Help me to help my mother spend all of her money on a 6MT N52 Z4.

"JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7" (jayzayeighty)
04/11/2014 at 13:29 • Filed to: first world problem

I come home to my mother wanting to buy a new car. Test driven were 7 cars (all manual): Acura ILX 2.4 (leather laden, overpriced but good Civic Si), BRZ (too stiff and boy racer-ish), 328i sedan E92 (no sunroof, kinda big), Audi A5 (boring and pricey, expensive maintenance), 128i 6MT (fucking perfect but somehow a 2008 is ancient), E90 328i xDrive coupe (felt A5-ish and is overpriced), and finally the Z4: 11k miles, good price, gray/black, N/A I6, M-Sport. Was honestly great and the only sports car she'd buy. Also, probably now the only car she really appreciates. The problem is that 3 times a year, she might want to take some people in her car, and it would be a great travesty to be without rear seats. So she'd keep the Beetle worth $2k. Here's the best part: I'd pay for another parking space, and get the Z4 after 8 or so years. The problem? No parking spaces at her building for sale. Maybe not even for rent. I love the cars I have owned and worked on, but this thing is so out of their league (by a price factor of 10) and the thought of ever owning such a formidable machine for the price of a parking spot is astounding to me. So, where's the solution here? Help would be greatly appreciated here. The Z4's CPO and a good deal.

DISCUSSION (11)

Montalvo > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
04/11/2014 at 13:32

Can't you just put the beetle into storage? Whenever you need that other car just drive to the lockup and swap cars. It shouldn't be a problem unless you unexpectedly need a 4 seater.

horspowr1001 > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
04/11/2014 at 13:37

Buy Z4 and have fun for 362/363 days of the year. Rent/ZipCar for the remaining 3 days, which will be cheap especially if the car can be tiny.

Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
04/11/2014 at 13:38

Sell the bug, for those 3 times a year, there is Enterprise/Hertz/Avis/Zip car.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Montalvo
04/11/2014 at 13:40

That's definitely a good idea, but probably too costly. The car itself is slightly above budget pre-negotiations, which makes other options less feasible. It's a good option, though, so I'll bring it up with her. Keep in mind that this is someone without children at home or even a spouse or need for space who worries about practicality, so everything must be perfect...

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
04/11/2014 at 13:50

I'd probably buy the bug for sentimental value (make it baja-esque), but that's definitely a good plan. The thing is, she doesn't really ever need rear seats. There always has to be a problem with something (convincing her of the worthiness of every single car has been bloody hell). I think the thing to do is just have her drive it again. Reasons are great all the same, so thanks. If I have enough, it'll be a go.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > Arch Duke Maxyenko, Shit Talk Extraordinaire
04/11/2014 at 13:50

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
04/11/2014 at 13:51

Unfortunately, I can't help you here. I have an E85 Z4 (Soft top, not hard top), so I don't particularly have helpful points on the E89.

I'd point her at the 128i and call it a day.

JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7 > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs
04/11/2014 at 13:53

I tried so hard to do that, but the year alone deters her. Convincing her is impossible.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
04/11/2014 at 14:00

Considering that I drive a 2007 Z4 with the same N52 engine, you may just have to let this one go, since she clearly wants (i.e. she thinks she needs) a back seat, even if she would never use it, and the 5 year rule is utter bullshit.

Especially considering there is no difference between a 2008 128i and a 2009 128i.

Ilike_cougars > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
04/11/2014 at 14:07

I have a E85 Z4M, and just letting you know, its not easy living with this as your only driver, Im 5'10 160lbs and the cabin is really cramped, you are sitting really low so the amount of feel from the road is pretty harsh, and dont expect to put too many shopping bags in the back, its a lot smaller than you think. But that said Its usually just me driving in the car and the amount of space is enough, and it is fun to drive, which is why I live with it. Its definitely a sacrifice, if all that is fine then let her go for it otherwise the 128 is a no brainer.

Textured Soy Protein > JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
04/11/2014 at 16:07

As many others have said, Zipcar should cover her needs for the 3 times a year she needs a back seat. Certainly cheaper than getting a second parking space for her Beetle.