Z3 vs S2000 vs MX-5

[Bladefist]

Which one would you choose and why? Considering that you are looking for little, cheapish and agile car for weekends?

[kambites]

I'd go for the MX5. It simply has a better chassis than either of the other two, IMO.

[hornetrider]

We certainly haven't done this before.

[vdubbin]

One's an apple, one's an orange, and one's a potato.

[DanielSan]

S2000.

[Kozy]

I have driven none of them, but purely because I am a rabid fanboi, it would be the S2000 for me.

However, given the higher purchase costs and ridiculous insurance, by next car will be an MX5. Until an S2000 becomes viable.

[ST270]

S2000 - I am biased, but ours is for Weekends and holidays only too and for that purpose I wouldn't chose anything else - it is rapid and utterly involving when you want it to be - fantastic gearchange and manic 9krpm. When you don't it will cruise along nicely. Like having 2 cars in one /still has one of the fastest electric soft tops available and with a quick mod you can lower or raise it on the move.

[dapearson]

S2000 or Z3 3.0 based on their engines.

Neither of those three cars are the sharpest handling, but all can be made decent with a few mods (i'd imagine).

[crispyshark]

Define cheapish?

Cheap = MX5
Fairly lumpy insurance, parts etc (if work needs to be done) = S2000

Having owned and loved both id suggest the MX5 if you're not bothered about speed/acceleration.

If you like a banshee howl and the nearest to a turbo 'kick' on a N/A engine then go for the Honda.

The boggo Z3 is sh*t and i'm not sure why you'd condsider one.

[Prof Prolapse]

vdubbin said:

One's an apple, one's an orange, and one's a potato lemon.

Wouldn't touch a Z3 personally.

Some tosser will be along to point out it's archaic rear suspension was used in some archaic M3 so it must somehow be good. Only it isn't.

Z4s are pretty cheap and plentiful...

[RossP]

S2000. Had one. Loved it. Sold it to my brother-in-law.

[Bladefist]

What's so wrong about the Z3?

[Killer2005]

S2000

It's brilliant

[ajb85]

Bladefist said:

What's so wrong about the Z3?

Do a search on the forum! There's loads of 'Why do people not rate the Z3?' threads. The car divides opinion (to say the least), I think they're ok, if not the final word in roadsters. If it has to be one, make sure it's a six pot.

[MarJay]

Out of the three an S2000 any day of the week. I'm a confirmed BMW fan, and I wouldn't choose a Z3 unless I had to own a cheap BMW Roadster due to some strange combination of circumstances...

[Captain Muppet]

I love BMWs, and had my last Honda for 7 years I loved it so much.

But I bought and fitted a turbo to my MX5 for a total of £2k. It's a bargain.

[lewisf182]

For s2000 money you can get into a z4 (or very nearly) these days cant you? Z4 would be a better prospect no?

[vescaegg]

I drove both before settling on the mx5. The s2000 was rapid to be sure but I felt the mx5 genuinely more fun to drive.

Much slower mind, and without that glorious honda engine, but much more fun in a way I couldn't define.

The absolutely ludicrous insurance on an s2000 sealed the deal really - almost 3 times what I'm paying for the mx5!

[TwigtheWonderkid]

crispyshark said:

The boggo Z3 is sh*t and i'm not sure why you'd condsider one.

Is it? I've driven a 1.9 Z3 and it was actually rather nice. Not blisteringly fast for sure, but a decent turn of pace, handled well enough and beautifully put together. And nice ones are available for £1500 ish.

[300bhp/ton]

Bladefist said:

Which one would you choose and why? Considering that you are looking for little, cheapish and agile car for weekends?

TVR 350i

simples