Mazda 3, Suzuki Wagon R (Granddad's, the 'R' is for recreation)
Why I bought it:
"Having driven the same car for the six or seven years since high school, I felt the need for something more exciting. After driving my Dad's Elise and Tuscan I had my heart set on something a bit exotic with two seats - heart (and wallet) said VX220. I had a deposit down on one but realised that with an occasional commute that it would be too much, and they're too small when you're six foot four! Plus I would have to leave the car outside, which wouldn't suit the VX. I always wanted something a bit different and was keen to stay away from hot hatches; the Z4 suited perfectly. The proportions are spot on and it's a car that has aged brilliantly. It can be a capable cruiser on a weekend away but still offer a lot of fun on the country roads the further into the sticks you get, which in Scotland isn't that far.
"It balances the books fairly well in terms of the tax and consumables and a lot that were for sale had been second cars or driven by enthusiasts, which meant most examples are really well looked after. And aside from all that, if you squint your eyes it kind of looks like an Aston Martin?"
Looks even better with the CSL wheels too
"How much I'd end up spending on wax and polish - I do love to keep it looking shiny! I also wish I'd known how long the front end of the car is. Not long after I bought it I clipped a Corsa on a roundabout and broke both grilles... The forum is a fantastic place for help so any questions I've had were well taken care of by the community of guys on there. There are a couple of 'lifers' who have seen it all and owned two or three. I got a bit a shock when I shredded the first set of tyres after a few summer months of hard driving! Although I think Ken Block's had a lot to do with the price of Toyos these days, and the way I drove the first couple of hundred miles too."
Things I love:
"The driving position: it's low-slung and almost over the rear wheels so there's great balance there. The two-tone seats as well are brilliant; someone ordered BMW Individual leather for the car (thank you!) so it really adds to the sense of occasion when I open the driver's door. The howl of the straight-six when you take it beyond 4,000rpm - I've tried to bring it out a bit more in the cabin by removing some of the sound deadening in the engine bay. The stance of the car is great, too: it's low to the ground on 19s, and with the CSL wheels mine came with it looks more modern.
"The rarity is another factor; it's a sub-£10k car that turns heads as well. I don't know that it will ever be a classic car, but the look is classic with the long bonnet and small cabin. Cars don't really look like this anymore I guess (certainly at this price point). The power delivery is lovely too, linear and with a low enough output that means you can drive it fairly hard below the speed limit. The progressive loosening of the rear wheels in the wet is a hoot as well, especially on wide roundabouts. The car is no way as hardcore as an Elise and doesn't give that kind of communication in the steering, but it still delivers plenty of two-seater thrills."
Not a bad garage there Sean
"HVA 'tapping' is known problem with this incarnation of the 3.0-litre engine. It comes and goes but it's an annoying noise. It's something that could have been fixed under warranty but my car is 10 years old so it's unlikely I'll cough up the cash to get it fixed. Perhaps I'm a little upset that there's an 'M' engine and it's not in mine? Although I'm aware that is an entirely different car and ownership proposition entirely. To be fair the cup holders were a bit of an afterthought, but they're my only gripe.
Costs:
"Rear tyres sting a bit (as they do with anything RWD) but most of the parts are just from a 3 Series so they are not too bad. I've not had to replace anything yet though, which is nice. Road tax is £300+ and servicing is reasonable as it goes without the 'M tax'. Long service intervals too help with the ownership cost. I think the beauty here is that these cars offer a lot of bang for their buck. Many can be had for sub-£10k and still look twice the money. Faster cars can be had for the same money but the overall look, feel and pace of the Z mean that I couldn't really find anything else that offered as much."
No plans to sell just yet, funnily enough
"A few weekend trips to north and central Scotland that proved to be lots of fun. The car is equally happy munching miles on a drive to Leeds recently for a music festival. I think the most memorable trip might have been driving home from the outskirts of Glasgow after I bought it. I was so scared that I was going to crash as my previous car had only a third the power of this and it was pouring with rain. I stopped for fuel and looked back from the kiosk and knew there and then I'd bought the right car! I've been looking back at it every time I've walked away since, and thinking the same thing.
What next?
A service and a refurb for the wheels, because they are looking a little rough. Plenty more B-road drives and some more wet roundabouts. I would like to add an exhaust system as well to get a bit more character when I plant the right foot, but nothing too loud. I suppose the next logical step would be an M car or possibly the Cayman S. A lot of owners of these cars go that way at least according to the forum. I don't have any plans to sell yet, although a guy stopped at my house and asked me to contact him when I am going to sell!
Well the plan was a Ferrari for my 30th, but quantitative easing and (insert any £30K hot hatch here) have put paid to that; what happened to all the 28 grand F355s?