Week of spring fever, so we want a roadster
The days are getting longer and warmer, and then it’s also the Week of Spring Jitters! It’s high time to fall in love and put the flowers outside. We do this with three thick six-cylinder sports cars. Open sports cars, that is, because only then can we enjoy the smell of the freshly mown grass, lovely birdsong… and of course the roar of the engine!
With a budget of 15 grand, no new car is available nowadays. That will therefore be compensated for an entry-level A-segmenter. Or treat yourself to a used topless six-cylinder sports car! We chose three again, all with (optional) warranty, because if something breaks, you are soon the (Easter) bunny with such an expensive boy… Not hungry for BMW, Nissan or Porsche? The Alfa Romeo Spider, Audi TT, Chrysler Crossfire and Mercedes-Benz SLK are also available with six-cylinder engines. And for the same money you get into a Ford Mustang or Jaguar XK with an eight-cylinder engine under the hood! The four-cylinder Honda S2000 is now (much) more expensive…
The Porsche Boxster. Of course, this Porsche also has the ignition lock to the left of the steering wheel.
Porsche Boxster – 2000 – 159,826 kilometers – €14,900
Owning a Porsche is a dream for many. Well, within our budget we find this Porsche Boxster. Until we unravel the advertisement, because then it turns out that this is the take-away price. An additional €1,495 must be added for a 12-month Bovag warranty. And that while this occasion is already the oldest of the three, has the least powerful power source and has the highest mileage. Well, Porsche, huh? That keeps prices high. On a positive note, since arriving in the Netherlands in 2005, it has only had one owner.
Despite 211 hp a pleasure to drive, this Boxster
Despite its ‘only’ 211 horsepower, the Boxster is a pleasure to drive. It weighs no less than 300 kilograms less than the 350Z, so that the difference in power is almost resolved: the German is practically just as fast and slightly more economical. In addition, the mid-engine provides a beautiful balance in terms of handling. You can do a lot (but not everything!) with the Boxster without feeling like your car is running away with you. That makes it quite useful as a daily means of transport.
Ignition lock left
The interior is traditionally Porsche in design: ignition lock on the left, tachometer prominently in front of the nose. During the first years of construction, not the very best materials were used, but the build quality is good; our experience shows that younger Z’s are more likely to suffer from rattles, creaks and cracks. You will notice its age on the (safety) equipment. Much was and is optional at Porsche, so that the 46-RS-FJ lacks traction control and ESP, for example. Leather and Alcantara upholstered and heated furniture has been checked by the first owner on the option list, as well as a hardtop and a sequential automatic transmission. As mentioned, driving a Porsche is not cheap. Warranty and a thorough purchase inspection are a must, also because the Boxster was not flawless in its early years. Crankshaft, intermediate shaft bearing and cylinder walls are the biggest pain points, as are leaks and cooling problems. A perfect Boxster provides a lot of pleasure (and no depreciation!), a lesser copy is a bottomless pit.
Signaling
Brand Porsche
TypeBoxster
Construction year February 2000
Mileage 159,826
Asking price €14,900 (+ €1,495 for 12 months Bovag warranty)
Where to buy? Car service Haaksbergen, Haaksbergen
Technical data
engine 6-cyl. boxer, 2,687 cc
max. assets 155 kW/211 hp at 6,400 rpm
max. couple 260 Nm at 4,750 rpm
Luggage room 260 l
max. trailer braked note
Avg. consumption 1 in 9.2
0-100km/h 6.4s
Top speed 243 km/h
All data according to factory specifications
Nissan 350Z Roadster – 2005 – 148,071 kilometers – €14,950
Put the keys to a BMW, a Nissan and a Porsche on the table and let two people choose one. Bet that the Nissan will stay? In this case wrongly, because the 350Z is a beautiful, thick sports car with a beautiful history. Far predecessor Datsun 240Z already made its debut in 1969 and is now regarded as a sought-after classic. Moreover, such a 350Z can simply be maintained at the Nissan dealer, which makes the running costs more manageable. At a Nissan specialist we found this Nissan 350Z, which is five years younger than the Boxster. You notice that, because the list of safety features and comfort goodies is a lot longer. We only mention cruise control, climate control, electric seat adjustment and xenon lighting.
The Nissan Z weighs 1,610 kilograms
At the time, it was very important to the engineers to prevent wind flapping and twisting of the carriage. As a result, this topless Z weighs 1,610 kilograms. With test drives it evoked associations with the Disney film Fantasia, in which hippos in tutus did ballet: heavy and unwieldy, but once in motion there is no stopping it! The 3.5 hangs fiercely on the gas and the short lever of the six-speed gearbox clicks quickly from one resistance to the other. Strong arm and leg muscles are desirable (the Z is only manual, both Germans also as automatic). Judging by the photos, the interior is in good condition. The five previous Dutch owners must have taken good care of it. In addition, the color combination is fantastic: light gray metallic paint and an interior decorated with orange accents. The luggage compartment is a joke with 130 liters, but you really have fun behind the wheel. Nice and deep encapsulated you are constantly urged by the two roaring pipes to go harder, brighter and further. Enjoy! Here too you have to pay extra for the Bovag guarantee: €895 for (only) six months. Mandatory food!
Signaling
Brand Nissan
Type350Z Roadsters
Construction year February 2005
Mileage 148.071
Asking price €14,950 (+ €895 for 6 months Bovag warranty)
Where to buy? Trade garage Van den Wildenberg, Nuenen
Technical data
Engine V6, 3,498 cc
max. assets 206 kW/280 hp at 6,200 rpm
max. couple 363 Nm at 4,800 rpm
Luggage room 130 l
max. trailer braked note
Avg. consumption 1 in 8.8
0-100km/h 6.4s
Top speed 250km/h
All data according to factory specifications
BMW Z4 Roadster 3.0i S – 2003 – 158,951 kilometers – €13,950
James Bond may have exchanged his Aston Martin DB5 for a BMW Z3 in the film GoldenEye, but the latter always had a somewhat ‘soft’ image. Chris Bangle put a much tougher roadster on the asphalt with the successor Z4. From the extensive range (the original Z4 was available with a variety of engines, including a two-liter four-cylinder) we found this BMW Z4. A roadster as it should be: low, a long hood that hides a six-in-line, a relatively small cabin and rear-wheel drive.
An automatic, with a manual gearbox more fun
A manual gearbox would further increase the fun, but the first of three Dutch owners of the 71-ND-NB opted for an automatic. The Beier is slightly cheaper than its opponents and has a standard six-month ‘house warranty’ (Bovag warranty is extra). In addition, it is just as light as the Porsche, but consumes a little less with the same performance. That would perhaps make this occasion the most sensible purchase of the three, also because of the excellent condition and the luxury present: it has just about everything that the 350Z has, plus navigation and a tire pressure sensor, among other things. We are less pleased with the atmosphere on board: it lacks the exuberance of the 350Z and the special of the Boxster. It’s too similar to the interiors of more mainstream BMWs and that’s a shame. Then drive.
VANOS and control are weak points
Once on the road, it is also a pleasure to enjoy here: thanks to the seating position and steering feel, you feel at one with the technology, the dark brown six-cylinder sound is a feast for the ears and the rear-wheel drive allows a large degree of Spielerei before the electronics intervene. It is less enjoyable when a repair is coming: pay attention to things like the VANOS system (variable camshaft adjustment and valve timing) and the control. Sometimes the reinforcement seems to fail. Fitting a new wheelhouse is then a – expensive – remedy.
BMW’s Z4 may be tougher than its predecessor, but it is still slimmer than Boxster and 350Z. In terms of driving pleasure, he is nothing less than them.
Signaling
Brand BMW
TypeZ4 Roadster 3.0i S
Construction year August 2003
Mileage 158,951
Asking price €13,950 (incl. 6 months ‘house warranty’, Bovag warranty is optional)
Where to buy? Car Van Eerde, Terwolde
Technical data
Engine 6-cyl. in-line, 2,979 cc
max. assets 170 kW/231 hp at 5,900 rpm
max. couple 300 Nm at 3,500 rpm
Luggage room 240 l
max. trailer braked note
Avg. consumption 1 in 10.5
0-100km/h 6.2s
Top speed 244 km/h
All data according to factory specifications
Which topless six-cylinder sports car is right for you?
In summary: the Boxster is the oldest – which is also reflected in safety and equipment – and also the most expensive to own, but it is a Porsche. That is not the 350Z, but this ‘ordinary’ Nissan is a nice and thick sports car with a lot of luxury on board. The BMW Z4 also has that, plus its classic, technical setup with ditto possibilities in terms of driving pleasure. We do find it too sterile on the inside. What would you lose your heart to during this Week of Spring Jitters?
.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl