2 seater Vert choice

[scorcher]

Ok, so prob going to go for an S2000 for my summer project, but any thoughts on...

Merc SLK 320?
Z3 2.8?
new shape MR2?

(Got to be less than 10 years old, less than £7k, 2 seater vert, German or Japanese)

[mikem]

Jerome, if you bargain hard I rekon you could be in a Z4 2.5/3.0 for that .

[Ali-bumble]

there's quite a few Z4's on Autotrader (http://www.autotrader.co.uk/search/used/cars/bmw/z4/postcode/eh112jt/radius/1500/quicksearch/true/price-to/8000) between £7 and £8k
As Mikem says haggle hard and you'll net one

[Juber]

Jerome, if you bargain hard I rekon you could be in a Z4 2.5/3.0 for that .

Jerome???


S2000 getsmy vote. The merc's going to be too dated IMO,

[scorcher]

Jerome, if you bargain hard I rekon you could be in a Z4 2.5/3.0 for that .

Thanks Marlon :p

[scorcher]

I know my step mum hated her z4 3.0, but will investigate!

[FullHouse]

1979 black Trans AM 6.6. Game Over

very simple american engineering
great noise, but shit handling
relatively cheap to maintain (except fuel)
turns more heads then most cars on this forum
wont loose a penny on re-sale and probally will turn a profit after 9-12 months

come on peeps, lets think out of the bubble

[scorcher]

Interesting plan, but don't want LHD and it's too old. But the kid in me will always want to be Burt Reynolds in Smokey & The Bandit ;)

[mikem]

LOL, sorry Dan. :D

[rahrah]

s2000 without a doubt!..or 350z vert?

[zarnd]

The SLK 320 is a boring, poor drive and is actually quite slow. I would be tempted to find a Z4 for that money

cheers

[scorcher]

The SLK 320 is a boring, poor drive and is actually quite slow. I would be tempted to find a Z4 for that money

cheers

I wasn't that excited by an SLK unless it was an AMG, and that's out of my budget.

[benny boy]

What about a Audi TT

[lumus]

I dont think ive ever heard a bad word said about the s2000 from various owners. Even those who have moved on to bigger, better and faster seem to keep a big soft spot for them. From what I hear the gear change is hard to beat, but have never driven one.

The only thing wrong for me is the overall look, which is just too femanine.

You'd be hard pushed to find a small 2 seater vert that I like the looks of though :D

[Black Sabbath]

What about a Audi TT
Does Jesus (Got to admit Dan does look like him) look like he wants to drive a hairdressers car?:D :D :D :D :D :D Oh God I just remembered Juber had one of them :p ,is he a hairdresser as well?:D :D.S2000 or the Z4 would suit you best Dan

[scorcher]

Did think about a TT, as I've always liked Dimy's and Juber's, but haven't driven a roadster.

As Lumus says, the S2000 doesn't seem to have many critics, and that 9k rev limit does sound like a blast. Plus the fact it was designed as an out and out sports car with mainly bespoke components is a plus - no platform sharing for it.

I don't think it's any more girly than other verts - the only real man's convertible is a TVR, and I'm NOT getting one of them ;)

So early but low mileage S2000 (apparently the engines can go pop at 100k!) or newer but higher mileage Z4 - both look like fun, and moddable too.

[mr sideways]

i had a mx5 for the weekend last week and loved driving it, they realy do handle well even if they are a bit gay.

[MEGA]

s2000 of those by a country mile.

having said that the mark 4 MR2 is a massive blast to drive, very quick mid engines rear wheel drive car. A good choice. Same with an mx-5.

I'd still get the s2000 though..

[jk330ci]

I know its not German or Jap but they are supposedly great fun to drive and are pretty nippy too.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201014356107597/sort/priceasc/usedcars/model/vx220/make/vauxhall/radius/1500/page/1/quicksearch/true/postcode/br29tg?logcode=p

[piscean57]

Ahhh..I have come to this thread a bit late and some of what I would have said is already posted.

So Scorcher..I take it you are a bloke?..yes? ...not gay?...no?

In that case you can't even consider an S2000, MX3, MX5, MR2's, TT, Lotus Elise etc etc, etc.

The 3lit Z4 isn't a bad car but I am not sure how much you can successfully mod one of those as like most BM's getting anything extra from them is bloody expensive. That VX220 needs some serious thinking about too.

Why are you against a TVR - I guess it's reliability?...but it's a man's machine and no doubt. Depends what sort of use you have in mind for it but what about something Caterham-esque?...like a Tiger Cat, MK Indy?..or go classic and buy a Stag or a Tr6.

:cool:

[scorcher]

I had an MX5 last year for a few months and loved it - it was the first convertible I had ever driven, and it made me finally understand why.

Did think about the the VXR220, but not really sold on the looks. And I don't want an Elise as I want something safe that actually works :) The same goes for Piscean's suggestions. I'm not a mechanic, so don't want to be bothered with the oily bits!

[Theivz]

there is def something very appealing about s2000 but whenever I drive one i find the power if a little hard to reach unless you're really ragging it. I found the last mx-5 much more fun to drive. The current one is too soft and wallowy for my liking (but alittle more man-lier). The z4 3.0 is awesome BUT a little dated now esp with the facelift clear front lenses and rear lights (costly mod too). The s2000's facelift also looks much better but the difference is less noticeable IMO. I do like the rear lights now:cool:. I personally wouldn't consider slk/tt. Tough one to separate the s2000 and z4. mx-5 would still be in the race coz of cheap mods and .. well cheap everything tbo. The honda factor is important coz running costs on old (even if well maintained) z4 would be scary.

At santa pod my mate in his new s2000 was pretty close to my other mate's z4m vert (and that is the 3.2 from the csl!:eek: ) .... mmm decisions decisions

[Mitesh]

I know it will get a LOT of hate from people who are lovers of BWM, I would HAVE to say, one of the nicest (i reckon) and rarest motors I can see turning heads in this day would have to be a BMW Z8.

Or there is the Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder? I still rather have either the Z8 or S2000.

[scorcher]

Dharman - I loved my first gen MX5, but not so keen on the later models, and it wasn't quite powerful enough for me.

Have decided against Z3 or Z4 - was talking to my Dad and step-mum about the one they had a few years ago, and they said it was hideously uncomfortable to drive. That's why they got shot of it after 10 months!

Good news about the S2000 :) Have yet to drive one, but pretty sure it's the car for me!


Mitesh - Z8 and Eclipse are both LHD, and Z8s start at £75k, so a little over budget ;)

[Theivz]

Good news about the S2000 :) Have yet to drive one, but pretty sure it's the car for me!


sounds good to me - let us know how you get on after the test drive. It is a bit of a mission (esp for a bloke of ur height) to get into/out of. Looking forward to your feedback tho ... def very fun car.. I like the looks too

[dodgyken]

The Z4 on 18" rims with RFTS with sports suspension is very firm. The Alpina is on 19" rims, Pirelli Neros and Alpina suspension - it is as firm as the 3.0 - but the damping and control is superb - it doesn't get so affected by mid-corner bumps. It is just a case of finding the right balance.

The Z3 is a lot softer - and you will have to spend a lot of money to get the best out of it.

I drove MR2, MGF, MX5 and my old Z3 2.2 on a group test a few years back - I was happy to drive away in the Z3, but the MX5 was the class of the field.

[Mitesh]

Dharman - I loved my first gen MX5, but not so keen on the later models, and it wasn't quite powerful enough for me.

Have decided against Z3 or Z4 - was talking to my Dad and step-mum about the one they had a few years ago, and they said it was hideously uncomfortable to drive. That's why they got shot of it after 10 months!

Good news about the S2000 :) Have yet to drive one, but pretty sure it's the car for me!


Mitesh - Z8 and Eclipse are both LHD, and Z8s start at £75k, so a little over budget ;)
Look, sacrifices have to be made. Just stop eating, buying clothes and you be fine. :) I didnt realise the Z8's are still around that mark!

[JazzMan]

I'd also be looking at at least 10k for a Z4 of that age the cheaper ones are a bit tatty. My brother has one on 17" rims with Bridgestone 050A run flats and it's a bit firm but no worse that standard 3 series coupe. Dump the run flats and it would be fine :)