Up to £12,000 to spend

If you are dead set on the Z4 looks then not much is going to change your mind!

I suggest you test a couple of things and get a feel of how they drive for you. Z4 will be vastly different to an S2000. You might hate it so its lose-lose for the S2000, conversely you might love it and the look factor might be outweighed by the drive.

Only one downside to testing an S2000, if you end up with a Z4 you'll wish it had the S2000 transmission :p
 
I'd say it depends what you're after.

For all out fun, performance and a real sport roadster, I'd choose the S2000 (or consider an Elise)

If you want something a little more posey and mature, I'd choose the Z4.

Personally, unless it was a Z4M, I'd take the S2K :)
 
I do mainly motorway and A road driving, but return 31/32mpg in the Z4 and I nearly always have the foot down when coming out of a corner.

It's a great, balanced car - you can think of something racier, more economical, better looking etc. for the money, but each one is a different car. The Z4 does all of them pretty well, without being the absolute best at any, in my opinion. I like this balance.

I love mine and I honestly believe mine's one of the best older 3.0i ones around - whack some good alloys on (I have a set of Z4M originals), replace the silly large aerial and you're good to go.

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another chance to pimp this awesome piece of photography (which isn't mine!):
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Happy to answer any questions and I'm sure tommo and Adam will chip in with their thoughts too.
 
demon8991 said:
The boxster has also been on my mind but you get less for your money and the performance isnt quite as good.
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£12K will get you a 3.2S and that has better performance than a 3.0 Z4. All the contenders have been mentioned already and they're all good so test drive them and see which you prefer.

I own a Z4M and have had a Boxster S. I've driven my brother's 350Z extensively and also test drove a 3.0 Z4 a few times before gettng the Boxster. So FWIW here's my pros/cons between some of your contenders (not against the whole market):

Z4 3.0 - Pros: Better economy, best interior and specification for the money. Cons: run flat tyres and sterring that makes you feel disconnected

350Z - Pros: in GT trim nicely specified, nice exhaust note, cheapest to service. Cons: Bit cheap feeling interior

Boxster S - Pros: Handling incredibly well connected and precise, quickest in the real world, two boots quite practical. Cons: Well made but dated interior at this price range, poor spec as standard, will be older for this budget, cost of servicing and maintenance high.
 
Insurance is obviously something you want to check at that age too.

Sounds like you want the car for its looks / image rather than driver experience. Z4 is a great option.
 
I got insured on my 3.0i Z4 at 21 and 2 months, with zero NCB for 1150 for 10 months with elephant. Adding both my parent as named drivers brought the price right down. No one else can touch that price apart from the other in the group .(admiral & bell)
 
demon8991 said:
I love the S2 but i think it only really works as a second car, as it lacks perhaps the day to day comfort of some of the other ones mentioned.

Also im 6'3" would i even fit lol?
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Shouldn't have any problems fitting in one. I'm about 6'2" & fit in my S1 fine with no issues. Remember you basically sit on the floor. It will lack the creature comforts of the other cars listed but really depends what your priorities are.

If you want the car for pure driver involvement & fun, the Elise is streets ahead of the others. If you want the car to do frequent motorway journeys & long distance touring, you would be better of with the others IMO
 
Z4. Get one with the Aerokit :)

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Dont forget the 2.5 either - normally I say why bother when the running costs are the same without the performance - but the 2.5 can be significantly cheaper to insure and still offers absolutely excellent performance. The 3.0 is properly quick, though, with 0-60 in 5.9 seconds.
 
TimBrad said:
When were they "rectified"/"tamed" a bit? I know Neil on here bought one last year then lampposted it soon after... :o
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Yup, 17"s on the later cars and suspension/ARB revisions made it a bit softer and more predictable, 06 introduced VSA as an option and the last 09 cars retained the changes but sharpened it up a bit to bring it closer to the original incarnation.
 
mr tommo said:
*cough* *cough* *cough*

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1487945.htm

:)

Supposed to have 2 people viewing this weekend but havent had any contact since Thursday.

Will be putting it up on autotrader after this weekend if it doesn't go.
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I was lookin at that yesterday i really like it! Has the sat nav too which is a massive bonus!!! I like the red leather too but i cannot decide whether i prefer black...

How is the Z4 to run? Like what are the services like etc? Any known niggles? (ive heard about the roof motor going on them)
 
If you go for the Z4, I'd highly recommend getting one with Satnav, eaasier to sell, and it gives the interior a touch of tech, which considering how bare it is, seems quite welcome!..

Other then that, they are great value for money, although alloys will peel and chip, so don't let that put you off, just budget for a refurb, and on first sitting in one, be prepared for them to feel surprisingly flmisy with the odd rattle inside, but as a package, I love 'em..
 
mr tommo said:
*cough* *cough* *cough*

http://pistonheads.com/sales/1487945.htm

:)

Supposed to have 2 people viewing this weekend but havent had any contact since Thursday.

Will be putting it up on autotrader after this weekend if it doesn't go.
Click to expand...

I have actually fallen in love with your car!

If you wernt so far away (im about 10 miles south of cambridge) i would come and have a look this weekend.

I love it!!!
 
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