Car Suggestions

[Wildhound]

All right guys. Pending the outcome with the FTO I'm entertaining the notion of picking up something to replace the FTO with.

As it stands there's a chance I will repair the FTO, or find another worthwhile one to replace it with. But depending on finances and insurance I'm also considering waiting a month or two, doing without a car, and upgrading to something with a little more grunt.

So what would you guys suggest? Budget is around 10k, but cheaper is better. So far I've considered an RX-8, 350Z and M3.

RX-8 is a car that I was never that gone on, but has grown on me recently. However, I've more or less ruled it out because I've read they can be rather expensive to maintain, are awful on fuel for the power they put out, and it can be very easy to buy a lemon. All in all, I don't think they offer enough, if anything, over and FTO and you'd get a lot of FTO for 8/9k.

M3 is fantastic, no doubt about it. Can't fault it, but I'd want a post 2000 model and you're simply not going to find one worth talking about for less than 10k. So that's out.

350z is what I'm largely leaning towards. Absolutely beautiful cars which have grown on me in a big way in the last year or so. They've come down massively in price recently and it's definitely possible to find a 02-04 model in the 10k range if you look and bargain hard enough. The question is, what am I missing here? It seems a little too good to be true. I know a few of you own or have owned them so maybe you could offer a little advice?

Apart from that, any suggestions? I'm quite picky and there are a lot of cars I take an instant dislike to for a variety of reasons but I'm open to suggestions. I've had terrible luck with FTOs, maybe if I get into something different for a while I might meet more success.

[TopCat]

As for the 350Z, the main disadvantage is tax. Other than that, it seems a great car by all accounts (I'll let previous owners elaborate on the point) and given the price Shane's old machine is going for, they're very good value now.

Just as something else to consider in terms of performance for that year and money, there's the S2000. Not to everyone's taste, but after a month of ownership, I've found mine to be a great piece of kit, really enjoying it.

[Wildhound]

Haha, was looking at that one earlier to day. Never realised it was his old one. I wonder would they take 10 for it

Six months ago the S2000 is what I would have picked. Having seriously considered one though I realised I don't want a roadster. If there was a coupe version I'd be all over it like a rash.

[TopCat]

Might be pushing it to get it for 10k, but I'd def say you'd get them under the 11k mark.

As for the S2000, the convertible part is the main point I'm not too pushed on, if there was a coupe version, I'd def prefer it. That being said, still very happy having gone for it. If you want to come out to Maynooth area some evening I might be able to arrange a test drive if you were considering one.

[Sgt_Major]

My next motor will be an Rx-7 or an Evo

[Wildhound]

That's a very generous offer Topcat. Might give you a shout once I know for sure what path I'm taking. If there's anything that'll make a man fall in love with a car, it's taking it for a spin.

[Dave]

As mentioned before, the only downside to owning a 350z is the tax.... that literally is it.

They are cheaply serviced, 9K service intervals, looking at on average 300 per service, mileage is pretty decent too, can pull 30mpg with conservative driving. Insurance is cheaper than an FTO....If you're any way mechanically minded, you can do a lot of the service stuff yourself, there's a massive after market of products available, and a really good club scene for them in the UK!!

Out of the three, I'd go for a Zed, every time!!

[Myfeckin FTO]

As mentioned before, the only downside to owning a 350z is the tax.... that literally is it.

They are cheaply serviced, 9K service intervals, looking at on average 300 per service, mileage is pretty decent too, can pull 30mpg with conservative driving. Insurance is cheaper than an FTO....If you're any way mechanically minded, you can do a lot of the service stuff yourself, there's a massive after market of products available, and a really good club scene for them in the UK!!

Out of the three, I'd go for a Zed, every time!!

I like the RX8 and the S2000 - always thought I'd own at least one of them but I'm now on my 2nd 350Z.

Dave and myself with our first Zeds -


The SC Zed - 420bhp/RWD and a ton of aftermarket bits - if I wanted to change to something with similar looks and performance I'd have to treble my budget.


As per Dave - v reliable - as cheap as an FTO to run (possibly cheaper when you take into account the Zed is newer and less likely to need parts) - the ONLY disadvantage is the road tax. Can't believe they are now close on 10K - it now makes sense to export to UK. These won't drop much more in price - they'll stabilise and hold their value in and around 10-15K for a number of years.

[colm_mcm]

Would you consider a tt?

[Wildhound]

The looks of the Pre 2007 TT don't appeal to me and the newer ones are double my budget.

The more I hear about the Z the more sold on it I become. Tax is a concern though.

[Dave]

As mentioned before, the only downside to owning a 350z is the tax.... that literally is it.

They are cheaply serviced, 9K service intervals, looking at on average 300 per service, mileage is pretty decent too, can pull 30mpg with conservative driving. Insurance is cheaper than an FTO....If you're any way mechanically minded, you can do a lot of the service stuff yourself, there's a massive after market of products available, and a really good club scene for them in the UK!!

Out of the three, I'd go for a Zed, every time!!

I like the RX8 and the S2000 - always thought I'd own at least one of them but I'm now on my 2nd 350Z.

Dave and myself with our first Zeds -


The SC Zed - 420bhp/RWD and a ton of aftermarket bits - if I wanted to change to something with similar looks and performance I'd have to treble my budget.


As per Dave - v reliable - as cheap as an FTO to run (possibly cheaper when you take into account the Zed is newer and less likely to need parts) - the ONLY disadvantage is the road tax. Can't believe they are now close on 10K - it now makes sense to export to UK. These won't drop much more in price - they'll stabilise and hold their value in and around 10-15K for a number of years.

That's the only car I ever regretted selling!!!!

[Bernard]

That's the only car I ever regretted selling!!!!

Ahem... FTO forum...

[Dave]

Ha ha ha, I was referring to the black one though! Not that, that makes it any better!

I kinda regretted selling my first FTO too

[Myfeckin FTO]

Ha ha ha, I was referring to the black one though! Not that, that makes it any better! ...

WTF! You preferred the black NA Zed to the SC Zed?

[Dave]

Yeah, not power obviously, but the black Zed was exactly the way I wanted it to look,it was bog standard when I bought it and I styled it both interior, exterior and the few performance mods I put on it, plus it was a lot less hassle and no headaches whatsoever.

The SC was extremely reliable, but it never had my spin on it, apart from installing the Utec and the carbon interior, I didn't do anything else with it... Plus, there was always the fear of popping the engine at some point!
I wasn't glad to see the SC Zed going, but I never really missed it....

If I was doing it again, I'd buy a standard Zed and build it up myself, either turbo,SC or engine transplant and pick and choose any parts that I wanted.

Edit.....

I also felt the exact same about the Blue FTO I had, I sold that on maybe 6-7 months after I bought it, lovely looking car and stood out, but didn't have any personal touches, it was modified by someone else...

[Wildhound]

Have to agree, that black one is absolutely stunning. If it was on the market now I'd snap it up in a heartbeat. That would be the decision made for me.

[TopCat]

Yeah, not power obviously, but the black Zed was exactly the way I wanted it to look,it was bog standard when I bought it and I styled it both interior, exterior and the few performance mods I put on it, plus it was a lot less hassle and no headaches whatsoever.

The SC was extremely reliable, but it never had my spin on it, apart from installing the Utec and the carbon interior, I didn't do anything else with it... Plus, there was always the fear of popping the engine at some point!
I wasn't glad to see the SC Zed going, but I never really missed it....

If I was doing it again, I'd buy a standard Zed and build it up myself, either turbo,SC or engine transplant and pick and choose any parts that I wanted.

Edit.....

I also felt the exact same about the Blue FTO I had, I sold that on maybe 6-7 months after I bought it, lovely looking car and stood out, but didn't have any personal touches, it was modified by someone else...

I was a bit surprised first when you said you preferred the black one, but I can understand and completely agree with what you are saying.

I was the exact same with the FTO's, the Black GS I put a lot of time into and had it modded the way I wanted, it was very much "my car", where as the Silver GPX even though it was a better car, was still always "Shane's old car".

If I was looking at an FTO (or any car I wanted to put some time and money into) I'd look to start from scratch. More expensive (Shane's was a bargain considering the work he had done to it), but I'd get much more enjoyment out of it.

[Myfeckin FTO]

Its all well and good saying you want to start from scratch modifying a car but it takes a lot of bucks. For me buying the SC Zed made sense cause I wouldn't like to have to throw 20K + at a standard Zed to get it to where my SC Zed is at the moment. I'd done the whole mod a car from scratch a few times and its an expensive business with no return. You can always add your own flavour to an already modified car - sell the bits you don't like and add your own personal touches as I did when I bought the SC Zed off Dave.

I modded my last Zed from scratch and it cost me a lot more to do then the SC Zed which IMO is a much more enjoyable car with far better performance. I've added my own bits and taken away the bits I wasn't mad about (e.g. sold the old rims for 1800Euro) - I'm happy that this time around it was someone else who put a lot of time and money into the car.

[Johnk]

Gone a bit off topic here but i can see what both ye are saying as Elaine's car was done from start and the blue 1 was done when I got it bar a few bit's i done . Now back on topic for me would also be the Zed love the look of the car only thing is road tax , RX 8 have to say never really like these but loved the RX7 .

[Mustang]

From the Stolen FTO thread

There was no alarm/immobiliser on it Kace. Had been thinking of getting one fitted but I haven't had the time or cash flow in recent months. I regret it now...

. Just moved in to a new place so I don't have the cash to spend much on repairs. .

But depending on finances and insurance I'm also considering waiting a month or two, doing without a car, and upgrading to something with a little more grunt.

So what would you guys suggest? Budget is around 10k

So in the space of a month or two you are going to come up with €10k. What do you work at, is it legal and how can I get some of that action?

the ONLY disadvantage is the road tax. .

And the massive depreciation to date, although probably not so much of an issue in absolute terms, if you buy now though.

Further supported by MyfeckinFTO’s other comment

Can't believe they are now close on 10K

Believe it.

These won't drop much more in price - they'll stabilise and hold their value in and around 10-15K for a number of years.

Careful now. That’s what people said about houses……

My lengthy 2 cents worth. Given that I was considering just such a move a while back.

The 350z was massively overpriced when new ~€64k IIRC. Simply put, there are very few people willing to spend that type of money on a Nissan, Nor were they willing to spend a significant portion of the original sales price on a second hand one –and so prices tumbled.

Big engine cars depreciate heavily in Ireland –due mainly to the tax , and Irish peoples inherent resistance to buy anything over 2L engine size (again mainly driven by the tax, but it is now ingrained in peoples minds –if nothing else perhaps the CO2 assessments will hopefully stop people thinking only in cc terms all the time).

Only ‘premium cars’ (read German) with big engines can survive the ravages of Irish depreciation. Without a ‘premium badge’ Porsche, Mercedes, etc, big engine cars experience free fall depreciation.

That said the 350Z is an attractive proposition, simple, unstressed, beefy V6 up front, manly gearbox, rear wheel drive.

Prices have come down to sensible levels. Similar fuel economy to the FTO (I imagine).
Motor tax will cost you an extra €952 over and above what you are paying on the FTO. (not a big issue for some taking home €5k+ a month )
Coupled to the motor tax issue is the resalebility of the car. Having gotten over the financial and physiological barrier of paying the €1566 motor tax, come resale time you will then need to find someone else –with the same reservations as yourself, to buy the car off you. As the car get’s older and cheaper, the prospective buyers, are more price/budget sensitive, so the tax relative to the value of the car becomes an issue.

Pros: RWD, reliable, cheap enough to run for the power they deliver
Cons: Motor tax, resaleability, depreciation

As a case study, let's take MyfeckinFTO’s old Z, everytime it comes up for discussion there is a chorus on here, declaring what a nice car it is and what good value it represents –Yet it still has not sold. Why?

S2000 –very nice, but I’ve always wondered did each one come with a 40% cash back deal. I could never understand the valuations, the recession has taken it’s toll -Cheaper now but still looking at €10k + for a 10 year old car. If you can get over that and the only obstacle is the soft top. Buy a GT hard top for the car and be done with it.

RX8, while not direct rivals the RX8 and 350Z were always pitted against each other, both rwd jap sports cars released around the same time.
I was always in the RX8 camp –I prefer the looks and came reasonably close to buying one.
Low tax, decent bhp for the motor tax, rwd, nice spec, practical, Being Japanese you Inherently assume reliability. With engine rebuilds becoming more common, they pose a similar risk as the RX7 without the out and out performance.
If you can get one that’s been rebuilt or had a new engine fitted I’d still consider it –otherwise, it poses a bit too much of a gamble for my money.

With similar performance to the FTO you could consider the Celica VVTLi, Integra DC5. As a slightly left field option alfa GT 2L JTS –not as quick as either of these, but cheap,relatively new, very nice interior (much nicer than either of these) and exterior, peach of an engine.

[Wildhound]

Excellent post Mustang, very well thought out and I appreciate the input.

From the Stolen FTO thread

There was no alarm/immobiliser on it Kace. Had been thinking of getting one fitted but I haven't had the time or cash flow in recent months. I regret it now...

. Just moved in to a new place so I don't have the cash to spend much on repairs. .

But depending on finances and insurance I'm also considering waiting a month or two, doing without a car, and upgrading to something with a little more grunt.

So what would you guys suggest? Budget is around 10k

So in the space of a month or two you are going to come up with €10k. What do you work at, is it legal and how can I get some of that action?

Without going too deep into my personal finances, I've been playing catch-up from being unemployed last year as well as trying to grow up and overcome the frivolous spending that besets a young man who suddenly finds a lot of cash in his wallet.

But essentially I have higher income now than ever before and budgeting properly could certainly afford to own and run a Z, or any of the above cars.

It means making cuts in other areas though, which is why with reference to the FTO, perhaps I should have been clearer - I don't have the cash lying around to waste on repairing it if it costs more to do so than the insurance payout. It's not economical and I'd be throwing good money after bad. I've put thousands of euro into FTOs in the last three years and have only spent a little over half that time with one on the road. My fault, really, but such is life.

I'm just hoping that if I buy something a little more modern, look after it well and keep it in my new secure underground parking space, I might have a little less trouble and I might not to buy another car for a few years

[Mustang]

Excellent post Mustang, very well thought out and I appreciate the input.

From the Stolen FTO thread

There was no alarm/immobiliser on it Kace. Had been thinking of getting one fitted but I haven't had the time or cash flow in recent months. I regret it now...

. Just moved in to a new place so I don't have the cash to spend much on repairs. .

But depending on finances and insurance I'm also considering waiting a month or two, doing without a car, and upgrading to something with a little more grunt.

So what would you guys suggest? Budget is around 10k

So in the space of a month or two you are going to come up with €10k. What do you work at, is it legal and how can I get some of that action?

Without going too deep into my personal finances, I've been playing catch-up from being unemployed last year as well as trying to grow up and overcome the frivolous spending that besets a young man who suddenly finds a lot of cash in his wallet.

But essentially I have higher income now than ever before and budgeting properly could certainly afford to own and run a Z, or any of the above cars.

It means making cuts in other areas though, which is why with reference to the FTO, perhaps I should have been clearer - I don't have the cash lying around to waste on repairing it if it costs more to do so than the insurance payout. It's not economical and I'd be throwing good money after bad. I've put thousands of euro into FTOs in the last three years and have only spent a little over half that time with one on the road. My fault, really, but such is life.

I'm just hoping that if I buy something a little more modern, look after it well and keep it in my new secure underground parking space, I might have a little less trouble and I might not to buy another car for a few years

Just to be clear -I was only slaging about the finances Glad to hear you are in a more comfortable situation now.
I don't want it to seem like I am downing the Z either, would consider one myself. As with most cars, at a certain price/ age/ spec level they can make an awful lot of sence -just make sure you embark on any prospective purchase with your eyes open.
Had a quick look on carzone there now -some excellent value to be had, on '04/'05 vinatge Z's....

[Myfeckin FTO]

the ONLY disadvantage is the road tax. .

And the massive depreciation to date, although probably not so much of an issue in absolute terms, if you buy now though.

Further supported by MyfeckinFTO’s other comment

Can't believe they are now close on 10K

Believe it.

My point here is that the Zed represents incredible value at the moment for the metal ,looks and performance you get.

These won't drop much more in price - they'll stabilise and hold their value in and around 10-15K for a number of years.

Careful now. That’s what people said about houses……

And it looks like for cars at least that they've reached a bottom curve - you'lll find as they approach UK prices for the same metal that they'll even out e.g. If I sold my SC Zed today I'd get more for it in the UK. The price of Range Rover Sports actually went up in Ireland over the past few months for this very reason - cheaper than UK pricing = stabilisation of Irish pricing IMHO.

The 350z was massively overpriced when new ~€64k IIRC. Simply put, there are very few people willing to spend that type of money on a Nissan, Nor were they willing to spend a significant portion of the original sales price on a second hand one –and so prices tumbled.

Actually it was 74K - Nissan eventually saw sense and reduced by 10k. When I bought my fist Zed with 20K miles a few years back it cost me 32k - which was actually good value at the time.
................

As a case study, let's take MyfeckinFTO’s old Z, everytime it comes up for discussion there is a chorus on here, declaring what a nice car it is and what good value it represents –Yet it still has not sold. Why?

Unmodified examples of Zeds sell easier purely because the general audience that would appreciate a modified Zed can't afford to tax or insure it.

..................With similar performance to the FTO you could consider the Celica VVTLi, Integra DC5. As a slightly left field option alfa GT 2L JTS –not as quick as either of these, but cheap,relatively new, very nice interior (much nicer than either of these) and exterior, peach of an engine.

Now you are just pulling the p1ss! Celica,DC5 and Alfa GT should not be mentioned in same breath as a Zed.

[Mustang]

My point here is that the Zed represents incredible value at the moment for the metal ,looks and performance you get.

Agreed that Z prices now represent a good value overall package.

And it looks like for cars at least that they've reached a bottom curve - you'lll find as they approach UK prices for the same metal that they'll even out e.g. If I sold my SC Zed today I'd get more for it in the UK. The price of Range Rover Sports actually went up in Ireland over the past few months for this very reason - cheaper than UK pricing = stabilisation of Irish pricing IMHO. .

Cars values in general do appear to have reached a trough and bounced back, form the point a year or so ago when everybody thought the world was going to end, and they’d have to live on water and nettle soup –when you couldn’t give a car away. However, the depreciation and lack of liquidity in the market for large engine cars will always remain, so long as the current tax regime does too.

The 350z was massively overpriced when new ~€64k IIRC. Simply put, there are very few people willing to spend that type of money on a Nissan, Nor were they willing to spend a significant portion of the original sales price on a second hand one –and so prices tumbled.

Actually it was 74K - Nissan eventually saw sense and reduced by 10k..

Ah yes I remember that now that you say it –complete madness –of course don’t forget boys and girls that the government would be taking half of that in tax.

..................With similar performance to the FTO you could consider the Celica VVTLi, Integra DC5. As a slightly left field option alfa GT 2L JTS –not as quick as either of these, but cheap,relatively new, very nice interior (much nicer than either of these) and exterior, peach of an engine.

Now you are just pulling the p1ss! Celica,DC5 and Alfa GT should not be mentioned in same breath as a Zed.

I did qualify my suggestions and the thread title is “Car suggestions” it is not a "Zed thread". Wilhound is obviously looking for a coupe.
Given the brief,

something to replace the FTO with.

something with a little more grunt.

So what would you guys suggest? Budget is around 10k, but cheaper is better. So far I've considered an RX-8, 350Z and M3.


Apart from that, any suggestions?

Trying to satisfy, coupe, sub 10k, more performance than FTO, more modern than the FTO, is a tricky enough prospect. Unless you go down the impreza/lancer evo saloon route.
As Wilhound says himself – that budget does not buy an M3 worth having.
In Zed terms it will buy you a ’02 auto.
Plenty of choice in terms of RX8’s though. That only leaves him with one of his own suggestions -so he's looking for input.
As with many car purchases –the prospective buyer needs to consider a compromise on one or more of his original criteria, and he says he is open to suggestions.
Snap out of your Zed focused world MyfeckinFTO!

[Mustang]

Some obvious suggestions. Both turbo -so remap them to whatever level you like.
Nissan Sylvia
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Nissan/Syl ... annel=CARS

Skyline
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Nissan/Sky ... annel=CARS

If tax isn't an issue my left field suugestions as follows:
BMW 8 series
http://www.carzone.ie/search/BMW/8-Seri ... annel=CARS

Ford Mustang
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Musta ... annel=CARS

Jag XK8
http://www.carzone.ie/search/Jaguar/XK- ... annel=CARS


And one more (just to annoy MyfeckinFTO)
Opel astra Bertone Coupe Turbo. 200bhp standard -potential for remap.