ot: help me choose a car

[ReefPharmer]

S the time is coming for me to part w my 300zx.
I am going to be looking for a "new to me " car.
At this point in my life I want to get a convertible . The z has targa top and its a complite pia.
Among different cars I am thinking of the following ...
2003 BMW z4 3.0liter...
2000-2001 benz 500sl
2004 Honda s2000
2004-5 rag top z350
2002-3 BMW 3 series ...
All cars will have approx 70-90k on them and probably go for 10-15k.
My q is regarding reliability and in case I really like the car, cost of maintenance and ownership. I realize 500sl is a 8 cylinder and Honda is a 4. Otherwise let's assume things are equal.
Thanks

[BigOldReef]

Take a drive in late model Jag XK8, and if you want the horsepower the 400hp XKR. They are gorgeous cars, drive well, and the older ones are very reasonably priced.

They have some quirks, but the 4.2l v8 is very reliable, and the car is sexy as hell.

I've got an 06, so I am a bit bias. But the body style started in 97.

[Islandfever]

tell me the main purpose of the car? weekend car? commute? chick mobile? blood delivery? frag rescue?

I love convertibles. i have owned a 65 stang conv., miata, vw cabrio. had my share of rides in boxster, f355, bmw 325, mustang, 335i, 300z, (does motorcycle count as a convertible?

IMO there is no substitute for a hardtop convertible. you get the best of both world. nice n quiet ride. especially if you need to chat with your date.

i need more specifics

[gveng]

s2000... it's quick, cheap and reliable.

[dwizzle28]

^^ +1 s2k. Reliable, clean, fun to drive. The only thing with these is that it only comes in manual, so hopefully that's what you are looking for. Also, it's a 2 seater, sometimes making it unpractical. Becareful when you purchase, as these are sometimes abused and highly driven wrecklessly, causing future problems with the car.

[dwizzle28]

Hahaha frag rescue. You are too funny.

tell me the main purpose of the car? weekend car? commute? chick mobile? blood delivery? frag rescue?

I love convertibles. i have owned a 65 stang conv., miata, vw cabrio. had my share of rides in boxster, f355, bmw 325, mustang, 335i, 300z, (does motorcycle count as a convertible?

IMO there is no substitute for a hardtop convertible. you get the best of both world. nice n quiet ride. especially if you need to chat with your date.

i need more specifics

[r20crazy]

what condition is the 300zx in? pm me some more info, interested in it

[ReefPharmer]

what condition is the 300zx in? pm me some more info, interested in it

it runs fine, except one one or several of the ignition coils are out. I ordered some online and will have that changed out when they come in. Otherwise everything works fine.

As far as the car i am looking for, the jag is a good looking car but a jag that is in the 10-15k range is as reliable from all the gearheads i talked to.

the s2000 is an idea and stick is fine but like you said its hard to see what the prev owner did to the car. You know some old lady hasnt been driving it lol.

The only shot at old lady car i have is the 500sl. They have a rag and hard top so I am kinda leaning that way because the wife doesnt drive stick and for me to swing this, she would have to be able to drive the car sometimes.
Does anyone have experience w/ 500SL and cost of maintanence?

[dodgerblew]

MB and BMW will be more in maintenance costs plus with the onboard computers you can get roped into huge service bills that aren't worth it so they can clear the computer. I was also told in just the last couple weeks when I was preowned car shopping to stay away from 3 series bmw bc of service issues. Don't flame me, I'm just repeating and have no proof of statement. If me I'd choose between s2000 and conv nissan but I'm also a conv fan. Guess it comes down to how big an overnight bag you need to put in trunk

[supernareg]

i used to have an S2000 before my 911. it was a SICK car, it was relatively fast and top down summer nights were amazing. Bullet proof engine, you can kick the $h!T outta it and it'll still be alive. I'd get that - it'd amount to the most fun out of all of those cars.


buy the s2000 from someone who says "ya, i red line it about once a week" as opposed to someone who says "ya, i dont redline it and drive it normally". These cars have 9k redline for a reason, to redline it. and if someone says they dont, they're lying. Id rather buy from someone honest.

[hung380]

S2000 is quick and handles well plus they are cheap to fix if something goes wrong. Good luck with the purchase.

[pandimus]

i agree with RIK, stay away from the European cars that are outta warranty. I would go with the s2000, but im a huge honda/acura fan..also.. put the wife on the fire and teach her the invaluable skill of driving a manual.. (my wife can drive em, but refuses to.. lol)

[ReefPharmer]

So i went and test drove the cars today.
500sl was a heavy car, nice kick from the v8 engine, very hard brakes. I didn't likd the heaviness of the.car even tho it was a coupe. Year tested 1990 , 95,000miles. Yes i know its crazy old but that's the only one I found in that body and engine style.
Jumped into a 330ci BMW conv. Car drove ok, nothing exciting. Looks are avg. Auto. Feels like a smaller Nissan maxima. 6/10 on my excitement guide. 2004 w 102k on it.
2005 Nissan 350z auto, nismo package was decent. A bit stiff but overall not too bad. I would say 6.5/10.
2003 z4 2.5L manual was prolly most fun. The clutch was super soft and shifting was smooth. However afterwe got home, the wife made a huge deal about mot wanting to drive a stick.
That basically takes out s2000.
I will probably settle on the z4 3.0 liter just judging by the test today due to the fact that i have to get an auto. I'm hoping the bigger engine makes up for loss of stickshift

[dodgerblew]

Recently purchased a 2007 Toyota Solara SLE conv. 6 cyl, 3.0 or 3.3. Auto with tiptronic, loaded with navi, sat and 4 disc changer and leather. Drives very nice and paid 14K. Wife loves it too. 29 mpg. Doesnt have the lines of a z4 but very nice and low maintenance.

[silverarrow27]

NSX, Miata, Eclipse(95-98), Del Sol, and/or 3000gt.

[jharville1]

350z, parts more readily available, won one of 10 best engines a couple times. Tires you will go thru though

[enjetek]

300zx mmmmm. I'll take care of it. :)

[ReefPharmer]

300zx mmmmm. I'll take care of it. :)

Heh whats up mike.

[Islandfever]

The perfect car for you IMO is the Benz E320 cabrio. You are gonna have a helluva time finding one tho. They are only made from 1994 -1996. I know you might think its weird but just look into it for kicks. Good luck.

[ReefPharmer]

The perfect car for you IMO is the Benz E320 cabrio. You are gonna have a helluva time finding one tho. They are only made from 1994 -1996. I know you might think its weird but just look into it for kicks. Good luck.

i checked it out and maybe i am thinking of a different car but i think i have seen quite a few of these around? perhaps i am thinking of the non rag top.

[Islandfever]

yes the coupe is much more mass produced but the cabrios are the gems. the engines are mules. practically bulletproof (short of being run dry of oil).

[enjetek]

I bet my friend could tell you what's wrong with your car. We can get the z up and running faster than ever. Also let me know what you wanna do next with the site. :)

[ChefZilla]

Dude... Just buy a Mitsubishi eclipse... They make that in a convertiable, 4&6 cylinder. I had my 93 and I wish I never sold it... That thing was fun. Like a street legal gokart LOL plenty.of room, decent power for that lil 4 banger, and good gas mileage and could hug a turn like there's no tomorrow!

[Karlen84]

check out the 02-03 nissan maxima real reliable car and cheap... has the same motor as a 350z so it has balls...

[ReefPharmer]

Thanks for all the advice guys!
I think the ideas are great and here are my thoughts.
I really came down to the sl500, the z4, now i expanded to sc430 lexus hardtop conv and maybe an m3 (although the reviews of that car arent as hot). The s2000 is a slick ride but I am 31 years old and with the 300zx, I got past the crazy bumpiness and nothing but engine. My wife doesnt even get into the z because of the "stiff" suspension. I need something with a bit more class / luxury but still a small convertible.

I want to spend 10-max 15k. All these cars are convertibles. I want to opinions the best car for the money in this class of cars when it comes to reliability and general consensus for looks. Slick / nice handles / can be used to pull up to a curb at a nice restaurant.

I had a maxima in the past and they are rock solid (at least the one I had). When I am buying a car to move kids around in, I will really consider that one, but at this point its slightly not what I am looking for :)

[silverarrow27]

Acura NSX - used can be found around your price range and a little more for cleanliness. It's an Acura so you can't go wrong there. Slick, handles nice, and can be used to pull up to a curb at a nice restaurant or Vegas. Or you can always stay with the Z heritage and go 350z.

[bullitr]

I don't like BMW as it always have electronic issues
My friends always complain about it ( at least 12 of them ranging from m5 to 328 )
To me I will get the car that can be easily to fixed if something wrong with it.

My vette is close to almost 6 years now 2007
I bought it used ( someone bought it for a day then return it and yes it only have 153 total miles if I remember right)
The only major problem I had with it is changing my brake rotors( expensive) but not nearly close of what you will pay for MB and BMW as normal
Wear and tear i cant imagine the out of warranty repairs for those cars.

[billyzbear]

The MB is by far the nicest car but they can cost a bundle to maintain. BMW's are ok, they don't ride as nice and are more sporty. They also cost more to maintain than say a Toyota or Lexus. The SC is a nice ride. They are a little small inside but over all nice.
Drive the car before you make up your mind. Make sure you drive it on the freeway and streets.
I'm a Toyota fan but do work on cars for a living.

[corpse_grinder0]

the only thing that wont destroy your wallet in fixing it, is the honda.... with that said just get a new car....

I just picked up a 2012 m37s and love it.

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/474696_10150892721528972_1544827876_o.jpg

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/460545_10150892854428972_580998971_9613927_1784089589_o.jpg

[ReefPharmer]

very nice car! my brother drives a 07 (i think) g35 blacked out/lowered. Pimpin. if he didnt have that car, i would get one but now that he does, I cannot :)