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TT, Z4, or something else
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TT, Z4, or something else

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300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

191 months

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Wednesday 12th December 2018
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Hatethisbit said:
Hello all,

Been fed up with my current car for a while so and I'm finally in a position to treat myself to my first sports (?) car. Said car will be daily driver (my commute is only 4 miles total) but i will also use it to visit family and do the odd trip with the other half, so practical enough to fit in a couple of suit cases or bags is necessary.

I've narrowed it down so far to a TT or a Z4, preferably no older than 2010 with less than 60k on the clock. Budget is 10-11k, needs to be a coupe or a hard top, no cloth. My choices so far are solely based on reviews and looks, i wont have chance to test drive either till the weekend. I have never driven a rear wheel drive car before let alone owned one so i'm slightly weary of driving a Z4 in the driving rain on the trips up north we do to see family, i admittedly worry a lot about aquaplaning in such a car, am i being silly? The boot space in a TT also seems to trump the Z4.

Before anybody says it, i have considered an mx-5 but unfortunately the hard top RF is a little out of my price range.

TL;DR - Looking for a fun first sports car that can reasonably replace my hatchback, 10-11k budget, max 8 years old and 60k miles.

Thanks for reading
Any reason for the arbitrary 8 years old?

Not sure I'd personally call a TT a "sports car". They look ok and I'm sure they can be fast, but.....

GT86 would be in budget.

Although you get get an older Corvette deprecation free I suspect for your budget or maybe a TVR. For a 4 mile commute why not buy something a bit more special that you can enjoy more so at all times.

mick_coupe

325 posts

247 months

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[news]
Wednesday 12th December 2018
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I've owned a TT and a Z4 in the past, the TT is hardly engaging. The Z4 is more involving, mine had the dreaded steering sticking on a hot day which spoiled it somewhat.

Try both and see what you think, then try a GT86 you'll soon know where to spend your money !

Mick

Hatethisbit

Original Poster:

74 posts

73 months

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[news]
Wednesday 12th December 2018
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Thanks for the replies all

300bhp/ton - My current car is just so bland and creaky now so i had in mind to get something a bit newer for that nicer interior, its not overly important though. I suppose they're not really a sports car but im excited for something "exotic", dont take it away from me lol. Never considered anything like a TVR...i'm open to the idea but surely my short commute would be pretty bad for a car such as that?

mick_coupe - That sounds like a big endorsement for the GT86, did you own one?

ZX10R NIN - Thanks for the suggestions, funnily enough was looking at an S2000 during my lunch break today. I know the nissans get good reviews on here but i cant get myself to like them for some reason. SLK is a good shout though!

Hatethisbit

Original Poster:

74 posts

73 months

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[news]
Wednesday 12th December 2018
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cerb4.5lee

30,961 posts

181 months

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Wednesday 12th December 2018
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Hatethisbit said:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201... - This one's a bit of a blinder
I like that a lot! thumbup

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

191 months

[report]
[news]
Wednesday 12th December 2018
quotequote all
Hatethisbit said:
Thanks for the replies all

300bhp/ton - My current car is just so bland and creaky now so i had in mind to get something a bit newer for that nicer interior, its not overly important though. I suppose they're not really a sports car but im excited for something "exotic", dont take it away from me lol. Never considered anything like a TVR...i'm open to the idea but surely my short commute would be pretty bad for a car such as that?
No worries. smile I get what you mean. I guess for me it depends on how much of an event and drivers car you are after.

As an alternative to the TT. I personally think the Alfa Brera. The Alfa doesn’t really drive any better, but certainly more rare.

As for a TVR. They would be a complete event to be in, that I’m sure you’d want to drive the “long way home” quite often! biggrin

Owning one would likely be more fickle than a BMW or TT. But also so much more rewarding all the time. The engine is just a Rover V8. Very robust and would be fine on a short commute. One of the biggest things is, while a Z4 and definitely a TT will continual to bleed money in depreciation. A TVR will be more likely to increase in value.

Lots of other cars to consider. Like the previously mentioned GT86 and maybe a 370z if in budget. A Chrysler Corssfire SRT-6 is another less obvious option, but would probably tick the right boxes.

I think for this kind of money I would also be looking Porsche Boxsters.

Earthdweller

13,646 posts

127 months

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Wednesday 12th December 2018
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A lot of the replies here are referencing the first (E85) Z4 and the first gen TT

You are looking for the second gen Z4 (E89) or second gen TT

Both of the latter are far more grown up and civilised cars with the Z4 having the folding hard top, whilst it is not as raw as the earlier car I’d still rate it as a better drive than the TT

All the turbo engines are very tunable so it’s not an issue just getting the 20i

Depends what you are going to use it for and whether you need an all weather hack .. the Z4 is much more a driver’s car but the TT will be better in bad weather

I’ve had a couple of quattros which are very good but a little sterile .. I have a Z4 which is much more of a driver’s car

I would miss the Zed, I didn’t miss the Audi’s

Mr Tidy

22,642 posts

128 months

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Wednesday 12th December 2018
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True about the references to 1st Gen models.

The Z4 "sticky steering" tended to be an issue with pre-facelift E85s. I've had an E86 (so facelift) for over 4 years and love it, although even the last of them are outside the OP's 8 year time frame now. Then again there are some around within the preferred 60K miles, and the Coupe has a good boot for a 2 seater.

The E89 boot is a decent size, unless you want to be able to open the roof!

370Z would be a good option, except all post 2006 models get hit with the £500+ road tax.

A Crossfire would be a bit left-field and cheap to buy, but post 2006 will have the same £500+ road tax issue.

Maybe it's time for a gratuitous photo. laugh


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