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

[N10k]

schmalex said:

paoloh said:

LeightonBuzzard said:

Thought about a 350z?

Why?

He might want a lumpen piece of crap with a Renault engine

Have either of you had or driven a 350z?

You get a lot of car for your money, the shape is better than both the VX and the Z4, you get 3.5l pushing 300 bhp, they drive well in the city and out on the twisty. Cheap to maintain and sounds amazing. Its an animal if you want it to be or be a comfy city runner.

I have had both the 350z and the VX220. I test drove the Z4 and wasn't very impressed with it compared to the competition

[kambites]

I've driven a 350Z and wasn't particularly impressed with it. But then I think I wanted it to be a sports car and it isn't, it's a muscle car. I didn't really fit either, which didn't help. Horrible driving position if you're my shape.

Edited by kambites on Friday 31st July 08:56

[N10k]

hmmmm
Nice decision to have though!

[kambites]

Looks wise between them I's say VX220 > S2000 > 350Z > Z4 (> Boxster, which you missed out for some reason). To be fair though, you have to show the soft-top 350Z which is hideous.

Edited by kambites on Friday 31st July 09:02

[Crusoe]

If you are looking at z4 the 3lr is the engine to go for, the added sound ducting makes it sound a lot more like a sports car and there is noticeable difference in the way it pulls to the red line compared to the 2.5 which is similar lower down but runs out of puff a bit around 5500 rpm. Difference in running costs is just the mpg which is only 2 or 3mpg difference. 2.5 on 17in wheels and the non-sport suspension would me a more comfortable cruiser though if you were doing lots of miles though even the sport 3lr is better than the other options mentioned for motorway work. When looking a s2000 make sure you check when they last had a full alignment done, that they have the same rubber all round in the original spec tyres and that they have had the adjustment bolts greased as lots have had problems with seized bushes which is a costly fix. On vx220 there are lots of recalls to make sure they have completed, should have had brake hoses and expansion tank replaced and most earlier ones had alloy wheels replaced too, and lots used in winter have had bubbles forming in the fibreglass which causes paint problems. Lots of extra info on the specific forums for each car with things to watch for and buying advice, a second hand car from a forum member might also be a good place to start looking as they should have an easy to trace history and have the known issues fixed:

http://www.s2ki.com/forums/index.php?s=0fb4f212afb...

http://www.vx220.org.uk/

http://www.z4-forum.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=11

[N10k]

To me, that looks very very dated compared to the others, and the servicing costs would be more than the others.

[N10k]

hmmmmmm

[heebeegeetee]

A supercharged MX5 will be easily obtainable for under £10k and will be a better car than all those mentioned, but it doesn't have the image.

[kambites]

OK I'll admit that the VX doesn't look great if you're 8 inches tall. However, I'm not.

[heebeegeetee]

Personally i think the VX is the best looking of the lot, matched only by the S2 Elise.

[DanL]

kambites said:

They also aren't much fun on the motorway, although most of the problem is noise levels so wearing ear plugs can help.

VX's aren't too bad on motorways - they're significantly quieter than S2 Elises of the same era.

[havoc]

DanL said:

Well, I've owned a VX220 and currently have an S2000, and looked at a Z4 and Boxster before I went for the S2000.

Basically, you really need to drive a VX220 - it's massively different to the other cars on your list. It's much less refined, much more connected and communicative, and *will* have little niggly things wrong with it. The roof's a bit of a fiddle, but nothing that can't be lived with, and you'll need a hard top for winter as the heater's rubbish.

All that said, if you like the way the VX220 drives, the others on your list won't even be an option. Be aware that it's easy to overcook it in the wet though, so treat it with caution!

The S2000 is a doddle to drive if you have any feel at all for cars - keep the inputs smooth and it's a nicely responsive car, but it feels very slow off the line. Once the revs are up it's swift enough.

The BMW's probably got the best hood arrangement of any of them, and is more refined than the S2000. I found ones with the pop-up sat nav felt very cheap inside to me (even compared to the Honda!), but aside from that it's a nice bit of kit.

Finally the Porsche - the breeding shows, but it'd be a pain in the arse to have to stop half way through dropping the hood to chop the rear window in to place. Also, tales of RMS failure didn't inspire confidence! Only you can decide if that's a (small) risk you're happy to take though.

Running costs of the VX and S2000 are in my profile - the VX had a warranty when I had it, so the fixing costs are low. The Honda hasn't required fixing.

Good post - would agree with all of that.

IMHO the S2000 will feel very like a soft-top version of your RX8, except with a little more grip/stiffness (ride and body...sounds odd, but trust me...) and a more characterful engine (no offence...). With the right geo it's very good fun and very predictable - you should have no trouble if migrating from an RX8.

VX220 an absolute go-kart, a LOT of fun on the right road, but will be hard work if an everyday car. Plenty of people do, and with air-con and a garage it's not a silly idea, but it DOES require more effort. Doesn't feel that quick though in n/a form - 'enough', but not quick...so depends what you're after - the VX and Elise are 'finesse' cars not balls-out acceleration cars...

Z4 3.0 - I guess similar to an S2000 with a badge and traction control. Oh, and stiffer ride (blame the run-flats, largely) yet softer responses. Year-for-year will be more £££ than the S2000 but will have very good residuals and similar running costs and reliability.

Boxster - not driven one (not sure why...). An -S would be quicker than any of the others in a straight line, a 2.7 will feel lacklustre compared to a Z4 3.0 and an S2000, but as Dan says, it'll feel a class above in terms of quality.


You need to decide how much age/milage are important to you - £10k will get you a good '04 S2000, a very good VX220 n/asp, or older/leggier Z4's and (especially) Boxsters...

[ZesPak]

Z4 vs Boxster vs S2000:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6166099264...

[TankRizzo]

havoc said:

VX220 an absolute go-kart, a LOT of fun on the right road, but will be hard work if an everyday car. Plenty of people do, and with air-con and a garage it's not a silly idea, but it DOES require more effort. Doesn't feel that quick though in n/a form - 'enough', but not quick...so depends what you're after - the VX and Elise are 'finesse' cars not balls-out acceleration cars...

Just a minor point to mention - the VX does not come with air conditioning. Vauxhall never offered it as an option.

[kambites]

DanL said:

kambites said:

They also aren't much fun on the motorway, although most of the problem is noise levels so wearing ear plugs can help.

VX's aren't too bad on motorways - they're significantly quieter than S2 Elises of the same era.

Hardly a match for a Boxster though.

[schmalex]

N10k said:

schmalex said:

paoloh said:

LeightonBuzzard said:

Thought about a 350z?

Why?

He might want a lumpen piece of crap with a Renault engine

Have either of you had or driven a 350z?

You get a lot of car for your money, the shape is better than both the VX and the Z4, you get 3.5l pushing 300 bhp, they drive well in the city and out on the twisty. Cheap to maintain and sounds amazing. Its an animal if you want it to be or be a comfy city runner.

I have had both the 350z and the VX220. I test drove the Z4 and wasn't very impressed with it compared to the competition

Yes. I thought it was neither particularly well made, or particularly nice to chuck about. Hence my considered opinion.

[bga]

Alternatively how about a TVR Chim for £8k with £2k in the bank for when the bills come in :-)

[schmalex]

bga said:

Alternatively how about a TVR Chim for £8k with £2k in the bank for when the bills come in :-)

...and how would he fund the bills in the second month?

[bga]

schmalex said:

bga said:

Alternatively how about a TVR Chim for £8k with £2k in the bank for when the bills come in :-)

...and how would he fund the bills in the second month?

You are assuming it would be back on the road by then...

[Azimat]

Honda S2000 only driven one once but loved it, since you suggested it its the one to go for always a winner on driver surveys too.

Also kid yourself that 'since its a honda' everything will be cheap to replace/insure/run etc.