A modern Z4 coupe, does it exist?

[StickMon]

^
The Evora S is at the top of my list for when the Z goes Tango Uniform.
But I got a kid to put through college first.

[Cyclops]

Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe

[StickMon]

Originally Posted by tecnicaeleven

(pic)

Just realized that's an Evora 400.

[mainsoda]

I love the Evora, I'm thinking that is my next car if I can manage it. Also I love that Savage Geese dude, he's brilliant. This thread has everything.

[Finnegan]

Buy this. Feeler: FS 2007 Z4 3.0si Coupe 6MT http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1450699

Drop 5-6k to replace hoses, bushings, gaskets if so inclined, water pump, expansion tank, all fluids, alternator, battery. I can't really see any mechanical issues on a car with this mileage. But to make sure do a PPI and refresh and refurb a little.

Put other funds in reserve just in case (again I don't see much potential for that).

You're still way ahead in terms of initial cost outlay, insurance, probably annual taxes, and purchase taxes.

And, really, what car have you owned that you kept looking back at in the parking lot after you left it like your Z4? What kept you engaged the longest? You've been searching for that magic you had in the Z4 and not found it. Seems like you might want to get back into one.

[baege]

Originally Posted by Finnegan

Buy this. Feeler: FS 2007 Z4 3.0si Coupe 6MT http://www.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1450699

Drop 5-6k to replace hoses, bushings, gaskets if so inclined, water pump, expansion tank, all fluids, alternator, battery. I can't really see any mechanical issues on a car with this mileage. But to make sure do a PPI and refresh and refurb a little.

Put other funds in reserve just in case (again I don't see much potential for that).

You're still way ahead in terms of initial cost outlay, insurance, probably annual taxes, and purchase taxes.

And, really, what car have you owned that you kept looking back at in the parking lot after you left it like your Z4? What kept you engaged the longest? You've been searching for that magic you had in the Z4 and not found it. Seems like you might want to get back into one.

it's true, no car has engaged me in the same way my Z4C did. But cars get old and things go wrong, even if you replace a lot of items. When I was younger I had older cars and random things go wrong and sometimes you are stranded. It's not so bad if it's a second car and you are just out for a drive, but if it's your only car and you are relying on that car then, well you want something reliable. Once I become a grown up and have more than parking spot, the solution will probably be to have a Z4C and a regular reliable DD. Until then though, I want something new that is close to a Z4C and just can't seem to find it. If they put a decently torquey engine in the miata rf it wouldn't be that far off...

[krusty]

Originally Posted by baege

I want something newer mainly for reliability reasons)

Rather the opposite, I had most of my reliability problems with my Z4 coupe when it was new (or near brand new). Things like: ABS / DSC lights coming on in the early years. Those issues have been resolved, and it has been very reliable since ...
...
... especially once I changed the battery for a new Black AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) battery (recommended!)
Having said so, my one is very low mileage -- only about 22,000 km

[quicksilver88]

I saw if you want to dive back into a Z coupe... pretty mint and hard to find one like this with under 6000 miles.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ode1=BMWMCOUPE

Otherwise: Audi TT RS? Got the chance the drive one of those recently and it was really fun.

[wdb]

Originally Posted by quicksilver88

I saw if you want to dive back into a Z coupe... pretty mint and hard to find one like this with under 6000 miles.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ode1=BMWMCOUPE

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! That's a garage queen, sorry. Unless you're the type to pay $20K for a vintage bottle of wine and then pop the cork.

[pokeybritches]

I was interested in the Evora until I found out taller guys don't fit, and a clutch replacement is $5k-7k :

[wdb]

Really? You can't just drop the whole works out the bottom and work on it from all sides?

[inTgr8r]

Originally Posted by baege

So as of late I've really become bored with my 2016 Cayman S. It's funny how a car you once loved becomes normalized and then almost unlikeable with time. At least or some of us

Just can't think of anything like that out there....am I missing anything

I feel for you!
I know this has been a struggle for quite a while now.

Unfortunately I don't think there's anything out there that will tic all the boxes for you, and it's only going to get worse with the way car design is headed.

That's one of the reasons that I jumped on an E92 M3 when the right one came along.
Does it tic all the boxes for me? .....definitely not, but it does tic most of them.
That high revving S65 was at the top of the list, last true NA M car

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by baege

it's true, no car has engaged me in the same way my Z4C did. But cars get old and things go wrong, even if you replace a lot of items. When I was younger I had older cars and random things go wrong and sometimes you are stranded. It's not so bad if it's a second car and you are just out for a drive, but if it's your only car and you are relying on that car then, well you want something reliable. Once I become a grown up and have more than parking spot, the solution will probably be to have a Z4C and a regular reliable DD. Until then though, I want something new that is close to a Z4C and just can't seem to find it. If they put a decently torquey engine in the miata rf it wouldn't be that far off...

I'm really not trying to flame here, but I think you are being unrealistic. And you don't seem to have a lot of experience with BMWs. The car Finnegan linked you to is an ideal answer to your quest. It's a 3.0si Coupe with 47,000 miles and for a great price IMO. Considering I have 30 years and over 850,000 miles of BMW ownership, I can sincerely say that car has years and years and years of life left in it. I bought my 2008 Coupe 3 years ago with 23,000 miles on it and have just changed the oil and driveline juices. It now has 75,000 miles on it. The N52 is easy a 300,000+ mile engine even with BMW's extended oil change intervals, I can attest to this because I have 2006 E90 with 338,000 miles. Other than the wimpy cupholders on the Z4, the car is pretty damned robust. The car Finnegan linked to will need nothing but oil changes and tires; it won't need hoses, a belt, spark plugs, or anything else for years. If you really want to waste some money, by the Z4 and get an aftermarket warranty if it makes you feel better and find a dealer or private shop that provides a loaner car.

I drive my 2008 75,000-mile Z4 350 miles a week; it alternates DD duties with the E90. I drive the E90 450 miles a week and it has 7 times the mileage the Blue 3.0si you could buy tomorrow. That's if I don't go get it on Tuesday...

Or, just get a Subie FRS or a Miata and call it a day. Both cars can be had new, with a warranty, for $30K USD.

My 2 cents.

[PLCZ4MC]

Mustang shelby GT350???
Manual for sure & no Turbo or super charger and it sounds amazing. That is one car I would be okay trading my Z

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I'm really not trying to flame here, but I think you are being unrealistic. And you don't seem to have a lot of experience with BMWs. The car Finnegan linked you to is an ideal answer to your quest. It's a 3.0si Coupe with 47,000 miles and for a great price IMO. Considering I have 30 years and over 850,000 miles of BMW ownership, I can sincerely say that car has years and years and years of life left in it. I bought my 2008 Coupe 3 years ago with 23,000 miles on it and have just changed the oil and driveline juices. It now has 75,000 miles on it. The N52 is easy a 300,000+ mile engine even with BMW's extended oil change intervals, I can attest to this because I have 2006 E90 with 338,000 miles. Other than the wimpy cupholders on the Z4, the car is pretty damned robust. The car Finnegan linked to will need nothing but oil changes and tires; it won't need hoses, a belt, spark plugs, or anything else for years. If you really want to waste some money, by the Z4 and get an aftermarket warranty if it makes you feel better and find a dealer or private shop that provides a loaner car.

I drive my 2008 75,000-mile Z4 350 miles a week; it alternates DD duties with the E90. I drive the E90 450 miles a week and it has 7 times the mileage the Blue 3.0si you could buy tomorrow. That's if I don't go get it on Tuesday...

Or, just get a Subie FRS or a Miata and call it a day. Both cars can be had new, with a warranty, for $30K USD.

My 2 cents.

Wow - I’m not in the market but that is tempting! Montego blue too like my roadster. Could really freak out the neighbors driving them on alternate days.

[Waoudi]

My first BMW was a montego blue e93. I love that color and hopefully one day I'll get another Montego car.

[Lucky1]

You have a Cayman "S" and were briefly cross shopping a Z4 si?

If you want to get your juices going Z4MC all the way. NA? Tick. 6 speed? Tick? Character? Tick tick tick. Don't think low mileage examples are any less costly to run than a Cayman S, willing to bet with proper care are more reliable in the long run and are holding their value (appreciating).

Don't think another BMW will cut it since you don't want bigger unless you pick up a 1M. M2 maybe but your taste and mileage may vary on that choice vs Cayman.

[Finnegan]

Originally Posted by baege

it's true, no car has engaged me in the same way my Z4C did. But cars get old and things go wrong, even if you replace a lot of items. When I was younger I had older cars and random things go wrong and sometimes you are stranded. It's not so bad if it's a second car and you are just out for a drive, but if it's your only car and you are relying on that car then, well you want something reliable. Once I become a grown up and have more than parking spot, the solution will probably be to have a Z4C and a regular reliable DD. Until then though, I want something new that is close to a Z4C and just can't seem to find it. If they put a decently torquey engine in the miata rf it wouldn't be that far off...

It's your call, but I really think the question of reliability is overstated with that car and that motor. I really don't think it's possible to compare to other "older" cars. Mercs, BMWs, certainly American cars from the 90s or early 2000s are another story. We're just not seeing these "my car left me stranded" stories here. (And don't get me talking about my friend's Tesla Model S or my now gone new 991.1, both of which stranded us.)

Aside from bad motor rebuilds or bearing work, some VANOS (M version), the only issue I've seen popping up here in terms of reliability are batteries (common and preventable), alternators/voltage regulators (rare), and maybe one or two starter motors (rarer). If those are a worries replace them. These cars are proven winners when cared for.

Even imagining worst case, car has an issue, a cheap rental or better yet Uber fills the gap quickly and easily. Financially it's a huge win on the purchase tax, road tax, insurance: there are tons of Uber rides to make up the difference between what ticks the right boxes and something pricer/newer with a massive depreciation curve that does not.

Like I said it's your call but that's my 0.00000129 BTC.

[KevinM]

For a new car, +1 on the Lotus Evora. However, new ones are around $100K, which may be more than you want to spend. However, used ones are much less expensive. Here's a 2011 with 727 miles (not a typo) for $52K: http://secorlotus.com/listings/2011-lotus-evora-2-2/

Of course, then you are back into older cars, and a Lotus at that. I'd consider spending less than that for a pristine Z4M coupe. If anything, these are appreciating and it's a good time to buy. They are not that old that things are going wrong left and right and it is an overall simple car amenable to DIY or a good independent mechanic.

New and under $100K (since you already have the most obvious choice, a Cayman)...I'm not sure. If you can mentally do it, maybe a Mustang GT350?

[RABAUKE]

Originally Posted by pokeybritches

I was interested in the Evora until I found out taller guys don't fit, and a clutch replacement is $5k-7k :

I've driven stick for 40 years and have only had to replace one clutch and that one failed because the throw out bearing locked up.....clutch replacement cost isn't something I have every considered when making a purchase.

[pokeybritches]

Originally Posted by RABAUKE

I've driven stick for 40 years and have only had to replace one clutch and that one failed because the throw out bearing locked up.....clutch replacement cost isn't something I have every considered when making a purchase.

In the world of exotics, clutch replacement costs are high and clutch lifespan is short. It's a lot different than regular commuter cars, and a definite factor in cost to own. When buying a used exotic, clutch replacement can be one of the most expensive wear items encountered, especially for those that swap cars frequently. It's not uncommon for clutches to last < 30k miles on Ferraris.

Even though the Evora uses a Camry motor, the replacement costs are insane, at least at the dealer. I'm sure it could be done for significantly less at an indy, if you can find one.

http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f170.../123712?page=1

Credit to user jeri534 for the pic.

[KevinM]

Originally Posted by pokeybritches

In the world of exotics, clutch replacement costs are high and clutch lifespan is short.

Jeez, 30 hours for a clutch replacement...wow.