Sports Car (used) - 10K Budget

[Bagpuss]

So the S2000 is 0.1 sec slower then the Z4 or boxster 2.2 1/2. Does it really matter. Roof down, 2 seats, acceleration. I'm happy with that. S2000 it is then.

On a wet track too, which is the s2000 achiles heal

Comparing the old Z4 to the Honda - there is a clear winner if you are looking for a true sports car (the Honda) - if you are looking practicality then its the sadly the BM.

In what way Practicality? Both cars are similar in size, will take golf clubs. Honda is half the price to service, and half the road tax, BMW has had more relaiblity issues, as the car is built in the US. So where is the edge on practicality?

[SuperZ]

It's not a lot faster and not much power from 3 litres, only an extra 27bhp from 1 litre more!
The 3 litre is only faster if you don't like changing gear, in such case you'd be better with a diesel.

Compare the 2.2 litre BMW with the Honda

I`ve driven both and owned trhe 3.0Si for 2 years. It`s not jsut total power that creates drivability, it`s the characteristics of the engine. It is only 27bhp as you said, but the full 265bhp of the 3.0Si is availble throughout more of the rev range than the 240bhp of the S2000 is.
And nobody is ever better off with a diesel, there`s no comparison there.

150 torque in the S2000 at 6800rpm and max power 240 at 8000rpm.
236 torque in the Z4 3.0Si at 4000rpm and maxpower 265 at 6800rpm.
So which one is hugely drivable and which one needs to have the engine battered hard to make fast progress.

In the 3.0si, it pulls cleanly and very smoothly at 40mph in sixth gear. Try to do that the S2000. Even if you like changing gear you still have to rev the nuts off the S2000 to make fast progress which then affects economy also.

Don`t get me wrong, the S2000 does have a great engine but as an all rounder and a faster car, the Z4 is miles better. It also sounds better.

I have an M now, and I would say the engine in the 3.0Si is still a cracker. The M engine is more similar to the S2000 in that it needs revving for best results but due to the huge increase in power, it doesn`t lack the drivability of the S2000. However, in normal road use the 3.0 Si isn`t much slower than the M.

All IMO of course.

[DimPrawn]

The only way to decide between the three front runners for a good £10K sports car is to drive a Boxster an S2000 and a Z4 3.0

At the end of the day, you will know which one suits your driving style and preferences.

For me the S2000 doesn't cut it due to the 2 litre 4 cylinder engine. I found the engine course and unpleasant sounding and it's only really fast with 6K rpm+ going on and I don't drive like that.

But others like a car they redline everywhere. I like a good sound and plenty of shove from a torquey multi-cylinder engine.

[weemster]

If you drive quite a long way, every day its the BMW (Insurance, MPG, the ride), I agree the Honda
is great fun.

[Bagpuss]

I`ve driven both and owned trhe 3.0Si for 2 years. It`s not jsut total power that creates drivability, it`s the characteristics of the engine. It is only 27bhp as you said, but the full 265bhp of the 3.0Si is availble throughout more of the rev range than the 240bhp of the S2000 is.
And nobody is ever better off with a diesel, there`s no comparison there.

150 torque in the S2000 at 6800rpm and max power 240 at 8000rpm.
236 torque in the Z4 3.0Si at 4000rpm and maxpower 265 at 6800rpm.
So which one is hugely drivable and which one needs to have the engine battered hard to make fast progress.

In the 3.0si, it pulls cleanly and very smoothly at 40mph in sixth gear. Try to do that the S2000. Even if you like changing gear you still have to rev the nuts off the S2000 to make fast progress which then affects economy also.

Don`t get me wrong, the S2000 does have a great engine but as an all rounder and a faster car, the Z4 is miles better. It also sounds better.

I have an M now, and I would say the engine in the 3.0Si is still a cracker. The M engine is more similar to the S2000 in that it needs revving for best results but due to the huge increase in power, it doesn`t lack the drivability of the S2000. However, in normal road use the 3.0 Si isn`t much slower than the M.

All IMO of course.

You make it sound like the s2000 is slow unless revved high. It's not! Under normal circumstances out of vtec it's as fast as a 2.0 litre hot hatch, it will also hapily cruise all day at 90 plus. But if you feel the need you drop a gear, put your foot down and it goes mental and makes a great noise. It's not a a car for people who don't like changing gear to go fast, but then those people should buy an automatic / a luxury barge. Sports cars always beg to be driven.

So in summary the s is a quick car with the option to go mental

[AZZIK]

Only if you're gay, which clearly you are.

HTH.

I thought you were?? You sound like one

[DimPrawn]

You make it sound like the s2000 is slow unless revved high. It's not! Under normal circumstances out of vtec it's as fast as a 2.0 litre hot hatch, it will also hapily cruise all day at 90 plus. But if you feel the need you drop a gear, put your foot down and it goes mental. It's not a a car for people who don't like changing gear to go fast, but then those people should buy an automatic / a luxury barge. Sports cars always beg to be driven.

So in summary the s is a quick car with the option to go mental

As I said, the OP here has 3 clear choices and the only way to separate them is to test drive all three, several times.

[Bagpuss]

If you drive quite a long way, every day its the BMW (Insurance, MPG, the ride), I agree the Honda
is great fun.

On a long journey the old Z4 ride is too harsh due to the run flats

[Bagpuss]

As I said, the OP here has 3 clear choices and the only way to separate them is to test drive all three, several times.

But then the S2000 gets compare to the 3.0 BMW because it is almost as fast . Yet it was in the same price range as the 2.2 BMW which is slow.

[DimPrawn]

But then the S2000 gets compare to the 3.0 BMW because it is almost as fast . Yet it was in the same price range as the 2.2 BMW which is slow.

That was then Baggy.

£10K gets a Porsche Boxster (old one mind) and a decent Z4 3.0i now, so all three are considerations for the OP.