£11k: E46 M3 Convertible - Elise S2 - 350Z - anything else?

[walm]

Another "what car?" but I would much appreciate PH help.

In the near future I will need a car to help me get to the station which is a 20 minute drive on twisty B-roads and some dual carriageway.
It will be left in the station car park for the day and on my drive at night.

I am aiming to spend £11k-ish.

I am SLIGHTLY cost conscious but since the highlight of an otherwise horrendous commute is going to be hopping into the car and blasting home, I want something to look forward to at the end of the day.

In other words, I am not doing bangernomics, but the fact that the Lotus/350Z is much cheaper to run/insure/lower depreciation than the M3 - could make quite a difference I think.

4 seats would be nice for the odd weekend blast with the kids and the extra room in a reasonable boot likewise.
However, 99% of the time it would be my toy.

I can't go for a Boxster since I have already had one and want to try something different...
The car HAS to be reliable so I am afraid TVRs are out.

[E30M3SE]

BMW Z3M coupe or Roadster.

[boobles]

Out of them 3, the Elise is the only one that will make you smile every single time you drive it!

You could have the most shi**iest day ever at work, yet once in the Elise your problems just go away!

I have owned 2 Elises now & inbetween I owned a Z3M which was "ok" where as the Elise is special, just ask anyone who has owned one.

[walm]

Won't the Z3Ms be getting quite leggy?

Can you ever drive far in the Lotus? Or is it just too uncomfortable?

[bicycleshorts]

I imagine you could have as much of the fun for a lot less?
Mazda RX8
Vauxhall Monaro/VXR8
Honda S2000
Pistonheads MX5

Or swaying from RWD:
Impreza
Evo
Hot hatches - Clio/Type R/Abarth

walm said:

Can you ever drive far in the Lotus? Or is it just too uncomfortable?

I thought it was a 20 minute drive?

walm said:

The car HAS to be reliable so I am afraid TVRs are out.

I don't think TVRs are that bad.

[boobles]

walm said:

Won't the Z3Ms be getting quite leggy?

Can you ever drive far in the Lotus? Or is it just too uncomfortable?

I was driving it 300 miles without stopping.

[300bhp/ton]

walm said:

Another "what car?" but I would much appreciate PH help.

In the near future I will need a car to help me get to the station which is a 20 minute drive on twisty B-roads and some dual carriageway.
It will be left in the station car park for the day and on my drive at night.

I am aiming to spend £11k-ish.

I am SLIGHTLY cost conscious but since the highlight of an otherwise horrendous commute is going to be hopping into the car and blasting home, I want something to look forward to at the end of the day.

In other words, I am not doing bangernomics, but the fact that the Lotus/350Z is much cheaper to run/insure/lower depreciation than the M3 - could make quite a difference I think.

4 seats would be nice for the odd weekend blast with the kids and the extra room in a reasonable boot likewise.
However, 99% of the time it would be my toy.

I can't go for a Boxster since I have already had one and want to try something different...
The car HAS to be reliable so I am afraid TVRs are out.

Elise would be huge fun, the only real snag is if you feel climbing down into it on a cold frosty night to bounce your way home in an unrefined car would be too much?

For some (me included) it wouldn't. But I can see how a more GT and luxury orientated car could be more appealing to pilot home on such evenings, while still offering a fair degree of fun.



Not saying any of these would be better or not, just alternatives:


-VX220
-Crossfire SRT-6 (the 330hp supercharged one, think you could get it as a vert)
-Z4 3.0
-M Roadster (Z3)
-Corvette C4 LT1
-Chavy Camaro z28 LS1 T-Top
-GTM Libra Spyder

[walm]

bicycleshorts said:

I thought it was a 20 minute drive?

True - but perhaps 2x a year me and SWMBO escape from the children and head off for a dirty weekend.
I just wondered whether we could take an Elise if it was a 100-150 mile trip say.

bicycleshorts said:

walm said:

The car HAS to be reliable so I am afraid TVRs are out.

I don't think TVRs are that bad.

One day I WILL own a Tuscan. Ever since Swordfish, I have known my destiny.
I just don't think they take well to regular 20 minute drives!

And for when it does have a minor reliability issue, when I get up at 5.30am, I will have to persuade my wife to get up, wake the kids, put them in the car and drive me to the station and back.

This might happen ONCE before I have to sell the car...

[E30M3SE]

walm said:

Won't the Z3Ms be getting quite leggy?

There is a 1998 40K mile Roadster in the classifieds with hardtop for less than £10K.

[walm]

300bhp/ton said:

Elise would be huge fun, the only real snag is if you feel climbing down into it on a cold frosty night to bounce your way home in an unrefined car would be too much?

For some (me included) it wouldn't. But I can see how a more GT and luxury orientated car could be more appealing to pilot home on such evenings, while still offering a fair degree of fun.

Hmmm - I think I would love it.

Sounds like the dirty weekends are going to be via the A4-Avant (the current car, which we are keeping).
The wife found the ride in the Boxster a bit "harsh".

[bicycleshorts]

walm said:

True - but perhaps 2x a year me and SWMBO escape from the children and head off for a dirty weekend.
I just wondered whether we could take an Elise if it was a 100-150 mile trip say.

In this case, would luggage space be an issue? FWIW I've driven a lowered, bouncy uncomfortable MX5 around Europe and from Edinburgh to Bristol. While it's not exactly 'enjoyable' on long motorway drives, it's a laugh and the pint will taste sweeter when you get there

The mx5 is actually more comfortable for 100 mile runs than my old KA was (hello lower back pain). If it's only once/twice a year I certainly wouldn't worry about it!

walm said:

One day I WILL own a Tuscan. Ever since Swordfish, I have known my destiny.
I just don't think they take well to regular 20 minute drives!

Fair play!

Elaborating on my earlier suggestions:
Mazda RX8 - very cheap but a minefield in the used market. Seats for kiddies.
Vauxhall Monaro/VXR8 - now under £10k. Great car if the badge isn't an issue. Seats for kiddies.
Honda S2000 - supposedly a more 'grown up' mx5. I didn't really get on with it but plenty love it.
Pistonheads MX5 - the standard choice for a reason. Bomb-proof and a lot of fun to be had (legally) on b roads. Also quite a lot cheaper than the rest.

[danyeates]

Loving my Z4M. Such an occasion to drive! Bit of a handful, but great fun and a fantastic noise. You might need to increase your budget to get a good one though. Good sized boot too.

[will_]

I think for those purposes a Z4 3.0 is the one I'd go for. Elise is pretty hard-core for long journeys - unrefined, cramped, noisy, and not that much luggage space. The Z4 is quick in a straight line and compliant enough for long drives whilst also being a drop-top "toy" you can use daily.

[walm]

bicycleshorts said:

Elaborating on my earlier suggestions:
Mazda RX8 - very cheap but a minefield in the used market. Seats for kiddies.
Vauxhall Monaro/VXR8 - now under £10k. Great car if the badge isn't an issue. Seats for kiddies.
Honda S2000 - supposedly a more 'grown up' mx5. I didn't really get on with it but plenty love it.
Pistonheads MX5 - the standard choice for a reason. Bomb-proof and a lot of fun to be had (legally) on b roads. Also quite a lot cheaper than the rest.

I think I am coming down to the idea that I need a rag top, which prevents the RX8 and the VXR8.

I very nearly bought an S2000 instead of the Boxster so I think I should probably take another look at them.
I love their schizophrenic nature.

On the MX5 - perhaps I am a total snob but having had a Boxster I am not sure the train journey home is going to have me chomping at the bit in anticipation of a fantastic drive home, if it is in an MX5. (I await PH banishment...)

Z4M???
I frigging WISH.

[jimmyV8]

I drove my Chimaera 400 everyday for 16months rain, wind and snow. It was absolutely faultless and except for a few wear and tear items, tyres/bushes/etc. Gave you a sense of occasion everytime you got in and fired it up which I have missed since.

Id also consider a VX220, used it daily also but not quite as comfortable as the TVR but a great drivers car, insurance was dramatically cheaper than an Elise as was the purchase price for an equivilant age etc.....

[jon-]

Ex 350z owner, just got an s2000.

I personally feel for a commute like that, the 350z would be my choice. As much as I love the s2000, you do have to drive them hard to get the most out of them. The 350z can be rewarding at slower speeds (if you like to stab the throttle and get a dab of oppo).

Also the 350z has nicer stereo, more cabin room, easier to get into after a long day etc.

[walm]

will_ said:

I think for those purposes a Z4 3.0 is the one I'd go for. Elise is pretty hard-core for long journeys - unrefined, cramped, noisy, and not that much luggage space. The Z4 is quick in a straight line and compliant enough for long drives whilst also being a drop-top "toy" you can use daily.

I think you might be on to something here...

Z4 3.0 with £3k cash in your hand...
OR similar age and mileage M3 convertible and no cash...

I don't really need those back seats - is the M3 THAT much better?

[bicycleshorts]

walm said:

I think I am coming down to the idea that I need a rag top, which prevents the RX8 and the VXR8.

I very nearly bought an S2000 instead of the Boxster so I think I should probably take another look at them.
I love their schizophrenic nature.

On the MX5 - perhaps I am a total snob but having had a Boxster I am not sure the train journey home is going to have me chomping at the bit in anticipation of a fantastic drive home, if it is in an MX5. (I await PH banishment...)

Fair call - roof down in any car makes the journey much more involving.

Re: Mx5. I think it depends, test driving a S2000 from my mk1 made the S2000 feel very 'refined', bordering on 'boring. But I suspect the same would be true if I went from a mk1 '5 to a mk2/mk3 '5. Given the massive price difference, I would try to get a test drive sorted in either a sorted (maybe charged) Eunos.

With that said; most cars in this thread would be great to jump into after a long day. You just need to find the one which will make you 'double take' as you walk away from it

[danyeates]

walm said:

I think you might be on to something here...

Z4 3.0 with £3k cash in your hand...

Do this.

[will_]

walm said:

will_ said:

I think for those purposes a Z4 3.0 is the one I'd go for. Elise is pretty hard-core for long journeys - unrefined, cramped, noisy, and not that much luggage space. The Z4 is quick in a straight line and compliant enough for long drives whilst also being a drop-top "toy" you can use daily.

I think you might be on to something here...

Z4 3.0 with £3k cash in your hand...
OR similar age and mileage M3 convertible and no cash...

I don't really need those back seats - is the M3 THAT much better?

Indeed, I forgot to mention - under budget!

I was genuinely impressed with the grunt too.