Zed Upgrade

[Bubble1982]

So we all love our E89's - for the money, I really can't think of anything else that comes close in terms of looks / pace / every day usability. But there will come a time when the zed needs to move on, perhaps when 4 seats become essential, or with a bit of good fortune there's an opportunity to get something even more special.

it got me thinking - what's the logical 'step up' from an E89. Pre-requisites are, 1) it's got to look great, 2) it needs to be rapid, 3) it's got to handle every day chores like popping to the supermarket as seamlessly as the zed does.

Three cars that (in my humble opinion) look great value as a zed 'step-up', while ticking all the above boxes are:

1) the brand new M4 - good looking, bonkers fast, totally practical, a real Jekyll and Hyde car as far as I can tell from the reviews

2) a nearly new M6 with 5k - 10k miles - 'big brother' of M4, rare / special - very seldom see them on the road (doubt we'll be able to say the same for the M4 in 12 months time)

3) audi R8 v10 2-3 years old, 20k miles - true super car pace, (relatively) practical as two sweaters go, v10 naturally aspirated engine!!!

All of these are available at circa £60k right now. Another year and we're likely into low 50'000s for good examples. All feel like a serious amount of car for the money.

So am sure we all torture ourselves with this process of constantly thinking about the potential next motor.

Is there anything that should join the list above that isn't 'lottery winner' territory?

What do you all see as your next 'post zed' purchase?

 

[Zed Five]

New shape Cayman S seems logical to me. Practical daily driver, but with interest and character.

 

[ut745]

I have been looking at the exact same 3 cars as an upgrade!

Problem with the R8 is the fuel economy is shocking. Having driven the v8 version quite a bit I don't find it that special...it just looks great. Hopefully the v10 is much better.

M6 - absolute beast, definitely a good shout if buying second hand. Also, like you said, hardly any on the road - I see M3s and R8s on a daily basis - nothing special anymore.

M4 - thats my first choice for now - looks great, very practical and running costs will be much lower than the other two. You could easily use a M4 as a daily car without crying every time you go to the petrol station

Having said all of that, if you are okay with 2 seats and don't have an issue with fuel costs go for the R8...

I've owned my Zed from new since last August but I'm thinking of changing to the M4 as soon as its out.

 

[Bubble1982]

New shape Cayman S seems logical to me. Practical daily driver, but with interest and character.

I think 99% of the world will agree with you but personally I've just never caught the porsche bug. I've never looked at a porsche and thought 'I want that' in the same way as i do with other cars.

On paper it's an epic car though - perhaps if I drove one it would change my mind.

 

[matthurley]

So we all love our E89's - for the money, I really can't think of anything else that comes close in terms of looks / pace / every day usability. But there will come a time when the zed needs to move on, perhaps when 4 seats become essential, or with a bit of good fortune there's an opportunity to get something even more special.

it got me thinking - what's the logical 'step up' from an E89. Pre-requisites are, 1) it's got to look great, 2) it needs to be rapid, 3) it's got to handle every day chores like popping to the supermarket as seamlessly as the zed does.

Three cars that (in my humble opinion) look great value as a zed 'step-up', while ticking all the above boxes are:

1) the brand new M4 - good looking, bonkers fast, totally practical, a real Jekyll and Hyde car as far as I can tell from the reviews

2) a nearly new M6 with 5k - 10k miles - 'big brother' of M4, rare / special - very seldom see them on the road (doubt we'll be able to say the same for the M4 in 12 months time)

3) audi R8 v10 2-3 years old, 20k miles - true super car pace, (relatively) practical as two sweaters go, v10 naturally aspirated engine!!!

All of these are available at circa £60k right now. Another year and we're likely into low 50'000s for good examples. All feel like a serious amount of car for the money.

So am sure we all torture ourselves with this process of constantly thinking about the potential next motor.

Is there anything that should join the list above that isn't 'lottery winner' territory?

What do you all see as your next 'post zed' purchase?

It would have to be German and not much of a drop in performance. Maybe a Scirocco R with DSG

 

[Zed Five]

New shape Cayman S seems logical to me. Practical daily driver, but with interest and character.

I think 99% of the world will agree with you but personally I've just never caught the porsche bug. I've never looked at a porsche and thought 'I want that' in the same way as i do with other cars.

On paper it's an epic car though - perhaps if I drove one it would change my mind.

its definately better in the metal than on paper. A good physical presence. Good sound/drive and experience.

Unless there is a really good Z5 next year, I will be in one in spring.

 

[buzyg]

An E85 or E86.

 

[Angie4m]

I have been looking at the exact same 3 cars as an upgrade!

Problem with the R8 is the fuel economy is shocking. Having driven the v8 version quite a bit I don't find it that special...it just looks great. Hopefully the v10 is much better.

M6 - absolute beast, definitely a good shout if buying second hand. Also, like you said, hardly any on the road - I see M3s and R8s on a daily basis - nothing special anymore.

M4 - thats my first choice for now - looks great, very practical and running costs will be much lower than the other two. You could easily use a M4 as a daily car without crying every time you go to the petrol station

Having said all of that, if you are okay with 2 seats and don't have an issue with fuel costs go for the R8...

I've owned my Zed from new since last August but I'm thinking of changing to the M4 as soon as its out.

It always amazes me how fuel 'economy' seems to be on people agenda when looking at performance cars. If it's really that much of an issue then your looking at the wrong cars.

I do wish you luck on your quest for the M4, knowing that you plumped for a sdrive18 due to the insurance costs due to your age I'm sure it will again be pricey in a M4 even more so than your Z'd

New shape Cayman S seems logical to me. Practical daily driver, but with interest and character.

Hmmm still not sold on the interior of the Cayman or the boxter for that matter and considering I don't do many miles but when I do I do a few hundred in it I want something a little nicer to look at. Love the Cayman S but I really can't live without the roof coming off. I've become addicted to it. Although I did find myself looking at Astons tonight as a weekend toy for me and the other half. He wants a Maserati GT though which does sound awesome!

 

[TitanTim]

An E85 or E86.

Tim.

 

[ut745]

I have been looking at the exact same 3 cars as an upgrade!

Problem with the R8 is the fuel economy is shocking. Having driven the v8 version quite a bit I don't find it that special...it just looks great. Hopefully the v10 is much better.

M6 - absolute beast, definitely a good shout if buying second hand. Also, like you said, hardly any on the road - I see M3s and R8s on a daily basis - nothing special anymore.

M4 - thats my first choice for now - looks great, very practical and running costs will be much lower than the other two. You could easily use a M4 as a daily car without crying every time you go to the petrol station

Having said all of that, if you are okay with 2 seats and don't have an issue with fuel costs go for the R8...

I've owned my Zed from new since last August but I'm thinking of changing to the M4 as soon as its out.

It always amazes me how fuel 'economy' seems to be on people agenda when looking at performance cars. If it's really that much of an issue then your looking at the wrong cars.

I do wish you luck on your quest for the M4, knowing that you plumped for a sdrive18 due to the insurance costs due to your age I'm sure it will again be pricey in a M4 even more so than your Z'd

New shape Cayman S seems logical to me. Practical daily driver, but with interest and character.

Hmmm still not sold on the interior of the Cayman or the boxter for that matter and considering I don't do many miles but when I do I do a few hundred in it I want something a little nicer to look at. Love the Cayman S but I really can't live without the roof coming off. I've become addicted to it. Although I did find myself looking at Astons tonight as a weekend toy for me and the other half. He wants a Maserati GT though which does sound awesome!

I think fuel economy is important if you are considering it as a daily driver... Buying the car is one thing and running it is another. Yes, it could be argued that if you can afford the car you should be able to afford the fuel, insurance, servicing etc etc but it will still count as a factor...

As for the insurance you mentioned - its not that I can't afford it, I just chose to not waste money on it. I chose the 18i because insurance was £1000 whereas the 20i was £2100 and 35i was in the region of £3000. To me it was a no brainer to make the power sacrifice for a year then upgrade.

I have already done quotes on a M3, C63 Amg and M5 and they are coming back between £1400-1700. At my age, one year makes a massive difference with No Claims Bonus and driving experience. I am assuming most people here are older, where insurance may not be a huge issue but by waiting until September to buy a M4, rather than getting say a M3 last year, I have saved over £3k insurance and most probably £1200 in fuel.

My viewpoint may seem stupid/flawed to some people but it saves me a few grand a year....I would prefer getting a M4 in September and paying less in insurance and wait a few years then upgrade to a R8/Aston/Porsche rather than getting one now and paying £4/5k in insurance.

Anyways I'm sure you are bored of reading my life story. Which Aston were you looking at? AMV8 Vantage?

 

[Angie4m]

I think fuel economy is important if you are considering it as a daily driver... Buying the car is one thing and running it is another. Yes, it could be argued that if you can afford the car you should be able to afford the fuel, insurance, servicing etc etc but it will still count as a factor...

As for the insurance you mentioned - its not that I can't afford it, I just chose to not waste money on it. I chose the 18i because insurance was £1000 whereas the 20i was £2100 and 35i was in the region of £3000. To me it was a no brainer to make the power sacrifice for a year then upgrade.

I have already done quotes on a M3, C63 Amg and M5 and they are coming back between £1400-1700. At my age, one year makes a massive difference with No Claims Bonus and driving experience. I am assuming most people here are older, where insurance may not be a huge issue but by waiting until September to buy a M4, rather than getting say a M3 last year, I have saved over £3k insurance and most probably £1200 in fuel.

My viewpoint may seem stupid/flawed to some people but it saves me a few grand a year....I would prefer getting a M4 in September and paying less in insurance and wait a few years then upgrade to a R8/Aston/Porsche rather than getting one now and paying £4/5k in insurance.

Anyways I'm sure you are bored of reading my life story. Which Aston were you looking at? AMV8 Vantage?

Very true re it being a daily driver but then at that point you need to think would you be better with a run about nothing shabby but still nice and having the nice car for the weekend etc.

I've been there with the insurance and yes always better to change when you've started to build up no claims. Things have never been great for guys and as a female I always got cracking deals. Even at 29 I'm only paying 370 with 4 years NCB protected and a conviction so I fully understand your wanting to wait. I insured a E46 M3 at 23 with 1 years NCB for £700 but it would have been considerably higher without at least 1 years.

At least hit getting the quotes and not just going out buying the car and thinking later which is what a lot of people tend to do and then get a shock.

As for the AM I was looking at the V12 Vantage verts. I know the other half would want a coupe which I have looked at but my heart lies with a vert. However as the Z'd isn't going anywhere maybe a coupe could be a winner

 

[kmorgan]

I have been looking at the exact same 3 cars as an upgrade!

Problem with the R8 is the fuel economy is shocking. Having driven the v8 version quite a bit I don't find it that special...it just looks great. Hopefully the v10 is much better.

M6 - absolute beast, definitely a good shout if buying second hand. Also, like you said, hardly any on the road - I see M3s and R8s on a daily basis - nothing special anymore.

M4 - thats my first choice for now - looks great, very practical and running costs will be much lower than the other two. You could easily use a M4 as a daily car without crying every time you go to the petrol station

Having said all of that, if you are okay with 2 seats and don't have an issue with fuel costs go for the R8...

I've owned my Zed from new since last August but I'm thinking of changing to the M4 as soon as its out.

It always amazes me how fuel 'economy' seems to be on people agenda when looking at performance cars. If it's really that much of an issue then your looking at the wrong cars.

I do wish you luck on your quest for the M4, knowing that you plumped for a sdrive18 due to the insurance costs due to your age I'm sure it will again be pricey in a M4 even more so than your Z'd

New shape Cayman S seems logical to me. Practical daily driver, but with interest and character.

Hmmm still not sold on the interior of the Cayman or the boxter for that matter and considering I don't do many miles but when I do I do a few hundred in it I want something a little nicer to look at. Love the Cayman S but I really can't live without the roof coming off. I've become addicted to it. Although I did find myself looking at Astons tonight as a weekend toy for me and the other half. He wants a Maserati GT though which does sound awesome!

+1 I'm not sold on the interior styling of the Cayman/Boxster. The second generation Cayman/Boxster interior is much better than the first, however, as much as I want to like it, for me I prefer the second generation Z4 coupled with the retractable hardtop as a bonus. If the interior of the Cayman was better styled I'd have a hard job choosing between the two. I realise the Cayman is a better drive having driven a Cayman at the Porsche Experience Centre at Silverstone, however, for day-to-day driving on the public road and preferring the interior, I've made the right choice buying my second generation Z4. Today, if I had to replace my Z4, I'd replace it with another Z4.

Having driven at the Porsche Experience Centre at Silverstone and following a recent Experience Porsche event at my local dealership, I feel I now have the Cayman out of my system!

I think it's important to buy what works best for you, this may or may not be a Z4.