Discussion
I have been thinking about my next car, and have been thinking that I need a RWD sports car for about 4-5k. There was an option of going slightly over my budget for something along the lines of a Caterham or a Honda S2000, but lack of suitable storage places and insurance prices have put these ideas to bed, so its down to the Z3 vs MX5.
And more interestingly, I'm leaning more towards the Z3 than the MX5. Largely due to the fact that my commute at the moment is nearly all dual carriageway or motorway, and I really don't get enough time on twisties
So sensible thinking or has insanity finally taken over me?
And more interestingly, I'm leaning more towards the Z3 than the MX5. Largely due to the fact that my commute at the moment is nearly all dual carriageway or motorway, and I really don't get enough time on twisties
So sensible thinking or has insanity finally taken over me?
S2000 is cracking and in terms of speed and sound is fantastic and an easy car to live with so would be worth the extra stretch,
if not I would advise the newest shape of the MR2 formally known as the MR-s plus you'd have spare cash if you went for one of these
1.8 vvti
0-60 8 seconds
air con in some
plus it's a forgiving mid engined car which is great for daily commuting and is also at home on a trackday or 4
if not then I'd say the Mx5 purely because it's a great car , plenty of enthusiasts , plenty of tuning scope etc
hope that helps ya chap
if not I would advise the newest shape of the MR2 formally known as the MR-s plus you'd have spare cash if you went for one of these
1.8 vvti
0-60 8 seconds
air con in some
plus it's a forgiving mid engined car which is great for daily commuting and is also at home on a trackday or 4
if not then I'd say the Mx5 purely because it's a great car , plenty of enthusiasts , plenty of tuning scope etc
hope that helps ya chap
S2000 is cracking and in terms of speed and sound is fantastic and an easy car to live with so would be worth the extra stretch,
if not I would advise the newest shape of the MR2 formally known as the MR-s plus you'd have spare cash if you went for one of these
1.8 vvti
0-60 8 seconds
air con in some
plus it's a forgiving mid engined car which is great for daily commuting and is also at home on a trackday or 4
if not then I'd say the Mx5 purely because it's a great car , plenty of enthusiasts , plenty of tuning scope etc
hope that helps ya chap
if not I would advise the newest shape of the MR2 formally known as the MR-s plus you'd have spare cash if you went for one of these
1.8 vvti
0-60 8 seconds
air con in some
plus it's a forgiving mid engined car which is great for daily commuting and is also at home on a trackday or 4
if not then I'd say the Mx5 purely because it's a great car , plenty of enthusiasts , plenty of tuning scope etc
hope that helps ya chap
wackojacko said:
S2000 is cracking and in terms of speed and sound is fantastic and an easy car to live with so would be worth the extra stretch,
if not I would advise the newest shape of the MR2 formally known as the MR-s plus you'd have spare cash if you went for one of these
1.8 vvti
0-60 8 seconds
air con in some
plus it's a forgiving mid engined car which is great for daily commuting and is also at home on a trackday or 4
if not then I'd say the Mx5 purely because it's a great car , plenty of enthusiasts , plenty of tuning scope etc
hope that helps ya chap
Not too bad on the motorway, VERY good MPG compared to the MX5 and Z3. MR2 Spyder is arguably a better drive (certainly more of a sports car in terms of handling than the Z3) although a front engined RWD is more progressive and easier to have 'leet drift fun' with than a 'midship runabout'.if not I would advise the newest shape of the MR2 formally known as the MR-s plus you'd have spare cash if you went for one of these
1.8 vvti
0-60 8 seconds
air con in some
plus it's a forgiving mid engined car which is great for daily commuting and is also at home on a trackday or 4
if not then I'd say the Mx5 purely because it's a great car , plenty of enthusiasts , plenty of tuning scope etc
hope that helps ya chap
Where it falls down is a complete lack of storage space compared to just about every other cabriolet (and in my humble opinion that is really the only insurmountable negative point). That said, I am not sure if a rear luggage rack is feasible.
Although, as it is a mid(engined)-ship, the cabin is quite big compared to an MX5 (relatively speaking) and there is usable space in the passenger footwell. There is a bit of space in the front boot and behind the seats too, but no rear 'boot' like a Mk2 MR2 or boxster has.
Edited by texasjohn on Saturday 15th January 20:46
Definitely 2.8 or 3.0 Z3. Brilliant cars and for 5k you can find a good one of either. I've sold my 2.8 Z3 six months ago for 3.5k. It needed nothing.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with Z3 on a motorway. One thing - wind deflector is a must if you are thinking of roofless m/way travelling.
If you want it quieter with roof up you can buy an optional headlining.
M52B28 engine in 2.8 is very nice to drive in town too, plenty of torque at low revs.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with Z3 on a motorway. One thing - wind deflector is a must if you are thinking of roofless m/way travelling.
If you want it quieter with roof up you can buy an optional headlining.
M52B28 engine in 2.8 is very nice to drive in town too, plenty of torque at low revs.
redgriff500 said:
Z3 is not a sportscar
Oh really? And then a slower than the slow thing, tiny engined, with a pathetic soundtrack from its mere 4 cylinders 1.8l MX-5 is? Edited by rottie102 on Saturday 15th January 20:57
rottie102 said:
redgriff500 said:
Z3 is not a sportscar
Oh really? And then a slower than the slow thing, tiny engined, with a pathetic soundtrack from its mere 4 cylinders 1.8l MX-5 is? A Z3 is just about a crap a car as you can possibly buy, short of an MG.
EDIT: Unless the MG has a V8.
Edited by JFReturns on Saturday 15th January 21:09
A 2 seater sportscar isn't what you want for a commute in my opinion, something bigger, more comfortable and wafty would be more suited.. I'm sure, though, that you have already considered that.
A Z3 is the worst of both worlds, it's neither as fun as an MX-5 nor as comfortable as a mondeo or other motorway muncher. A Z3 is likely to cost you a lot more than an MX-5 or a mondeo in running costs.
My money would go on a mk 2.5 MX-5 with a hard top (and leather if possible, but the hard top would be more of a priority).
A Z3 is the worst of both worlds, it's neither as fun as an MX-5 nor as comfortable as a mondeo or other motorway muncher. A Z3 is likely to cost you a lot more than an MX-5 or a mondeo in running costs.
My money would go on a mk 2.5 MX-5 with a hard top (and leather if possible, but the hard top would be more of a priority).
texasjohn said:
wackojacko said:
S2000 is cracking and in terms of speed and sound is fantastic and an easy car to live with so would be worth the extra stretch,
if not I would advise the newest shape of the MR2 formally known as the MR-s plus you'd have spare cash if you went for one of these
1.8 vvti
0-60 8 seconds
air con in some
plus it's a forgiving mid engined car which is great for daily commuting and is also at home on a trackday or 4
if not then I'd say the Mx5 purely because it's a great car , plenty of enthusiasts , plenty of tuning scope etc
hope that helps ya chap
Not too bad on the motorway, VERY good MPG compared to the MX5 and Z3. MR2 Spyder is arguably a better drive (certainly more of a sports car in terms of handling than the Z3) although a front engined RWD is more progressive and easier to have 'leet drift fun' with than a 'midship runabout'.if not I would advise the newest shape of the MR2 formally known as the MR-s plus you'd have spare cash if you went for one of these
1.8 vvti
0-60 8 seconds
air con in some
plus it's a forgiving mid engined car which is great for daily commuting and is also at home on a trackday or 4
if not then I'd say the Mx5 purely because it's a great car , plenty of enthusiasts , plenty of tuning scope etc
hope that helps ya chap
Where it falls down is a complete lack of storage space compared to just about every other cabriolet (and in my humble opinion that is really the only insurmountable negative point). That said, I am not sure if a rear luggage rack is feasible.
Although, as it is a mid(engined)-ship, the cabin is quite big compared to an MX5 (relatively speaking) and there is usable space in the passenger footwell. There is a bit of space in the front boot and behind the seats too, but no rear 'boot' like a Mk2 MR2 or boxster has.
Edited by texasjohn on Saturday 15th January 20:46
also agree with mid engined car 'snapping' faster but the MRS was very gradual when provoked, it can be had fun with when more experienced but i found the MRS is set up to understeer before it's near to snapping so unless you play with it, it shouldn't turn on you.
also arguably more civilised, air con , leather etc and a hard top option (also with mx-5)
I'm about to get a Z3 3.0 for exactly that purpose - i have a 40 mile m-way commute, and want something small, ragtop with some torque to it. I built my MR2 for a previous, shorter commute and weekend fun and its just too thirsty, loud and gizmo-filled for what i want now.
Drive the Z3, see if you like it.
Drive the Z3, see if you like it.
Heres a nice MX5 for £4k:
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Heard the seller is nice chap too
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...
Heard the seller is nice chap too
Killer2005 said:
Caterham , but lack of suitable storage places and insurance prices have put these ideas to bed.
Insurance on Caterhams is dead cheap for the speed of the things. It'll be cheaper than the S2000, Z3, MX5 etc... I'd be willing to bet.If you get quotes again, don't make the mistake of getting quotes through a normal insurance company which you would use to get quotes for most the other more standard cars.
Use a kit car specialist such as Adrian Flux, Caterham insurance, MSM insurance (personal vote for them) and many more. Due to being a kit car (factory built or built by yourself), it's cheaper to normal cars in the same way classic insurance is cheaper.
The insurance it's self is the same. I have mine insured for 10K miles per year (could be unlimited) as I use it as my daily and only car, living outside in a communal car park for flats and houses. 3rd party insurance to drive other cars, free windscreen cover or a limited amount of track day cover free over the year.
Anyway, get a quote through one of the above mentioned people and see how it comes out. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Its the lack of useful places for a Caterham to live thats putting that idea off. Where I live now I could quite happily do it as its quite out of the way, but where I would be moving to I would'nt want to keep a caterham as it would be on street parking, and not the better places in Leeds to be keeping one
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2261518.htm is local and I'm really quite temped but I would forsee the worst happening
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2261518.htm is local and I'm really quite temped but I would forsee the worst happening
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