[OUGrad05]

Hey folks, I have a 2004 C5 Z06 that I've put up for sale (friend of mine is supposed to buy it in early March once her divorce is final).

The issue isn't with the car, its with the fact that I have 25k tied up in a vehicle my wife won't drive. It's simply too much car for her, the steering is heavy, the gearbox is heavy (short throw shifter) and it makes a ton of power in a fashion that she finds intimidating (even though it's actually impressively easy to drive).

The second issue, is I won't drive the car in the rain or when its below 45* outside, that's more of a personal thing than anything else.

I want something that I can take to a track day and have fun but that can also be driven by my wife no problem and enjoyed by both of us. The tiny backseat may even mean we can get our daughters back them when they both become forward facing.

Right now I'm thinking 135i (maybe a 128i?), S2000, and 370 fit the bill nicely. I've also considered something a bit older and American that someone else has spent the time/money to do a modern drivetrain swap making it easier to drive and more reliable but I'm not sure my wife would be onboard with that because again, American cars drive bigger, heavier, etc...

Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated.

[Properstyle]

Man the cars you mentioned unless boosted are not even in the same sentence as a c5z06. I would looked at a 135I do fbo, the s2k would have to be boosted to make up for the lack of power you would be used to. the 370z is a nicer new car but again underpowered. Or you could pick up a M3 E92 08-09 for around 25k which has back seats and buy a super charger. I have a E90m3 that's super charged and life is great, I can take it to the track when I want and have enough power and suspension capability to beat the alarge number of cars in my class and the power to go with it.

For daily use the car drives like it did stock, steering is light when not in m mode, and gas mileage is based on driving habit. I've putt 25k on mine in the last year.

[OUGrad05]

Originally Posted by Properstyle

Man the cars you mentioned unless boosted are not even in the same sentence as a c5z06. I would looked at a 135I do fbo, the s2k would have to be boosted to make up for the lack of power you would be used to. the 370z is a nicer new car but again underpowered. Or you could pick up a M3 E92 08-09 for around 25k which has back seats and buy a super charger. I have a E90m3 that's super charged and life is great, I can take it to the track when I want and have enough power and suspension capability to beat the alarge number of cars in my class and the power to go with it.

For daily use the car drives like it did stock, steering is light when not in m mode, and gas mileage is based on driving habit. I've putt 25k on mine in the last year.

In terms of pure performance I agree with you. But there's more to life than pure performance. I've owned the Vette 2.5 years now and about 1,300 miles on it. It rarely gets driven. Also, I haven't tracked the car as I originally intended, consumables are pretty pricey and unfortunately the car doesn't fit me particularly well for track duty, at 6'6 its' difficult to get in with a full helmet (but it's doable in a squeeze).

In terms of pure performance you're right nothing on that list touches the Z06. I'd consider an E90 M3 but haven't seen any in good condition for anywhere near 20-25k. The E46 which I absolutely adore seems to be a maintenance nightmare and the subframe issue is pretty discouraging.

[Properstyle]

Originally Posted by OUGrad05

In terms of pure performance I agree with you. But there's more to life than pure performance. I've owned the Vette 2.5 years now and about 1,300 miles on it. It rarely gets driven. Also, I haven't tracked the car as I originally intended, consumables are pretty pricey and unfortunately the car doesn't fit me particularly well for track duty, at 6'6 its' difficult to get in with a full helmet (but it's doable in a squeeze).

In terms of pure performance you're right nothing on that list touches the Z06. I'd consider an E90 M3 but haven't seen any in good condition for anywhere near 20-25k. The E46 which I absolutely adore seems to be a maintenance nightmare and the subframe issue is pretty discouraging.

Don't let the talk on the e46m3 scare you I sold my last one in 2015 with 132k on it with the original Vanos and SMG unit. drove the car from ga to az and back twice with out thinking about it. keep the fluids taken care of and do simple maintence. Most of the items are 60k miles items so normally most sold are due for these items and just haven't been done so new owners who don't do them have issues.

you can get one for 11-14k all day. Get the subframe done (1600) vanos bullet proofed 900 with besian which to be honest you can do your self. last bushings in the rear end. pick up a active auto prima kit and you have a fun car with some luxury to it.

The SMG isn't bad but right now the price on the pump just went up to 3100 from bmw and all retailers so a 6spd will be your best bet for saving money

But to be completely honest after the cost of that you'll be sitting at around 21k all said an done so a 135I FBO with full suspension sounds like a much better buy and you get a more up to date car with he luxuries you may be looking for.

you really wont' find a E90m for 25k but the e92 you will.

[OUGrad05]

Originally Posted by Properstyle

Don't let the talk on the e46m3 scare you I sold my last one in 2015 with 132k on it with the original Vanos and SMG unit. drove the car from ga to az and back twice with out thinking about it. keep the fluids taken care of and do simple maintence. Most of the items are 60k miles items so normally most sold are due for these items and just haven't been done so new owners who don't do them have issues.

you can get one for 11-14k all day. Get the subframe done (1600) vanos bullet proofed 900 with besian which to be honest you can do your self. last bushings in the rear end. pick up a active auto prima kit and you have a fun car with some luxury to it.

The SMG isn't bad but right now the price on the pump just went up to 3100 from bmw and all retailers so a 6spd will be your best bet for saving money

But to be completely honest after the cost of that you'll be sitting at around 21k all said an done so a 135I FBO with full suspension sounds like a much better buy and you get a more up to date car with he luxuries you may be looking for.

you really wont' find a E90m for 25k but the e92 you will.

Great post, I did some quick math last night on the E46 basically doing the exact same thing, and came up with 21-24k all in for a great example with the fixes. Glad to see I wasn't totally off base. Might be able to find one with most or all of them already done for 16-18k if I take my time. Manual trans is a must on the weekend car.

135I is such a great car even the 128i is a blast to drive. But I feel like if I were to go for a 128, I would be happier waiting to get a 228i with the torgue of the turbo 4...which has me right back at the 135i if I went the BMW route.

[zx10guy]

I haven't driven any of the recent Vettes so I don't know how heavy the steering is. But the 135i does have a pretty heavy steering effort. I noticed it immediately on my first test drive. It doesn't bother me especially now that I'm used to it. But my wife said for her the steering effort some times detracts from the enjoyment of driving my car.

So if your wife is sensitive to steering effort, you're better off making sure she test drives the 135i before you end up with another problem situation.

[wrickem]

Keep the Vette for yourself and let your wife pick out her own sports car that she wants. win/win!

[1MOREMOD]

I've always wanted z4m coupe, but would hang onto c5 zo6 or get c6.

[Daemonblitz]

If you are seriously considering E46M3, In my biased opinion, I would recommend looking into Z4 M Coupes as well, no rear subframe issues and shares the same engine as the E46 M3, plus it is still a 2 seater as your Vette.

[OUGrad05]

Originally Posted by wrickem

Keep the Vette for yourself and let your wife pick out her own sports car that she wants. win/win!

No garage space. we have a 3 car

[shoei]

GT3rs...

Jk...

[dreamingat30fps]

I dunno if I would dismiss the E46 so quickly. I actually drove a Z06 recently that I was looking to purchase and honestly... I prefer my Z4M. The power is great, but honestly everything else for me just didn't give me the same feeling my Z4 does. The seating position was horrible IMO, the shifter placement, the seats etc.

I am not an expert on E46 issues but my car has been one of the most reliable BMWs I've owned (knock on cyber wood). Only real issue I've had is had to replace the alternator for $300. Maybe consider an E86 unless you need the extra seats.

[ASAP]

With your budget, you may be able go squeez a Mclaren p1 or Porsche 918... look into them both... i think you will be impressed.

[TwinTurboXI]

You mentioned you're 6'6", have you sat in any of these cars you're interested in? My brother is about that height and although he fits in my 135i and has driven it often enough, I cant imagine he would buy it as a DD. The seating position is also relatively high, i doubt you would fit with a helmet on in the stock seats...

[C5driver]

I'm selling my baby and probably all time favorite car I've ever owned...


LT headers, Z06 suspension, short shifter, Porsche rotors, brakes, A&A heads/cam, lowered on factory bolts, Goodyear GS-D3. 3100ish pounds and a go kart. 2001 MagRed II in the sun is just about the nicest factory paint ever.

Picking up a GT4 to replace her has been a tough decision, but 1997 tech and getting her smogged is a compelling reason.

[OUGrad05]

Originally Posted by TwinTurboXI

You mentioned you're 6'6", have you sat in any of these cars you're interested in? My brother is about that height and although he fits in my 135i and has driven it often enough, I cant imagine he would buy it as a DD. The seating position is also relatively high, i doubt you would fit with a helmet on in the stock seats...

Not a daily driver. My daily driver is a 335i.

Edit: and yes they are all tight fits

[OUGrad05]

Wife is onboard with the E46, she says its the best looking of all that I'm considering. She says the 1 series looks like a box, which I personally LOVE.

[Taskmaster]

370Z vote here. Love it, love the VQ, love everything about it.

[Alen E90]

IMO both the E46 and 1er make great track cars and also DD's.

[OUGrad05]

Well the wife just threw me a major curveball. She said out of everything I've presented so far she's liking the M3 the most, then says "Why do you just buy a Cayman? I almost sent you a couple links today"

Soooooo I guess I need to research P car maintenance, which is the real concern with a Cayman. So maybe it's down to E46 (or perhaps M Coupe, she loves those) and Cayman?

370 is a good car, good platform but I personally don't like the VQ much. Had it in a Maxima 6MT a long time ago and it aged quickly (but was solid reliable). Two friends have since had G37's and blah...

[dreamingat30fps]

I have a love hate relationship with the VQ. On one side I love it in my EX35 and in the G37 auto loaners I have driven. I hate it in the 6spd 370Z and G37. I find the Infiniti manual transmission to be one of the least enjoyable ones I've driven. I also find the engine to be slow to rev when you are trying to rev match or what not.

It seems VQ in a luxury automatic = great. VQ in a sporty manual = meh.

[PoorLurker]

Originally Posted by C5driver

I'm selling my baby and probably all time favorite car I've ever owned...


LT headers, Z06 suspension, short shifter, Porsche rotors, brakes, A&A heads/cam, lowered on factory bolts, Goodyear GS-D3. 3100ish pounds and a go kart. 2001 MagRed II in the sun is just about the nicest factory paint ever.

Picking up a GT4 to replace her has been a tough decision, but 1997 tech and getting her smogged is a compelling reason.

Specs?
:Jealousy: