21: 350z, elise, Z4... XJ6?

[Steve11235]

Hi guys,

I've just finished uni, about to start my graduate job and am choosing my first 'nice' car. I'm looking to spend up to £10k max, and have so far considered 350Zs, Z4s, S1 elises and the like. I'm now sorely tempted to get a 2004ish 3.0 XJ sport, as they're cheaper to insure, allow me to give lifts to more than one mate and I quite like the idea of cruising comfortably rather than racing around.

Can anyone advise whether I'm likely to end up piling loads of money into an XJ of this vintage to keep it on the road? Whilst I'm happy to spend this much on a car, I'd like to get a house deposit down within a couple of years, so don't really want to be frittering too much money away on my car.

Thoughts welcome as to whether I should get a sports car while I can, am old before my time, or should just get something cheaper and sensible. Other suggestions most welcome as well.

[slipstream 1985]

elise

[JungleJim]

save it for bricks and mortar - wish i'd done it sooner

[_bondy_]

lol, talk about two different sets of cars!

I wouldn't be worrying about giving mates lifts to be honest, I spent long enough being a mug doing that! The jags aren't even that quick are they and they won't be light on fuel...

[useyourdellusion]

slipstream 1985 said:

elise

This.

Save the four seats for later on in life.

[g3org3y]

How much disposable income do you genuinely have?

[RonnieP]

Totally depends what you want your car for? - I drive a Mini for everyday use but have an Elise for highdays and trackdays - wouldn't recommend an Elise for everyday use, they are quite basic.

[useyourdellusion]

Second thoughts, I agree with the poster who advised you to put it towards a deposit on a house.

Put a grand aside for an interesting car. Tomorrow is shed day after all.

[otolith]

If you're considering the jaaaag, firm ride apart the 350Z is quite nice to drive gently, comfortable, flexible engine, makes a nice noise, reasonable refinement, etc, and the Elise isn't.

[Steve11235]

RonnieP said:

Totally depends what you want your car for? - I drive a Mini for everyday use but have an Elise for highdays and trackdays - wouldn't recommend an Elise for everyday use, they are quite basic.

My commute is around 10 miles each way, mostly motorway. Other than that, will be used for general running around and longer drives to various parts of the country to see uni mates. As much as I like elises, I can't imagine they're much good for this sort of use.

[Steve11235]

useyourdellusion said:

Second thoughts, I agree with the poster who advised you to put it towards a deposit on a house.

Put a grand aside for an interesting car. Tomorrow is shed day after all.

I've been fortunate enough to inherit a decent sum, and will spend the majority of it on a flat deposit in a couple of years when I'm settled in my job/location. I think I can justify spending up to 10k (hopefully less) on something interesting as my job should allow me to save quite a bit each month to cover the cost, and I don't really want to run around in a 1 grand nail. However there is a nagging doubt that I should just drop 3k on a golf or something and be sensible

[Original Poster]

Z4 3.0

[PompeyM3]

I would say the Elise, but as you want some comfort of longer trips, perhaps the Z4 might be the better option. One thing I would say is drive the cars to get a feel of what they're about before you decide which one to go for.

[Steve11235]

otolith said:

If you're considering the jaaaag, firm ride apart the 350Z is quite nice to drive gently, comfortable, flexible engine, makes a nice noise, reasonable refinement, etc, and the Elise isn't.

I like 350Zs a lot, they seem to strike a good balance between being a 'sports car' and being suitable for everyday use/longish drives. I know they're bad on fuel and tyres, but are early ones likely to start racking up serious repair bills, or are they quite manageable to run?

[Mastodon2]

Steve11235 said:

otolith said:

If you're considering the jaaaag, firm ride apart the 350Z is quite nice to drive gently, comfortable, flexible engine, makes a nice noise, reasonable refinement, etc, and the Elise isn't.

I like 350Zs a lot, they seem to strike a good balance between being a 'sports car' and being suitable for everyday use/longish drives. I know they're bad on fuel and tyres, but are early ones likely to start racking up serious repair bills, or are they quite manageable to run?

My neighbour has had an oldish 350Z for a couple of years now. It's probably an 01 or 02 model I think, he has a personalised plate on it. I don't think it's ever had mechanical problems as far as I know. It looks like a great car, at least it did until he lost control of it on a bobbly surface while exiting a 30 zone and entering an NSL zone. I think he must have gotten a bit carried away and gone off the road correcting the oversteer from loss of grip. It's currently away getting it's airbags replaced and getting the dings and scrapes repaired. It must a tough car, the telegraph post came off worst apparently. I don't think RWD are the deathboxes some make them out to be, but a 3.5L V6 powering the rear wheels is not to be trifled with, even if the car does weigh a ton.

It's probably worth noting he has a Clio 197 as a daily driver, probably the 350Z is a fuel guzzling monster. Mind you, Z4s are probably not a whole lot better.

[RonnieP]

If I was in the market for just one car to suit all occasions it would be the Nissan 350Z - superb allround ability in my opinion

[otolith]

We haven't had ours long enough to comment on reliability, but so far so good. Needed new pads and discs, which would have been pretty expensive if I'd not fitted them myself. Routine servicing costs seem reasonable.

[StinkyBoy]

I have a Z4 3.0i. Love it....

Great engine, great exhaust tone ( I stuck a Remus exhaust on it), convertible, great boot space, pretty rapid....plus I constantly get 29-34 mpg...

Whats not to like..?

Look at this for MPG. 300 mile trip to London....

Edited by StinkyBoy on Thursday 29th July 23:58

[Andehh]

JungleJim said:

save it for bricks and mortar - wish i'd done it sooner

[solidstatelogic]

If you're having to ask this kind of question, just buy a Ford Focus or Vauxhall Astra. I think £3k on a Golf is a good idea.