New member, and hopefully soon, Z4C owner

T

TameRacingDriver

Member
 Newcastle Upon Tyne
Hi guys, someone over on PH suggested I should sign up here so here I am. I am from Newcastle and currently drive an FN2 Civic Type-R. However, I have been getting bored with it - it's a great car - it looks nice, its reliable, it handles well (at speed), it has a nice interior, and a cracking engine.... but its also FWD and having had a few RWD cars, it's hard to forget that balance and handling characteristics. I was toying with the idea of modding the Civic, but I can't be bothered. I also want a car that doesn't have to be ragged to get some fun from it - I used to have a 350Z and loved the lazy, torquey V6 and the noise it made!

So, I was wondering what to get. I did think of the S2000 but they're very expensive now even for an old car and if the owners haven't kept up with oil checks, I could have a time bomb on my hands. It also doesn't solve the problem of the peaky engine, which means hooligan driving is needed to enjoy it, otherwise it just sounds dull. Elise / VX220 - although I could forgive the engine for not having much aural excitement because of its handling, this has to be a daily driver so is too raw really, I would definitely get sick of it. So in the end, the decision came down to the 350Z and Z4C. However, I've already had a 350Z so I looked a bit more into the coupe......

It doesn't seem to have many down sides does it? Cheaper road tax and much more fuel efficient than the 350Z, and it sounds like the engine is even better (lighter, more revvy and smoother). The 350Z was also a heavy beast and it's handling left a little to be desired, the BMW seems as though it will be better here. It doesn't seem to have anything that could go to ruinously wrong (unlike a Boxster) and most important, it looks as though it will feel special and be fun at all times - I want every drive to be an event, which is just isn't in the Civic.

So I'll be looking to spend no more than £10K and be looking to buy once winter is done and dusted (I still owe a bit more than my car is currently worth on the loan but in a few months will be more or less breaking even). Although I'd be happier still to get a nice one for £8K - possible? There are £8K cars out there, but is it going to be beneficial to spend a little extra?

Anyway in the spirit of the forum, here is a picture of some of my previous and more interesting cars over the last decade.

Cars_zpsqm0omegs.jpg
 
Welcome.

I think the way you are thinking sounds right and I can confirm that the coupe just looks special and will keep you looking back at it as well as being great to drive.

Hope you find your car and you may well get one for less than 10k but just go and see some. Buy on condition and service history. Buy the best you can is a good way to go.

Good luck. :thumbsup:
 
Hi. Anyone posting 7 pics on their first post is most welcome! :) My only concern about you is that you are after a coupe, but then it takes all sorts. . :lol:

You will get a lot more informed replies from others on here, but you will, I think, be a lower end of the scale with £8k for a coupe. If you could rustle up another £2k then you will have a much better choice.

Good luck with your search!
 
Thanks both for the welcome.

If I have to spend £10K to get a really good one then so be it. You only live once and all that.

As for the coupe / convertible thing, what can I say, I just love the look of the Coupe :) I also think it will become a classic in a few years, not many cars around now with that kind of classic, contemporary shape! Although I did like buzzing around in convertibles, I can take them or leave them these days, although there's a lot to be said for top down motoring (I used to in all weathers, including snow, see my picture!).

I forgot to add that I also looked into an E46 M3, since I am now old enough to insure one cheaply (some of the lads I knock about with hate me because they have to spend £1k to insure a 1.0 eurobox while I pay £300 for an M3!). However, the running costs look several leagues higher than the Z4C, and frankly its more performance than I could reasonably use on the road without being banned - even the Type-R could easily get you banned let alone something with another 150 bhp!

The Z4C looks as though it may be just as cheap to run as my Civic! I don't need 4 seats, so no brainer really!
 
I have been following your thread on PH (hilly10) I have been on here a couple of months they are all a good set of lad and lassies.
 
Welcome to the forum. The only car I would consider from your short list is the 350Z. But since you've been there done that, then the Z4 seems to be the way to go. Enjoy the hunt.
 
Welcome TRD , yes they really are friendly and knowledgeable bunch on here. The fortunate thing is that you being from the North is we have great roads to enjoy ourselves on. You don't even have to be Z driver, just look out for our trips out they do tend to happen regularly .
 
Thanks, I'll keep my eyes peeled, might be a good opportunity to have a nosey at one before I buy. TBH I just want winter to be over with now so I can go shopping :D
 
Welcome from another contributor to your PH thread! :thumbsup:

Hope you find the right one soon - winter isn't too bad when you have a roof and heated seats!
 
So I got a Coupe about a week ago now, a 3.0 Sport auto which I bought from a chap on here, and I am absolutely smitten with it after my first hoon up to hartside and around that general area with my mate in his RX-8. It almost feels like a poor mans supercar what with the amount of character it has and the noise it makes. I even quite like the autobox (in sport manual for hooning and auto for just lazy A-B trips). I much prefer this to my old 350Z Roadster, it handles much better, the driving position is much better, the interior is much better, the appearance is much better, the engine is much better, and it is just MUCH better. I'm surprised by how good it actually is, as I was concerned it might be a little dull like my old BMWs but I shouldn't have worried. What a cracking car.

I thought I'd reply to this thread as I always like reading when things reach a conclusion as it has here.

This is a massive upgrade over my Civic Type-R, it feels FAR more special in every respect.

DSC_0337_zpsvedfu2z2.jpg
 
Well done :happyclap: (from another PH thread contributor!)

Just out of interest, where is the location of that photo - looks quite dramatic?
 
That is Hartside Cafe near Alston TR4Man. Cumbria. A686 which is one of the best driving roads in the UK. Approx 1900 ft above sea level so quite cold!

Unfortunately the Cafe itself was closed (it doesn't open during winter), but it was still nice to stop, stretch the legs, have a chat and some fresh air, and take in the views.

Shame we both ended up with chipped windscreens!

Good call on this car BTW :thumbsup:
 
Nice purchase & no wonder your Rx8 pal parked away :oops: makes them look rather dated & "ugly duckling" compared to your Zc :wink:
 
Great to read you found a good car. Poor mans Super car indeed. :) It's as much about presence as performance and the Zed has that in spades. 8)

Welcome abaord. :thumbsup:
 
Well Mr Wilks, my mate still prefers his RX-8 even after I took him out in mine. Thats cool though, life would be boring if we all liked the same thing, and I wouldn't mind better the Rex is a slightly tidier handling car than the Zed. I've had a pax ride in his though, and I wasn't keen, the engine wasn't really vocal enough, and it seemed a bit "ordinary". The Zed on the other hand is like a hooligan in comparison, its a bit more lairy in the handling, but it seems much faster in a straight line and makes a much better noise (to my ears, he didn't agree!) and overall looks much better and seems to have more character.

I suggested he get the PZ wheels and mirrors which make it look a bit more purposeful.
 
Buzyg, I was loving the Zed today, it feels a beast compared to cars I've had before. I didn't think it would be as superior to the 350Z I had as it is, but it really is. The only car that felt similar in character and overall "feel" was my old Mk2 MR2 Turbo (rev 2), but this is a much nicer place to be, faster, looks better and probably handles better too (but I did like the way the MR2 squatted down when you powered through corners). Compared to hot hatches? Not even close. They may be fast but they aren't fun like this is (fun is subjective though). It just feels like an event. I've been back hours and I can't stop thinking about it. That has to be a good thing!
 
I had a 96 mr2 turbo and I miss that way it squatted in corners. Love the thread and hope you still love you're coúpe over a year into ownership same as me.
 
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