Which 8k sports car? 350Z, Z4 Coupe or "986" Boxster S?
Discussion
After two happy years in an R56 MINI Cooper, I feel the need to mix things up a bit but my attempts to find something as fun and economical within my budget, whilst gaining a bit more power and comfort and moving away from a hatchback-type vehicle all seem like a bit of a compromise in one or more areas. The MINI has been a good car, is paid off and owes me nothing and in reality it's the perfect car for the daily commute. It's just about quick enough to be fun, is very economical, I feel safe in it and I can pick the kids up from school in it if necessary.
So rather, than finding a direct replacement, I'm now considering sticking with the MINI, upping the budget a little and purchasing an additional vehicle 12-18 months down the road, something a bit more "special" that I can enjoy driving in nice weather and a two-seat RWD sports car with a brawny 6-pot motor seems to be hitting the right spot for me.
The three cars that I keep coming back to are the 350Z Coupe, Z4 3.0si Coupe and the 986 Boxster S, the nominal budget is around 8k.
I would expect the 350Z to be the most reliable but it's quite heavy and some have told me not that quick. The motor went through one or two evolutions though, so I'm not sure which is the best one to go for? They seem to hold their value surprisingly well but a good one should be available for 8k. Although I'm sure that it's better in many respects, I have just never loved how the 370Z looks in comparison to the 350Z and they seem to start at more like 10k. I love the 350Z Coupe in that "burnt orange" colour but with black rather than orange leather.
For me, the Z4 Coupe is one of the best-looking, affordable cars of the last 15 years. I love the sound of an NA straight six BMW engine and I hear that they're surprisingly economical and perhaps if I decided down the road that running two cars is a bit excessive, the Z4 might be the most viable and comfortable of the three cars as a daily driver?
The opinion seems pretty polarised on the 986 Boxster. Some love them and some say that they're a bit crap but there are a lot of them around and they seem to be the most affordable of the three. Some potential engine issues on these but I would have thought probably sorted by now? There are a few 987s around for this kind of money (which some say is a much better car) but I'd really want an "S" and just prefer the looks of the 986. This was the car that I wanted when I got my MX5 in 2004 but couldn't afford (and probably wouldn't have been able to afford the insurance on)! Dark blue with light grey leather and the "Turbo-style" alloys is the dream spec. I've always wanted a Porsche and this always seemed like the one that I might be able to afford one day.
Any thoughts on the pros and cons and potential bork factor of the three cars and which is the most fun and/or most viable as a daily commuter would be much appreciated.
So rather, than finding a direct replacement, I'm now considering sticking with the MINI, upping the budget a little and purchasing an additional vehicle 12-18 months down the road, something a bit more "special" that I can enjoy driving in nice weather and a two-seat RWD sports car with a brawny 6-pot motor seems to be hitting the right spot for me.
The three cars that I keep coming back to are the 350Z Coupe, Z4 3.0si Coupe and the 986 Boxster S, the nominal budget is around 8k.
I would expect the 350Z to be the most reliable but it's quite heavy and some have told me not that quick. The motor went through one or two evolutions though, so I'm not sure which is the best one to go for? They seem to hold their value surprisingly well but a good one should be available for 8k. Although I'm sure that it's better in many respects, I have just never loved how the 370Z looks in comparison to the 350Z and they seem to start at more like 10k. I love the 350Z Coupe in that "burnt orange" colour but with black rather than orange leather.
For me, the Z4 Coupe is one of the best-looking, affordable cars of the last 15 years. I love the sound of an NA straight six BMW engine and I hear that they're surprisingly economical and perhaps if I decided down the road that running two cars is a bit excessive, the Z4 might be the most viable and comfortable of the three cars as a daily driver?
The opinion seems pretty polarised on the 986 Boxster. Some love them and some say that they're a bit crap but there are a lot of them around and they seem to be the most affordable of the three. Some potential engine issues on these but I would have thought probably sorted by now? There are a few 987s around for this kind of money (which some say is a much better car) but I'd really want an "S" and just prefer the looks of the 986. This was the car that I wanted when I got my MX5 in 2004 but couldn't afford (and probably wouldn't have been able to afford the insurance on)! Dark blue with light grey leather and the "Turbo-style" alloys is the dream spec. I've always wanted a Porsche and this always seemed like the one that I might be able to afford one day.
Any thoughts on the pros and cons and potential bork factor of the three cars and which is the most fun and/or most viable as a daily commuter would be much appreciated.
Edited by white_goodman on Friday 9th November 20:14
Long term Z4C owner here so I warn you I might not be the most balanced.
The Z4C is probably the prettiest, most “interesting” and actually may well be the most reliable; although now I have said that, watch mine throw me a bill. Downsides are the suspension is rock solid, the run flats tramline and the early EPAS system gets confused occasionally.
The 350z has better suspension than the Z but has quite a thirst on it and the interior is pretty low rent plus the driving position isn’t great if you’re tall. I always thought it was fast enough but it depends what you compare it too. They also come with an LSD as standard if memory serves me correct which the Z’s don’t.
As for the Porsches. Supposedly the best handling car but the biggest risk. Much harder to work on due to the engine location and the whole chocolate engine Porsche thing. Never driven one myself but a mate bought one having owned a long line of BMW’s and never really got on with it, so probably worth testing driving and seeing for yourself.
All have the capability of being daily driven so just get the car you want.
The Z4C is probably the prettiest, most “interesting” and actually may well be the most reliable; although now I have said that, watch mine throw me a bill. Downsides are the suspension is rock solid, the run flats tramline and the early EPAS system gets confused occasionally.
The 350z has better suspension than the Z but has quite a thirst on it and the interior is pretty low rent plus the driving position isn’t great if you’re tall. I always thought it was fast enough but it depends what you compare it too. They also come with an LSD as standard if memory serves me correct which the Z’s don’t.
As for the Porsches. Supposedly the best handling car but the biggest risk. Much harder to work on due to the engine location and the whole chocolate engine Porsche thing. Never driven one myself but a mate bought one having owned a long line of BMW’s and never really got on with it, so probably worth testing driving and seeing for yourself.
All have the capability of being daily driven so just get the car you want.
Four and a half years ago I decided it was time to buy something less dull than my 123d (I'd had it over 6 years anyway and wanted a change).
So I went to look at a Z4 Coupe at a local dealer as I'd always loved the shape of them. Had a test drive and just loved it!
But it wasn't a great example - it was the rarer SE model which meant it didn't have the M-Sport seats that the Sport models had.
I found one for sale privately, went to look at it and put a deposit on it. After 18 months the electric water pump failed (a common problem) and after an £800 bill I suppose I fell out of love with it a bit and agreed to sell it. But I took it for one last drive and realised how much I would miss it.
So a few days later I put a deposit on another one and I've now had that 2 and a half years - and this one is staying! Just keeping my fingers crossed on the water pump issue but it's now only a £500 job as my Indy buys the same part - but not from BMW!
So far all this one has needed is a battery (the original was 10 years old) and new rear brake pipes as they corrode. I got these made up from copper because to fit BMW ones the fuel tank needs to be dropped to run the offside one across. The guy who did them managed to push the copper through the securing brackets then shape it afterwards.
Some owners have had issues with ABS pumps and electric steering pumps - these are silly expensive from BMW but they can be rebuilt for a few hundred quid.
I think that's about it for potential problems, other than the usual wear and tear items like suspension, brakes, etc. that you get on any car.
I had wondered about a 350Z - they are a bit more powerful, but because they're a bit heavier performance is very similar and it was the looks that made me go for the Z4C.
It had to be a Coupe, so that ruled the Boxster out - and even if it hadn't I'd be too worried about the cost of getting things fixed if it did have a problem.
Quite a few owners do use them as a daily driver, but more tend to have them as a treat for "Special Days" like I do. But it's pretty economical for a 3 litre - my OBC is showing an average of 33.6 mpg.
It may not be too good for having child seats as the option to disable the passenger airbag wasn't taken up by many owners - but at least 1 person has had it done as a retro-fit.
£8K is probably going to get one with a about 100K miles - but the engines are good for twice that if well looked after.
There's loads more information about them on "z4forum" if you want to learn more about them.
BTW I like the R56 Coopers too - Mrs Tidy has had hers 12 years!
Sorry I can't tell you much about the other options, but good luck with your search whatever you decide to get.
So I went to look at a Z4 Coupe at a local dealer as I'd always loved the shape of them. Had a test drive and just loved it!
But it wasn't a great example - it was the rarer SE model which meant it didn't have the M-Sport seats that the Sport models had.
I found one for sale privately, went to look at it and put a deposit on it. After 18 months the electric water pump failed (a common problem) and after an £800 bill I suppose I fell out of love with it a bit and agreed to sell it. But I took it for one last drive and realised how much I would miss it.
So a few days later I put a deposit on another one and I've now had that 2 and a half years - and this one is staying! Just keeping my fingers crossed on the water pump issue but it's now only a £500 job as my Indy buys the same part - but not from BMW!
So far all this one has needed is a battery (the original was 10 years old) and new rear brake pipes as they corrode. I got these made up from copper because to fit BMW ones the fuel tank needs to be dropped to run the offside one across. The guy who did them managed to push the copper through the securing brackets then shape it afterwards.
Some owners have had issues with ABS pumps and electric steering pumps - these are silly expensive from BMW but they can be rebuilt for a few hundred quid.
I think that's about it for potential problems, other than the usual wear and tear items like suspension, brakes, etc. that you get on any car.
I had wondered about a 350Z - they are a bit more powerful, but because they're a bit heavier performance is very similar and it was the looks that made me go for the Z4C.
It had to be a Coupe, so that ruled the Boxster out - and even if it hadn't I'd be too worried about the cost of getting things fixed if it did have a problem.
Quite a few owners do use them as a daily driver, but more tend to have them as a treat for "Special Days" like I do. But it's pretty economical for a 3 litre - my OBC is showing an average of 33.6 mpg.
It may not be too good for having child seats as the option to disable the passenger airbag wasn't taken up by many owners - but at least 1 person has had it done as a retro-fit.
£8K is probably going to get one with a about 100K miles - but the engines are good for twice that if well looked after.
There's loads more information about them on "z4forum" if you want to learn more about them.
BTW I like the R56 Coopers too - Mrs Tidy has had hers 12 years!
Sorry I can't tell you much about the other options, but good luck with your search whatever you decide to get.
Mr Tidy said:
Four and a half years ago I decided it was time to buy something less dull than my 123d (I'd had it over 6 years anyway and wanted a change).
So I went to look at a Z4 Coupe at a local dealer as I'd always loved the shape of them. Had a test drive and just loved it!
But it wasn't a great example - it was the rarer SE model which meant it didn't have the M-Sport seats that the Sport models had.
I found one for sale privately, went to look at it and put a deposit on it. After 18 months the electric water pump failed (a common problem) and after an £800 bill I suppose I fell out of love with it a bit and agreed to sell it. But I took it for one last drive and realised how much I would miss it.
So a few days later I put a deposit on another one and I've now had that 2 and a half years - and this one is staying! Just keeping my fingers crossed on the water pump issue but it's now only a £500 job as my Indy buys the same part - but not from BMW!
So far all this one has needed is a battery (the original was 10 years old) and new rear brake pipes as they corrode. I got these made up from copper because to fit BMW ones the fuel tank needs to be dropped to run the offside one across. The guy who did them managed to push the copper through the securing brackets then shape it afterwards.
Some owners have had issues with ABS pumps and electric steering pumps - these are silly expensive from BMW but they can be rebuilt for a few hundred quid.
I think that's about it for potential problems, other than the usual wear and tear items like suspension, brakes, etc. that you get on any car.
I had wondered about a 350Z - they are a bit more powerful, but because they're a bit heavier performance is very similar and it was the looks that made me go for the Z4C.
It had to be a Coupe, so that ruled the Boxster out - and even if it hadn't I'd be too worried about the cost of getting things fixed if it did have a problem.
Quite a few owners do use them as a daily driver, but more tend to have them as a treat for "Special Days" like I do. But it's pretty economical for a 3 litre - my OBC is showing an average of 33.6 mpg.
It may not be too good for having child seats as the option to disable the passenger airbag wasn't taken up by many owners - but at least 1 person has had it done as a retro-fit.
£8K is probably going to get one with a about 100K miles - but the engines are good for twice that if well looked after.
There's loads more information about them on "z4forum" if you want to learn more about them.
BTW I like the R56 Coopers too - Mrs Tidy has had hers 12 years!
Sorry I can't tell you much about the other options, but good luck with your search whatever you decide to get.
Thank you both. Everyone on here that has had one seems to love their Z4C. So I went to look at a Z4 Coupe at a local dealer as I'd always loved the shape of them. Had a test drive and just loved it!
But it wasn't a great example - it was the rarer SE model which meant it didn't have the M-Sport seats that the Sport models had.
I found one for sale privately, went to look at it and put a deposit on it. After 18 months the electric water pump failed (a common problem) and after an £800 bill I suppose I fell out of love with it a bit and agreed to sell it. But I took it for one last drive and realised how much I would miss it.
So a few days later I put a deposit on another one and I've now had that 2 and a half years - and this one is staying! Just keeping my fingers crossed on the water pump issue but it's now only a £500 job as my Indy buys the same part - but not from BMW!
So far all this one has needed is a battery (the original was 10 years old) and new rear brake pipes as they corrode. I got these made up from copper because to fit BMW ones the fuel tank needs to be dropped to run the offside one across. The guy who did them managed to push the copper through the securing brackets then shape it afterwards.
Some owners have had issues with ABS pumps and electric steering pumps - these are silly expensive from BMW but they can be rebuilt for a few hundred quid.
I think that's about it for potential problems, other than the usual wear and tear items like suspension, brakes, etc. that you get on any car.
I had wondered about a 350Z - they are a bit more powerful, but because they're a bit heavier performance is very similar and it was the looks that made me go for the Z4C.
It had to be a Coupe, so that ruled the Boxster out - and even if it hadn't I'd be too worried about the cost of getting things fixed if it did have a problem.
Quite a few owners do use them as a daily driver, but more tend to have them as a treat for "Special Days" like I do. But it's pretty economical for a 3 litre - my OBC is showing an average of 33.6 mpg.
It may not be too good for having child seats as the option to disable the passenger airbag wasn't taken up by many owners - but at least 1 person has had it done as a retro-fit.
£8K is probably going to get one with a about 100K miles - but the engines are good for twice that if well looked after.
There's loads more information about them on "z4forum" if you want to learn more about them.
BTW I like the R56 Coopers too - Mrs Tidy has had hers 12 years!
Sorry I can't tell you much about the other options, but good luck with your search whatever you decide to get.
Lets be clear, all three of those you have suggested are great in their own right which is why its so hard to pick one. I have agonised over the same selection of cars (you have good taste 
) plus the wild card option of a Vauxhall Monaro for some LS V8 action.
In my opinion its a tough call between a 350z (Rev Up in orange for me!!!) & the Z4 3.0Si coupe (Grey or black with red leather ) if it were a daily driver and perhaps the Porsche might get a bit more of a look in if it were a weekend/sunny days car.
) plus the wild card option of a Vauxhall Monaro for some LS V8 action. In my opinion its a tough call between a 350z (Rev Up in orange for me!!!) & the Z4 3.0Si coupe (Grey or black with red leather ) if it were a daily driver and perhaps the Porsche might get a bit more of a look in if it were a weekend/sunny days car.
I've owned all of these (OK, not a Boxster but a 996).
The 350Z is uninspiring, heavy and thirsty. The interior is covered in plastic.
The Porsche is dated and unreliable.
The Z4C was my favourite of the three and I'd have one again. Lovely place to sit, has a few toys and the rear end is blooming lovely. Get the Si as opposed to the SE (the former being the M-Sport version). Arguably still looking fresh even over ten years on
The 350Z is uninspiring, heavy and thirsty. The interior is covered in plastic.
The Porsche is dated and unreliable.
The Z4C was my favourite of the three and I'd have one again. Lovely place to sit, has a few toys and the rear end is blooming lovely. Get the Si as opposed to the SE (the former being the M-Sport version). Arguably still looking fresh even over ten years on
We had the Boxster. I'm not Porsche fan but the quality of engineering was above any other car I have ever seen. They're incredibly strong and solid cars.
I'd ignore the running cost issue. Ours cost no more than any other car to run and indy servicing was not in the least expensive. Our Boxster 2.7 averaged 32mpg and was a really great car. 100% reliable.
The other two options are nice (we've had 2 Z4's) but IMO the Boxster is the best one and with the roof down it's got no competition. Try them all but I'd be surprised if you didn't go for the Porsche.
I'd ignore the running cost issue. Ours cost no more than any other car to run and indy servicing was not in the least expensive. Our Boxster 2.7 averaged 32mpg and was a really great car. 100% reliable.
The other two options are nice (we've had 2 Z4's) but IMO the Boxster is the best one and with the roof down it's got no competition. Try them all but I'd be surprised if you didn't go for the Porsche.
Interesting to see the usual "I've never owned one but they are [insert clichés here]".
The "issues" with the 986 were RMS (rear main seal) and the IMS (intermediate main shaft) bearing wearing/failing. These only actually seemed to affect a small proportion of cars, and seem to only present themselves as weaknesses at lower mileages. The idea of the engines being "chocolate" would serve only to highlight how much a person knows about the cars in general.
The overall quality, handling and experience of the Boxster is superb (after all, it's arguably the model that offers a better basis for a sports car out of any Porsche make) but suffers from the fact that they left them a bit underpowered to keep them at the bottom of the range. The 'S' is still 6 seconds or so 0-60, so not bad at all, but not a rocketship. They also deliver the power very smoothly, so they don't always feel as quick as they actually are at times.
(Also, bear in mind they made a 2.7 'S' which is a different type of 'S' to the 3.2 S - but this didn't stop adventurous owners from adding on the 'S' badge themselves, and claiming they had an 'S'. One of the main proper 'S' features, aside from the 3.2 engine, is the intermittent wiper control on the console, mirroring the cigarette lighter.)
In terms of ownership, it's the VW-engineered side that lets the car down (suspension bushes and some electrical components being weak points. Design911 have an online catalogue where you can order pretty much any component from the car (down to nuts and bolts), which was a pretty satisfactory ownership experience.
Despite what has been said, the engine isn't actually that much bother to work on. There are few components that you'll really need to get at from above, with plugs and coils being accessible from the lower sides (being a Boxer config). A wheel off on each side and you can easily get to the ignition side of things. The rear bumper comes off easily enough to allow full access to exhausts. The only real "ball ache" job I had was changing the engine oil separator (which is another of the not too uncommon jobs), purely because it's in a funny location that would have been easier if I had ramps, rather than on the drive.
I've not owned a Z4, but heard nothing good from owners when I was looking at them. They aren't (to my experiences) known as a good reliable car at all.
The "issues" with the 986 were RMS (rear main seal) and the IMS (intermediate main shaft) bearing wearing/failing. These only actually seemed to affect a small proportion of cars, and seem to only present themselves as weaknesses at lower mileages. The idea of the engines being "chocolate" would serve only to highlight how much a person knows about the cars in general.
The overall quality, handling and experience of the Boxster is superb (after all, it's arguably the model that offers a better basis for a sports car out of any Porsche make) but suffers from the fact that they left them a bit underpowered to keep them at the bottom of the range. The 'S' is still 6 seconds or so 0-60, so not bad at all, but not a rocketship. They also deliver the power very smoothly, so they don't always feel as quick as they actually are at times.
(Also, bear in mind they made a 2.7 'S' which is a different type of 'S' to the 3.2 S - but this didn't stop adventurous owners from adding on the 'S' badge themselves, and claiming they had an 'S'. One of the main proper 'S' features, aside from the 3.2 engine, is the intermittent wiper control on the console, mirroring the cigarette lighter.)
In terms of ownership, it's the VW-engineered side that lets the car down (suspension bushes and some electrical components being weak points. Design911 have an online catalogue where you can order pretty much any component from the car (down to nuts and bolts), which was a pretty satisfactory ownership experience.
Despite what has been said, the engine isn't actually that much bother to work on. There are few components that you'll really need to get at from above, with plugs and coils being accessible from the lower sides (being a Boxer config). A wheel off on each side and you can easily get to the ignition side of things. The rear bumper comes off easily enough to allow full access to exhausts. The only real "ball ache" job I had was changing the engine oil separator (which is another of the not too uncommon jobs), purely because it's in a funny location that would have been easier if I had ramps, rather than on the drive.
I've not owned a Z4, but heard nothing good from owners when I was looking at them. They aren't (to my experiences) known as a good reliable car at all.
cj2013 said:
Interesting to see the usual "I've never owned one but they are [insert clichés here]".
The "issues" with the 986 were RMS (rear main seal) and the IMS (intermediate main shaft) bearing wearing/failing. These only actually seemed to affect a small proportion of cars, and seem to only present themselves as weaknesses at lower mileages. The idea of the engines being "chocolate" would serve only to highlight how much a person knows about the cars in general.
The overall quality, handling and experience of the Boxster is superb (after all, it's arguably the model that offers a better basis for a sports car out of any Porsche make) but suffers from the fact that they left them a bit underpowered to keep them at the bottom of the range. The 'S' is still 6 seconds or so 0-60, so not bad at all, but not a rocketship. They also deliver the power very smoothly, so they don't always feel as quick as they actually are at times.
(Also, bear in mind they made a 2.7 'S' which is a different type of 'S' to the 3.2 S - but this didn't stop adventurous owners from adding on the 'S' badge themselves, and claiming they had an 'S'. One of the main proper 'S' features, aside from the 3.2 engine, is the intermittent wiper control on the console, mirroring the cigarette lighter.)
In terms of ownership, it's the VW-engineered side that lets the car down (suspension bushes and some electrical components being weak points. Design911 have an online catalogue where you can order pretty much any component from the car (down to nuts and bolts), which was a pretty satisfactory ownership experience.
Despite what has been said, the engine isn't actually that much bother to work on. There are few components that you'll really need to get at from above, with plugs and coils being accessible from the lower sides (being a Boxer config). A wheel off on each side and you can easily get to the ignition side of things. The rear bumper comes off easily enough to allow full access to exhausts. The only real "ball ache" job I had was changing the engine oil separator (which is another of the not too uncommon jobs), purely because it's in a funny location that would have been easier if I had ramps, rather than on the drive.
I've not owned a Z4, but heard nothing good from owners when I was looking at them. They aren't (to my experiences) known as a good reliable car at all.
You started your post criticising people for commenting on cars they never owned then finished your post doing exactly the same. The "issues" with the 986 were RMS (rear main seal) and the IMS (intermediate main shaft) bearing wearing/failing. These only actually seemed to affect a small proportion of cars, and seem to only present themselves as weaknesses at lower mileages. The idea of the engines being "chocolate" would serve only to highlight how much a person knows about the cars in general.
The overall quality, handling and experience of the Boxster is superb (after all, it's arguably the model that offers a better basis for a sports car out of any Porsche make) but suffers from the fact that they left them a bit underpowered to keep them at the bottom of the range. The 'S' is still 6 seconds or so 0-60, so not bad at all, but not a rocketship. They also deliver the power very smoothly, so they don't always feel as quick as they actually are at times.
(Also, bear in mind they made a 2.7 'S' which is a different type of 'S' to the 3.2 S - but this didn't stop adventurous owners from adding on the 'S' badge themselves, and claiming they had an 'S'. One of the main proper 'S' features, aside from the 3.2 engine, is the intermittent wiper control on the console, mirroring the cigarette lighter.)
In terms of ownership, it's the VW-engineered side that lets the car down (suspension bushes and some electrical components being weak points. Design911 have an online catalogue where you can order pretty much any component from the car (down to nuts and bolts), which was a pretty satisfactory ownership experience.
Despite what has been said, the engine isn't actually that much bother to work on. There are few components that you'll really need to get at from above, with plugs and coils being accessible from the lower sides (being a Boxer config). A wheel off on each side and you can easily get to the ignition side of things. The rear bumper comes off easily enough to allow full access to exhausts. The only real "ball ache" job I had was changing the engine oil separator (which is another of the not too uncommon jobs), purely because it's in a funny location that would have been easier if I had ramps, rather than on the drive.
I've not owned a Z4, but heard nothing good from owners when I was looking at them. They aren't (to my experiences) known as a good reliable car at all.
Your opinion of what people say about the Z4C is at odds from what most owners say. They do have some faults, Like all cars, but they are far from unreliable.
Driver101 said:
You started your post criticising people for commenting on cars they never owned then finished your post doing exactly the same.
Your opinion of what people say about the Z4C is at odds from what most owners say. They do have some faults, Like all cars, but they are far from unreliable.
No, I've criticised people for stating fact that is conjecture. Your opinion of what people say about the Z4C is at odds from what most owners say. They do have some faults, Like all cars, but they are far from unreliable.
I didn't paint the representations as fact, and clearly stated it's hearsay
For me who not having owned any of the above but as someone who's supplied & driven a fair few of all of the above I'd go for the 350Z although a bit heavier but I've found it the 350Z to be the better steer, the Z4 for me runs out of ideas suspension wise this is due to the short suspension travel a test drive will tell you which you prefer.
The Porsche for me would be last with the 350Z (yes the 350Z is £500 tax but it's a small difference to the others) & Z4 joint 1st but I'd also throw in the S2000 as a very good option.
350Z
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Z4
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
S2000
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or there's the RX-8 R3 with change for a rebuild that it may or may not need.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
The Porsche for me would be last with the 350Z (yes the 350Z is £500 tax but it's a small difference to the others) & Z4 joint 1st but I'd also throw in the S2000 as a very good option.
350Z
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Z4
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
S2000
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
Or there's the RX-8 R3 with change for a rebuild that it may or may not need.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
cj2013 said:
The idea of the engines being "chocolate" would serve only to highlight how much a person knows about the cars in general.
That would be me then. :-) It was a slightly flippant comment but as a point of comparison to the other two cars, a fair one. I'm not going to sit here and quote percentages from US lawsuits about how many cars are affected but it is fair to say, when specialists start building a reputation of fixing singular issues with singular car makes for a living, it's probably common enough to factor into any purchase decision.
That doesn't make the Porsche a terrible car, in the same way subframe issues don't make E46 M3's a no go area or rotor tips on Rx8's, but to pretend it is not a significant issues when comparing against others cars is a touch silly.
From my own person experience, I know of one friend who had a hartech rebuild on a Boxster, 1 911 engine failure (can't remeber what they did with it) and I walked a way from buying a 996 911 about 10 years ago because of a leaking RMS seal. Although I also know three people who had their E46 M3 subframes rebuilt so it's not just Porsche that have problems.
ZX10R NIN said:
Great call and makes perfect sense for a second car! S2000 might get frustrating as a daily at 3/10th but great at the weekend.[quote=(steven)]
That would be me then. :-) It was a slightly flippant comment but as a point of comparison to the other two cars, a fair one.
I'm not going to sit here and quote percentages from US lawsuits about how many cars are affected but it is fair to say, when specialists start building a reputation of fixing singular issues with singular car makes for a living, it's probably common enough to factor into any purchase decision.
That doesn't make the Porsche a terrible car, in the same way subframe issues don't make E46 M3's a no go area or rotor tips on Rx8's, but to pretend it is not a significant issues when comparing against others cars is a touch silly.
From my own person experience, I know of one friend who had a hartech rebuild on a Boxster, 1 911 engine failure (can't remeber what they did with it) and I walked a way from buying a 996 911 about 10 years ago because of a leaking RMS seal. Although I also know three people who had their E46 M3 subframes rebuilt so it's not just Porsche that have problems.
[/quote]
I think the idea is that all cars have problems - there isn't such thing as any one car worth having that doesn't have the potential to go wrong. They say that too many people only ever talk about something when it goes wrong, which is certainly the case with the Boxster. They sold them by the bucket load, so the actual occurances were early and rare, yet become a stereotype. They're all otherwise reliable chain-driven engines, so the actual maintenance on the flat 6's is minimal.
The 996 is a different thing altogether, but seems to suffer more from the 'champagne car on a lemonade budget' demographic.
That would be me then. :-) It was a slightly flippant comment but as a point of comparison to the other two cars, a fair one.
I'm not going to sit here and quote percentages from US lawsuits about how many cars are affected but it is fair to say, when specialists start building a reputation of fixing singular issues with singular car makes for a living, it's probably common enough to factor into any purchase decision.
That doesn't make the Porsche a terrible car, in the same way subframe issues don't make E46 M3's a no go area or rotor tips on Rx8's, but to pretend it is not a significant issues when comparing against others cars is a touch silly.
From my own person experience, I know of one friend who had a hartech rebuild on a Boxster, 1 911 engine failure (can't remeber what they did with it) and I walked a way from buying a 996 911 about 10 years ago because of a leaking RMS seal. Although I also know three people who had their E46 M3 subframes rebuilt so it's not just Porsche that have problems.
[/quote]
I think the idea is that all cars have problems - there isn't such thing as any one car worth having that doesn't have the potential to go wrong. They say that too many people only ever talk about something when it goes wrong, which is certainly the case with the Boxster. They sold them by the bucket load, so the actual occurances were early and rare, yet become a stereotype. They're all otherwise reliable chain-driven engines, so the actual maintenance on the flat 6's is minimal.
The 996 is a different thing altogether, but seems to suffer more from the 'champagne car on a lemonade budget' demographic.
I’d +1 the looks of the Z4C. Suspect it will become very sought after in years to come. I guess the downer to it is. It’s still rather BMW on the inside and may lack the sense of occasion.
350z is pretty cool. But I’d have thought £8k is strong money for one. And they are still on the downward curve money wise. Plus the 370z just looks and goes better.
I think the Porsche is the drivers choice if you smooth balanced driving. The Nissan is more GT and will probably reward being thrown around more.
A good selection of cars. Really comes down to what you want. The Porsche being a convertible is more the weekend choice but with daily usability imo. While the other two are more straight daily’s.
350z is pretty cool. But I’d have thought £8k is strong money for one. And they are still on the downward curve money wise. Plus the 370z just looks and goes better.
I think the Porsche is the drivers choice if you smooth balanced driving. The Nissan is more GT and will probably reward being thrown around more.
A good selection of cars. Really comes down to what you want. The Porsche being a convertible is more the weekend choice but with daily usability imo. While the other two are more straight daily’s.
I'd say each of the three have something to offer.
Z4 - nice styling, good engine, but a ride that never settles properly even without runflats
350Z - brawny engine, look nice and reliable, but plastic interior and a bit gruff
Boxster S - lovely chassis but it really does have a potentially chocolate engine
Z4 - nice styling, good engine, but a ride that never settles properly even without runflats
350Z - brawny engine, look nice and reliable, but plastic interior and a bit gruff
Boxster S - lovely chassis but it really does have a potentially chocolate engine
Olivera said:
I'd say each of the three have something to offer.
Z4 - nice styling, good engine, but a ride that never settles properly even without runflats
350Z - brawny engine, look nice and reliable, but plastic interior and a bit gruff
Boxster S - lovely chassis but it really does have a potentially chocolate engine
I like that! Z4 - nice styling, good engine, but a ride that never settles properly even without runflats
350Z - brawny engine, look nice and reliable, but plastic interior and a bit gruff
Boxster S - lovely chassis but it really does have a potentially chocolate engine
So basically whichever one you choose is a compromise - it's just a question of which compromise you are prepared to make.
Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff