Made the mistake of driving a buddies Gen-1 Miata. Now I have the bug for a roadster. Kicking around picking up a used Miata or even a BMW Z3/Z4. Not terribly afraid of repairs on a mid-2000s BMW. Owned an 05 325i for years and it gave me no trouble and was easy to service. Not sure the BMW would feel as sporty though. Certainly more power with an i6 plant. It's just on the mind right now as I seek diversion from work stress. Wondered if anyone here has experience or advice.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: r0gue,

I believe Dusty78 has a BMW Z - not sure which one. He might be able to help you out.

I've been researching the same market. 16 and newer Miatas went on a 200 lb diet so they're 1000 lbs lighter than a z4. Z4 in 4-cylinder is 85 more hp.

I was looking at roadsters when I bought my 325ci convertible coupe.

The others were just too small for me and I am nowhere near a large person.

A friend has a Z4 and my sister has an S2000, I barely fit in either one and I am an athletic 6'1" 200.

I bought a 2006 M3 instead.

S2000 is the best of both. More power and nicer all the way around than the Miata and more reliable than the BMW. If you do go BMW, get a Z4. The Z3 was a turd.

I had a 2006 Z4 M Coupe. The car drove great and was no slouch with the 333hp inline 6. However the Z4 M cars are not as common and harder to find. It was a little cozy for me too - I am 6'2' 210 lbs.

My wife owned an S2000 for 9 years and loved it, however it just didn't have any torque. Yeah if you kept it in V-tec(over 5500 rpm) it did ok but it just wasn't for me. Really cozy as well.

We just sold my wife's 2007 z4m 2 months ago.
The car was fantastic, the only thing to break in 10 years was one of the cup holders and BMW fixed for free. That car flat out moved, no comparison between it and the Miata or the 2000. Those are just toys compared to the beamer. If you get one just make sure to get rid of the run flats if it has them, they suck. She got rid of it to move up to a Porsche.

I had an 06 Miata. I really miss it. My only complaint was that it was loud for a DD.

I had a 2003 low miles Z4 that was great no issues. I traded up for a 2012 recently that also has been great. First question is how much are you looking to spend? Issues with the first and second generation Z4's is the top motor can get flooded and stop working. The motor can be bypassed and the top can be opened and closed manually. If you clear out the drain holes for the top once a year that becomes a non issue. As for the Z3 they are a little too small for me but her is one locally here I was thinking of getting but likely won't. The Z cars are easy to work on and he engines are bullet proof.

You can find some great deals on the Z's. I have seen some Z4's with less than 40k miles in the $9k range.

Check out cargurus and do a local search. Use the advanced search option. I will say that summer time is the wrong time to buy as most dealers inflate prices. I got my 2003 with 29k miles for $11k in February. I've seen similar cars sell for $13-15k during the summer months.

The old



And the new

Miata Is Always The Answer

Have driven a few Z3s in the past & was disappointed in the performance in comparison to a Miata, apart from an M Roadster.

I'm patiently waiting for the day I can get a Miata in the garage. Would love an ND Club, but am thinking it'll be a late model NA or late NB.
Never was a fan of the NC.

quote:

Those are just toys compared to the beamer.

Sorry the BMW-Nazi in me (since 1978 and still own the car) > it's BIMMER.

Yep...that's what got me started.

I started with a 1999 Miata base. Loved it but made the mistake of looking at a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata. Loved it. The factory turbo really made this a fast car.

Next I made the mistake of driving my buddy's 2006 S2000 that was coming off lease. I bought it in 2009 for the residual with 5,000 miles on it.

I still drive it in the summer and hope to never part with it. I have 40,000 trouble free miles on it and just marvel at the way it drives.

Oh, by the way, the reason my buddy leased the S2000 is because he made the mistake of driving my Mazdaspeed Miata in 2006. I pointed him towards a new S2000 in New Formula Red instead.
(Red is the fastest color, you know.)

The reason the car had only 5,000 miles on it was due to him getting married and having a child during his 3 year lease. Kid Safety seats don't fit too well in a roadster.

Sure there are better, faster, quieter, cooler cars out there, but I'm a happy happy guy in my S2000.

Be really, really Careful what you drive.

Mike

Following this thread! Deep down I have a desire for this style car. Keep the opinions coming!

I have owned a Triumph TR-6, an Austin Healey 3000, two MGBs, a BMW Z-4, and two Corvette convertibles. I do not fit in a Miata and they are underpowered for me. My current fun car is a 2011 Corvette convertible. Corvette hands down. BMW M roadster or Z-4 second.

I test drove the new Miata RF and really really liked it.

BMW and Toyota are coming out with the new Z4/Supra soon. I'll wait to look at those.

In the end, I might end up with a BMW 430 or 440 hardtop convertible since I think I still need a backseat. Even for a fun car.

Like Marzy said, those are small cars. I almost literally can't get in a Miata, but I am a large person.

Be sure you can be happy in a very small car.

Not sure on too big for a small car, but I'm 6'0" ~160lbs & have never had any issue driving any car, aside from hitting my knee on the roof of a Lotus Elise when getting in.

I'm comfortable in any generation Miata, S2k, Z3/4, Triumph Spitfire, Datsun 1600.

http://www.motortrend.com/news...he-downshift-240445/

You can thank me later

Bruce

quote:

Originally posted by RNshooter:
http://www.motortrend.com/news...he-downshift-240445/

You can thank me later

Bruce

There's also a group working on adapting the GM LFX V6 for swap into the NA/B cars as well.