Automobile: Z4 is better than S2000!
11-08-2002 | 08:37 PM
#21
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 14
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From: Egg Harbor Township
In our household my parents have a BXTR-S, Miata LS-6, S2k (mine) and had an SLK 230 AMG (again my folks). We all seem to agree that the s2k (kudos to me) is the best buy. Well at 25 it was all I could afford to buy. 
11-08-2002 | 09:10 PM
#22
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Northern California
I test drove the Z4. Although it is easier to drive to it's limits, it's "limits" are the S2000's daily grind. The S2000's limits are definately harder to reach w/o making a sometimes fatal mistake, but you don't have to reach it's limits to easily outperform the Z4.
The Z4 definately has features that up it's comfort/convenience level over the S2000 by a huge margin. But Automobile magazine shames itself by completely missing the point to driving a roadster. I love the magazine (in fact I was about to get a subscription), but this conclusion after a comparison with the S2000 is just plain shameful.
The Z4 definately has features that up it's comfort/convenience level over the S2000 by a huge margin. But Automobile magazine shames itself by completely missing the point to driving a roadster. I love the magazine (in fact I was about to get a subscription), but this conclusion after a comparison with the S2000 is just plain shameful.
11-09-2002 | 02:32 PM
#23
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 100
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From: woodridge
"The Z4 3.0i is easier to drive close to the limit than the Honda S2000 and is a more tactile , involving experience. It is also much more of a driver's car than either the Audi TT roadster or Mercedes SLK and is more polished and well rounded than a Corvette convertible."
Personally i love when a magazine, or anyone for that matter uses three different cars to compare to one. By using that method of arguing you make anything apear better than anything else. They say that it is easier to drive to the limit than the s, but more of a drivers car the the audi and more rounded than a vette. They just used three cars to compare three seperate qualifications against one car.
Lame magazine impersonation Example:
"In our exclusive testing, the S2000 is the worst car of the bunch. Compared to the geo metro the fuel consumption is almost double! In cargo space the S2000 lost to the NASA space shuttle by a ratio of 10:1. While the 1/4 mile time of the s2000 is in the 14's, while our top fuel dragster is a mear 7 seconds!"
Xv7vX
Personally i love when a magazine, or anyone for that matter uses three different cars to compare to one. By using that method of arguing you make anything apear better than anything else. They say that it is easier to drive to the limit than the s, but more of a drivers car the the audi and more rounded than a vette. They just used three cars to compare three seperate qualifications against one car.
Lame magazine impersonation Example:
"In our exclusive testing, the S2000 is the worst car of the bunch. Compared to the geo metro the fuel consumption is almost double! In cargo space the S2000 lost to the NASA space shuttle by a ratio of 10:1. While the 1/4 mile time of the s2000 is in the 14's, while our top fuel dragster is a mear 7 seconds!"
Xv7vX
or 
11-09-2002 | 05:32 PM
#26
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 490
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From: Nashville, TN
I finally saw, but did not drive the new Z4s today. I am a big BMW fan - I have a 330i sedan as my daily driver.
Good news: It looks better in person than in the pictures.
Bad news: It is still pretty darn ugly
Hey, I love BMWs but the design is just weird. From just about any angle it is as homely as - well, me
I just don't like it. They only have the auto slush box in the 3.0 car (6 speed not available until spring). I was curious about how it drove, but then I thought - who cares. For the money and the looks it could out run my 'vette and I still would not buy it.
I was there to test drive some more Z3s. I also got to drive a well-used 2000 S2000 today. This time the salesman didn't say anything when I pitched it into corner after corner. It DID have some new tires on it, but they were Goodyear HPs not S02s. I must say, it was fun. The engine felt a little weaker than I remember from my other test drives, but it still pulled well.
I love the looks of the Z3 and love the power of the 3.0 engine (same motor in my 330i). The ride is better than the S2000, but the S2000 handles better. More cockpit space and "me" space in the Z3. The Z3 has DSC (which I like) and better cup holders. The S2000 NEW costs about the same as a USED Z3 3.0. The VTEC growl is, of course, awesome - but I think it would get tiresome (for sure for my wife) on a long trip. The Z3 "cruises" better.
Decisions, desisions.
Dennis
Good news: It looks better in person than in the pictures.
Bad news: It is still pretty darn ugly
Hey, I love BMWs but the design is just weird. From just about any angle it is as homely as - well, me
I just don't like it. They only have the auto slush box in the 3.0 car (6 speed not available until spring). I was curious about how it drove, but then I thought - who cares. For the money and the looks it could out run my 'vette and I still would not buy it.I was there to test drive some more Z3s. I also got to drive a well-used 2000 S2000 today. This time the salesman didn't say anything when I pitched it into corner after corner. It DID have some new tires on it, but they were Goodyear HPs not S02s. I must say, it was fun. The engine felt a little weaker than I remember from my other test drives, but it still pulled well.
I love the looks of the Z3 and love the power of the 3.0 engine (same motor in my 330i). The ride is better than the S2000, but the S2000 handles better. More cockpit space and "me" space in the Z3. The Z3 has DSC (which I like) and better cup holders. The S2000 NEW costs about the same as a USED Z3 3.0. The VTEC growl is, of course, awesome - but I think it would get tiresome (for sure for my wife) on a long trip. The Z3 "cruises" better.
Decisions, desisions.
Dennis
11-10-2002 | 05:57 AM
#27
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,960
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From: Transporter
I think all of the ugliness is ahead of the front wheels. If the bumper had more of a chin to it (from the side profile), and it didn't bulge out (like a Buick) from the front profile, it would look awesome. Change the shape of the headlights so the car looks aggressive instead of whiney. And get rid of the bumper-car steering wheel.
Make these changes, and I would actually take the time to go to my dealer and take a serious look at one.
Make these changes, and I would actually take the time to go to my dealer and take a serious look at one.
11-10-2002 | 04:57 PM
#30
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3,137
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From: Indy, In.
[QUOTE]Originally posted by SECRET AP1
[B]I test drove the Z4. Although it is easier to drive to it's limits, it's "limits" are the S2000's daily grind. The S2000's limits are definitely harder to reach w/o making a sometimes fatal mistake, but you don't have to reach it's limits to easily outperform the Z4.
[B]I test drove the Z4. Although it is easier to drive to it's limits, it's "limits" are the S2000's daily grind. The S2000's limits are definitely harder to reach w/o making a sometimes fatal mistake, but you don't have to reach it's limits to easily outperform the Z4.