Second car for coding... Z3 or Miata

[11Finger]

Hi guys, am looking at buying a 2nd hand car for coding and was thinking of getting a "fun" car... At first was looking at getting a Miata but upon browsing here I read that Z3's are selling for 600-700... Any opinions on both cars especially on the maintenance side? For the Z3 would I be limited to BMW casa which would be quite expensive?

[Mikemike07]

Tinatanggap ba sa casa mga grey imports? I think yun yung karamihan sa sulit.

[11Finger]

Tinatanggap ba sa casa mga grey imports? I think yun yung karamihan sa sulit.

Yup just realized that last night... so what would be the maintenance options for those and how would you know they are legit ? I also assume these are converted ?

[OTEP]

Check with your dealer. I drive a gray market toyota and as long as it is not a converted unit, toyota quezon avenue will accept them for service.

[viper888]

If you bought a 700k Z3 you probably woudnt service it in a BMW dealership in the first place
The place to go would be with euro specialists such as as Arc Automotive, Hahn Manila, European Motors Libis, and etc.
The BMWs from japan are not converted

I would rather get the Z3
Oddly it is probably easier to service (the Z3 shares parts with the E36 so many mechanics know how to fix it)
Make sure you get a manual tranny

[11Finger]

Thanks guys, am an absolute newbie when it comes to the grey market imports... btw, I saw some Z3's for sale at Mateen Tokyo for less than 600k... any feedback on them ?

[dr. d]

you lookin' for a coding car or a weekend car?
picture yourself in these cars, caught in standstill traffic, with tall buses to the left and to the right, in front and to the rear.....

[foresterx]

i'd stay away from the z3 unless you want expensive maintenance and love to worry about what will break down next and when. between your choices i'd go for the miata since it is a really reliable car that is if you can find one in pristine condition. fun factor again the miata wins on that segment unless you're getting the z3 m coupe. but honestly for the budget you have just add a bit more and get a brand new jazz or fiesta which is pretty fun to drive and worry free pa. don't get a sports car unless you can really afford one. ipon ka na lang muna wag mag madali kumuha ng sports car that way pag talagang kaya mo na you can enjoy it more, instead of worrying about the maintenance ang iisipin mo na lang which mod to get next.

[OTEP]

If its for a coding/Sunday/project car only, the Z3 is a nice car. Being built mostly out of e36 bits, parts are not as hard to find and the simplistic construction of this model is a good start.

My cousin has one and he can diy the maintenance. There are also kits that allow you to have aux in or bluetooth capability on the oem 1997 stereo so you dont have to hack the car up. It just plugs into the cd changer harness.

My other cousin has a miata. Its a fun car. Just not sure where she goes for parts but the local club helps a lot. Just avoid rhd to lhd converted models if you are not used to such models.

The z3s being sold here are orig lhd even if they come from japan (japan allows their usage there).

[lowslowbenz]

My other cousin has a miata. Its a fun car. Just not sure where she goes for parts but the local club helps a lot.

To the TS: Unless you're a girl, then there's your answer. Miata's look good with chicks behind the wheel.

Get the BM.

[jhnkvn]

Hi guys, am looking at buying a 2nd hand car for coding and was thinking of getting a "fun" car... At first was looking at getting a Miata but upon browsing here I read that Z3's are selling for 600-700... Any opinions on both cars especially on the maintenance side? For the Z3 would I be limited to BMW casa which would be quite expensive?

Old Miatas? Old Z3s? Bah. Just get a Jazz or MT-Civic.

I'm practical to say the least. But when it isn't a Sunday car, practicality is king.

[tsupermario]

with the money, how about a diesel accent?

[niky]

I'd rather take a MIata to the racetrack than a Z3. But unless you can find a rare imported NB, you're stuck with the local NAs, which had all of 90 horsepower (when new) and are all pretty old and banged up at this point. At least you can buy one for 200k less than a Z3.

For 600-700k, you can get something more exciting than a Z3. If you're lucky, you can find a cherry condition local 200SX. Which rides better, has more space, has more power and is just more fun.

[vinj]

If you're lucky, you can find a cherry condition local 200SX. Which rides better, has more space, has more power and is just more fun.

And that's a really big IF.

[SiRbossR]

Buy a Lynx RS, Civic 2.0, Focus TDCi, older Subaru Impreza STi or Subaru Impreza RS

Reliable, Fun to drive, Affordable, Easy to maintain, Fast and will give you 80% less headaches than both your choices.

Spend the rest of the money for mods.

The Z3 is an ugly car. Mukhang ipis.


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[OTEP]

Buy what you love as long as you have the time and the means to maintain it in roadworthy condition. . Kahit Fiat Uno or Land Rover pa iyan. Hehe

[VanessaG]

Hmm. Z3 or a Miata.

Two seemingly similar cars yet very different.

BMW Z3
Pros:
- It has the badge that goes with the looks (the looks being questionable to some)
- More power and torque than the Miata obviously
Cons:
- Expensive repairs and parts
- You'd be surprised European cars break down easily as well (from experience)
- You'd be more worried about your car being stolen
- Not the best car to drive in the city overcrowded with buses, trucks and jeepneys larger than you
- Kind of a douchebag status (Refer to Top Gear)

Miata
Pros:
- Light, compact and overall fun to drive
- That chassis and suspension!
- Really cute if you're a girl
- Its Mazda, reliability wouldn't be a problem
Cons:
- Wouldn't look to good if you're a guy
- Not a lot of power and torque
- Not the best car to drive in the city overcrowded with buses, trucks and jeepneys larger than you

With that being said, I have no idea what car to suggest to you. It looks like you're looking for roadsters so may I suggest a MR2, or a Honda Del Sol, um the Mini Cooper? I'm coming up blank so I'll leave the other posters for the suggestions