View Poll Results: Please help for a replacement for the S!
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Please help for a replacement for the S!
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Nottingham
Depends what you want the car for really, you have got such a varied choice!
I would rule out the mini straightaway. I have driven a std Cooper S and its way too underpowered. Even with a works pack I think the CTR would be more fun.
If practicality is not a concern the car of choice has to be the VXT. Its an awesome car, and one I would seriously consider if I didn't need boot space. They are sooo quick.
The 350Z is a fast RWD TT in my opinion. I like them, but think it might feel a little heavy and much more of a cruiser. The RX8 is a good choice if you want something a little cheaper to run and a hardtop, but I think most S2000 drivers would feel let down by the engine.
The Z4 3.0 is a very quick car, but damn ugly.
Can't think of anymore cars either? Used M3?
I would rule out the mini straightaway. I have driven a std Cooper S and its way too underpowered. Even with a works pack I think the CTR would be more fun.
If practicality is not a concern the car of choice has to be the VXT. Its an awesome car, and one I would seriously consider if I didn't need boot space. They are sooo quick.
The 350Z is a fast RWD TT in my opinion. I like them, but think it might feel a little heavy and much more of a cruiser. The RX8 is a good choice if you want something a little cheaper to run and a hardtop, but I think most S2000 drivers would feel let down by the engine.
The Z4 3.0 is a very quick car, but damn ugly.
Can't think of anymore cars either? Used M3?
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Rickmansworth
I bought another S after writing off my first one (after 18 months ownership). Never looked back - still nothing comes close to it IMHO. I'd probably even have another (no pleans to write this one off though 
)
At a push, I'd vote 350z or 3.0 Z4 and take a test drive to decide.
)At a push, I'd vote 350z or 3.0 Z4 and take a test drive to decide.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 423
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From: Brackley
Depends on your abilities and style of driving.
Front drive cars to me are useless if you want proper performance as you spend all your time wrestling with torque steer and understeer if you have anything around 200bhp upwards. FWD is for routine motoring and for Kevins to tear about in, in their case because they are cheap.
Not a single recognised quality performance car in the world has just FWD.
The RX8 would probably be the choice from what you listed. It's well equipped, powerful and knowing Mazda a bit (I bought my 1st wife an RX7 Cabriolet turbo in 1992) it will certainly be a proper sports car. Price is good. Z4 3.0 I suppose would be alright but I said a few years ago I would never buy another BMW, simply because they are over-rated and over-priced, and grossly arrogant if you have a problem.
VX as Mark Turner said, is no doubt exciting but would not have practicality if you have to use it for other purposes than sheer fun.
The Datsun is no doubt very technical but is unlikely to be as much fun as the RX8 and at a higher price.
Stay with the Honda.
Front drive cars to me are useless if you want proper performance as you spend all your time wrestling with torque steer and understeer if you have anything around 200bhp upwards. FWD is for routine motoring and for Kevins to tear about in, in their case because they are cheap.
Not a single recognised quality performance car in the world has just FWD.
The RX8 would probably be the choice from what you listed. It's well equipped, powerful and knowing Mazda a bit (I bought my 1st wife an RX7 Cabriolet turbo in 1992) it will certainly be a proper sports car. Price is good. Z4 3.0 I suppose would be alright but I said a few years ago I would never buy another BMW, simply because they are over-rated and over-priced, and grossly arrogant if you have a problem.
VX as Mark Turner said, is no doubt exciting but would not have practicality if you have to use it for other purposes than sheer fun.
The Datsun is no doubt very technical but is unlikely to be as much fun as the RX8 and at a higher price.
Stay with the Honda.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,438
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From: Surrey
Cars discounted so far are the VX220. Not practical enough.
Thanks for all the comments so far please keep them coming.
PS
lease don't forget to vote at the top too after your post. Thanks again.
Thanks for all the comments so far please keep them coming.
PS
lease don't forget to vote at the top too after your post. Thanks again.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 10,138
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From: Lothians
Much as it pains me to say it, I would go for a well specc'd Z4.
I sat in one last weekend and was most impressed.
Likely that residuals and reliability will be better than the S also - although any Z4 meets you go to will be full of merchant bankers.
I sat in one last weekend and was most impressed.
Likely that residuals and reliability will be better than the S also - although any Z4 meets you go to will be full of merchant bankers.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 20,574
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From: On a street corner
Do not believe that Beemer's engine reliability is as good as Honda's. When I first got the S I took a friend out in Warwick and we met a genuine bonafide BMW engine engineer and he said that BMW had been set the target 3 years ago to make their engines as reliable as Honda's.
They had failed and the target had been set again.
Honda 1 BMW 0
They had failed and the target had been set again.
Honda 1 BMW 0
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,446
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From: wimbledon
You missed the Chrysler Crossfire off the list. How could you?
How can you not like a car that looks like a dog squeezing one out?
I'd love the VX but know that it's impracticality would piss me off. So I'd go for the 350Z but would miss the toplessness.
How can you not like a car that looks like a dog squeezing one out?
I'd love the VX but know that it's impracticality would piss me off. So I'd go for the 350Z but would miss the toplessness.
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,579
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From: Essex
When I sell my S in the summer I plan to step into the world of twin turbos and get an R33-GTR or if funds permit and R34-GTR.
If it had to be from the list above I love the Mini Cooper S and would have one of them. Failing that a VX220 Turbo would be the next choice.
If it had to be from the list above I love the Mini Cooper S and would have one of them. Failing that a VX220 Turbo would be the next choice.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 14,723
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Mitsu Lancer Evo?
Subaru WRX Sti?
If you hadn't have mentioned practicality, I'd have gone for the VX220T, but you did so..
If I was spending all the money I'd consider one of the two above - although it depends on your budget for maintenance (4.5k servicing...) from your list I'd have the CTR. I get great service from my local Honda dealer and I just don't fancy the rest.
Although I wouldn't want one anyway, I think that if you are considering the Z4, you should be considering another S... I'd rather stick with the S until I need 4 seats, then get a rally rep.
Subaru WRX Sti?
If you hadn't have mentioned practicality, I'd have gone for the VX220T, but you did so..
If I was spending all the money I'd consider one of the two above - although it depends on your budget for maintenance (4.5k servicing...) from your list I'd have the CTR. I get great service from my local Honda dealer and I just don't fancy the rest.
Although I wouldn't want one anyway, I think that if you are considering the Z4, you should be considering another S... I'd rather stick with the S until I need 4 seats, then get a rally rep.