MX5-MK3 vs Z4E85 vs Boxster vs Audi TTMK1 vs 350z ragtop

[Orangecurry]

I know they all have different driving dynamics, but as a car to 'enjoy' not at 10/10ths, that is simple to live with, with a nice-place-to-be cabin - could anyone with experience please comment?

Pros, cons, whatever.

We have an E30 ragtop, and although it is an excellent machine, with soul, we no longer need four seats, a cavernous boot, and to MrsOC the manual roof is a pain to put down (properly) by herself.

...wow, an owning/driving-a-car thread like we used to have in the good olde says....

[sandman77]

MX5 is not very fast
Interior of the 986 Porsche is dreadful
Audi TT is boring to drive
Z4 looks dated
That leave the Nissan - the best of the bunch!

[Jonstar]

Driven or owned all other than the TT. Really depends on what you want the z4 feels the most special and has the best engine, mx5 MK3 is crap standard so unless it's a 3.5 I wouldnt bother, the 350z is a bit numb but drives the best but has a crap interior.

[ZX10R NIN]

The 350Z is the best car overall (when you take potential borkage into account the Boxster will be the best steer but cost the most to run the Z4 in 2.5/3.0i form is a nice pick but the suspension runs out of ideas when pressing on, the MX5 is a good little sportscar not quite enough go for my liking but well worth a test drive the TT is a reliable set of wheels but not imo special.

There is one car you've overlooked & that's the SLK280/350 obviously it depends on your budget.

[samoht]

I have a 350Z coupe:

• a car to 'enjoy' not at 10/10ths - pretty good at this, the engine is mellow and torquey, pretty satisfying to use. Chassis not bad. Satisfying and fairly calm to stroke along at a good speed on a country road.
• that is simple to live with - really pretty reliable for a sports car, hardly any known issues
• with a nice-place-to-be cabin - honestly, I'd say it's nothing special and not up to VAG standards. The design is interesting but the materials are pretty much relatively cheap plastic. Personally I'm perfectly comfortable behind the wheel, but if cabin quality is a priority then I think a TT will be much better on this front.

I rented a Mk3 MX-5 for a couple of days, it probably handles slightly better, being a smaller car it will be slightly handier on narrow roads. Otherwise pretty similar, reliable, cabin fine but nothing special. It's a much smaller car inside and out, which is good and bad. Obviously not as quick all-out as the Z, equally the fixed running costs of road tax and fuel will be lower. Watch for rust, otherwise I imagine reliable.

[pb8g09]

Can I have your e30?!

[Orangecurry]

Thanks all - good info.

It's mostly for MrsOC to live with, and for me to waft about in, hence the 'not 10/10ths' aspect.

MrsOC's not a shrinking violet (she loved our old Impreza) but doesn't want a car that's 'difficult' to drive (we already have a very hard-setup unforgiving RWD coupe) so that's where I am unsure on the 350Z being too similar, but we both like the idea of 'unusual'.

Yes I thought of the SLK but she said no already and I have it in my head it is heavy and large. I may re-explore that option.

Is it better to drive than I'm thinking? Budget is flexible.

I've looked at a 3.0 Z4 and was underwhelmed, but it was a poor (cheap) example.



PB - of course you can have the E30 - the cost would surprise you.

[pb8g09]

Orangecurry said:

Thanks all - good info.


PB - of course you can have the E30 - the cost would surprise you.

A bad surprise I assume?

If it’s for Mrs, SLK or TT would be my suggestions albeit mentioned already

[bx14]

I've got a lightly fettled mk3 mx5 and it's not the quickest but very, very easy to use daily. Big enough boot for weekends, bombproof reliability and lots of fun on twisty bits. Stick in a decent, modern head unit, lower it 30mm and away you go. I was planning on selling it this summer after the arrival of our daughter but I'll just get a shed estate and run two.