Analysis paralysis - Which would you pick? (AUS)

[MatthewJC]

Hello from Down Under,

Long time reader of PH when I lived in the UK, after 10 years in Australia I want to buy a fun weekend car and I value the PH input more so than Reddit etc so here I am!

I live in the inner city and walk to work so the car is just for weekend drives and trips to my GFs parents beach house once a month (100km motorway drive each way)

I have a budget of $30k AUD (approx 15k GBP)

Requirements are:

- I really want something that feels special/interesting
- Fun to drive
- Not too fast that it can't be enjoyed without risk of losing licence
- Fit a set of golf clubs (stand bag, no push cart.)
- Preferably a coupe or convertible - Melbourne winters are cold and wet so wouldn't use convertible year round.
- Not too modern, I like the idea of modern classics but this is not an investment.

Unfortunately the Aus market is pretty pricey and of limited stock.

After hours of trawling through classifieds I have narrowed it down to the following:

986 Boxter S - https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2000-pors...

Pros
- Top down driving
- IMS bearing upgraded to Duel Row IMS Retrofit in 2015 - IMSretrofit.com says to replace every 6 years - overdue?

Cons
- 986 interior looks dated vs 987
- Might not feel special enough
- Higher cost of maintenance (?)


Z4 3.0 Coupe - https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2007-bmw-...

Pros
- Rare - apparently only 25 manual coupes came to AUS
- Looks amazing
- Least problematic out of the 3 choices for maintenance

Cons
- Have read seats can be uncomfortable on longer drives
- Is located in a different state so will need to get it transported (Perth to Melbourne - approx $2k AUD)

GTV V6 -

Option 1: https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/1999-alfa...
Option 2: https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/1998-alfa...

Pros
- Busso engine
- Looks special/Interesting
- Half the price of the others

Cons
- Is Alfa reliability really that bad?
- Will I just spend the savings on extra maintenance?
- FWD

Ruled out:

Z4 roadster - Will wish I got the coupe

MX5 NB - Love the idea but cant see it doing well on motorway trips

MX5 ND - Cant fit golf clubs

86 - Not special enough

SLK55 - Slightly out of budget

987 - Slightly out of budget - would be buying the cheapest

994 - I don't love the looks but check out this one - cant decide if I love or hate it - https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/1986-pors...

s2000 - Out of budget

996 - $45k AUD for cheapest

Thanks in advance

[QuattroDave]

Alfa would be my choice.

I've had a few Alfa's and found mine to be utterly reliable. Even kept a 147 as a fourth 'spare' car for about a year as it was too good to get rid of for buttons.

When my Audi A8 decided to cut out for no reason (that car broke often despite the false claim of german engineeringi) I ran home, jumped in the alfa that hadn't been so much as looked at in 6 months and it fired up straight away, no issues and I was mobile again!

I wouldn't have thought preventative maintenance on the GTV would be any more than on a leggy boxster or Z4 and like you say, you'll have something quirky that'll get a lot more love than the other two!

Plus, my money is on the Alfa being worth more than the others in a few years time due to rarity!

[rodericb]

Borrow another seven grand and get a GR Yaris!

But if that's a bit too modern and fast I'd look at this: https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2003-alfa...

and spent some wedge on getting the interior restored (i.e. sanded and painted), exterior to paintless dent repair, get the suspension checked over and new bushings or whatever....

Edited by rodericb on Sunday 26th January 08:52

[brillomaster]

I've had a few cars on your list... 986, 987, z4 roadster, mx5 nb... and I'd go for the z4c, if a 987 is out of budget. Tbh the boxsters aren't really much more to maintain than sporty bmws, but they are a better drivers car... however, despite being mechanically identical, the 987 feels considerably more modern than a 986.

But... the z4c has it all, for me. Straight six sounds great, easy to drive, looks special too. I've never heard the seats are uncomfortable, I drove mine 550km to spa and it was fine, plus cruise control is more readily available in the z4 too.

It's a close run thing... if the z4m calls to you, I'd go for that.

[rodericb]

brillomaster said:

I've had a few cars on your list... 986, 987, z4 roadster, mx5 nb... and I'd go for the z4c, if a 987 is out of budget. Tbh the boxsters aren't really much more to maintain than sporty bmws, but they are a better drivers car... however, despite being mechanically identical, the 987 feels considerably more modern than a 986.

But... the z4c has it all, for me. Straight six sounds great, easy to drive, looks special too. I've never heard the seats are uncomfortable, I drove mine 550km to spa and it was fine, plus cruise control is more readily available in the z4 too.

It's a close run thing... if the z4m calls to you, I'd go for that.

Okay - I looked at the OP's link to the Z4 and saw that they've lifted around ten grand in price in ten years. Based on that I thought I would see Z4M's for $100k but nope - they're still the same (if slightly cheaper) than they were ten years ago....! Man alive!

[markirl]

I cant open the links but on the face of the car types, I'd pick the 986. It will feel the most special and the steering is very analogue. Quite long gearing was the only downside I found but this helps with the motorway.

Best advice is to try and drive similar versions of all 3 as locally as you can.

[Quattr04.]

Roof down trumps everything else. Would rather a 2.0 TT than a 4.0 cayman

So from your list, boxter

[MatthewJC]

There goes my hope for an outright winner!

QuattroDave said:

Alfa would be my choice.

That's good re the reliability, I often think how bad can it really be. Prepare for the worst and i'll be pleasantly surprised?

brillomaster said:

But... the z4c has it all, for me.

They have aged so well, I think the seat comment was with regards to the ones not having 'sports' seats.

Which of these did you find the most special and which was the biggest head turner (Not that that is the goal here but just interested)

markirl said:

I'd pick the 986.

I've always loved Porsche and despite the 987 interior being nicer I feel some sort of nostalgia to the 986 interior.

rodericb said:

Borrow another seven grand and get a GR Yaris!

The budget is self imposed so I don't go too crazy!

I sat in a GR yesterday, I did like it and I will own one in the future for sure.

I think i'll wait for them to come down a little more and save it for when I have a job that requires a commute - I think would be a great fun daily driver.

rodericb said:

But if that's a bit too modern and fast I'd look at this: https://www.carsales.com.au/cars/details/2003-alfa...

Lovely looking car, if only it had the 3.0 v6

[Billy_Whizzzz]

Can’t open links but 986 all the way. In another league of specialness to the Z4 which feels pretty ordinary dynamically.

[Billy_Whizzzz]

Quattr04. said:

Roof down trumps everything else. Would rather a 2.0 TT than a 4.0 cayman

So from your list, boxter

Agree about roof down. If you DO want a z4 get a convertible. If you want the coupe get a 3 series as they drive better. By miles.

[braddo]

Elise?

[enzo_ferrari]

I’m in Oz and have had 987 and GTV V6, from your list.

Both are nice, but would also consider Abarth 500/595, TT/S and Mini Cooper S.