Advice on cars - s2000, lotus elise, bmw z3 and z4

[amazingtoxic]

I really want to get myself a nice car, I love the lotus elise and always have done but although it is not that expensive to buy, I hear it is terribly expensive to run. I have also been looking at the Honda s2000, bmw z3 and bmw z4 and have had a look around the internet but have got a load of mixed reviews. I was wondering if people could give me their opinions on the above cars, good and bad points, ie practicality, running cost, reliability, comfort etc etc

Thanks

H

[Emz26]

L - Lots
O - Of
T - Trouble
U - Usually
S - Serious

Does it HAVE to be one of the above? I have a Golf R32. Stunning car.

[Richie1976]

Funny I was watching a re-run of Top Gear yesterday, Richard Hammond was saying the best roadster is the Z4, James May the Boxster and Jeremy Clarkson the S2000. In a nutshell Jeremy said, "Better value than a Boxster and quicker, too - manic engine needs revving hard, to 9,000rpm. Monster brakes; steering, though quick, could provide more feedback". After all that was said I personally I would go for the Honda S2000, I am a big far after have a drive of a friends - it even has a start button!!. It's more powerful and most definitely the most reliably. Enjoy.

[furrycheeky]

Ignore the Z3, its dated and was never really good at anything. The Z4 is very good but also expensive. The S2000 are nice, the recent ones are very good, the older ones tended not to age very well. The Elise is the best to drive and have fun with. However it will not like being used everyday and is better as a weekend car. It's also the hardest to get in/out of due to its design.

[maviscoull]

as my hubby sells BMWs the z4 is the only one i have driven and it is a very nice car to look at and to drive.

[amazingtoxic]

Thanks guys keep them coming - these are the ones I have shorted listed, the criteria is basically a sexy soft top.

Thanks H

[Andyvon]

My brother has a Lotus Elise which he loves. However, because the Elise has a rear engine, there is no boot and no space to store anything. If my brother takes the car shopping then he has to pile everything into the passenger seat and footwell but if he is going anywhere with his girlfriend then they really struggle to get anything in the car with them. There is so little space that Lotus don't even supply a spare wheel or jack as there is nowhere to store them! All they provide is a bottle of Tyreweld in a small compartment! If a tyre is more badly damaged, then my brother can only call out the RAC or a local garage!

Beware of an Elise if you are anything more than average to small build. I'm 6ft 3 and I need a shoe horn to get into his Elise. Getting out is even worse as the door is set far back once you are in and you can't swing your leg out of the car. I have to get out head-first onto my hands and knees on the path before I can then stand up!

The Elise is fine if you want a fun car on sunny day but it really isn't practical. My brother has an Audi for when he wants to travel with anything such as luggage or shopping. The insurance is also horrendous as are the service costs. Those costs are nothing to my brother but if you have to worry about money then beware of an Elise.