Sports Car Dilema - Help Please!
Discussion
Hi all,
Sadly a couple of weeks ago my dads 944 Cabriolet was involved in an accident where we hit black ice leaving a roundabout, the car is a complete write off, so no more Porsche
Anyway, since then we have been deliberating what to replace it with, and we've narrowed down the choice. It was initally the list was as follows.
Honda S2000.
Nissan 350Z Roadster.
Audi TT 3.2 Roadster.
BMW Z4 3.0.
Mercedes SLK 280 (the 3.0 model).
Vauxhall VX220 (would be the 2.2).
Lotus Elise (would be the S1).
And now we've narrowed it down the the Z4, Elise and VX220 (and very possibly the 350Z). I was wondering whether any of you could give me adivce and your experiences of these cars.
We plan to be doing more track days this year which would probably indicate that we should get either the Elise/VX220 as they seem more track focused. However, we also want to do some driving tours which the Z4 may be nicer for on the long journeys. On the note of the Z4 3.0 some of the cars in our price bracket are the automatics. What is this like?
Also, what is there to look out for on these cars specifically, do they have any common faults? and (if you dont mind my asking) what are the running costs like? If you've had both (lucky!) how do they compare?
The car will be a 3rd car used on the weekends, with the odd commute to work when needed if thats any help.
Any experiences on the cars from the list would be greatly appreciated
Phil.
Sadly a couple of weeks ago my dads 944 Cabriolet was involved in an accident where we hit black ice leaving a roundabout, the car is a complete write off, so no more Porsche
Anyway, since then we have been deliberating what to replace it with, and we've narrowed down the choice. It was initally the list was as follows.
Honda S2000.
Nissan 350Z Roadster.
Audi TT 3.2 Roadster.
BMW Z4 3.0.
Mercedes SLK 280 (the 3.0 model).
Vauxhall VX220 (would be the 2.2).
Lotus Elise (would be the S1).
And now we've narrowed it down the the Z4, Elise and VX220 (and very possibly the 350Z). I was wondering whether any of you could give me adivce and your experiences of these cars.
We plan to be doing more track days this year which would probably indicate that we should get either the Elise/VX220 as they seem more track focused. However, we also want to do some driving tours which the Z4 may be nicer for on the long journeys. On the note of the Z4 3.0 some of the cars in our price bracket are the automatics. What is this like?
Also, what is there to look out for on these cars specifically, do they have any common faults? and (if you dont mind my asking) what are the running costs like? If you've had both (lucky!) how do they compare?
The car will be a 3rd car used on the weekends, with the odd commute to work when needed if thats any help.
Any experiences on the cars from the list would be greatly appreciated
Phil.
The Z4 apparently has a rock hard ride but I wouldn't suggest getting an Elise/VX220 if you are going to use the car quite regularly on the road as it is very much track focused. The 350Z will be like a bit like a muscle car and very fun. Personally, I would test drive the Z4 and 350Z and see which one I prefer from there.
NadiR said:
The Z4 apparently has a rock hard ride but I wouldn't suggest getting an Elise/VX220 if you are going to use the car quite regularly on the road as it is very much track focused. The 350Z will be like a bit like a muscle car and very fun. Personally, I would test drive the Z4 and 350Z and see which one I prefer from there.
Well as said it will be a weekend/3rd car. But will certainly make sure that dad gets a go out in as many of the cars as possible. I think he (and I) are swaying towards the Z4 3.0. IMO it's a complete myth that the Elise is "track focussed" - it was designed and set up entirely as a road car. It's not even a very good track car in its standard form, although it can be made into a reasonably capable one with some relatively small modifications.
As to the Elise (and VX220; the VX220 is an Elise in all but name) vs Z4 - they're very different cars. The Elise is all about delicacy, smoothness and feedback where the Z4 encourages you to drive it like a bit of a hooligan. The Elise rides better but is very loud at speed and the hyperactive steering is rather wearing on long journeys. Having said that, you can solve the biggest of those problems with a simple set of ear-plugs.
I didn't get on with the Z4 when I drove it, but that was more down to my driving style than anything fundamentally wrong with the car. Make sure you drive one without run-flats before dismissing it for its dire ride quality.
At that kind of budget, I'd get a VX220 over an Elise.
As to the Elise (and VX220; the VX220 is an Elise in all but name) vs Z4 - they're very different cars. The Elise is all about delicacy, smoothness and feedback where the Z4 encourages you to drive it like a bit of a hooligan. The Elise rides better but is very loud at speed and the hyperactive steering is rather wearing on long journeys. Having said that, you can solve the biggest of those problems with a simple set of ear-plugs.
I didn't get on with the Z4 when I drove it, but that was more down to my driving style than anything fundamentally wrong with the car. Make sure you drive one without run-flats before dismissing it for its dire ride quality.
At that kind of budget, I'd get a VX220 over an Elise.
Go for it mate, they have a fantastic straight 6 engine and the handling is fab. Although I am biased (being a massive BMW fan). Looking at your original list, I would test drive a S2000 if I were you, as they really have a masterpiece of an engine (you'll be grinning all the way to 9000rpm).
kambites said:
IMO it's a complete myth that the Elise is "track focussed" - it was designed and set up entirely as a road car. It's not even a very good track car in its standard form, although it can be made into a reasonably capable one with some relatively small modifications.
Problem with the Elise (for me) is that I wouldn't (as will most people) get in and out of it without looking like a plonker, and you will get some attention on the road all the time, which doesn't appeal to me, but if that's what OP would want its the car he should get (especially as its a much better track car then the Z4).Getting in and out is a knack. I certainly had the odd few undignified moments in the early months of ownership, but now I can happily get in and out with both hands full of stuff without even thinking about it.
Oddly, I can't get out of the passenger side without falling on the floor though - I suppose it's just a slightly different knack.
Oddly, I can't get out of the passenger side without falling on the floor though - I suppose it's just a slightly different knack.
NadiR said:
Go for it mate, they have a fantastic straight 6 engine and the handling is fab. Although I am biased (being a massive BMW fan). Looking at your original list, I would test drive a S2000 if I were you, as they really have a masterpiece of an engine (you'll be grinning all the way to 9000rpm).
Dad did drive a S2000 a few years ago, and from what I remembered he loved it! However I think he's also after something with a nice big engine up the front with red like the Porsche was.FreeLitres said:
Certainly have. Not matter how much I try persuading him (nearly a year now) it hasn't worked 
The reliability stories worry him, not that they are unreliable. In his words 'I just want to get in the car and drive it'. I know they are on the whole very reliable cars, but there are niggles such as fuses etc that can be a pain sometimes. FamilyDub said:
Throw the earlier Boxster into the mix too...?
We have looked at that, but we've agreed it would have to be an 'S' with under 40,000 miles (as with all the other cars). There was one I saw for sale, in a nice darker colour as he requested but the interior was pretty nasty.kambites said:
Oddly, I can't get out of the passenger side without falling on the floor though - I suppose it's just a slightly different knack.
Glad it's not just me, just haven't managed to master the passenger side at all.I'd go for the Elise.
Z3M in budget? That might also be worth a look?
NiceCupOfTea said:
What a shame about the 944, I always hoped I'd see it around as I know you are local to me. Where did it happen?
My money would be on the Z4 3.0 manual, more my sort of thing than the Elise. Shame the TVR is not on the cards - you'd get a very sorted Chimaera on your budget.
It happened on the Hewitts roundabout off junction 4 of the M25. It was late night and a bit icy (had been driving very carefully home from Tonbridge). Went round the roundabout to go straight onto the 50mph dual carriageway into the outside lane, must have hit black ice and the car spun completely before hitting the high kerb, hitting a tree, spun again in the road and landed on the kerb again. Rather sad/disheartening seeing the car in its sorry state at the side of the road thinking that was the end of its life.My money would be on the Z4 3.0 manual, more my sort of thing than the Elise. Shame the TVR is not on the cards - you'd get a very sorted Chimaera on your budget.
Anyway, not going to be pessimistic about it, at the end of the day we had some great times and trips to Wales/Goodwood etc in, and I guess its a testament to its fantastic build quality that we escaped not seriously injured
I think the Z4 is a great idea, but open to the idea of the Elise still. Its nice to have something that sticks out from the crowd (not wanting to be an attention seeker
). The Chimaera was what I tried (and failed0 to get dad to buy. I only got as far as getting him to go and look at one. Must try harder! I'm a persistent little bugger sometimes 
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