350Z/370Z, Z4C, Z4 35i, 135i/335i, XKR/XFR, Monaro, or...?
Discussion
coldel said:
...and 
I have put a deposit down now on a car (just this morning, in fact), but I'm out and about at the moment, and also I won't be able to collect it for up to 3 weeks by my reckoning, which is a bit of a bugger, do I keep you all hanging or shall I reveal tomorrow when I have more time... 
I do want to write some stuff on how I came to my decision ultimately too.
TameRacingDriver said:
I have put a deposit down now on a car (just this morning, in fact), but I'm out and about at the moment, and also I won't be able to collect it for up to 3 weeks by my reckoning, which is a bit of a bugger, do I keep you all hanging or shall I reveal tomorrow when I have more time...
I do want to write some stuff on how I came to my decision ultimately too.
collection is your joy.I do want to write some stuff on how I came to my decision ultimately too.
the decision process is something we can share now.
OK time to reveal all 
I did actually start writing a big wordy post, and then deleted it as I just seemed to be waffling, so I'll try and keep this at least somewhat concise.
As per my OP, I do like the MX5, but I don't really love it. It's great fun on the right road, and on the right day, an absolute blast to be fair. However, it wasn't giving me the special feeling that I feel like I'm craving, like I did when I had my 6 cylinder sports cars in the past, so it was time to look for something with some more cylinders. And besides, if I'd kept the MX5, I anticipated spending up to £3k on suspension, exhaust, rust proofing, stereo, and other odd jobs that needed doing, so I thought rather than put money into a car that I'm not really fully feeling the love for, I may as well investigate alternatives, with a budget of up to £10k.
The budget, as it turned out, would be probably the main limiting factor in the end, as that money did get you into some very nice cars but many of them were older, more tired examples at that price.
My first thought was a 350 or 370Z. I do like the big Z's. My first thought was I could maybe get into something for far less than my budget which would be ideal, but 350Zs at the £5k mark were either rusty heaps or barried to oblivion. Nice 350Zs were more or less around £9-£10k. However, it was the 370Z I really wanted for the better interior, better looks, more power, better handling, rev matching etc, but for £10k, you were getting fairly grotty examples, often with automatic gearboxes, and sometimes Cat S. Decent ones were £12k+
Then I started to think about the Z4 Coupe. Again, £10k was not really buying an amazing example, and I'd have wanted coilovers to improve the ride, stretching the budget even further. I did briefly consider the E89 too but that wasn't really floating my boat.
On the BMW theme I started to notice 135i Coupe's were in budget, but then I read about the engine issues, and the handling is reported to be fairly poor out of the box. From owning an E36 and E46 in the past, I was also a little concerned it might feel a little... dull? Despite it's straight line pace.
I then started to think of V8s. The Jag XKR was my preferred option. Again, risky at £10k, and also an auto. Expensive to run. Then I looked at the XFR, a lot of car for the money, but again, that's bottom money for one. You can see a theme developing here! Also I wasn't really sold on the looks of the XF and it's a bit on the big side really.
Monaro - not keen on the looks, and once again, £10k is bottom money.
I also really like the Porsche Cayman, but a decent one is out of budget and quite a risky purchase in its own way unless you go for the base model.
That got me thinking though, if I like the Porsche, why not consider a Boxster? OK, it's not a coupe. However, it does have a lovely sounding engine, mid-engine handling, comfortable, and it looks and feels special (IMO anyway), and there is still a lot of choice for under £10k, so I started looking.
In the end, I found this car, and got Nick Giles from the FB Boxster UK owners club to do an inspection, which revealed a well cared for car that had been in the same family for over a decade. It also has a sports exhaust (something I'd have been looking to do) and upgraded stereo (snap) and speakers, so I've put a deposit down on this car...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211282...
The chap who owns it seems a very nice bloke from what I can tell, and it's clear the car has been well looked after, and I think for £7k it's hard to beat really.
So I've gone from Boxster S > MX5 > Boxster S again. I know, I know
To be fair, I didn't own the first one for very long before it was written off and because it was over winter I really didn't get the chance to use it properly.
I get it though, there is always a risk of catastrophic engine failure with these, but there are no signs of any mechanical problems on the inspection so I feel I've been about as careful as I could possibly have been, and because its only £7k it gives me a repair fund it necessary but hopefully it wont be.
So there you go, the car I got was not even one I was asking about and another convertible when I said I wanted a coupe, but I think I'm very happy with my choice.
It'll keep me going for a few years anyway until I save up for something really special like a 987.2 Boxster / Cayman S, Evora or 370Z Nismo
I did actually start writing a big wordy post, and then deleted it as I just seemed to be waffling, so I'll try and keep this at least somewhat concise.As per my OP, I do like the MX5, but I don't really love it. It's great fun on the right road, and on the right day, an absolute blast to be fair. However, it wasn't giving me the special feeling that I feel like I'm craving, like I did when I had my 6 cylinder sports cars in the past, so it was time to look for something with some more cylinders. And besides, if I'd kept the MX5, I anticipated spending up to £3k on suspension, exhaust, rust proofing, stereo, and other odd jobs that needed doing, so I thought rather than put money into a car that I'm not really fully feeling the love for, I may as well investigate alternatives, with a budget of up to £10k.
The budget, as it turned out, would be probably the main limiting factor in the end, as that money did get you into some very nice cars but many of them were older, more tired examples at that price.
My first thought was a 350 or 370Z. I do like the big Z's. My first thought was I could maybe get into something for far less than my budget which would be ideal, but 350Zs at the £5k mark were either rusty heaps or barried to oblivion. Nice 350Zs were more or less around £9-£10k. However, it was the 370Z I really wanted for the better interior, better looks, more power, better handling, rev matching etc, but for £10k, you were getting fairly grotty examples, often with automatic gearboxes, and sometimes Cat S. Decent ones were £12k+
Then I started to think about the Z4 Coupe. Again, £10k was not really buying an amazing example, and I'd have wanted coilovers to improve the ride, stretching the budget even further. I did briefly consider the E89 too but that wasn't really floating my boat.
On the BMW theme I started to notice 135i Coupe's were in budget, but then I read about the engine issues, and the handling is reported to be fairly poor out of the box. From owning an E36 and E46 in the past, I was also a little concerned it might feel a little... dull? Despite it's straight line pace.
I then started to think of V8s. The Jag XKR was my preferred option. Again, risky at £10k, and also an auto. Expensive to run. Then I looked at the XFR, a lot of car for the money, but again, that's bottom money for one. You can see a theme developing here! Also I wasn't really sold on the looks of the XF and it's a bit on the big side really.
Monaro - not keen on the looks, and once again, £10k is bottom money.
I also really like the Porsche Cayman, but a decent one is out of budget and quite a risky purchase in its own way unless you go for the base model.
That got me thinking though, if I like the Porsche, why not consider a Boxster? OK, it's not a coupe. However, it does have a lovely sounding engine, mid-engine handling, comfortable, and it looks and feels special (IMO anyway), and there is still a lot of choice for under £10k, so I started looking.
In the end, I found this car, and got Nick Giles from the FB Boxster UK owners club to do an inspection, which revealed a well cared for car that had been in the same family for over a decade. It also has a sports exhaust (something I'd have been looking to do) and upgraded stereo (snap) and speakers, so I've put a deposit down on this car...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202211282...
The chap who owns it seems a very nice bloke from what I can tell, and it's clear the car has been well looked after, and I think for £7k it's hard to beat really.
So I've gone from Boxster S > MX5 > Boxster S again. I know, I know
To be fair, I didn't own the first one for very long before it was written off and because it was over winter I really didn't get the chance to use it properly. I get it though, there is always a risk of catastrophic engine failure with these, but there are no signs of any mechanical problems on the inspection so I feel I've been about as careful as I could possibly have been, and because its only £7k it gives me a repair fund it necessary but hopefully it wont be.
So there you go, the car I got was not even one I was asking about and another convertible when I said I wanted a coupe, but I think I'm very happy with my choice.
It'll keep me going for a few years anyway until I save up for something really special like a 987.2 Boxster / Cayman S, Evora or 370Z Nismo 
it's always the way OP & remember there's never a wrong answer as your buying the car YOU want, I'm glad you got sorted enjoy the car 
Excellent choice. It's going to be a good summer!
I was briefly looking at a tidy 986 a couple of weeks ago at a fairly local Porsche specialist. That was just a 2.7 and was £9k but it did look really good. Sold now so they're still a popular choice.
I just checked their website and they currently have a lovely silver 987.2 hmmmmmm.
I was briefly looking at a tidy 986 a couple of weeks ago at a fairly local Porsche specialist. That was just a 2.7 and was £9k but it did look really good. Sold now so they're still a popular choice.
I just checked their website and they currently have a lovely silver 987.2 hmmmmmm.
ChrisH72 said:
Excellent choice. It's going to be a good summer!
I was briefly looking at a tidy 986 a couple of weeks ago at a fairly local Porsche specialist. That was just a 2.7 and was £9k but it did look really good. Sold now so they're still a popular choice.
I just checked their website and they currently have a lovely silver 987.2 hmmmmmm.
A 987.2 would be lovely, if I had the budget I'd definitely consider a Boxster S or Cayman S for sure I was briefly looking at a tidy 986 a couple of weeks ago at a fairly local Porsche specialist. That was just a 2.7 and was £9k but it did look really good. Sold now so they're still a popular choice.
I just checked their website and they currently have a lovely silver 987.2 hmmmmmm.
Silver really suits a Porsche too, I like the colour of the one I'm buying, but I would have been just as happy with silver I reckon.Om said:
Lovely looking car. No need to justify it, if you like it that is all that matters. What are the wheels BTW?
I am looking forward to getting out in my newly aquired Cayman 2.7 now I have done the brakes. Then I can see how it compares with the 370z (which is staying).
Enjoy the wait!
The wheels are Porsche GT3 alloys as far as I know. I have been particularly attracted to those alloys on the Boxster I am looking forward to getting out in my newly aquired Cayman 2.7 now I have done the brakes. Then I can see how it compares with the 370z (which is staying).
Enjoy the wait!
A 370Z and a Cayman sounds like a most excellent 2 car garage
CABC said:
Idea - how about a wish list for your next 5 cars, with reasons.
It would be great to watch reality unfold. We should all do it, after all the window shopping is half the fun.
That is not a bad idea to be fair. Although my car choices are normally dictated by circumstances but I'd like to think I could eventually get into one of these, in no particular order: -It would be great to watch reality unfold. We should all do it, after all the window shopping is half the fun.
- Jaguar F-Type V8
- Nissan 370Z Nismo
- Audi TT RS
- Porsche Boxster / Cayman 4.0 GTS
- Lotus Evora
Mainly in most cases because they're all awesome and may likely be somewhat attainable
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