I could have added to other threads, but my needs are slightly different than what I read in other threads....

Im looking for a car with decent HP (I live in Hawaii, and can only really go 45-55 anyways... too many cops and low MPH signs), good steering and suspension, and decent MPG.... Not surprising the only thing I can really find is a Cooper. My wife already drives a cooper, and I really want something for variety's sake. I dont want to get used to the cooper, its much more fun when I drive it only on the weekends.

I need a bit more space than the cooper offers as well. I am a professional photographer, and have a bunch of photo gear. The clubman might work, so Im looking in that direction too.

So far my short list is:

RX-8
Z 350 (no back seat is almost a deal breaker)
Clubman
Tiburon (used to own one and loved it)
Celica
Z3/4 Coupe
128i
Civic (not too enthusiastic)

Anything else new or used I should consider?

 

Had 3 of them on your List, 350Z, ok car AC sucks, and the trunk is useless with the bar that said 350Z on it.
Civic good car however the interior looks like crap and fades and scratches way too easy, the car float on highway over 85MPH>
RX-8 mine was a nightmare always something going wrong, the AC is crap and every third fillup or sooner you need to open the hood and put a quart of oil, sometimes a big pain in the ****.

the BMW could not get over how much it looks like a Hyundai

 

The 128i looks like a Hyundai?! I dont see it...

Speaking of Hyundai, the new Genesis Coupe will be RWD and have either a 306 hp V6 or a turbocharged and intercooled i4 making 212 or so hp... I might opt for the Genesis if the handling is decent. It starts at 20k-28k... Even an entry level is pretty well loaded with options. Its even available with HIDs and Brembo brakes! Specs say the 2.0L I4 turbo will get 20-28 mpg... not bad.

You guys like it?

 

ms3

 

I like the ms3, but its not as "sporty looking" as I'd hoped.. I like the coupe look better.

I was very shocked to see that the MS3 beat out a Z on youtube though... Its a very quick car at a great price.

 

Z3s/4s are great! My mom has had both and I really enjoyed driving them when I visited.

 

I've really never had as much fun driving until I drove a Mini... Not until you drive other cars again do you realize how tight the steering is, how it hugs curves and well balanced it is, and how peppy a small engine can be. Mini has really set the bar high... I wish all cars put as much thought into design and function as mini does.

 

Cobalt SS got rave reviews performance wise.. Especially for MPG vs HP. Too bad its made by GM and looks like a Cobalt. It handles remarkably well and with 264hp in an i4 turbo, its great car. I guess if you drive with your eyes closed, its not bad.

 

JCW Clubman.

 

All those cars are boring...get a Clubbie!!!

 

Just bought this for my son today, it mint and his 3rd S2000

 

With you hauling for a living really consider the clubman.
You could do a rear seat delete and it would be huge.

I've not actually been inside one but how about the
yaris hatchback? Not too fast I think but I think the
styling is good, the mpg is good, and it has a hatch.

I've done emergency response before and carried
around a couple duffles of junk. There's just
no substitute for a hatchback that gets good mpg when
you have to take stuff around, in and out, etc etc.

Just the 0.02.

 

Im checking out the Clubman... I just wanted to have the variety of having 2 different cars.

I've also been looking at the G35 coupe. Too many people have them, but then again, I really dont care what other people have... Its got a really nice purrrr.

 

Of those car I personally would get a Z3 M Coupe again, no doubt about it, it is a great driver's car (although the stock suspension could use help),fun, unique and curvey. That said, as surprisingly practical as the hatch is, it does not offer more room then a Mini at all.

In the end it is all about you being happy and the only way you'll find out what suits you best is to drive them all yourself of course

Let us know how it goes

 

I've come to the conclusion of these options, in this order:

Z4 Coupe
Z3 Coupe
Clubman - G35
RX-8

Neither the Z4 nor Z3 coupes have a back seat, right? Thats not a huge deal, so long as the trunk is easy enough to get lots of stuff in and out of.

I really am not too into the Clubman thus far. The barn doors aren't doing it for me. Especially with the pillars dividing up the rear window. I have not driven one yet, so Im not ruling it out.

 

Do any of those cars besides the Clubman actually have more room than a Cooper? They are all tiny for photography I would think.

 

Yes, by several sq'. The Cooper has almost no trunk. Whenever I grocery shop, I HAVE to put the rear seats down. The trunk in the cooper is only about 2" deep at best. Most of the trunks in the coupes have much more space, but lack a backseat. Its a fair trade since the items in the trunk will at least be secured and not roll around as they would in the rear of a mini with the seats down. Also, its harder to break in a trunk than the backseat of a cooper.

The Clubman is not really doing it for me at the moment... Also, the rear pillars being a different color seems awkward (remember, Im entitled to my own opinion ). The space isn't the problem. Its ease in which I can move stuff in and out. I have a large "pelican" case which is 4'x3'x1', a laptop bag, several light stands, a monopod, and occasionally a Canon 400mm f2.8 (almost 4'x6" and 40 lbs). As long as the trunk utilizes the space well (unlike the Z with the stabilizer bar) it should work. A low trunk lid makes it easier to load / unload too.

I know we like our minis, but they are not the only car manufacturer out there.

 

Test driven any yet?

Fwiw I think the Z3 Coupe has got to have more space then the Z4, it really was quite a handy hatch for a 2 seater.

 

I drove the rx8, Z, G35, and a 3 series.

The best of those hands down was the Z (3 series as good, but out of my price range) in terms of handling. It was the only thing that was as much fun as the Mini, but the bar in the trunk makes it almost useless space.

The RX-8 was very comfortable, and the most functional. The steering was loose, and the handling was nowhere as good as the mini.

Im looking for a Z3/4 to test drive, but I may have to go private party for the test drive.

I may still get another mini... For the price, MPG, fun factor, handling, its hard to beat. I just wish the clubman looked more like a cooper... I cant stand the rear of the clubman. The pillars and barn doors KILL ME... Does anyone actually like that look or do they just feel neutral about the rear?

 

https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...11&postcount=3

 

 

So.... no on the S2K then? I wonder how widespread the problems are in the company.

 

I think the Z3 coupe would be a good choice.

I've driven the conv. before and really liked it.
I looked into it and it seems to be a solid car for the most part.

I can't say exactly for the coupe version they are
very rare here.

 

There's a few on craigslist for 15-20k... really not a bad price! There's a '99 for 13k right now. I may wait for all the financial crisis to end before getting the next car though...

 

I would say go with the Clubman...

Buuuutttt..................

The Z4 coupe's trunk is HUGE! I was amazed when I opened it up, I was expecting something more along the lines of an S2000: Tiny as hell. BTW, with an S2000 you can't even fit a board of foamcore into it, other than if you stuck it in between your head and the roof...

I wouldn't say that it holds more than the MINI though.

Have you considered a 3-series? I absolutely loved my E-36, handled rather well, was a blast to drive, and there was plenty of power. The car could hold quite a bit... I'd imagine an E-46 or an E-92 would be even better than an old E-36... And, You'd be able to get parts from the same place! :D

-Chase