I'm thinking about getting a 2003-4 BMW Z4 or an earlier Z3 convertible. Since I live in Rain City, USA I'm not looking to buy until around Feb-Mar, so I'm doing research over the next few months. Anyone have any experience with these? I've heard nothing but praise from Z4 owners, not much of anything from Z3 owners. Anyone have any opinions or info to share? Recommendation on other similar cars okay too. Not really interested in a Honda S2000 or anything from Nissan.
A coworker had a z4 and the tires were crazy expensive. He paid more for the rear two than I did for all four on my truck. Fun car if you enjoy them. Terrible in bad weather if you have to deal with ice and snow.
No worries, I'm cursed to never have a car that has reasonably priced tires. The last time I bought tires for my truck it cost me $1200 for 4.
If I didnt have a friends and family discount, my tires would have been about the same. My coworker paid about 120o for the rear tires on his car. He loved the z4, but have to watch the rubber motor mounts amongst other things. I just bought a motorcycle(z1000) for fun, but if you want a z4 for fun, by all means get one.
Yeah, I'm a big discount tire shopper. My second car was a Fiero SE (back in the late 80's) and had hi-pro Good Year $200 tires. For my truck I only buy all terrain/all weather tires which is why they can be so expensive. Since I've got a 4x4 truck and take the bus to work, I don't care so much about bad weather driving. I live in the city and the truck can be a pain in the butt to drive sometimes, so I'd been thinking of getting a small beater for around town and then I saw the prices that old Z4 and Z3's are going for here and those seem a lot funner than an old Kia or Hyundai.
I'm no fan of the status symbol that late-model BMWs have become, but I absolutely love the old 1602 &2002. They're not quite the bargain they used to be, but you can still find clean examples fairly easily and the restoration process is easy and need not cost a lot either. And parts, both OEM and aftermarket, are readily available and reasonably priced. I'd say get one of these older beauties over the contemporary roadsters and save it from the scrap heap. Plus you'll have a real roof over your head! My current 1970 02, which I bought off of the original owner back in 2000. It's got a lot of custom suspension work, twin weber side draft carbs and a relatively big cam, but still runs great on the street (and with gobs of low-end torque!). I swapped out the factory 4-speed for a 5-speed tranny from an 80's vintage E30, so now it's 25 mpg around town on 91 octane, and an amazing 34 mpg on the highway (gotta luv that overdrive!) It's the 4th one I've had, starting back in the early 1980's, and while this one is undoubtedly the most modified, I don't think I've got 10K into it in total. Great lil' cars that are surprisingly practical (rear seat and trunk, both with dimensions that make them actually usable).
LOL Thanks for the tip! I live in Portland, where 2002s filled with hipsters have roamed the streets in packs since 1984. No worries about them going to rust here.That is a sharp looking beast though! I don't care about status symbol, I care about a 2 seat drop top roadster.
If you can pull off the Z3 go for it! It takes a man who is very...secure...in himself to do so though
My thoughts exactly on Miatas. I saw a dude racing down the highway switching lanes like crazy this summer and my first thought was, "I wonder if his wife knows he's driving her car like that."
Yeah, I agree with that sentiment. They're ridiculously cheap here though. I could purchase at least 3 different nice looking Z3's in good running shape for around $3400 each right now. I don't really care about it being a less manly car as much as I care about a fun driving experience and a beater car I don't care about so much if it gets beat up, dies, or stolen. While I like the Z4 better, it would be about twice as much as a Z3. I fully intend to drive whichever car I end up with into the ground and be the last owner one way or another.
Yeah, it's just a second car that I can fit in small parking spots and I don't care about getting dinged or damaged. Why get an old Hyundai when you can get an old Z3 for the same price? A Z3's a lot funner to take down 101 on a summer day, too. If I can get one and it lasts 2 years without a repair that costs too much, I'd consider myself a winner. Also, what's wrong with a fun car that appeals to women?!?! Talk about masculinity, the last thing I think I'd want is a car that draws in other men.... Just as examples because I'd be buying at the end of winter... This is $3200 and has 114k miles on it. I think it's a '99. I think this one is $3500, a '97 and has like 119k miles or something on it. This is a '91 Geo Metro with 129k miles for $6495 Here'a '97 Honda Civic with 151k miles for $4000
The '97 one looks good. Since you're buying something a bit older I'd very much recommend having a shop do a full 100-point check.
Well you're the first "out loud". I'm sure it was in the bubbles over many a head though. Z for Zamak
