If I sold the Z4C...

[FlavaDave]

Had a Z4C for just under a year now. And I'm not gelling with it. What the hell could I replace it with?

It's not used as daily driver (neither is it a weekend toy, I just walk to work).

Paid about £14K so something in that region to spend on the next one.

I visit clients so it CAN'T be a lotus elise.

The Z4C ticks a lot of boxes on paper, It just fails when you want a spirited drive.

Any ideas?

[Gruber]

e46 M3

[E38Ross]

boxster S? something like this...

http://beta.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[Bill]

It would probably help to know why you don't like it, and what you have gelled with on the past.

[300bhp/ton]

FlavaDave said:

It's not used as daily driver (neither is it a weekend toy, I just walk to work).

What do you use it for then? Or rather, what use will any replacement be used for?

FlavaDave said:

I visit clients so it CAN'T be a lotus elise.

Why?

FlavaDave said:

The Z4C ticks a lot of boxes on paper, It just fails when you want a spirited drive.

What exactly don't you like about it and that is doesn't do right for you? And does it do anything right?

FlavaDave said:

Any ideas?

Loads, but most would seem pointless without a little direction on what you are after and why

[FlavaDave]

OK, main flaw is the electric power steering. It feels like the steering wheel is connected to another steering wheel, which is connected to the wheels.

At real pace it's attitude is all over the place. I've replaced the run flats, but the ride is so irregular I have no confidence in the chassis.

I've glossed over this in the past because it looks SO DAMN GOOD! However I drove my mates Caymen back to back and the gap in ability is HUGE.

Only car I gelled with properly was my 172 CUP. I'm 33 so can't be faffin about in one of them anymore.

[Bill]

Have you considered a Cayman?

[Major Fallout]

They ditched the electric steering on the M.

So Z4MC?

[aspen]

More modern ReanultSport?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/4006311.htm

[FlavaDave]

Just seen 300bhp's chat.

I think an elise just gives off the wrong impression to clients. I run a design studio and the Z4 image seemed more 'appropriate'. I could be prioritising this too high tho?

Mostly the car will be used to transport myself about the place (everything other than the daily commute). I do about 5K miles a year including a bit of long stuff. York to Halifax - York to Newmarket.

Like all of you lot - I LOVE driving.

The Z4C is lovely at 5/6/7 tenths. Take it to 8/9/10/ tenths and you have a problem.

[Captain Muppet]

FlavaDave said:

The Z4C ticks a lot of boxes on paper, It just fails when you want a spirited drive.

Any ideas?

Try putting rubbish tyres on the back. Instant fun, every drive.

Or

Try putting really good tyres on it. Instant fun, every drive.

Could you say why it's dull? I really want one after a short drive of a LHD one on snow tyres, and if they are basically a bit dull on normal tyres then I'm stuck with what to replace my Elise with, should I ever have to. An old 635CSi maybe? It's a lot easier to forgive a few faults on a classic.

[pilchardthecat]

You should have got the one with the M badge on the back

[nonuts]

Just out of interest, is it an M as if not that is probably the issue?

[thinfourth2]

FlavaDave said:

I think an elise just gives off the wrong impression to clients. I run a design studio and the Z4 image seemed more 'appropriate'. .

Well you could solve this issue by turning up at the client and announcing in a loud voice " i'm a tt"

Or you could park round the corner

[Dusty964]

300bhp/ton said:

FlavaDave said:

It's not used as daily driver (neither is it a weekend toy, I just walk to work).

What do you use it for then? Or rather, what use will any replacement be used for?

FlavaDave said:

I visit clients so it CAN'T be a lotus elise.

Why?

FlavaDave said:

The Z4C ticks a lot of boxes on paper, It just fails when you want a spirited drive.

What exactly don't you like about it and that is doesn't do right for you? And does it do anything right?

FlavaDave said:

Any ideas?

Loads, but most would seem pointless without a little direction on what you are after and why

Hang on, hang, on................will it be a Mustang or a Corvette?

[SturdyHSV]

Monaro?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3957471.htm

Supercharged Monaro if you want to be kept on your toes (550bhp ish)?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3804497.htm

You'll have a big smile on your face every time you start it up. It's never going to be a Cayman though, but might be worth a try as an outside shot?

[Asterix]

Cayman? Can you get one in the UK for that sort of money?

When I got the Cayman S I put it up against the Z4M, driving the BMW first - after the first corner I knew it was the Cayman.

[300bhp/ton]

FlavaDave said:

Just seen 300bhp's chat.

I think an elise just gives off the wrong impression to clients. I run a design studio and the Z4 image seemed more 'appropriate'. I could be prioritising this too high tho?

I can't really comment on this as evidently you have the first hand experience. However I would say IMO does it really matter what they think? Is it really likely to make any real odds in the end no matter what you drive to any potential client? And doesn't something like an Elise have more design flare and a better visual impact than a Z4C?

FlavaDave said:

Mostly the car will be used to transport myself about the place (everything other than the daily commute). I do about 5K miles a year including a bit of long stuff. York to Halifax - York to Newmarket.

Like all of you lot - I LOVE driving.

The Z4C is lovely at 5/6/7 tenths. Take it to 8/9/10/ tenths and you have a problem.

5000 miles a year isn't much. So should open up a few options IMO. Google Maps says York to Halifax is only 46 miles, not sure I'd personally call that a long journey. To Newmarket is 170 miles I admit, but how often will you do this and will it be a round trip in a single day?


I guess some obvious options and choices are:


-Boxster
-Cayman
-911 (996 C2)
-350z
-370z (are they £14k yet?)
-Late S2k
-Chimera
-Griffith
-Cerbera
-e46 M3

Along with

-Lotus Europa S
-VX220T
-Elise
-MX-5 MK3.5
-Clio 200
-Megane R26.r

Some slightly left field options:

-Solstice/Solstice GXP
-Corvette ZR-1
-Corvette C5
-Evo IX
-Skyline GT-R


However if you really want 10/10th driving appeal and wonderful steering, I reckon you'd have to go a fairly long way to top something like this:

Elan +2S 130/4 (1972)
97,000 miles £11,995
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3999550.htm


Not only would you get a fantastic drive, you'd get a highly stylish and cool car with rock solid residuals and tax exemption. It might not be the most ideal for a 170 mile journey, but it's capable and would likely be brilliant for the rest of your motoring needs.

[J4CKO]

300bhp/ton said:

5000 miles a year isn't much. So should open up a few options IMO. Google Maps says York to Halifax is only 46 miles, not sure I'd personally call that a long journey. To Newmarket is 170 miles I admit, but how often will you do this and will it be a round trip in a single day?


I guess some obvious options and choices are:


-Boxster
-Cayman
-911 (996 C2)
-350z
-370z (are they £14k yet?)
-Late S2k
-Chimera
-Griffith
-Cerbera
-e46 M3

Along with

-Lotus Europa S
-VX220T
-Elise
-MX-5 MK3.5
-Clio 200
-Megane R26.r

Some slightly left field options:

-Solstice/Solstice GXP
-Corvette ZR-1
-Corvette C5
-Evo IX
-Skyline GT-R


However if you really want 10/10th driving appeal and wonderful steering, I reckon you'd have to go a fairly long way to top something like this:

Elan +2S 130/4 (1972)
97,000 miles £11,995
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3999550.htm


Not only would you get a fantastic drive, you'd get something highly stylish and cool car with rock solid residuals and tax exemption. It might not be the most ideal for a 170 mile journey, but it's capable and would likely be brilliant for the rest of your motoring needs.

Old Lotus as a daily driver, what could possibly go wrong !

Agree on the other stuff, residuals and tax exemption.

[FlavaDave]

Captain Muppet said:

Could you say why it's dull? I really want one after a short drive of a LHD one on snow tyres, and if they are basically a bit dull on normal tyres then I'm stuck with what to replace my Elise with, should I ever have to. An old 635CSi maybe? It's a lot easier to forgive a few faults on a classic.

I haven't said it's dull. It's a really nice car. Only not a sports car. Just a good looking fast car.

The brakes grumble when hot and fade. The chassis likes to take you where it thinks you should go (even without runflats). There's no ebb and flow to it.

Taking a fast corner is a lottery. you battle understeer on the way in, and on the way out/apex you might as well ask your wife when it's about break traction at the rear, cos the car is just as vague!