Sports Coupe ideas

Ace Modder · 24 Jun 2017 at 19:29

Hi all.

I'm in the market for a new car soon. I have decided upon a coupe. My wife has her driving test on Monday, and all being well if she passes, she can have the family car for our son etc. And I can get a coupe. So potentially 2 seaters are an option.

So far I have test driven a MX-5 RF and a 370Z Nismo. Both had good points and bad points, for totally different reasons.

I'm after ideas and inspiration for other options.

Here is a pic of the two I've tried so far. (both parked on my driveway)

P.S. I prefer to buy new!

Ace Modder · 24 Jun 2017 at 19:37

Fox, I didn't ask about opinions on these cars. I have my own opinions formed already. I asked for advice on what other coupé car options that are available.

Also max budget is £40,000 but I'd prefer to aim for around £30,000 but for the right car I could go for £40,000

Ace Modder · 24 Jun 2017 at 19:40

[TW]Fox said:
You posted pictures of them on a discussion forum, that invites opinion.

Fair enough, but your opinion is one of the key points that was in my head anyway from having driven one. So I agree with your point, but that's not the main thing I'm asking for.

Ace Modder · 24 Jun 2017 at 19:45

Jono8 said:
Arent they quite different in terms of performance/price though?

I mean do you want 325 or 160bhp!

It is difficult to guage what you want when you have those two on the same shortlist.

That's the issue, I'm not sure which I want. I enjoyed both cars but for very different reasons. I currently don't have any real preference, this is why I'm struggling so much with what to consider.

Ace Modder · 24 Jun 2017 at 19:52

MX-5 RF
Good points

Fun
Good economy
Exterior looks ace
Steering is spot on
Love the retractable hard top, even if UK only gives 5 days weather a year for it

Bad points

Poor power-performance at high speeds
No storage space... and yes the 370z won that battle - would would have thought it.
Brakes were very poor, but they can be upgraded

370z
Good points

Noise is ace
Power performance is great, even at 90mph it pulls like a train
Reasonable storage for a 2 seater coupe

Bad points

economy with fuel
Car from 2009 and the design age is showing a little
Having all the tech gadgets adds to the price by £5k

Ace Modder · 24 Jun 2017 at 21:26

kaku said:
I had a similar problem when looking for a new car, it felt like there wasn't actually that much choice.

My shortlist was:
GT86
MX-5 RF
370Z Nismo
Z4M
M235/M240i

What did you pick in the end and why?

Ace Modder · 24 Jun 2017 at 23:19

http://www2.autotrader.co.uk/classi...vertising-location=at_cars&radius=1500&page=1

seems a good deal

Ace Modder · 25 Jun 2017 at 00:24

I don't like BMW 2 or 4 series, I find that they are boring cars to look at. Fox will not like this I assume, because of his clear love of BMW's.
I don't have anything against them, I just find they are bland to look at.

A GT86 could be a decent choice, but I have read they are rather thirsty cars at only 200 bhp. I don't have a problem with a low mpg if the power is there to go with it. Maybe I'm wrong though?

A Z4 was a viable option, but I've read that they have can have various mechanical issues at 30k miles onwards.

I'd love a GT-R but I don't fancy spending over £40k. To be honest I'm shying away from wanting to spend over £35k. The main reason for new is the option for a PCP deal, I think PCP allows for a higher car cost whilst not costing too much per month.

Originally I was not a fan of PCP, but I've looked into it more and it seems that it's actually not that bad a deal. The balloon payment was always my bug at the end, but after working out what a 60 month HP loan costs and what a PCP loan costs the different is not a lot if you work out the PCP payments x 36months and then a PL for the balloon payment over 2 years (so same as the 5 years on HP), mostly due to the higher dealership contribution on the PCP deposit.

I can get a personal loan for 2.9% for £25,000. Total repayment = £26,861.40

Or I can get a PCP agreement for a £30,000-£35,000 car, but then I have to buy new.
For example PCP for £32k with a 2k deposit, and 2k dealership fund, and a 36month repayment and a final balloon for £15,000 works out at £35,326.

The monthly payments on the PL = £447 a month
The monthly payments on the PCP = £451 a month with a balloon payment which if I got a 3 year loan if I wanted to keep the car would be £434 x 36 monthly payments.

So basically a £25k car on a PL = £447 for 60months = £26861.40 total repaid
Or a £32k car on PCP with 2k from me, and 2k from dealer and then a PL for balloon payment = £451 x 36 and £434 x 36, averaging at £442.50 over 72 months. = £33,860 total repaid

The monthly payments and the cost over the car you pay back seems much and such the same now I've worked it all out.

Ace Modder · 25 Jun 2017 at 01:55

Housey said:
I'm surprised you thought the MX5 had poor brakes as that has always been a strong point on the previous model on road.

I am comparing to my Lexus IS300h which has excellent brakes, and also my old Impreza which was fitted with Brembo's so maybe that's why... maybe I'm being over cynical?

Ace Modder · 25 Jun 2017 at 02:38

@kaku - your mindset seems exactly the same as mine.

Did you buy your 370Z brand new? or a used one?

Ace Modder · 25 Jun 2017 at 12:54

alex24 said:
Biased opinion, but Elise? Nothing else drives remotely like it (try one!). Exciting every time you get in (if you can get in, they're a bit tight for taller or larger folk).

If not practical enough, I'd go for a GT86 but not new, you'd save a packet by getting a low interest loan on a well looked after used model. Fun to drive at legal speeds, great driving position in my view and 'enough' power.

I considered an Elise, but at 5"11 and 110kg I will certainly struggle.

Ace Modder · 26 Jun 2017 at 15:58

Regarding the 370z Nismo. I've had a chat with a Nissan dealer (one not local to me after using carwow) and they are offering a big discount in the actual buy price if I go down PCP route, they are offering the car to me for £32,000 (list price is £39K). I'm seeing 2nd hand models with 5000 miles on the clock listed at £33-£35k currently.

My local Nissan dealer was only willing to know off £1000 from the list price.

2nd hand cars I cannot get PCP so HP/PL budget is £25k that doesn't get me most of the car suggestions here.

Ace Modder · 5 Dec 2017 at 10:45

I bought a brand new 370Z Nismo in the end.

P.S. I wonder what Mal X thinks of me?