Considering a nice roadster - best options for £3-4k?
Discussion
I have a short list of sorts, and this isn't meant to be a what car thread, just looking for opinions, suggestions, etc.
Missus is talking about changing her car maybe this year. Currently she has a '00 330ci, which she loves, but partly wants a change, but of late she has decided it is a little skittish (I think most of that is down to her digital throttle control in cold/wet!), and fancies a soft top.
I have a Eunos in the garage, which she loves driving, but for day to day it wouldn't be great for her - low, coilovers, fixed buckets, etc - and besides, I've had it a few years and pretty set on moving it on this year.
She has always fancied a Z3. I've never been in one, but only read the 'Z3 is a piece of s
te' type threads on here. Are they really that bad? They look to be good quality, hold their value well, and look like a proper roadster. I gather they won't be as sharp as an E46, but then I think the steering on our 330ci is what lets it down, very light at speed, little feel (possibly because it was one of the first 330's, with the boosted steering?), and the ride which is nicely firm, is crashy over the rough roads, tramlining, etc - although I know part of this is down to the low profile 18's.
Other considerations for her are an S2k, but I'm worried at this sort of money (£3-4k), they could be a bit ropey. Seem to be a few of the early ones suffering with rust. Also, as much as she loves them, I think she loves the looks more than she will the drive. She like fast cars, and every now & then likes to put her foot down, but I don't think she'd get on with a car where you need to ring it's neck reguarly.
This is why I wonder if she'd like a Z3, as it would be a little more comfortable for day to day travelling - but if they really are that bad then we'll avoid them. A test drive is in order anyway.
Other suggestion from me is an SLK, well built (maybe?), folding roof gives best of both worlds, only considerations are slightly dated looking interior, a mention of rust (late 90's Merc!), and that the auto is the beter drive, so probably poor economy. The 330ci manages 27mpg, so no worse than that would be ideal (says he with a Scooby as a daily drive!).
That or a mk2.5 MX5, think they look good, harks back to the Eunos I have now, but more modern interior, a little more comfy as well - only trouble is that they seem to be losing money quickly, and even the later ones are getting as rusty as the mk1's!!
4 door soft tops would be a consideration as well, but just not sure what to suggest to her. She faniced a C70 years back, but I think they'd be a little too comfort spec. CLK maybe, but again, I've heard they're pretty boring to drive - so maybe a 2 seater is still the best way to go.
Anyway, I'm rambling, but any opinions on the cars I've mentioned would be appreciated
Missus is talking about changing her car maybe this year. Currently she has a '00 330ci, which she loves, but partly wants a change, but of late she has decided it is a little skittish (I think most of that is down to her digital throttle control in cold/wet!), and fancies a soft top.
I have a Eunos in the garage, which she loves driving, but for day to day it wouldn't be great for her - low, coilovers, fixed buckets, etc - and besides, I've had it a few years and pretty set on moving it on this year.
She has always fancied a Z3. I've never been in one, but only read the 'Z3 is a piece of s
te' type threads on here. Are they really that bad? They look to be good quality, hold their value well, and look like a proper roadster. I gather they won't be as sharp as an E46, but then I think the steering on our 330ci is what lets it down, very light at speed, little feel (possibly because it was one of the first 330's, with the boosted steering?), and the ride which is nicely firm, is crashy over the rough roads, tramlining, etc - although I know part of this is down to the low profile 18's.Other considerations for her are an S2k, but I'm worried at this sort of money (£3-4k), they could be a bit ropey. Seem to be a few of the early ones suffering with rust. Also, as much as she loves them, I think she loves the looks more than she will the drive. She like fast cars, and every now & then likes to put her foot down, but I don't think she'd get on with a car where you need to ring it's neck reguarly.
This is why I wonder if she'd like a Z3, as it would be a little more comfortable for day to day travelling - but if they really are that bad then we'll avoid them. A test drive is in order anyway.
Other suggestion from me is an SLK, well built (maybe?), folding roof gives best of both worlds, only considerations are slightly dated looking interior, a mention of rust (late 90's Merc!), and that the auto is the beter drive, so probably poor economy. The 330ci manages 27mpg, so no worse than that would be ideal (says he with a Scooby as a daily drive!).
That or a mk2.5 MX5, think they look good, harks back to the Eunos I have now, but more modern interior, a little more comfy as well - only trouble is that they seem to be losing money quickly, and even the later ones are getting as rusty as the mk1's!!
4 door soft tops would be a consideration as well, but just not sure what to suggest to her. She faniced a C70 years back, but I think they'd be a little too comfort spec. CLK maybe, but again, I've heard they're pretty boring to drive - so maybe a 2 seater is still the best way to go.
Anyway, I'm rambling, but any opinions on the cars I've mentioned would be appreciated
Well, OP, I don't want to look like hijacking your thread but I was going to make one extremely similar, so do you mind sharing it with me? 
My mum (50 years old) has driven a mk3 diesel Mondeo for the last few years but now doesn't need anything anywhere near as big so fancies a roadster, as she can borrow my E46 if she's going away, but normally just drives herself so two seats fine. Budget £3-4k and a similar 'not too skittish' requirement to the OP, though I think Mum would have slightly fewer problems, having good throttle control.
A 2.8 Z3 is top of my list but I'm interested to hear owners' experiences - I've driven a 2.0 six one and I have the 2.8 engine so I think I have a good idea of how it'll drive, but to live with?
^^ Boxster is absolute bottom of market and I imagine maintenance costs over double any of the other options?
What about a Mk3 MR2? I don't know much about them, have heard very good things but not sure about mid-enginedness in the wet?
My mum (50 years old) has driven a mk3 diesel Mondeo for the last few years but now doesn't need anything anywhere near as big so fancies a roadster, as she can borrow my E46 if she's going away, but normally just drives herself so two seats fine. Budget £3-4k and a similar 'not too skittish' requirement to the OP, though I think Mum would have slightly fewer problems, having good throttle control.
A 2.8 Z3 is top of my list but I'm interested to hear owners' experiences - I've driven a 2.0 six one and I have the 2.8 engine so I think I have a good idea of how it'll drive, but to live with?
^^ Boxster is absolute bottom of market and I imagine maintenance costs over double any of the other options?
What about a Mk3 MR2? I don't know much about them, have heard very good things but not sure about mid-enginedness in the wet?
McSam said:
Well, OP, I don't want to look like hijacking your thread but I was going to make one extremely similar, so do you mind sharing it with me?
My mum (50 years old) has driven a mk3 diesel Mondeo for the last few years but now doesn't need anything anywhere near as big so fancies a roadster, as she can borrow my E46 if she's going away, but normally just drives herself so two seats fine. Budget £3-4k and a similar 'not too skittish' requirement to the OP, though I think Mum would have slightly fewer problems, having good throttle control.
A 2.8 Z3 is top of my list but I'm interested to hear owners' experiences - I've driven a 2.0 six one and I have the 2.8 engine so I think I have a good idea of how it'll drive, but to live with?
^^ Boxster is absolute bottom of market and I imagine maintenance costs over double any of the other options?
What about a Mk3 MR2? I don't know much about them, have heard very good things but not sure about mid-enginedness in the wet?
The more the merrier!! I was being harsh about my other half's throttle control, she can drive totaly fine, just at times she has complained about the TC light flashing when she didn't expect it to!!My mum (50 years old) has driven a mk3 diesel Mondeo for the last few years but now doesn't need anything anywhere near as big so fancies a roadster, as she can borrow my E46 if she's going away, but normally just drives herself so two seats fine. Budget £3-4k and a similar 'not too skittish' requirement to the OP, though I think Mum would have slightly fewer problems, having good throttle control.
A 2.8 Z3 is top of my list but I'm interested to hear owners' experiences - I've driven a 2.0 six one and I have the 2.8 engine so I think I have a good idea of how it'll drive, but to live with?
^^ Boxster is absolute bottom of market and I imagine maintenance costs over double any of the other options?
What about a Mk3 MR2? I don't know much about them, have heard very good things but not sure about mid-enginedness in the wet?
Boxster for £5k budget was a suggestion from me (partly because I fancy one!), but I agree that it could be too much of a money pit for day to day running, and she decided she wouldn't want one!
MR-S was a suggestions as well, but not sure if she's that keen. Again, I fancy trying one, but I've been told they have almost zero storage!
Herbs said:
Mk2.5 MX5 or MR2 all day long IMO - perfect for women in general so suits both requests
Mk2.5 MX5 would probably be my choice here for day to day, I think with some subtlte mods they look great, should have the same DNA as my Eunos, yet a slightly nicer place to be. She might still feel it too much of a step down from the BMW, in terms of luxuries though. Which is why we need to take a look at one.otolith said:
Doesn't sound as if she cares much how it drives as long as it is undemanding, has some poke and is "nice" - target audience for the German roadster market, I reckon.
Oh, she cares about how the car drives. She was set on a C70 before the BMW, but after driving one and realsing it handled just like a V70 (hate to say I told her so!), and then reluctantly trying the BMW, which she loved the drive of, and it swayed her decision! I think it's just since I've had the Impreza, she finds the handling of that more predictable and planted, whilst still being compliant. My main problem with the 330 is light steering, and tramlining, which seems to be the norm - it's OK once you're used to it, but when swapping between cars it becomes apparent. The slightly annoying throttle lag bugs me, but she doesn't really notice it, so now much of a problem.I suppose I was just thinking more grand tourer as that way it wouldn't be too much of a step down, comfort wise, rather than an out & out, no frills roadster - which she'd love in the summer, but maybe get annoyed with some winter! She has said a Z3 would be out if it feflt terrible on the road, I just think she has always liked one!
A Z4 would be my suggestion, but too pricey unfortunately.
Topics like these get me in trouble. Turns out, yes, you can get a very decent Boxster S for 5k... no, I've never driven one, 250bhp isn't a huge amount, and everyone would just re-quote Hammond's TG quote at you ("the only reason you buy a Boxster is because you can't afford a 911") but come on! It's a proper open top sports car, and all those glowing press reviews can't be wrong, can they?
Time to find five grand and find out I think!
Time to find five grand and find out I think!
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