What to go for Z4, Vx220 Boxster or S2000??

[Pulse]

Hot1 said:

well just got insurance quotes on vx220, z4 3.0lr and s2000!

vx220 is 1k
bmw z4 3.0lr is £1174

and s2000 £1546 ouch!!

This does make the z4 more tempting although can pick up s2000 bit cheaper than z4 so equals out

The S2000 was more expensive to insure when I got a quote, too.

I'd go for the Z4, personally. Much nicer inside and outside, and sounds better too. Can't comment on a better drive, as I've not driven an S2000.

[Gompo]

havoc said:

Gompo - still using RE010's at the moment - they ARE still doing batches, so you just need to get some at the right time. No single replacement found on the dc2 forum - some like Parada-7's, some Pilot-somethings, but IIRC all have softer sidewalls than the RE's, so the car 'loses' something. IMHO a set of 16"s with softer-sidewall tyres might be a good compromise...not sure if anyone's tried it or not...

Thanks Havoc, I've read quite a lot of the posts on the DC2 Forum, and there's nothing conclusive as you say - very disappointing! I really want to experience the stiff sidewalls..
I want to stick with 15"s. I was wondering/hoping if 195/50s would give a slight improvement over 195/55s in the stiffness department. My current R888s are 50s and I am happy with the slight loss of top end, although not had 55s to compare it with.

Cheers.

[kazste]

Hi you have had a great selection of cars I am jealous! At the moment I do not do alot of miles 6k max a year but I that will change when my job changes, so Iwill be doing motorway miles in the future, but at moment most roads iam on are back roads and town but i want to be keeping this next car for at least 3yrs so needs to be ok for motorway driving. How does the 3lr z4 compare to the vx, these are the two cars Iam most intrested in!
[/quote]

this being the case i would suggest the vx, think about it this way if you buy a good one for £10k in a years time you could sell it for £9-9.5k and then buy the z4 if doing more miles. would cost you little to run given your estimated mileage plus the good mpg they do.

i have no other reason to suggest the vx over the z4 other than if you do it this way and get the z4 then you to will of had a nice selection of cars (nothing at all wrong with rx8's in my book, and it will be for minimal outlay.

if you can stretch to a s2 lotus then they bring a bit more added comfort/weather protection, and engines arent as unreliable as you hear plus fairly cheap to fix if they do go bang.

[Mr Whippy]

S2000 for me was double the Z4 too, about £1400 for me.

Dave

[DanL]

kazste said:

if you can stretch to a s2 lotus then they bring a bit more added comfort/weather protection

No they don't - the roof on the VX and the S2 Elise is basically the same, and the VX will typically have had the "turbo seals" from the VX220 turbo fitted to keep out the odd drip that could come in at the corner of the roof and the a pillar... Added to which, the VX220 is considerably quieter inside than the S2 Elise.

[AB]

Insurance on s2k proved prohibitive for me also, which is why i ended up on the Z4.

[kambites]

DanL said:

kazste said:

if you can stretch to a s2 lotus then they bring a bit more added comfort/weather protection

No they don't - the roof on the VX and the S2 Elise is basically the same, and the VX will typically have had the "turbo seals" from the VX220 turbo fitted to keep out the odd drip that could come in at the corner of the roof and the a pillar... Added to which, the VX220 is considerably quieter inside than the S2 Elise.

There is bugger all in it between an S2 Elise (with the touring pack) and VX220 of the same age in terms of refinement, and given that the cars were so similar, that's hardly surprising. The VX220 tends to be cheaper though.

Both had the improved seals in about 2004 (I think?), but in both cases it's retrofittable to earlier cars.

ETA: The S2 Elise does seem to have quieter suspension and better ride quality than the N/A VX220 - it crashes and bangs a bit less over bumps. Maybe that's what kazste meant? It also handles better unless you play with the geo on the VX.

Edited by kambites on Friday 7th August 13:22

[kazste]

DanL said:

kazste said:

if you can stretch to a s2 lotus then they bring a bit more added comfort/weather protection

No they don't - the roof on the VX and the S2 Elise is basically the same, and the VX will typically have had the "turbo seals" from the VX220 turbo fitted to keep out the odd drip that could come in at the corner of the roof and the a pillar... Added to which, the VX220 is considerably quieter inside than the S2 Elise.

apologies clearly don't know what I'm talking about assumed the vx was based on the s1 elise. See what happens when the world gets put to right by Internet warriors!!

[Hot1]

Herman Toothrot said:

Hot1 said:

well just got insurance quotes on vx220, z4 3.0lr and s2000!

vx220 is 1k
bmw z4 3.0lr is £1174

and s2000 £1546 ouch!!

This does make the z4 more tempting although can pick up s2000 bit cheaper than z4 so equals out

Are you 17 or have convictions? My VX is under half than per annum as a daily driver commuting car parked outside with only 3 years ncb.

No I am not 17 with covictions lol, Iam 23 with 5yrs NCB and have a clean licence they were the cheapest quotes I could find some companies would not even insyre me. I prosume its expensive due to being under 25, plus my car is not kept in a garage or drive way sits in a culdesac.

[DanL]

kazste said:

DanL said:

kazste said:

if you can stretch to a s2 lotus then they bring a bit more added comfort/weather protection

No they don't - the roof on the VX and the S2 Elise is basically the same, and the VX will typically have had the "turbo seals" from the VX220 turbo fitted to keep out the odd drip that could come in at the corner of the roof and the a pillar... Added to which, the VX220 is considerably quieter inside than the S2 Elise.

apologies clearly don't know what I'm talking about assumed the vx was based on the s1 elise. See what happens when the world gets put to right by Internet warriors!!

Sorry, wasn't aware I was coming across as an internet warrior! No insult or offense intended.

Regarding timelines, it's something like this:

S1 Elise.
S2 Elise.
VX220.
S2 Elise with short tail roof from the VX.

IIRC then the VX turbo comes along, followed shortly by the 111R.

[kambites]

The VX220 came out before the S2 Elise.

[DanL]

kambites said:

There is bugger all in it between an S2 Elise (with the touring pack) and VX220 of the same age in terms of refinement, and given that the cars were so similar, that's hardly surprising. The VX220 tends to be cheaper though.

Both had the improved seals in about 2004 (I think?), but in both cases it's retrofittable to earlier cars.

ETA: The S2 Elise does seem to have quieter suspension and better ride quality than the N/A VX220 - it crashes and bangs a bit less over bumps. Maybe that's what kazste meant? It also handles better unless you play with the geo on the VX.

Ah, I've not been in an S2 with touring pack, but I'm sure you're right that it'd be quieter than a VX.

The VX is pretty crash-y when hitting pot holes - it sounds as though something's fallen off the car at times! Most worrying the first time you experience it. ;-)

[Darren156]

Just came across this thread whilst looking into getting an S2000. insurance for me would be about £1000 fully comp, I'm 23 and have 4 Years NCD. My fiancee however is 21 and has been quoted £900 with 3 years NCD, go figure! lol

[DanL]

kambites said:

The VX220 came out before the S2 Elise.

Damn, you're right as well... I had it in my mind that the VX was just after the S2 Elise, as the Elise had the long tail roof and later moved on to the same style of roof as the VX.

[kazste]

DanL said:

kazste said:

DanL said:

kazste said:

if you can stretch to a s2 lotus then they bring a bit more added comfort/weather protection

No they don't - the roof on the VX and the S2 Elise is basically the same, and the VX will typically have had the "turbo seals" from the VX220 turbo fitted to keep out the odd drip that could come in at the corner of the roof and the a pillar... Added to which, the VX220 is considerably quieter inside than the S2 Elise.

apologies clearly don't know what I'm talking about assumed the vx was based on the s1 elise. See what happens when the world gets put to right by Internet warriors!!

Sorry, wasn't aware I was coming across as an internet warrior! No insult or offense intended.

Regarding timelines, it's something like this:

S1 Elise.
S2 Elise.
VX220.
S2 Elise with short tail roof from the VX.

IIRC then the VX turbo comes along, followed shortly by the 111R.

sorry mate not knocking you, was stating that I was the internet warrior talking bks!! apologies for any offense caused.

[Hot1]

Has anyone here owned an s2000 and a mazda rx8? They are both high reving how diffent does the power delivery feel?

[ArsE82]

Obviously a very old thread but I thought it was worth bumping this rather than starting afresh. It'll be interesting to see if any of the original contributors are still around!

I may soon have a bit of cash that I might be able to use to scratch an itch that has been there for a while! Historically I've owned reasonably fun cars (R53 GP, E92 M3 of late) but now have a company car that whilst it is perfectly capable for what I need 75% of the time, it isn't really fun or engaging to drive. My wife has an E82 135i which is brilliant and I love driving it, but really it's 'just' a 300bhp engine in a 1-series chassis.

I've always lusted after the S2000. I had an Accord Type-R for a couple of years a while back and I love the high-revving nature of these cars.

I've also had a thing about VX220's ever since I drove one of the first 2.2NA models when they were released.

I'm a big BMW fan too, and like the idea of a 2-seater straight-6 like the Z4 35i but feel it might be too similar to my wife's 135i

Ideally, if I spend around the £12k mark I'd like to keep the car long-term and not lose too much money (that's how I'll justify it to my wife). In terms of usage, it'll be an occasional weekend play toy, and maybe 2 or 3 track-days a year. I don't have a garage, so if I go for the VX then I'll need a hard-top and probably a decent cover for it whilst it's sat on the drive.

I'm not great with spanners but don't mind have a tinker now and then, although when I sold the GP I got rid of all my tools and promised to stop "f*cking about with cars on the drive"

I suppose what i'm really after is something that I can jump in early on a Sunday morning and go for a two-hour drive that makes me smile. Looks are subjective, and not really that important. I just want something I can have a bit of fun in.

Whaddayagot?

[Chris Type R]

ArsE82 said:

Whaddayagot?

I was "window shopping" recently - here's something on topic, but different (and out of the price range) - https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10540601

[ArsE82]

Chris Type R said:

ArsE82 said:

Whaddayagot?

I was "window shopping" recently - here's something on topic, but different (and out of the price range) - https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/10540601

I'd love something like that eventually, when we move to a house with a garage I think.

[Quickmoose]

It's a common question this.
So for me...
I had £15k in my pocket. Just me and I had a daily beater for work and trips to the tip.
I test drove:
987 Boxster and S - I wanted a Porsche badge in front of me, the standard one was not quick, the S was more muscular
Elise - felt flimsy, but so light and responsive
VX220 - as above, but better looking IMO
S2000 - was a non event at normal speeds/rpms, but manic in the right gear at the right time
350Z - was all just a bit meh for me
TTS - went well, felt solid and special inside.
Z4 35i - was more of a cruiser

I ended up with the S2000 and 5 years later still have it and am having trouble finding the money to replace/improve upon it.

It's bullet proof
With the right Geo it's safe
The steering is a little lifeless
its practical, fairly economical
rare sort of
can be modded
Anything that can sing at 9000rpm literally all day long is special.....GT3 and 458 special
Worlds' best gear linkage/action
It ticks all the boxes I need for a weekend blast car

Useable speed/fun within the law.
open top
rude noises
manual

Really can't come up with any negatives.... because I'm not a race driver so haven't clipped any apexes sufficiently quickly enough to experience any snap oversteer, and compared to my daily, the steering is not noticeably bad.... maybe I should be thankful I don't have an Elise or Boxster in the garage to compare it against on a regular basis.