What to go for Z4, Vx220 Boxster or S2000??
Discussion
Hey guys a BIG hello to you all I am new here and this is my first post! In about 6 weeks time I am going to be in a position to buy a new car. I currently drive a Mazda Rx8 231, this is a lovely car but I fancy a two seater soft top. I will have a maximum of 10k to spend and want something with no more than 60k on the clock. The cars I am intrested in are the z4 2.5L and 3.0L, Boxster 2.7L, S2000 and Vx220 N.A. I am more favoured towards the Z4 and the VX but I am concerned as weather I could live with the rawness of the VX! I love the Boxster but worry it would cost alot to run as you do hear horror stories about them and i like the S2K but insurance is high and I dont like the thought of lack of torque as I hate that about the RX8! So I was hoping you guys could give me some help and insights into these cars if any of you have had experience with them, their pros and cons!! Thanks guys!
Hi,
I can't comment on the other three with any authority but have had Vx220 Na for four years as my DD and love it. It's quick enough for road use by any reasonable definition and feels quicker than the numbers would indicate due to the low seating, spring and chassis stiffness and lack of insulation. The sensation of simply driving it was a revelation to me. I don't think I really knew what feedback was until I drove one. It may seem nervous at speed but unless there's something wrong it won't be. It'll just be letting you know about every surface defect more loudly than you're used to. Fuel economy (I know that makes me a sinner even mentioning it but the OP may be interested!) is great - high thirties combined if you don't try to do better ,.. or worse? Pretty reliable and cheap to service etc as it's the same engine as many Astra's , vectra's etc and of course with an engine from a rep-mobile it's got enough lazy torque for it's weight.
BUT,
It is pretty unrefined. You'll have to get used to road and wind noise, occasionally (if not constantly) leaky roof, and acrobatics getting in or out. Plus you're not going to be carrying much in the way of luggage and obviously only one passenger.
The obvious advice is after you've had all the experienced opinions on here test drive them all and see what floats your boat.
HTH
Kev
I can't comment on the other three with any authority but have had Vx220 Na for four years as my DD and love it. It's quick enough for road use by any reasonable definition and feels quicker than the numbers would indicate due to the low seating, spring and chassis stiffness and lack of insulation. The sensation of simply driving it was a revelation to me. I don't think I really knew what feedback was until I drove one. It may seem nervous at speed but unless there's something wrong it won't be. It'll just be letting you know about every surface defect more loudly than you're used to. Fuel economy (I know that makes me a sinner even mentioning it but the OP may be interested!) is great - high thirties combined if you don't try to do better ,.. or worse? Pretty reliable and cheap to service etc as it's the same engine as many Astra's , vectra's etc and of course with an engine from a rep-mobile it's got enough lazy torque for it's weight.
BUT,
It is pretty unrefined. You'll have to get used to road and wind noise, occasionally (if not constantly) leaky roof, and acrobatics getting in or out. Plus you're not going to be carrying much in the way of luggage and obviously only one passenger.
The obvious advice is after you've had all the experienced opinions on here test drive them all and see what floats your boat.
HTH
Kev
Edited by Zagadkateg on Thursday 30th July 20:02
Had vx220, s2000, 325ci and have a 3lr z4 just now. Driven several boxters too so ask away, it very much depends how many miles you do on what kinds of roads and how much practicality and running costs you can afford. For day to day 15k miles a year mixed driving I rate the z4, vx is better on back roads but needs some diy maintenance, s2000 is great when you are in the mood but very easy to crash if you aren't paying full attention.
Ok, for £10k I'd forget the Boxster. You won't get the one you want and it will, almost certainly, cost more to run than the others.
You have to be pretty committed to run an VX as much more than a weekend fair weather driver IMO, so personally I'd leave that too.
I like the S2000 and you'd get a decent one for £10k. You really need to tune into them though and not mind working a car hard. Shouldn't cost a fortune to look after but, as you say, insurance is pricey.
My personal choice would be the Z4. I've looked at a few myself. 3.0 is engine of choice but you will likely get a newer, lower mileage car with more toys if you go for the 2.5. Also, I don't think the 2.5 has the hard, uncompromising suspension set up as the 3.0, but you may want to check this out.
Happy hunting..
You have to be pretty committed to run an VX as much more than a weekend fair weather driver IMO, so personally I'd leave that too.
I like the S2000 and you'd get a decent one for £10k. You really need to tune into them though and not mind working a car hard. Shouldn't cost a fortune to look after but, as you say, insurance is pricey.
My personal choice would be the Z4. I've looked at a few myself. 3.0 is engine of choice but you will likely get a newer, lower mileage car with more toys if you go for the 2.5. Also, I don't think the 2.5 has the hard, uncompromising suspension set up as the 3.0, but you may want to check this out.
Happy hunting..
Zagadkateg said:
Hi,
I can't comment on the other three with any authority but have had Vx220 Na for four years as my DD and love it. It's quick enough for road use by any reasonable definition and feels quicker than the numbers would indicate due to the low seating, spring and chassis stiffness and lack of insulation. The sensation of simply driving it was a revelation to me. I don't think I really knew what feedback was until I drove one. It may seem nervous at speed but unless there's something wrong it won't be. It'll just be letting you know about every surface defect more loudly than you're used to. Fuel economy (I know that makes me a sinner even mentioning it but the OP may be interested!) is great - high thirties combined if you don't try to do better ,.. or worse? Pretty reliable and cheap to service etc as it's the same engine as many Astra's , vectra's etc and of course with an engine from a rep-mobile it's got enough lazy torque for it's weight.
BUT,
It is pretty unrefined. You'll have to get used to road and wind noise, occasionally (if not constantly) leaky roof, and acrobatics getting in or out. Plus you're not going to be carrying much in the way of luggage and obviously only one passenger.
The obvious advice is after you've had all the experienced opinions on here test drive them all and see what floats your boat.
HTH
Kev
See what you have mentioned is exacly what intrests me in the vx and I think it is such a good looking motor but I am just not sure if I could live with it in the long run but everytime I see one I think it cant be that bad lolI can't comment on the other three with any authority but have had Vx220 Na for four years as my DD and love it. It's quick enough for road use by any reasonable definition and feels quicker than the numbers would indicate due to the low seating, spring and chassis stiffness and lack of insulation. The sensation of simply driving it was a revelation to me. I don't think I really knew what feedback was until I drove one. It may seem nervous at speed but unless there's something wrong it won't be. It'll just be letting you know about every surface defect more loudly than you're used to. Fuel economy (I know that makes me a sinner even mentioning it but the OP may be interested!) is great - high thirties combined if you don't try to do better ,.. or worse? Pretty reliable and cheap to service etc as it's the same engine as many Astra's , vectra's etc and of course with an engine from a rep-mobile it's got enough lazy torque for it's weight.
BUT,
It is pretty unrefined. You'll have to get used to road and wind noise, occasionally (if not constantly) leaky roof, and acrobatics getting in or out. Plus you're not going to be carrying much in the way of luggage and obviously only one passenger.
The obvious advice is after you've had all the experienced opinions on here test drive them all and see what floats your boat.
HTH
Kev
Edited by Zagadkateg on Thursday 30th July 20:02
t. S2000 is very easy to drive, if you are thrashing anything then you should be concentrating anyway!Crusoe said:
Had vx220, s2000, 325ci and have a 3lr z4 just now. Driven several boxters too so ask away, it very much depends how many miles you do on what kinds of roads and how much practicality and running costs you can afford. For day to day 15k miles a year mixed driving I rate the z4, vx is better on back roads but needs some diy maintenance, s2000 is great when you are in the mood but very easy to crash if you aren't paying full attention.
Hi you have had a great selection of cars I am jealous! At the moment I do not do alot of miles 6k max a year but I that will change when my job changes, so Iwill be doing motorway miles in the future, but at moment most roads iam on are back roads and town but i want to be keeping this next car for at least 3yrs so needs to be ok for motorway driving. How does the 3lr z4 compare to the vx, these are the two cars Iam most intrested in!Hello mate, I'm looking at the same kind of cars at the moment. I was hunting for a used S2000 and came accross a Crossfire SRT-6. I'm not too sure what they're like as I hav'nt driven one yet, but the reviews sound ok.
They are very rare cars though and I can only find three for sale in the country. The only convertable that I found though has been given the chrome treatment, and if you ask me looks pants.
Good luck choosing, just thought i'ld add another car in the mix and see what people think.
Dave
They are very rare cars though and I can only find three for sale in the country. The only convertable that I found though has been given the chrome treatment, and if you ask me looks pants.
Good luck choosing, just thought i'ld add another car in the mix and see what people think.
Dave
Heathwood said:
Ok, for £10k I'd forget the Boxster. You won't get the one you want and it will, almost certainly, cost more to run than the others.
You have to be pretty committed to run an VX as much more than a weekend fair weather driver IMO, so personally I'd leave that too.
I like the S2000 and you'd get a decent one for £10k. You really need to tune into them though and not mind working a car hard. Shouldn't cost a fortune to look after but, as you say, insurance is pricey.
My personal choice would be the Z4. I've looked at a few myself. 3.0 is engine of choice but you will likely get a newer, lower mileage car with more toys if you go for the 2.5. Also, I don't think the 2.5 has the hard, uncompromising suspension set up as the 3.0, but you may want to check this out.
Happy hunting..
Hey that was my thoughts with the boxster its just tempting as you do see some ok ones for that money but may regret it in the long run. I have noticed that there is a far greater choices of z4 2.5lr than 3.0lr for the money I am looking to spend I have seen the odd nice 3.0lr for that money but they dont come up often, but the 3.0l is my ideal choice as stat wise its quite a bit quicker on paper with little diffence in mpg.You have to be pretty committed to run an VX as much more than a weekend fair weather driver IMO, so personally I'd leave that too.
I like the S2000 and you'd get a decent one for £10k. You really need to tune into them though and not mind working a car hard. Shouldn't cost a fortune to look after but, as you say, insurance is pricey.
My personal choice would be the Z4. I've looked at a few myself. 3.0 is engine of choice but you will likely get a newer, lower mileage car with more toys if you go for the 2.5. Also, I don't think the 2.5 has the hard, uncompromising suspension set up as the 3.0, but you may want to check this out.
Happy hunting..
Edited by Hot1 on Thursday 30th July 21:56
Well, I've owned a VX220 and currently have an S2000, and looked at a Z4 and Boxster before I went for the S2000.
Basically, you really need to drive a VX220 - it's massively different to the other cars on your list. It's much less refined, much more connected and communicative, and *will* have little niggly things wrong with it. The roof's a bit of a fiddle, but nothing that can't be lived with, and you'll need a hard top for winter as the heater's rubbish.
All that said, if you like the way the VX220 drives, the others on your list won't even be an option. Be aware that it's easy to overcook it in the wet though, so treat it with caution!
The S2000 is a doddle to drive if you have any feel at all for cars - keep the inputs smooth and it's a nicely responsive car, but it feels very slow off the line. Once the revs are up it's swift enough.
The BMW's probably got the best hood arrangement of any of them, and is more refined than the S2000. I found ones with the pop-up sat nav felt very cheap inside to me (even compared to the Honda!), but aside from that it's a nice bit of kit.
Finally the Porsche - the breeding shows, but it'd be a pain in the arse to have to stop half way through dropping the hood to chop the rear window in to place. Also, tales of RMS failure didn't inspire confidence! Only you can decide if that's a (small) risk you're happy to take though.
Running costs of the VX and S2000 are in my profile - the VX had a warranty when I had it, so the fixing costs are low. The Honda hasn't required fixing.
Basically, you really need to drive a VX220 - it's massively different to the other cars on your list. It's much less refined, much more connected and communicative, and *will* have little niggly things wrong with it. The roof's a bit of a fiddle, but nothing that can't be lived with, and you'll need a hard top for winter as the heater's rubbish.
All that said, if you like the way the VX220 drives, the others on your list won't even be an option. Be aware that it's easy to overcook it in the wet though, so treat it with caution!
The S2000 is a doddle to drive if you have any feel at all for cars - keep the inputs smooth and it's a nicely responsive car, but it feels very slow off the line. Once the revs are up it's swift enough.
The BMW's probably got the best hood arrangement of any of them, and is more refined than the S2000. I found ones with the pop-up sat nav felt very cheap inside to me (even compared to the Honda!), but aside from that it's a nice bit of kit.
Finally the Porsche - the breeding shows, but it'd be a pain in the arse to have to stop half way through dropping the hood to chop the rear window in to place. Also, tales of RMS failure didn't inspire confidence! Only you can decide if that's a (small) risk you're happy to take though.
Running costs of the VX and S2000 are in my profile - the VX had a warranty when I had it, so the fixing costs are low. The Honda hasn't required fixing.
For shorter drives the s2000 would be good, and the vx even better. When you start doing motorway miles the 250 mile range and 10k mile service intervals get to be a pain, high revs and 25mpg in the s2000 at higher speeds. z4 has variable 18k mile or so intervals 350mile range and should easily do more than 30mpg and easier to live with as a daily driver in all weathers.
For me it would be between the VX220 and the Boxster. The S2000 isn't the finest handling machine out there (I actually think the mk2 MX5 is a nicer handling car, although it lacks the outright pace) and the Z4 is more of a muscle car in character than a delicate sports car.
Between the VX and the Boxster, it would depend on the number of miles I was doing and whether I had a garage. VX220s, like all early Elise derivatives, are quite hard to keep completely waterproof so a garage is nice, especially in the winter when a damp interior can mean ice on the inside of the windscreen which is quite hard to clear. They also aren't much fun on the motorway, although most of the problem is noise levels so wearing ear plugs can help. They are, however far more fun on twisty roads than the Boxster.
I didn't get on with the Boxster's odd steering, but most people seem to like it so it probably wont bother you.
Between the VX and the Boxster, it would depend on the number of miles I was doing and whether I had a garage. VX220s, like all early Elise derivatives, are quite hard to keep completely waterproof so a garage is nice, especially in the winter when a damp interior can mean ice on the inside of the windscreen which is quite hard to clear. They also aren't much fun on the motorway, although most of the problem is noise levels so wearing ear plugs can help. They are, however far more fun on twisty roads than the Boxster.
I didn't get on with the Boxster's odd steering, but most people seem to like it so it probably wont bother you.
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