Topic: Must...resist...urge...

[Marko]

The Z4 doesn't do it for me... For only slightly more money you can get a Porsche 911 996.

[mmret]

Thanks Steve..I'll keep an eye out next couple of weeks...
Not much choice right now in the trader though esp. in terms of private sale units.

I'd prefer to go the certified pre owned route, with an older bimmer you definitely want coverage.

Normally I would lean this way also, but sadly the CPO selections are very thin.

On the bright side CR has a lot of full red dots for the Z4. Engine / Transmission appears bulletproof after the 03 year. The 2006 vintage is Honda-like (in terms of red dots), but pricey...new engines though. And it makes sense as the same motors / transmissions were in the 3 and 5 series (at least I am pretty sure) and those models had a very long run.

If we were talking about an SLK I'd be paranoid as hell.

Financially though, as long as all works out we should be on very solid footing and lots of excess liquidity. Not that I'm a fan of taking on this particular type of risk but it does make it easier to stomach.

[Oz]

The Z4 doesn't do it for me... For only slightly more money you can get a Porsche 911 996.

Eh? What are you on about. An '01-'05 Porsche 911 996 with similar mileage will run well into the $60K range.

Only way it gets into the picture is if you consider one that has been driven for well over 100K kms. I wouldnt touch one of those personally. It costs a lot of money maintianing these cars after they've been driven a lot.

[mmret]

It costs a lot of money maintianing these cars after they've been driven a lot.

Truth. Maintenance should be quite a lot more than a Z4 and if anything breaks, oh dear. You're done.

OTOH the Z4 is much more "vanilla", should be some good amount of part sharing with the E46, plus more indie BMW mechanics around, etc.

[inco]

Nice looking car and the new one is even better looking. Saw an 07? this week in black with a gray hardtop. Different is all I can say.

[Marko]

Autotrader.ca lists several early 996s (1998-2001) in the low $30,000 range. They have high mileage but for $40k you can find some with reasonably low mileage.

I'm also finding Porsche Boxsters for as low as $20k.

[Wolfe]

Autotrader.ca lists several early 996s (1998-2001) in the low $30,000 range. They have high mileage but for $40k you can find some with reasonably low mileage.

I'm also finding Porsche Boxsters for as low as $20k.

There's a reason for that:

[Wolfe]

The white on red Z4 looks great , too bad about having the wrong transmission though.

You do understand that convertibles are much more susceptible to squeaks, rattles and vibrations. I don't want to discourage you from buying a proper sports car but it's good to keep this in mind beforehand. Any proper sports car has trade-offs that most normal drivers aren't willing to live with in the long run.

The Fall is usually the best time to buy a convertible, though with so many BMWs being leased that might not hold in the case of the Z4.

[Turbo Bob]

The white on red Z4 looks great , too bad about having the wrong transmission though.

You do understand that convertibles are much more susceptible to squeaks, rattles and vibrations. I don't want to discourage you from buying a proper sports car but it's good to keep this in mind beforehand. Any proper sports car has trade-offs that most normal drivers aren't willing to live with in the long run.

The Fall is usually the best time to buy a convertible, though with so many BMWs being leased that might not hold in the case of the Z4.

Yeah but the Z4 was designed as a convertible from the start, so doesn't suffer from scuttle shake that most do that are chopped versions of the original coupe/sedan, like the Z3.  Mine had absolutely no rattles at all, the build quality was bomb proof and it felt very well made indeed.  It wasn't particularly sporty handling due to the steering being over assisted but I would gladly own one again, I had a lot of fun with it.

[mmret]

Am aware of the greater chance of getting squeaks and such...but this will be the 2nd car anyways. Most likely route is to keep the TSX and flip the Civic.

Plus I have plenty of experience in rattle proofing now. Silicone lube is your friend.

[Careener]

You may want to take a look across the border as well. Even with the weaker dollar Z4s are still less expensive down south.
I saw a silver 2006 manual for $23k USD recently (@$28k CAD)

[TopGun]

.....seeing the Budds behind it is all I needed to resist.  They are brutal...

Did you have a bad experience with them?

I'm up to three personally...my neighbour on one side of me had their fill of them as well.

Other than my opinion on their snooty attitude, my experiences revolve around their service.  They put several "emergencies" in front of my scheduled oil change...I was stuck there for hours.  What is this a freak'n hospital?

I called to book another oil change (years later after they called to "ask for my business back")...and when I left a message on their service line, they failed to call me back AT ALL even though they committ to call within a couple of hours.

Lastly, I called to chat with the "Customer Service Manager"    ..was put on hold...and waited there for 30 minutes.  The reception lady came on several times to say "he'd be right there"...ya right.

If I need anything "major", I drive to freak'n St. Catharines Mini.  I've got business there...and they seem to be fine.

[airbalancer]

The only thing I would be worried about is the power top
I have had the motor replace twice, lucky it was under warrenty

[Giant Dwarf]

Hmm... sorry to hear of your bad experiences, Top Gun.  Budds was always great for me when I had my old 3-series and I full intend to continue to get my new(er) one serviced there too (well, the Hamilton location, more likely).  Recently in dealing with Budds to seek out a CPO 330, the salesperson I dealt with was really top notch. 

Remember too that part of the appeal of looking at a CPO BMW is not only the extensive warranty coverage, but the low finance rates.  Try finding 0.9% for a car loan from your bank... even a LOC is going to be higher.  The higher purchase price of the CPO car is not always what it seems.  Plus, there are considerable margins on the cars -- so dickering down a few-to-several thousand bucks in completely do-able. 

A white -on-red Z4 would be an awesome choice.  Perfectly set up... except for that transmission.  What a shame. 

[mmret]

Will be paying cash so the low finance rates are not particularly attractive...rather I'd like to know that I can get a better cash price in lieu of subsidized financing rates.

Everyone keeps talking about the transmission

[Arctic_White]

Will be paying cash so the low finance rates are not particularly attractive...rather I'd like to know that I can get a better cash price in lieu of subsidized financing rates.

Everyone keeps talking about the transmission

You don't want to learn how to drive a manual car? 

[mmret]

I do, just not that badly.

[TopGun]

....
I have had the motor replace twice, lucky it was under warrenty

Remember too that part of the appeal of looking at a CPO BMW is not only the extensive warranty coverage, but the low finance rates.  Try finding 0.9% for a car loan from your bank... even a LOC is going to be higher.  The higher purchase price of the CPO car is not always what it seems.  Plus, there are considerable margins on the cars -- so dickering down a few-to-several thousand bucks in completely do-able.

Maybe I'll have to go drive another one of these BMWs...'cause the last time I drove them, they didn't impress me near enough to justify the costs.

I never understood the financing.  Isn't the "cost" of money pretty much set by the economy?  I always thought that a low financing rate is simply bought down...they make their money in the car...or in the financing.

[Turbo Bob]

rather I'd like to know that I can get a better cash price in lieu of subsidized financing rates.

Get one from the US.

[blur911]

Everyone keeps talking about the transmission

Resist the urge.
They're called slushboxes for a reason,   all the throttle response of a rubber band.

If you buy this car you'll soon notice whenever anyone looks at your shiny new sports car eventually their eyes will settle on the gearshift, and they'll give you a quick look of pity and then look away give a little groan and mutter, "too bad it's an automatic".

You'll feel the shame of it all and try to sell it then find out it's worth a fraction of what a roadster with a proper gearbox would be.  At that point feel free to remember we told you so.