Help me choose my sports car
Discussion
Hi all,
I’ve read many posts and reviews but never posted before, so hope I’m doing it ok and you forgive any mistakes I might make.
I’m going to change my car and have a shortlist of replacements. I’m looking for something that won’t loose a lot of value and is fun to drive between £9-13k under 80k miles with FSH.
The cars I think are the main choices are:
• BMW Z4 coupe 3.0si auto
• Porsche Boxster 987 3.2 S manual
• Porsche Cayman 3.4 s manual
• Jaguar XKR 4.2 auto (06-14)
• Mercedes SL500 Auto (r230)
• Mercedes SL320 Auto (r129)
• The BMW is rare and reliable with a great engine and surprisingly low cost to run
• The Porsche’s are great to drive and well built. Some concern over IMS, but this seems to be on 5-10% of cars so perhaps if checked not a concern.
• The Jag is a lot of car for the money, but might lose more value? Is it reliable and well put together?
• The SL500 is beautiful car, but build and part costs might be a concern. Does the boot roof guard rattle / creek like in the mk2 SLK?
• SL320, values already seeming to grow, is the build and drive better / same / worse than the r230?
If you had a pick for all round Best Buy what would you say?
Any to avoid and if so why?
I want something fun that will put a smile on my face but not breakdown all the time or be a money pit either in ownership (parts, repairs, corrosion, not petrol, tax, insurance) or resale.
Hope you can help
Thanks! 👍
I’ve read many posts and reviews but never posted before, so hope I’m doing it ok and you forgive any mistakes I might make.
I’m going to change my car and have a shortlist of replacements. I’m looking for something that won’t loose a lot of value and is fun to drive between £9-13k under 80k miles with FSH.
The cars I think are the main choices are:
• BMW Z4 coupe 3.0si auto
• Porsche Boxster 987 3.2 S manual
• Porsche Cayman 3.4 s manual
• Jaguar XKR 4.2 auto (06-14)
• Mercedes SL500 Auto (r230)
• Mercedes SL320 Auto (r129)
• The BMW is rare and reliable with a great engine and surprisingly low cost to run
• The Porsche’s are great to drive and well built. Some concern over IMS, but this seems to be on 5-10% of cars so perhaps if checked not a concern.
• The Jag is a lot of car for the money, but might lose more value? Is it reliable and well put together?
• The SL500 is beautiful car, but build and part costs might be a concern. Does the boot roof guard rattle / creek like in the mk2 SLK?
• SL320, values already seeming to grow, is the build and drive better / same / worse than the r230?
If you had a pick for all round Best Buy what would you say?
Any to avoid and if so why?
I want something fun that will put a smile on my face but not breakdown all the time or be a money pit either in ownership (parts, repairs, corrosion, not petrol, tax, insurance) or resale.
Hope you can help
Thanks! 👍
Depends on what your definition of fun is but I would look at a gt86/brz, or (cliche alert) a late mk3 early mk4 mx5 if fun and overall costs are the main criteria. All the cars listed were originally expensive cars so will have the potential of big bills.
I went from a 2003 3.0i z4 to a mk4 mx5 and have found the mazda considerably more rewarding to drive - it's weight advantage makes it feel far more nimble. I've also enjoyed the fact it's been faultless, the Z4 had a few niggling problems that tainted the overall ownership experience.
A Gt86 /mx5 will lose some money in depreciation as they are newer (my mx5 bought at 1.5 years old has been about £1000 a year over 3.5 years) but the savings in terms of insurance, fuel, repairs, tyres and tax etc have offset the overall costs. That said, the Z4 (and all those you list) have the mazda licked for refinement and noise.
Sticking to your list I would have the xkr for the V8 engine and looks. They don't seem to have any significant inherent flaws and I suppose you can say they don't have any direct replacement (f-type non-withstanding) to push values down in the same way the mercs and porsche may experience.
Another one to consider would be a Mercedes slk55 which is more sports car than GT when compared to the SL.
I went from a 2003 3.0i z4 to a mk4 mx5 and have found the mazda considerably more rewarding to drive - it's weight advantage makes it feel far more nimble. I've also enjoyed the fact it's been faultless, the Z4 had a few niggling problems that tainted the overall ownership experience.
A Gt86 /mx5 will lose some money in depreciation as they are newer (my mx5 bought at 1.5 years old has been about £1000 a year over 3.5 years) but the savings in terms of insurance, fuel, repairs, tyres and tax etc have offset the overall costs. That said, the Z4 (and all those you list) have the mazda licked for refinement and noise.
Sticking to your list I would have the xkr for the V8 engine and looks. They don't seem to have any significant inherent flaws and I suppose you can say they don't have any direct replacement (f-type non-withstanding) to push values down in the same way the mercs and porsche may experience.
Another one to consider would be a Mercedes slk55 which is more sports car than GT when compared to the SL.
The SL's are good cars but they're cruisers whereas the SLK55 AMG is a peach of a car:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Or a R172 SLK350
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
I'd also look at the 370Z they're a very good pick.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Coupe
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Or a R172 SLK350
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
I'd also look at the 370Z they're a very good pick.
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
Coupe
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
The gearbox is slow compared to modern autos but you can up the shift speed & response I've done it to a few of my CLK 55's. In standard form they're fine you're never out of the power, the thing that really helps is having a map that also improves the throttle response which in turn makes the gearbox respond more quickly.
From your list I'd go Boxster, and not get too hung up on an S - the base cars are still great and you may get newer/lower miles/better condition for your money.
I've had several sports cars and coupes over the years from TVR Griffith and Lotus Elite II to Z4 35i DCT and GT86 with many between. I'm on my second Boxster and love it, but... GT86 was much more enjoyable and I'll either get another or maybe the GR86 when it's released. GT86 isn't a quick car stats wise, but it's epic fun.
I've had several sports cars and coupes over the years from TVR Griffith and Lotus Elite II to Z4 35i DCT and GT86 with many between. I'm on my second Boxster and love it, but... GT86 was much more enjoyable and I'll either get another or maybe the GR86 when it's released. GT86 isn't a quick car stats wise, but it's epic fun.
If you've got one eye on depreciation or are equally concerned about buying something at the top of the market, then surely you won't be buying anything right now with all the pent up demand, spare cash and Sunaks free money sloshing around the system resulting in current huge demand if the dealers on here are to be believed?
cerb4.5lee said:
I do wonder if a S2000 could be a tad frustrating as a daily, with its small torque figure and its very high rev engine characteristics. I've always liked them though since they first came out. 
I think it would be alright, particularly a later car (I have an early ‘99). But personally I wouldn’t. It’s a bit noisy and basic in terms of comfort - which of course is what makes it perfect for weekend!DeWar said:
The Z4 Coupe (manual) is the only car I’ve ever owned that I regretted selling. And I still regret it.
In 2016 I sold mine and instantly regretted it - so a few days later I bought another! I only sold that because I bought an M Coupe in December.
Anyway back to the OP, and from what I have seen an S2000 also looks pretty depreciation proof these days!
Id go with a GT86 which isnt on the list! newer car good fun and far less likley to cost anything to run, and residuals are good i think rare that anything drops below 10K and you can still get somethign with the factory warranty for 15K
If you are worrid about getting a 2-5K bill then all those you have picked apart from the z4 have the ability of throwing a large bill, they are old and will require work to keep them tip top
If you are worrid about getting a 2-5K bill then all those you have picked apart from the z4 have the ability of throwing a large bill, they are old and will require work to keep them tip top
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