B-road attacking coupe in reasonable budget?
Discussion
Looking for a coupe as my second car. Meaning it would be my daily unless I have the whole family with me. Which means we take the family car.
But I would like a proper coupe. Not a 2 door hatchback such as a Scirocco, or a 2 door saloon like most BMWs. More like a fastback type.
I would like front engine, RWD, manual transmission, 6 cyl. and up, nimble, sporty and fun drive on B-roads but good on the motorway too. Needs to be something on the more reliable side of things and not expensive to run or buy. Meaning I'm not looking for Ferraris and Porsches. Something not too old. 10 years old max. 15 if really checks all other boxes and is super all around. Needs to be LHD. Closed top. No open tops with detachable roofs please.
I have already considered these:
Z4 coupe-too expensive around here and not happy with some of the design.
Crossfire- Pretty bad sports car,weird styling.
V6 Mustang- Can only afford last generation with retro style and rigid rear axle.
RX7 FD- Too old. Wenkel. Refuse to pay the prices they go for. Basically all wrong. Just getting it out of the way. Same for Supras, 300ZX etc. Too old and just not what I'm looking for.
350Z- heavier than what I wanted but so far seems the best option. Boy racer or ricer image is a bit of a downer for somebody in his 40s. Price is right on the limit. So ok there.
370Z- Kind of like it better than 350Z is some ways. It's smaller. But here costs basically the double as a 350Z, so no go.
Any other suggestions I have not considered?
But I would like a proper coupe. Not a 2 door hatchback such as a Scirocco, or a 2 door saloon like most BMWs. More like a fastback type.
I would like front engine, RWD, manual transmission, 6 cyl. and up, nimble, sporty and fun drive on B-roads but good on the motorway too. Needs to be something on the more reliable side of things and not expensive to run or buy. Meaning I'm not looking for Ferraris and Porsches. Something not too old. 10 years old max. 15 if really checks all other boxes and is super all around. Needs to be LHD. Closed top. No open tops with detachable roofs please.
I have already considered these:
Z4 coupe-too expensive around here and not happy with some of the design.
Crossfire- Pretty bad sports car,weird styling.
V6 Mustang- Can only afford last generation with retro style and rigid rear axle.
RX7 FD- Too old. Wenkel. Refuse to pay the prices they go for. Basically all wrong. Just getting it out of the way. Same for Supras, 300ZX etc. Too old and just not what I'm looking for.
350Z- heavier than what I wanted but so far seems the best option. Boy racer or ricer image is a bit of a downer for somebody in his 40s. Price is right on the limit. So ok there.
370Z- Kind of like it better than 350Z is some ways. It's smaller. But here costs basically the double as a 350Z, so no go.
Any other suggestions I have not considered?
wow. almost stumped.
I'd suggest Porsches don't have to be expensive to buy - but to maintain perhaps.
What about a foldable solid roof? Not a rag or a removable roof like you suggest - in which case an SLK? ?
Errr. If you forgo the RWD. Audi tt 3.2? I've seen those in LHD and they are a pretty good drive.
Personally i like the 350z idea. Best of anything i can think of with so many determining factors involved.
I'd suggest Porsches don't have to be expensive to buy - but to maintain perhaps.
What about a foldable solid roof? Not a rag or a removable roof like you suggest - in which case an SLK? ?
Errr. If you forgo the RWD. Audi tt 3.2? I've seen those in LHD and they are a pretty good drive.
Personally i like the 350z idea. Best of anything i can think of with so many determining factors involved.
I'm assuming from your list that the Cayman is out of budget for you? The Exige S2 will be even more money, and is 4cyl.
Clio V6 is great, but the driving position is a bit odd and parts can be frighteningly expensive.
Porsche 944/968 are getting on a bit now...
It's a shame there's not more in this category, as it's a fantastic type of car for those of us without kids to kart around but wanting some long distance creds.
Clio V6 is great, but the driving position is a bit odd and parts can be frighteningly expensive.
Porsche 944/968 are getting on a bit now...
It's a shame there's not more in this category, as it's a fantastic type of car for those of us without kids to kart around but wanting some long distance creds.
Thanks for the suggestions. But most of them are not what I asked. A Clio for example is a hatchback like a Golf. Or is there a Clio coupe fastback type model I'm not aware of?
Evora is a middle engine. I asked front engine.
944 and 968 are old yes. But also only 4 cyl.
Monaros are not available in LHD or here.
Don't want foldable solid roofs. Not any open tops.
Like I said 350Z is about the budget limit. So this is the budget.
So far 350Z is looking like not just the best option but the only one. Checks most boxes, Looks the best of any suggestions so far, is within budget. But let's see.
Evora is a middle engine. I asked front engine.
944 and 968 are old yes. But also only 4 cyl.
Monaros are not available in LHD or here.
Don't want foldable solid roofs. Not any open tops.
Like I said 350Z is about the budget limit. So this is the budget.
So far 350Z is looking like not just the best option but the only one. Checks most boxes, Looks the best of any suggestions so far, is within budget. But let's see.
Edited by ZackM on Monday 17th September 18:28
ZackM said:
Thanks for the suggestions. But most of them are not what I asked. A Clio for example is a hatchback like a Golf. Or is there a Clio coupe fastback type model I'm not aware of?
Evora is a middle engine. I asked front engine.
944 and 968 are old yes. But also only 4 cyl.
Monaros are not available in LHD or here.
Don't want foldable solid roofs. Not any open tops.
Like I said 350Z is about the budget limit. So this is the budget.
So far 350Z is looking like not just the best option but the only one. Checks most boxes, Looks the best of any suggestions so far, is within budget. But let's see.
Apologies, I missed the front engine bit, any particular reason why you want front engine? Evora or Elise or Cayman are way more fun than an 350zEvora is a middle engine. I asked front engine.
944 and 968 are old yes. But also only 4 cyl.
Monaros are not available in LHD or here.
Don't want foldable solid roofs. Not any open tops.
Like I said 350Z is about the budget limit. So this is the budget.
So far 350Z is looking like not just the best option but the only one. Checks most boxes, Looks the best of any suggestions so far, is within budget. But let's see.
Edited by ZackM on Monday 17th September 18:28
blueg33 said:
Apologies, I missed the front engine bit, any particular reason why you want front engine? Evora or Elise or Cayman are way more fun than an 350z
What's wrong with a 350Z? The more I think about it the more it seems like the best choice. Thinking about it, it really seems to be underrated and under priced for what it is, if you compare to some other options. I wonder what the 370Z brings to the table for double the price. I will have to do some reading.Nothing against middle engine. It's just a different type of car. With a front engine RWD coupe you get a different type of drive and fun. The type I'm looking for.
ZackM said:
What's wrong with a 350Z? The more I think about it the more it seems like the best choice. Thinking about it, it really seems to be underrated and under priced for what it is, if you compare to some other options. I wonder what the 370Z brings to the table for double the price. I will have to do some reading.
Nothing against middle engine. It's just a different type of car. With a front engine RWD coupe you get a different type of drive and fun. The type I'm looking for.
If you like the 350z get one, it’s your money and your life. For me I found that you really feel the weight of the 350z especially in the corners, it doesn’t feel especially quick. Car choice is subjective, but in reality to meet your requirements there aren’t many options. Nothing against middle engine. It's just a different type of car. With a front engine RWD coupe you get a different type of drive and fun. The type I'm looking for.
blueg33 said:
If you like the 350z get one, it’s your money and your life. For me I found that you really feel the weight of the 350z especially in the corners, it doesn’t feel especially quick. Car choice is subjective, but in reality to meet your requirements there aren’t many options.
Yes you are right. There doesn't seem to be many options. Strange because there was a time that cars like that were plenty or at least more. But today unless you go much older it's difficult. Maybe we can blame Crossovers. If the problem of the 350Z is weight and power, power can be easily increased right? It's a tried and tested platform. Would more power solve the problem? If not, maybe there is something to lighten the car up?
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