B-road attacking coupe in reasonable budget?
Discussion
ZackM said:
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?
Power is easily sorted, weight is harder. On a B road blast you will really feel the weight in the bends and when braking. In a straight line power can compensate for mass. 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?
blueg33 said:
Power is easily sorted, weight is harder. On a B road blast you will really feel the weight in the bends and when braking. In a straight line power can compensate for mass.
Sure. But if the 330i he mentions is heavier and can feel lighter, surely there is a way? Maybe suspension set up?Given your requirements for RWD, FR, etc, I'd be taking a long, hard look at a 2dr 335i M Sport, and then driving one back to back with a 350Z. A quick Google suggests the BMW is 25kg lighter. Having driven a 350Z I have to say I found it felt slow, though it handled well. It could be chucked about in the corners but it felt to me like it'd be happier on long sweeping A-roads rather than point and shoot B-roads.
ZackM said:
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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.
Shame - your budget would easily get you one of those in budget in the UK. And they're way lighter than the Nissan Zs.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.
SWTH said:
Given your requirements for RWD, FR, etc, I'd be taking a long, hard look at a 2dr 335i M Sport, and then driving one back to back with a 350Z. A quick Google suggests the BMW is 25kg lighter. Having driven a 350Z I have to say I found it felt slow, though it handled well. It could be chucked about in the corners but it felt to me like it'd be happier on long sweeping A-roads rather than point and shoot B-roads.
Watching old 350Z reviews. Fifth Gear gave it stellar marks every time they reviewed it. Even mentioned it out performed the Cayman. From where I'm standing it's looking better and better.Mr Tidy said:
Shame - your budget would easily get you one of those in budget in the UK. And they're way lighter than the Nissan Zs.
Yeah. But where it wins on weight it loses badly in the looks department. It's an ugly duck next to the 350Z. I think the 350Z is aging much better. The front of the E85 Z4 looks sad. Also I really dislike the steering feel. I drove one. They are ore common here than 350Zs so you can find them on dealerships to test. Not too mention the price. ZackM said:
Yeah. But where it wins on weight it loses badly in the looks department. It's an ugly duck next to the 350Z. I think the 350Z is aging much better. The front of the E85 Z4 looks sad. Also I really dislike the steering feel. I drove one. They are ore common here than 350Zs so you can find them on dealerships to test. Not too mention the price.
Fine, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that - but for me a 350Z has been hit with an ugly stick, and it's a lard-ass! But I'll agree Z4 Coupe steering with EPAS isn't BMWs finest moment!
Mr Tidy said:
Fine, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all that - but for me a 350Z has been hit with an ugly stick, and it's a lard-ass!
But I'll agree Z4 Coupe steering with EPAS isn't BMWs finest moment!
Indeed eye of the beholder. I think the only angle the z4 keeps up is from the rear. The next generation z4 is not bad looking and of course the new 2018 looks great. But no coupes.But I'll agree Z4 Coupe steering with EPAS isn't BMWs finest moment!
Interior, despite being uglier than the 350z I'm sure it should be better finished.
The more I look the more I'm realizing to match all my needs, besides a 350z would have to be something like a V8 Vantage or something. I guess that's the only modern Aston with a manual transmission. But I can't afford that, it's unreliable and if it breaks I have to sell the house to put it straight.
Apart from that can't see another option. Corvette C6 is more money and not my kind of car. Then there is nothing else RWD, front engine, manual and coupe.
ZackM said:
Even with the top up. Even if I welded the top on permanently, how is it a coupe?
Its a 2 door car with a metal hard top - sounds very like a coupe to me, surely that's close enough? Not only that but iots has a superb engine, is quick and handles ok.It strikes me that your requirements are so ridged that they totally ignore what a car is like to drive.
This is one of the closest matches to your requirements
6 cyl or V8
front engine
rear drive
coupe (meets the dictionary definition)
ps. Your replies come across as quite tectchy, to people who are trying to help you.
Seriously if you have decided to get a Nissan just do it, but you are missing out on better cars
blueg33 said:
ps. Your replies come across as quite tectchy, to people who are trying to help you.
I agree with this, but figured it was maybe a language/culture barrier type thing so decided to let them off!OP it seems you've already decided you want the 350Z so go and drive one and see how you feel after.
What about a Jaguar XK (possibly XKR)? Don't really know anything about them and not sure if you get them in LHD - just a coupe I thought of that might be in budget! 5.0 V8 and possibly lighter than the 350Z?
blueg33 said:
Its a 2 door car with a metal hard top - sounds very like a coupe to me, surely that's close enough? Not only that but iots has a superb engine, is quick and handles ok.
It strikes me that your requirements are so ridged that they totally ignore what a car is like to drive.
This is one of the closest matches to your requirements
6 cyl or V8
front engine
rear drive
coupe (meets the dictionary definition)
ps. Your replies come across as quite tectchy, to people who are trying to help you.
Seriously if you have decided to get a Nissan just do it, but you are missing out on better cars
Not trying to be tectchy, sorry. I'm glad for all replies trying to help. But when you take the time to write a detailed opening post and people proceed to just ignore it and offer suggestions which clearly don't match the request, it can get unproductive quickly. It starts becoming annoying. It strikes me that your requirements are so ridged that they totally ignore what a car is like to drive.
This is one of the closest matches to your requirements
6 cyl or V8
front engine
rear drive
coupe (meets the dictionary definition)
ps. Your replies come across as quite tectchy, to people who are trying to help you.
Seriously if you have decided to get a Nissan just do it, but you are missing out on better cars
Having a metal roof and 2 doors doesn't make a car a coupe.
I haven't decided to buy a 350Z yet. But it's looking like the only option so far. If nothing else comes up it will probably be it.
If you look at my opening post description you will see I'm looking for cars which fit this shape:
I could post more, but I guess this is enough to paint the picture.
Most of those are eliminated by either engine, age, price or being automatic only. But I may be missing some other car, which is why I started the thread.
Thanks for all the replies.
I could post more, but I guess this is enough to paint the picture.
Most of those are eliminated by either engine, age, price or being automatic only. But I may be missing some other car, which is why I started the thread.
Thanks for all the replies.
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