Looking for a fun daily

wedrum · 18 Mar 2017 at 13:38

Z4 do it.

bazzabear · 18 Mar 2017 at 13:45

You want a curve ball?

Alfa Romeo GTA. Either the 147 or 156.

Bonus: They've basically completely stopped depreciating, so you won't lose money as long as you don't stuff it.

Invertigo · 18 Mar 2017 at 13:57

bazzabear said:
You want a curve ball?

Alfa Romeo GTA. Either the 147 or 156.

Bonus: They've basically completely stopped depreciating, so you won't lose money as long as you don't stuff it.

Not sure how accurate this is these days, but does this meet the whole daily commuting car requirement? I thought alfas had a tendency to go "nope, not today, don't fancy it"?

bazzabear · 18 Mar 2017 at 14:08

Well I've owned mine since 2007 and it's only let me down once. (Battery ran out at the top of the Stelvio pass, because the alternator had failed the previous day and I hadn't realised what the noise was until hindsight lent a hand. Luckily, I'd already done the fun part of the pass, and an epic experience it was with the v6 growling all the way up that mountainside.)

There's an element of needing to take care of them. They don't like a lack of maintenance. But treated well they're very rewarding. And even the 156 SW (which I have) drives like an overgrown go-kart.

9designs2 · 18 Mar 2017 at 16:42

Another Z4 owner here, 54 plate 3.0 auto. Seems rattle free and everything works... values is around 5k. Having just got the wife an A3 doubt I'd go anywhere near a TT now. If you want a hatch/FWD get a Fiesta ST, power isn't an issue, then there is Mountune anyway.

PS.. I get 34 mpg.

Invertigo · 26 Mar 2017 at 12:15

So after a few different test drives yesterday, I think I'm settled on the Z4. Thinking budget wise I'll probably be looking at the pre-facelift with plenty of toys.

Got one to view in a week that has the full sports interior (wheel/seats), seems to have near enough every option ticked except for factory sat nav (not an issue with bluetooth and a smartphone). Also had a new roof motor relocated, DISA rebuilt and uprated seals on the VANOS, new springs and shocks 2 years ago.

Only downside is the black interior! But its something I can live with, not going to pass up a well specced and priced model just on interior colour

dacads · 26 Mar 2017 at 13:55

bazzabear said:
You want a curve ball?

Alfa Romeo GTA. Either the 147 or 156.

Bonus: They've basically completely stopped depreciating, so you won't lose money as long as you don't stuff it.

Which means they've started appreciating

Certainly a rare package though the 147 GTA having an engine like that in such a small car.