Long Voyeur, First Post. Need a car!
Discussion
Hello,
I’ve long browsed Pistonheads for almost 20 years but never signed up before! I’ve always found the answer I need so never needed to join... until now.
I’m coming off a company car scheme and so need my own car.
I’ve got a budget of max £14k and would like something sensible but sporty.
I’ve currently got a MK1 MX5 that I enjoy tinkering with but that will have to go, however something along that guile is a must.
I was going to comment on James’ post below but I’d rather not hijack that’s all.
Needs;
0-60 around 6s
Around 30mpg
Reasonable running costs
Reliable.
I’ll not be doing many miles but I will have the occasional 200+ mile motorway journey and I need to be able to “respond”, so cant really have a banger.
I’ve narrowed it down to;
BMW E89 4 pot Z4 (plus remap).
Audi TTS
Porsche Boxster Gen2
The Z4 feels the right choice, I like the practicality of the TTS (have wife & 2 kids) but my heart wants a Boxster, although I feel I’ve got to have a Gen2.2 (happy with a 2.9).
Opinions?
I’ve long browsed Pistonheads for almost 20 years but never signed up before! I’ve always found the answer I need so never needed to join... until now.
I’m coming off a company car scheme and so need my own car.
I’ve got a budget of max £14k and would like something sensible but sporty.
I’ve currently got a MK1 MX5 that I enjoy tinkering with but that will have to go, however something along that guile is a must.
I was going to comment on James’ post below but I’d rather not hijack that’s all.
Needs;
0-60 around 6s
Around 30mpg
Reasonable running costs
Reliable.
I’ll not be doing many miles but I will have the occasional 200+ mile motorway journey and I need to be able to “respond”, so cant really have a banger.
I’ve narrowed it down to;
BMW E89 4 pot Z4 (plus remap).
Audi TTS
Porsche Boxster Gen2
The Z4 feels the right choice, I like the practicality of the TTS (have wife & 2 kids) but my heart wants a Boxster, although I feel I’ve got to have a Gen2.2 (happy with a 2.9).
Opinions?
Welcome.
Z4 E89 is a good car but not sure about economy. I had 35i DCT which was low twenties... another thing to consider is the boot is not the biggest. Nice drive though, definitely a GT rather than sporty.
Similar for Boxster, though I've not had a 987. My 986 2.7 achieved 25 MPG overall, and my current 981 PDK 23 MPG. More practical and more sporty than the Z4. Running costs can be high when they reach a certain age/condition.
Not a fan of Audi so can't comment on the TTS.
Z4 E89 is a good car but not sure about economy. I had 35i DCT which was low twenties... another thing to consider is the boot is not the biggest. Nice drive though, definitely a GT rather than sporty.
Similar for Boxster, though I've not had a 987. My 986 2.7 achieved 25 MPG overall, and my current 981 PDK 23 MPG. More practical and more sporty than the Z4. Running costs can be high when they reach a certain age/condition.
Not a fan of Audi so can't comment on the TTS.
LordGrover said:
Welcome.
Z4 E89 is a good car but not sure about economy. I had 35i DCT which was low twenties... another thing to consider is the boot is not the biggest. Nice drive though, definitely a GT rather than sporty.
Similar for Boxster, though I've not had a 987. My 986 2.7 achieved 25 MPG overall, and my current 981 PDK 23 MPG. More practical and more sporty than the Z4. Running costs can be high when they reach a certain age/condition.
Not a fan of Audi so can't comment on the TTS.
Not sure I’d fully agree on the boot size- I think the E89 has a good sized boot, all things considered, if you’re taking square shaped items like suitcases or sports bags. Z4 E89 is a good car but not sure about economy. I had 35i DCT which was low twenties... another thing to consider is the boot is not the biggest. Nice drive though, definitely a GT rather than sporty.
Similar for Boxster, though I've not had a 987. My 986 2.7 achieved 25 MPG overall, and my current 981 PDK 23 MPG. More practical and more sporty than the Z4. Running costs can be high when they reach a certain age/condition.
Not a fan of Audi so can't comment on the TTS.
TTommy said:
Honda S2000! I've got one now. Meets all requirements. ??
Must admit I’m tempted... I drove one round a track (Prestwold Hall?) about 12 years ago and loved it. The things that put me off are poor economy, having to red line it really... and expensive repairs.I’m open to more suggestions if anyone can think of anything else? Must admit I considered a lot of things before I shortened my list, had an RX7 on their at one point!
I'm really happy with my 370Z so I can happily recommend them or a 350Z, but I don't think that they realistically meet your mpg criteria(20-25mpg overall but more on long runs).
The TTS only managed 27mpg overall, and I was hoping for more than that if I'm honest. The Z4's are pretty good on fuel from what I read though.
The TTS only managed 27mpg overall, and I was hoping for more than that if I'm honest. The Z4's are pretty good on fuel from what I read though.
Josh-B said:
Must admit I’m tempted... I drove one round a track (Prestwold Hall?) about 12 years ago and loved it. The things that put me off are poor economy, having to red line it really... and expensive repairs.
I’m open to more suggestions if anyone can think of anything else? Must admit I considered a lot of things before I shortened my list, had an RX7 on their at one point!
For reference, I do quite a lot of long boring journeys in my S2k as it's my daily, and fun driver. (2001)I’m open to more suggestions if anyone can think of anything else? Must admit I considered a lot of things before I shortened my list, had an RX7 on their at one point!
On a long run, of mostly quiet motorway/A roads at 60-75mph around 300 miles, then 3 days commuting in bad traffic - I often get 350+ miles out of a tank. Which works out to around 36MPG. Which is truly quite amazing IMO.
Clearly, this is not being driven as intended, as when I do, it's more like 25ish MPG at an estimated guess. But it shows it can be done if needed.
Repair wise, your only ever going to be in trouble if something badly goes wrong with the engine. Which does happen, but it's pretty rare to be honest. Get yourself one that's been looked after and it will just be the norm, calipers can seize up (fairly cheap refurbed) but honestly, it will hold it's value very well. Honda build pretty good cars - mine's just gone through it's 12th MOT without an issue! Failed in 2007 for a registration plate. Lol.
Mr Tidy said:
Or just go a bit older and look for an E85 M Roadster that does it in about 5 Seconds.
I was going to suggest one of these as well, but my old one only did around 23mpg so it doesn't fall into the OP's 30 mpg criteria(although I guess that if you baby it on a long run it is possible though). Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff