Which 2 seater sports car?
Discussion
I was looking to replace my daily with a do it all everyday fast estate like a C43 wagon or an S4 avant but the more I think about it the more I like the idea of going to a 2 car garage.
I have a sensible daily for transporting the family and commuting but I want something fun for the occasional track day and a bit of weekend fun.
Criteria is something relatively fast, cheap to maintain and something that has done most of its depreciating.
So far the short list is.
Z4 3.0 si coupe
Honda S2000
Nissan 370z
Budget is up to £14k.
I have ruled out an MX5 and GT86.
I have owned a VX220 which I loved but was a bit of a headache to own.
I am edging towards the Z4 at the minute.
Thoughts or is there something I have missed?
I have a sensible daily for transporting the family and commuting but I want something fun for the occasional track day and a bit of weekend fun.
Criteria is something relatively fast, cheap to maintain and something that has done most of its depreciating.
So far the short list is.
Z4 3.0 si coupe
Honda S2000
Nissan 370z
Budget is up to £14k.
I have ruled out an MX5 and GT86.
I have owned a VX220 which I loved but was a bit of a headache to own.
I am edging towards the Z4 at the minute.
Thoughts or is there something I have missed?
A boxster/cayman is the obvious missing candidate in that list.
I know you've dismissed the mx5 but I personally replaced my manual 2003 z4 3.0i with a ND MX-5. The BMW was more practical, comfortable and good for long journeys/motorway work. The z4 certainly provided tremendous value, but I never looked back at it after owning the mx-5 if I'm honest. The fun factor of the Mazda is worth a test drive I would say, before it is dismissed.
I know you've dismissed the mx5 but I personally replaced my manual 2003 z4 3.0i with a ND MX-5. The BMW was more practical, comfortable and good for long journeys/motorway work. The z4 certainly provided tremendous value, but I never looked back at it after owning the mx-5 if I'm honest. The fun factor of the Mazda is worth a test drive I would say, before it is dismissed.
There has been a few threads about this very thing the last week or so heres one https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I have previously owned a 350z, two VX220s along with an R33 Skyline and a Celica GT4 ST205 so I do like to try different stuff!
I sold my VX220T and bought a BMW Z4 coupe in si guise.
Obviously the Z4 has tonnes more livability than the VX220. It isnt as raw or visceral as a drive (to be honest outside of a lotus or caterham what is?) so I am not concerned too much about that.
Once you take off the run flats you end up with a pretty tight and light weight coupe with a peach of an engine. I got an 09 plate so one of the last off the production line with the black top N52 engine (there were two versions of it with slight differences) and its a wonderful engine, miles better than the V6 effort in the 350z I had (although it was the DE). It chases the revs hard and makes an amazing howl, a different experience to the more lazy torque led V6 in the Nissan. It is also something like 150kgs+ lighter than the 350z ... 370z is pretty similar in weight to the 350z.
Having owned a 350z I couldnt bring myself to get a 370z and opted for the E86 Z4 instead, glad I made that call.
I have previously owned a 350z, two VX220s along with an R33 Skyline and a Celica GT4 ST205 so I do like to try different stuff!
I sold my VX220T and bought a BMW Z4 coupe in si guise.
Obviously the Z4 has tonnes more livability than the VX220. It isnt as raw or visceral as a drive (to be honest outside of a lotus or caterham what is?) so I am not concerned too much about that.
Once you take off the run flats you end up with a pretty tight and light weight coupe with a peach of an engine. I got an 09 plate so one of the last off the production line with the black top N52 engine (there were two versions of it with slight differences) and its a wonderful engine, miles better than the V6 effort in the 350z I had (although it was the DE). It chases the revs hard and makes an amazing howl, a different experience to the more lazy torque led V6 in the Nissan. It is also something like 150kgs+ lighter than the 350z ... 370z is pretty similar in weight to the 350z.
Having owned a 350z I couldnt bring myself to get a 370z and opted for the E86 Z4 instead, glad I made that call.
As above - a Cayman/Boxster is an obvious addition. Cheap to maintain I guess depends on your budget. Keep to the smaller engined 987s and you should be ok - probably not much different to the Z4.
The 370z is a bit more of a GT than an out and out sports car, though it is still fine for track days they are probably not its natural habitat. Great for weekend fun though. And reliable/well put together. Cheap to run bar the road tax.
The 370z is a bit more of a GT than an out and out sports car, though it is still fine for track days they are probably not its natural habitat. Great for weekend fun though. And reliable/well put together. Cheap to run bar the road tax.
coldel said:
I dont think I have ever heard a TVR owner say they are dirt cheap to maintain 
Hahaha, they like a drink for sure. Knowing what the bits are from helps, but compared to modern stuff I find parts etc very good, good brakes and tyres etc are very reasonable compared new things. Its all simple stuff really with the underneath being Rover V8 and Ford.If it were a Trev with a Speed 6 or 8 in it I'd probably be crying about the difference though
I really enjoy my 370Z(Roadster) as my weekend car(had it 4 years next month). It makes a good noise to my ears, and as mentioned...other than the Tax the running costs are very reasonable.
I used to also have a Z4M(Roadster), but I didn't gel with that personally...however it is definitely something for you to consider though I reckon.
I used to also have a Z4M(Roadster), but I didn't gel with that personally...however it is definitely something for you to consider though I reckon.
Thanks for all of the replies so far.
To answer the questions I’ve had so far.
The reason I have dismissed the MX5 is that I have never looked at one and thought I want one, I know this is Pistonheads and an MX5 is the answer to everything so I should probably hand my membership back.
The reason the Cayman/ Boxster isn’t on the list is running costs and the inevitable big bill.
The SLK 55 is certainly a left field choice but I’d imagine the running costs would be high. I’d budget £1,000 a year for maintance.
I would love a TVR, I’ve always wanted one but again running costs and the nagging thought in the back of my mind that something will go wrong.
To answer the questions I’ve had so far.
The reason I have dismissed the MX5 is that I have never looked at one and thought I want one, I know this is Pistonheads and an MX5 is the answer to everything so I should probably hand my membership back.
The reason the Cayman/ Boxster isn’t on the list is running costs and the inevitable big bill.
The SLK 55 is certainly a left field choice but I’d imagine the running costs would be high. I’d budget £1,000 a year for maintance.
I would love a TVR, I’ve always wanted one but again running costs and the nagging thought in the back of my mind that something will go wrong.
Would you consider a turbocharged or supercharged GT86 OP?(granted it is a 2+2 though). I do see the odd one for sale every now and again, and I'd imagine a GT86 with a bit more punch to be a lot of fun.
They would remind me of my old mildly tuned S14 200SX I reckon, and that was a right laugh to drive I thought. So much fun.
They would remind me of my old mildly tuned S14 200SX I reckon, and that was a right laugh to drive I thought. So much fun.
Open to fwd?
Fiat Coupe or V6 Corrado? https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1553142
Only rwd? The odd decent Mkii MR2 is out there, some are Jap imports with turbo.
If it has to be soft top and rwd, I have a mate who had a VX220 and also a BMW z4, he said the z4 was reliable but hateful. hth.
Something left field like a Ginetta? https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1545894
Fiat Coupe or V6 Corrado? https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1553142
Only rwd? The odd decent Mkii MR2 is out there, some are Jap imports with turbo.
If it has to be soft top and rwd, I have a mate who had a VX220 and also a BMW z4, he said the z4 was reliable but hateful. hth.
Something left field like a Ginetta? https://www.carandclassic.com/car/C1545894
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