Dynamic Turtle

Thanks for the replies chaps - makes sense. Chris, if I'm going to get a 370 I'd want a BE with some exhaust mods. Still a 3-4 months away from pulling the trigger on something new, but I could be interested in late dec/early jan. Cheers DT

Can anyone explain why large deposits on PCP and lease hire plans are viewed so negatively? It seems like common sense to me (like financing a fast-depreciating asset with a high APR, lol) but the consensus seems to be that a 10% deposit + much higher monthly payments is the way to go. Why shouldn’t I put down 30 or 40 per cent and have lower monthlies (and pay less in the way of financing costs too)?

Incidentally the "seeing round corners" thing seemed more like sonar/echo location to me, just using photons rather than sound waves to draw a low-rez image of the subject.

Amazing. Bet science vid since that quantum levitation one (which was mindblowing)

Tyres will be more than 400 surely? Also disc and pads are way more also. Isnt 20mpg a bit optimistic aswell? Read it carefully - these figures are my rough guesstimates of annualised running costs over five years, doing 5,000 miles a year, and assuming the pads, discs & tires are good for 15,000 miles. Which is maybe a bit optimistic for the rubber, but this isn't an exercise in precision cost calcuation.

I think people make the mistake of assuming that it shouldn't come with supercar running costs because it's a Nissan. The reality is that's it's an extremely clever piece of kit which has been developed as well as (or better than) most bonafide supercars. The problem with the GT-R is desirability - most punters buy something Italian when they go supercar shopping. I can see why, I'd have to think pretty hard about the running costs and depreciation before buying a GT-R. Exactly - think about a Ferrari 355. OK so it's not anywhere near as fast, but it still goes, it's a classic and will get masses of attention (arguably more positive than a GTR). £40k to buy, and probably £8-10k a year to run (though you'd never manage 5k miles a year in it admittedly). Upside is that it could be worth £60k in five year's time, whereas the GTR could be £20k. DT

No - I assumed £4k depreciation on a £37k 2008 GTR with 40k miles on the clock. New ones (as alex says), nearer 50%/ £40k in three years (!).

These are figures I've heard from nissan dealers but apparently some independents (like litchfield etc) can do rotors/pads nearer £2k and bridgestone rubber for £1200ish. You might ask why you'd scrimp, but I think some borderline owners would consider slightly inferior rubber. Forgot about security costs - tracker probably essential :-) Warranty = OUCH! But not that surprised. Gearboxes cost £10k to replace? So there you go. More GTR costs DT

Well it all depends on a lot of factors and the numbers i've crunched are guesstimates obviously. Maybe once you add an aftermarket warranty you're looking at comparitively higher figures for the GTR. And if you buy a new one for £80k, the depreciation will likely be higher - maybe £7-9k per year for the first 3 years? Whatever - it's a fooking expensive car to run and arguably "cheap" for a reason...

The figures are very approximate so apologies for any oversights - but I think they're pretty fair assumptions?

No - these are ANNUALISED figures and assume 15k miles per set of brake pads & discs (at £2k for all four corners) and 5k mileage per year. Same with the tires - £1200 / 3.

Incidentally, can someone explain why cars like the GTR need a six month service schedule? If you’re a low-mile driver, why would it need a spannering after a mere 2,500 miles? Me no understand…

Annualised costs (5k mileage):GTR/350Z basic servicing:900/300 insurance:1400/850 tax:460/260 Fuel (at £1.35, 20mpg/24mpg): 1540/1280 cleaning 300/300 MOT 50/50 Breakdown 35/35 Annual Depreciation: 4000/1500 Discs+pads (15k per set): 650/300 Tyre wear (15k per set): 400/275 Total: 10385/5400 So, nothing we don’t know already – it’s slightly more expensive to run than a zed! And these numbers don’t including an initial purchase cost of £37k for a high miler (I’d have to finance say £28k of that - £800pm over 3 years) and not including any unfortunate accidents (figures don’t include any warranty costs) or other “sundry itemsâ€. Just wanted a reality check. Maybe sobering reading for others contemplating something more than a 370Z? It’s a supercar with supercar running costs for sure. Maybe 276bhp is all I need?! DT

can't hear you

"why not get myself a bloody nice car before I am married and have kids.... as realistically I wont be able to do this again till I am a bit older" No, you won't: http://www.wikivorce.com/divorce/?gclid=CPSt5I-3-LECFRGBfAodugcA9Q

And that I believe, is precisely what I wanted to hear. End of thread!

I think the problem with a lot of Caymans is that they appeal to a slightly older demographic and are therefore bought in sales rep grey without a sports exhaust. Saw one in "dark azure blue" with black painted alloys the other day and it looked pretty good. The exhaust note is extremely dull though isn't it? And as for the interior . Get a 1989 911 3.0 SC in guards red with a whale tale instead On the other hand, M3s are exclusively bought by 23 year-old chavistanis. It's just not worth the black eyes you will incur. Which is a shame because it looks ok for a BMW and is allegedly a very good car.

Is the "upgrade" noticeable? I understand it has a slightly smoother gearbox as well as a 13% increase power (though it's probably not a "linear" factor). Just mulling a thought

Indeed - squeezed another 10hp from it too.

Why does the BRZ/86 retail for £16,700 in the states? That's a massive disparity and wholly unfair.

Sounds tempting, but what will a 400bhp figure do to that admittedly impressive MPG? And I'm guessing the remap will void any warranty? Only problem with these amazing 3/5/M BMWs is their familiarity and boxy design. If you can reconcile those little issues then why not?

I know these things But I won't compromise on this - don't forget you have a fun car too I did notice an XC90 down the tip the other day which had a V8 badge on the boot though Those volvos are surprisingly fast - had a real battle keeping one at bay on the A21 the other day. Couldn't understand how a 5-pot non-turbo diesel was keeping up with me... DT

I doubt an S4 will eclipse the Zed in the smile-per-mile factor I've thought (and am still thinking!) about this but can't really justify running two cars. Hence the careful thought about buying the 'sensible' car with the most character. If you can send me a link to R8's and GT-R's for £10K though, I'll take a ride out and pick them all up tomorrow To put TOWARDS an R8! I guess you'll be needing a £50k war chest for either of those two... It would be silly to run a Z and an RS4/6 avant at the same time, no? Or perhaps meet half-way and go for the RS4 saloon? Compared to some of the others mentioned on this thread, I'd imagine the depreciation on one of those would be slightly more bearable. They are potential classics. possibly-ish.

presumably you're buying an estate for those occasions where you need to cart three others and boot full of luggage around too? I haven't driven any of the cars mentioned here, but why not save "thrill" funds for the weekend two-seater toy and spend sensible amounts on the estate? If you buy a 350bhp V8 Oodi S4 or something along those lines, you might find that it starts to eclispe the zed, or make it less enjoyable... Get a diesel octavia for £10k and put the remaining £8-10k (and servicing budget!) to put towards an R8/GT-R/XK-R or whatever exotica you can afford.

£300-500???? I think swirls look pretty good actually