Ditch the Z4 for a car upgrade or a bike?
Discussion
(When I say upgrade, I mean something like a VX220 Turbo, which I've been looking at a lot over the last 2/3 months. Met up with some VX guys, asked some questions, and have been religiously reading their forum to swot up.)
I currently drive a 3.0i Z4. But after 18 months it's lost that edge that it used to have. I want the adrenaline rush we all seek back. I'm just not sure whether I should go for 2 wheels or 4. I love cars and driving, but I used to have a motorbike when I was at school for the dirt tracks/bridleways/fields which are near my parents' house and I used to ruddy love it!
Route 1
- Sell Z4
- Spend sale cash and a bit extra on a VX220 Turbo
- Use as everyday car until winter 2011, at which point I would entertain the idea of buying a real shed to run for 6 months over winter
- Has the advantages of being a logical progression from my Z4. I'm used to RWD and some power, though obviously the tubby would have fewer aids and require more respect. Similar running costs. Thrills increased as desired.
Route 2
- Sell Z4
- Spend sale cash on a diesel hatchback/econobox for the work run
- Spend some of the remainder on doing CBT and buying some first rate protective gear
- Buy low-to-mid range bike to enjoy over summer (I'm not one of those people who want to jump straight onto a litre sports bike and kill his self)
- Would require more patience and caution to learn and appreciate and to get through the test, but would certainly give me back the adrenaline I seek. Running costs probably probably lower, all told. More dangerous, though, obviously, due to my lack of experience and the inherent dangers involved.
So, has anyone else been in a similar situation? How did you go about deciding and what was your thought process?
Additional information, if it matters: I'll turn 25 this summer, will hopefully acquire a 4th year of NCB, do 100-150 miles of commuting/essential town driving a week - the rest is pleasure.
I currently drive a 3.0i Z4. But after 18 months it's lost that edge that it used to have. I want the adrenaline rush we all seek back. I'm just not sure whether I should go for 2 wheels or 4. I love cars and driving, but I used to have a motorbike when I was at school for the dirt tracks/bridleways/fields which are near my parents' house and I used to ruddy love it!
Route 1
- Sell Z4
- Spend sale cash and a bit extra on a VX220 Turbo
- Use as everyday car until winter 2011, at which point I would entertain the idea of buying a real shed to run for 6 months over winter
- Has the advantages of being a logical progression from my Z4. I'm used to RWD and some power, though obviously the tubby would have fewer aids and require more respect. Similar running costs. Thrills increased as desired.
Route 2
- Sell Z4
- Spend sale cash on a diesel hatchback/econobox for the work run
- Spend some of the remainder on doing CBT and buying some first rate protective gear
- Buy low-to-mid range bike to enjoy over summer (I'm not one of those people who want to jump straight onto a litre sports bike and kill his self)
- Would require more patience and caution to learn and appreciate and to get through the test, but would certainly give me back the adrenaline I seek. Running costs probably probably lower, all told. More dangerous, though, obviously, due to my lack of experience and the inherent dangers involved.
So, has anyone else been in a similar situation? How did you go about deciding and what was your thought process?
Additional information, if it matters: I'll turn 25 this summer, will hopefully acquire a 4th year of NCB, do 100-150 miles of commuting/essential town driving a week - the rest is pleasure.
Buy a diesel car to commute in, go shopping in and park anywhere you like. Cheep and easy.
Then get a bike license. A VX220 turbo is a pansies car compared to a bike. Once you've experienced a modern bike you'll not get the buzz from a car again. And a bike will only cost you £5k plus £1k in clothing.
It's not just the speed but the way it feels -it doesn't just tickle your senses, it rams them full !
If you've never ridden a bike then you'll not understand but there are enough people like me who will say similar things. They are a world apart from a car, the next league up in thrills.
I guess if you've got £150k you can buy a reasonably swift car but it'll never give you the same feeling as a bike - any idiot can drive a car fast but to make a bike go genuinely fast needs a lot more skill and nerve. (I can hear the argument start now ! )
If you get a bike you'll realise you're mortal too.
Then get a bike license. A VX220 turbo is a pansies car compared to a bike. Once you've experienced a modern bike you'll not get the buzz from a car again. And a bike will only cost you £5k plus £1k in clothing.
It's not just the speed but the way it feels -it doesn't just tickle your senses, it rams them full !
If you've never ridden a bike then you'll not understand but there are enough people like me who will say similar things. They are a world apart from a car, the next league up in thrills.I guess if you've got £150k you can buy a reasonably swift car but it'll never give you the same feeling as a bike - any idiot can drive a car fast but to make a bike go genuinely fast needs a lot more skill and nerve. (I can hear the argument start now !
)If you get a bike you'll realise you're mortal too.
obscene said:
Diseasel and a bike. You know it's the right choice.
This. I think going to a VXT after 18 months of a Z4 you would get pissed off with the niggles, lack of comfort, lack of practicality and rainy monday mornings would become a chore.
This is nothing against the VX/Elise. But if you want a sports car for the commute aswell as a sunday blast then the Z4 is a perfect balance.
If you get a bike and a daily driver then you still get best of both worlds.
A bike is ultimately more satisfying than any car IMO, at least in terms of getting an adrenalin rush.
Therefore I'd go the boring car/fast bike route.
Regarding the first fast bike thing- you don't have to crank the throttle open every time and a lot of modern bikes have multiple maps which might save you upgrading when you get bored.
Therefore I'd go the boring car/fast bike route.
Regarding the first fast bike thing- you don't have to crank the throttle open every time and a lot of modern bikes have multiple maps which might save you upgrading when you get bored.
I tried to ween myself off of bikes with a VX220 turbo. It didn't work, so recently I bought an R1.
The VX220T is excellent, but it's difficult to enjoy on the road since you catch other traffic very quickly and then can't overtake anything like as easily as the bike can, so it gets frustrating.
The VX220T is excellent, but it's difficult to enjoy on the road since you catch other traffic very quickly and then can't overtake anything like as easily as the bike can, so it gets frustrating.
Thanks for the posts so far, guys. I see BB inhabit GG at night!
Interesting that you said you tried to wean yourself off bikes with a Turbo - apart from my young experiences, I've never had that, so wouldn't need to compensate for something I've not yet had. But an interesting point nonetheless.
Still thoroughly undecided!
Interesting that you said you tried to wean yourself off bikes with a Turbo - apart from my young experiences, I've never had that, so wouldn't need to compensate for something I've not yet had. But an interesting point nonetheless.
Still thoroughly undecided!
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