Is there a better all round roadster for 6k than a Boxster?
Discussion
Currently going around in circles trying to decide what to by next.
Coming to the end of a lease and with a house extension due I am looking to free up some cash by getting myself a little roadster for around 5-6k. Needs to be auto for my wife to drive, can be either 2 or 4 seats but want a drop top again
Feel like I've looked at everything but still come back to the Boxster - 2.7 or 3.2 guise with under a 100k can be had within budget.
Is there anything else with similar skills, reasonable image and performance? Lookied at the Z4, 645, TT, SLK etc but they all feel a step below the Boxster if you know what I mean.
Looking for a car that will keep me interested for 18mths to 2 years and hopefully won't lose a shed load of money.
Appreciate old porsche's have potentially higher running costs but happy to do routine stuff myself.
My other option is to drop the convertible and got for a CLS500, 645 coupe but seems a bit pointless getting a coupe with no option of getting the roof off - I'm one of those weirdo's that will drive it topless any weather as long as it's not raining!!
Anything I'm missing?
Coming to the end of a lease and with a house extension due I am looking to free up some cash by getting myself a little roadster for around 5-6k. Needs to be auto for my wife to drive, can be either 2 or 4 seats but want a drop top again
Feel like I've looked at everything but still come back to the Boxster - 2.7 or 3.2 guise with under a 100k can be had within budget.
Is there anything else with similar skills, reasonable image and performance? Lookied at the Z4, 645, TT, SLK etc but they all feel a step below the Boxster if you know what I mean.
Looking for a car that will keep me interested for 18mths to 2 years and hopefully won't lose a shed load of money.
Appreciate old porsche's have potentially higher running costs but happy to do routine stuff myself.
My other option is to drop the convertible and got for a CLS500, 645 coupe but seems a bit pointless getting a coupe with no option of getting the roof off - I'm one of those weirdo's that will drive it topless any weather as long as it's not raining!!
Anything I'm missing?
I've often thought about buying an old Boxter, but have finally decided that the risk of catastrophic failure is a tad too high.
The Z4 3 litre is a pleasant car and there are lots within you budget.
I think I'd be looking for a Z3 3 litre as they have stopped depreciating, they are smaller (with the same motor as the Z4), lighter (a bit) and quite rare now.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-BMW-Z3-3-0-AUTO-RO...
The Z4 3 litre is a pleasant car and there are lots within you budget.
I think I'd be looking for a Z3 3 litre as they have stopped depreciating, they are smaller (with the same motor as the Z4), lighter (a bit) and quite rare now.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-BMW-Z3-3-0-AUTO-RO...
mattman said:
Z3 could be a good shout - surely can’t drop further and if you find and keep it original it shouldn’t harm the value - while still being a half decent steer in the meantime
they are slowly going up in value...the Z3M has gone up so much that the 3.0 has been pulled up in value by the Z3M increase, it has gone up by less, but still increasing...
I have an auto 3.0 z3 - facelift from 2001...
handling... a good z3 is better than a badly set up boxster - but a well set up boxster is better than the z3. The boxster is mid-engined and if in good shape will handle beautifully, you might need to take it to somewhere like centre of gravity to have it set up... The z3 has a slightly flawed chassis (I think it was created from the front and rear of other cars' chassis - cut and shut from the factory!) however a strut brace under the bonnet for c. £100 really improves handling - refreshing the suspension makes a big difference and the car is very susceptible to tramlining if on the wrong rubber - however, get it right and the z3 handles much better than its reputation...
engine - the boxster sound from behind your head is pretty awesome, it is mid-engined after all
but in my opinion the sound from the 3 litre straight six is just that bit more addictive, push the z3 above 3,000 revs and it has a howl that raises the hairs on the back of your neck... the z3 feels much faster at lower speeds, however power delivery tails off above 80 / 90 (tested at Bruntingthorpe) the boxster delivery is more linear and just keeps going...interior - z3 is very simple - pop in a modern radio for bluetooth, and enjoy the simplicity, heated seats / aircon should be standard - cruise control was c. £1,600 optional extra so rarely added, but the stalk is c. £60 from BMW and the harness should be plug and play... other than that, little to consider...
exterior - headlights go hazed, but there are cheap replacements and the badges sometimes deteriorate, but little else - not bad on rust... engine is pretty rock solid, only issue the car has had in 8 years is an O2 sensor, a cheap replacement...
overall probably the cheapest car I have owned in terms of maintenance and repairs, and a lot of fun... not a long distance tourer - but perfect for fun on country roads...
when you consider that I have an e39 M5 as an alternative, it is surprising how often the z3 is taken out
Toed64 said:
Is the Z3 2.8 motor the same as the E36? If so, it's easy to bolt on some more go by fitting the inlet manifold from a 2.5.
I think this line of thought has almost convinced me that I need a Z3 to replace my MK1 MX5s!
It was I think the 2.8 that was in the e39 5 series - not sure about the E36...I think this line of thought has almost convinced me that I need a Z3 to replace my MK1 MX5s!
you can modify it - but the general approach to improve the z3 2.8 is to bolt on a supercharger
can't help thinking there is a nice car under the stick on tat and weird red side vents - a can of silver paint would sort those out in 5 mins and the bin would get the wind deflector, grill mesh, badges, etc. Duplicate service book is not ideal, but at this price and age - does it really matter if the car itself is good
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-BMW-Z3-2-8-Widebod...
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-BMW-Z3-2-8-Widebod...
mattman said:
can't help thinking there is a nice car under the stick on tat and weird red side vents - a can of silver paint would sort those out in 5 mins and the bin would get the wind deflector, grill mesh, badges, etc. Duplicate service book is not ideal, but at this price and age - does it really matter if the car itself is good
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-BMW-Z3-2-8-Widebod...
shame it is in red - but the wind deflector is the one I have - works very well and isn't all that cheap - so probably worth sticking in the washing machine with some form of black dye https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-BMW-Z3-2-8-Widebod...
Toed64 said:
I've often thought about buying an old Boxter, but have finally decided that the risk of catastrophic failure is a tad too high.
It put me off for ages, but I bit the bullet last year and got a 986. The failure rate is low, if you think of how many they made and how many fail. 997 Carreras on the other hand, wouldn't touch with a barge pole...Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff