If you had 20K to spend on a car?

[rob davey]

bonjour.

I bought my z4 as a daily driver hence the throbbing sound of the 2.0 everytime i pull off a sub 9 sec 0-60

I am now in the fortunate position of getting a toy car for the weekends (and i'm not going to get another z4 that would just look silly and i'd never know what key to take!)

So with 20k(ish) what whould you get, the only practical thing it needs to do is keep me dry if it rains and have room for a passenger. I want the chance to do track days but it still needs to be compliant with speed bumps to get me there. I was thinking Noble m12; Over to you!

 

[shabba]

What can you/want to afford running costwise? Noble is big league running costs, they are not very well made and will cost more than you imagine, if thats not an issue then fine.

Again if not an issue then I'd go for a TVR T350, amazing cars.

Or a Catherham, will be serious fun and running costs aren't insane, no practicality but fine for a 2nd car providing you can fit. Or Arial Atom.

its pointless going for anything remotely sensible IMO, might as well sell the Z and buy a Z4M if you want all rounder etc, or an M6.

 

[cj10jeeper]

hola,

I would consider the total package not the second car in isolation, perhaps selling the Zed and getting a practical runaround as the daily driver then either a more powerful Zed for the weekend/track or going whole hog and say a Lotus for track.

My daughters boyfreind does this combo with a Focus diesel daily drive and a well sorted Lotus Elise for the weekend. Got an overall third last weekend in the Lotus on track series and that's a fully legal road car and driven as such.

 

[peddy]

sell your Zed and get a fully loaded Z4M. you'll prob have some cash left too... for mods?

 

[rob davey]

Or a Catherham, will be serious fun and running costs aren't insane, no practicality but fine for a 2nd car providing you can fit. Or Arial Atom.

its pointless going for anything remotely sensible IMO, might as well sell the Z and buy a Z4M if you want all rounder etc, or an M6.

I had considered a Caterham or westfield after looking at a few at a hill climb event i went to and bonus you can put a roof on them - i just don't think i'll fit, i'm not overly tall at 5 10 but i'm broad shouldered.

also i can't loose the first car as i need good mpg as i'm a rep doing motorway miles, and i like having a sort of sporty car for that.

My daughters boyfreind does this combo with a Focus diesel daily drive and a well sorted Lotus Elise for the weekend. Got an overall third last weekend in the Lotus on track series and that's a fully legal road car and driven as such.

hmmm maybe an exige?

 

[srhutch]

I agree with CJ, If I had 20k to spend I would sell my Z4 buy a Z4 ///M for weekend & sometimes work use and buy a runaround for work. A four seater for normal use would be handy sometimes like when the wife crashes her car and we have 2 rug rats to ferry around.

Get a E46 320cd M Sport for work and the ///M for weekends

 

[peddy]

I agree with CJ, If I had 20k to spend I would sell my Z4 buy a Z4 ///M for weekend & sometimes work use and buy a runaround for work. A four seater for normal use would be handy sometimes like when the wife crashes her car and we have 2 rug rats to ferry around.

Get a E46 320cd M Sport for work and the ///M for weekends

X2 (if you do lots of miles for work)

 

[ksher]

Rob probably wants driving sport car everyday (7 days a week), so Z4 2.0 is good for everyday use.

What about Ferrari 348tb/ts or Porsche 911?

 

[shabba]

I would HATE to drive the bulk of my miles in something pony. That runaround/nice car option IMO is not good, your suffering 90% of the time to have an amazing time 10% of it, i'd rather have a mix of both.

anyway you didnt answer my question about running costs? This is a big factor.

FORGET 348 ferrari, terrible suggestion, they are rubbish and reflected in their current residules. Old 911 is very different, more classic now and they aren't sporty enough IMO if you wanrt a proper sports car as your 2nd car. I'm thinking you want a real weapon if your looking at Nobles.

You could of course strech to a M3 CSL, amazing track and road car, very expensive BUT it will probably never lose money now, collectors item.

Radical SR3 might be a tad more roomy than a caterham?

A Mitsi EVO FQ3xx would be a good choice, they are stunning in terms of handling/fun, such good cars to drive beyond the limit, running costs are ok if you do low miles too. Only downside is the looks/image and lack of decent engine noise. However you really need to drive one to appreciate just how good these cars are, especially on track. I think this would be my 'sensible' choice, the T350 the crazy choice.

 

[jamiez]

I agree with CJ, If I had 20k to spend I would sell my Z4 buy a Z4 ///M for weekend & sometimes work use and buy a runaround for work. A four seater for normal use would be handy sometimes like when the wife crashes her car and we have 2 rug rats to ferry around.

Get a E46 320cd M Sport for work and the ///M for weekends

all for 20k ?

 

[cj10jeeper]

I agree with CJ, If I had 20k to spend I would sell my Z4 buy a Z4 ///M for weekend & sometimes work use and buy a runaround for work. A four seater for normal use would be handy sometimes like when the wife crashes her car and we have 2 rug rats to ferry around.

Get a E46 320cd M Sport for work and the ///M for weekends

all for 20k ?

In my original suggestion selling the Z4 was in the mix too, so the total pot would be in the £30k to £35k

 

[peddy]

you say you do a lot of miles so want a cheap run around, but consider the extra costs when you have two cars on things such as service, road tax, insurance and depreciation as well increase chance in problems. having the one car would just increase the cost spent on petrol.

taking that into consideration maybe having one car would be cheaper, but again it all depends on the actual miles you cover and how the two scenarios way up.

try doing some rough calculations and see what you come up with.

 

[outrun]

I'd spend £15K custom supercharging your z4 and keep £5k for increased petrol costs. :evil:

 

[shabba]

I'd spend £15K custom supercharging your z4 and keep £5k for increased petrol costs. :evil:

Waste of money that you will never see back. I'd buy a V10 M5 engine and 'pop' that under the hood, would cost not much more than £15k. (saw a 15k engine for sale for £4k).

 

[EdButler]

Winter Project for you: VX220 2.2 and Harrop Twin-Screw Supercharger tuned to around 380bhp Thats what im doing at least

 

[dan_i]

I'd be going down the Elise/Exige/VXR220 route myself. I would have done already if I needed a runabout for work, but seems I have a van, there is no point....and having one car demands a bit of practicality/comfort, hense, the Z4.

 

[epbrown]

Count me in with the "sell the Z4 2.0, get a Z4M, get a Smart or something for the commute" crowd. It's what I did.

 

[Mr Whippy]

Just get a Z4 MR and commute in it, AND use it at the weekend!

 

[PetKiller]

Caterham if it is a toy/weekend car would be my choice. And £20k would buy you a stunning one... but then again I am sure a lot less than that would put just as big a smile on your face.

The SV version has a wider cockpit it that is your only worry.

CATERHAM SEVEN R300 (2003) 12,500 miles, £17,950
**Price reduced for quick sale**
Selling my R300. It is in excellent condition. First registered August 2003 and a factory built car. MOT to August 2010 and had a service in feb including engine oil, gearbox & brake fluid change (approx 700 miles ago). Colour is Triumph Nuclear Red. Full spec is:

Dry Sump
6 Speed Gearbox
LSD
Lowered Floors (both sides)
Full Weather Gear
Black Chrome Pack
Tillets
Carbon Dash
Carbon Front Wings
R500 Exhaust
Wide Track
Uprated AP Front Brakes
Quick Release Momo Steering Wheel
15" Alloys with CR500 Tyres
Heater
Gear Change Up Lights

 

[Voodoo]

You boys need to start thinking outside the box.... :wink:

http://www.nsra.org.uk/newforum/showthread.php?t=27534

http://www.nsra.org.uk/newforum/showthread.php?t=31621

http://www.nsra.org.uk/newforum/showthread.php?t=30589