Trade my Miata for a z4?

[Jotr]

Hey guys! I have a friend who wants to trade me a 2003 2.5 Z4 with red interior and 184k miles for my 1991 Miata with 181k miles. Any things to be aware of? Any advice on what I should do? Always like the Z4 but never thought I get one. Any thoughts or help would be appreciated! Thank you!

[Efthreeoh]

If you are used to a trouble-free Japanese car ownership experience, then do not trade for the Z4. BMWs break and require repair. If you do not DIY, BMWs get expensive to own. I've met many people used to owning a Japanese car who when getting a BMW are not prepared for the financial commitment that goes along with owning one. A BMW with 184,000 miles will require repairs.

I've taken 2 of my BMWs way past 184,000 miles, and my wife's Z3 just rolled over 188,000 last month. Trust me on what I just wrote.

[Grumpy Old Man]

The miata is a chick's car. I know they are a great car, a buddy of mine has one and he loves it.

[Huz-Z]

This may be a “thanks but no thanks” situation if your car has been reliable, while your friends has not. At the very least you should try and get a handle on that. Does his car have a sequential manual gearbox (SMG) transmission? Those are tons of trouble. The traditional manual and automatic transmissions though are solid as far as I know.

[Our03z4]

And let's not forget the dreaded steering issues. I also have a 03 2.5 and yours will have issues. Easy car to work on though and most parts aren't too expensive. Only way I would do it is if you are comfortable with working on your own car. I would rather have the Z4 honestly. I test drove a miata before getting the z4 and it was way too small inside...plus it's a chick car. Why have that when instead you can upgrade to a hair dressers car.

[wdb]

Assuming it isn't a wreck, the Z4 is going to have its charms compared to the Mazda.

Talk him into trading for a weekend. Then decide, taking into consideration the maintenance differences already mentioned.

[skiefer1]

Why, just the other day, I was grabbing some groceries. When I came out, there was a Miata parked right behind my '03 Z4. The driver was talking to someone in a business truck, but called out as he saw me get into my car, "I parked close trying to get them to mate." I replied, "Kinda incestuous, isn't it? I thought *these* were what those wanted to be when they grow up." Tradesman laughed out loud. Miata guy, not so much....

[elerner61]

If you've never flogged a Miata around on tight, curvy roads for hours...then you don't know Miatas or the joy of driving a lightweight sports car.

They are not high speed (110mph+) or highway machines. In their element, they feel like a cat, lightweight and agile compared to a Z4. I had three of them (one I supercharged) over 12 years. If I didn't yearn for an engine note from more cylinders or feel concerned for my life (more highway commuting) I would not have moved away from them.

I had many laughs watching hamfist drivers of heavier cars in my rearview mirror as they oversteered behind me through corner after corner.

[merckxmad]

I sold my 90 Miata and purchased a 2004 2.5, and I have not looked back. I loved the Miata...for about an hour on a summertime drive. After that, my back started to hurt, my leg went numb and I was sweating buckets. For older gents like myself, a real car is preferable to a go cart. Relative comfort on longer drives with A/C and and a dehumidifier in traffic. No more white knuckle episodes with passing trucks. And the security that if it does rain, I will not become a log flume. Yeah, you have to understand that BMW electrics and sensors are a PITA and that at 184K, it will not be nearly as trouble free as a Miata (except for its rusting rocker panels).

[Lucky1]

Answer is yes, get yourself a Z4 but maybe not the trade. Get another one especially if its an ///M. The S54 is a true race engine and there's no greater joy in automotivedom than revving it to redline.