Yup, more waffling...

[JST]

Originally Posted by equ

Highly disagree. The e90 clutch/shift/throttle is no porsche/honda either. The zhp was almost at that level with a clutch stop & cdv (the former more important than the latter).

Fast enough? For how many seconds can you keep your foot planted on the 335i? We (FC, you & I) all live in the NE urban/suburban areas. There is fun in the zhp sound, lively chassis and wringing it out in the gears. The 335i is quiet & capable, audi-like.

That's what I mean. The M54 makes decent power, but you have to rev it to make it go fast. There's no chance to do that in most of my daily driving; I just can't wind the car out. The 335, OTOH, makes plenty of torque down low and gives you a shove in the back at almost any speed. This is more fun, in most cases, for me because it is performance I can access.

I could never get the clutch/throttle relationship right in the ZHP. Even after adding a clutch stop (which helped), I still couldn't drive the car smoothly consistently. I could be much smoother in the 335 first time out than I ever was in the ZHP.

Lastly, having owned an Audi and a 335 at the same time, I have to say that the last thing the 335 is is Audi like, thankfully. The 335 is much more communicative, has a far better suspension setup, and is overall much more pleasant to drive than the (last gen) A4.

[bren]

Originally Posted by FC

Why the hell do I even bother with a separate 2-seater?

[FC]

Originally Posted by John V

That depends on the timeframe.

I dunno. I am supposed to wait another year, but since we're not talking about 50K, if the right opportunity comes along, I may pounce. Tell you what, until I make up my mind, let me know if some one is really interested and about to buy it from you.

Obviously, I'd like to have it by springtime.

[FC]

Originally Posted by John V

Maybe I'm missing something here. Are you contemplating getting rid of the ZHP? If so, why?

I wasn't planning on it, but if if say a 911 could do it all, then why keep the ZHP when it's $15K coudl be use dtowards the 911.

IOW, it goes back to the new proposed 50K budget. If I keep the ZHP, the budget is down to 30-35K for the 3rd car..

[Plaz]

Originally Posted by JST

Personally, if I were facing your constraints, I would get a 335i 4-door and a Mini Cooper S.

We're banking on being happy with our E46 328iT and an MCS. I'm sure it will be fine.

[Josh (PA)]

Keep the ZHP
get an e30 M3 and a wrangler and have 2 four seat fun cars for the price of the porsche

wait and see what the e90 m3 is like

[Sharp11]

Originally Posted by JST

I could never get the clutch/throttle relationship right in the ZHP. Even after adding a clutch stop (which helped), I still couldn't drive the car smoothly consistently. I could be much smoother in the 335 first time out than I ever was in the ZHP.

This has got to be a variable issue wrt the ZHP, mine's smooth as butter and the throttle response immediate. I haven't removed the CDV nor have I added a clutch stop (it's easy enough to depress the clutch only as far as it needs to go).

The E92 335i I drove had a sloppier feeling six speed manual with a longer throw, but it was smooth.

Ed

[FC]

Originally Posted by Josh (PA)

Keep the ZHP
get an e30 M3 and a wrangler and have 2 four seat fun cars for the price of the porsche

wait and see what the e90 m3 is like

That would mean 4 cars. I doubt that would fly. BUt it's not a bad idea. Except a decent Wrangler (unlimited - even if last gen without 4 doors) is still in the teens. So would a miata, so I'd have to spend 30K in two additional cars. Nope, that won't work.

And when I originally said Wrangler in the OP, I meant a 4-door unlimited, which are still new and still at leat $25K.

I don't think I'd be interested in an E90 M3 as THE sportscar of the household. Plus, it ain't cheap.

[Sharp11]

Originally Posted by FC

If I keep the ZHP, the budget is down to 30-35K for the 3rd car..

Lots of beautifully clean, under 10k Zeds out there - coupes too, (some even brand new).

However, if the styling of the Z4 threatens your manliness, there's the much more flaccid, dynamically inferior Z3 - well under 20k for one of those.

Lots of choices in the third car world.

Ed

[FC]

Originally Posted by Sharp11

Lots of beautifully clean, under 10k Zeds out there - coupes too, (some even brand new).

However, if the styling of the Z4 threatens your manliness, there's the much more flaccid, dynamically inferior Z3 - well under 20k for one of those.

Lots of choices in the third car world.

Ed

It doesn't threaten my manliness. In fact, SARAFIL's Roadster (or in Imola Red) I could live with. I just want an experience, and in that regard, as a weekend only toy now, I am attracted more to mid-emgined Boxster. Heck, a Lotus Elise all of a sudden starts tomake sense (If I can find one I like for under 30K).

Shit, now I had to give myself THAT idea. It's a good thing the EE just fried the transformer/power amplifier in my prototype, so I have some time today...