio or coupe.

Why would you pick it over the Z4 with the OP's criteria? I'd have said that both meet the "daily drive" criteria easily but the Z4 would be more "special/interesting" than the 1-Series.

Correct. The 135i is a great car and I'm sure it would be a pleaseure to own. But it just doesn't float my boat compared to 2 seat coupes and sportscars. I will admit it would be the first choice if I needed something a bit more practical.

I was just throwing it into the hat as it hadn't been suggested.
The OP mentioned a coupe or sportscar – The 135i can be a coupe or a cabrio.

Also, the OP mentioned owning a Mondeo, I resumed this was relevant, so I was trying to think of something that wasn't too much of a leap from the practicality of the mondeo.
The 1 series has more interior and boot space than the Z.
It might be relevant – or not.

Better to have different idea perhaps, then all saying the same thing.

I'd like to see the boot space figures for the Z4 Coupé and 135i coupé, it may be closer than you think

Also, having driven both the 1 series and the old model Z4 extensively, the main difference is that Z4 was a much lighter car (~1350kg cf 1500kg), and unlike the 135i has a normally aspirated engine which I've always found to be more driveable. I'd say the Z4 was definitely the pick of the two, unless back seats and a roof rack are key concerns (in which case I'd go for the 3 series, which is a similar weight, and despite only being a few inches longer overall has much more interior space).