Can't decide on a car.

[GroundedCLK]

Just like the title says. I am trying to decide on a vehicle and so far has been more difficult then I thought. I am 24 and have a truck for the winter months. I am looking for a two-seater convertible and need some help deciding.

The '03-'04 BMW Z4 caught my eye, as well as the '02-'03 Porsche Boxster both are not badly priced just around 22k-28k with just under 35k miles on it. The biggest catch is that it has to be auto. I just dont want to buy a car that looks like something a old man should be driving.

[sickcallawayc12]

Tons of options. Saab 9-3, Mustang, Firebird, Camaro, 3-series has a vert available, corvette, camry solara, 350z roadster.

[jayjack]

the better of the 2 is the z4. the porshe wasn't all i thought a porshe would be. i rode in a friends and it was too sporty for a two seater coup, it was a stiff bumpy ride and i gould feel every little bump in the road. it was horribly loud for a 6 cylinder. and im not a big guy but even with the top down i felt almost closterphobic. i'v never driven a z4 so i can't tell you about it but as far as im concerened it can't be much worse.

[speedracer1407]

I can't quite make sense of jayjack's post. If he thinks a boxter isn't sporty enough, he evidently didn't drive it. And "loud for a 6 cylinder?" what does that even mean?

Look, if you're already looking at the Z4 and Boxter, then you're looking in the right direction. The Z4 may be a wee bit softer and more overtly styled, but the Boxter is a superior driver's car. I've only driven a manual, but an automatic doesn't diminish the engine's glorious wail at full throttle, the incredibly direct steering, and buttoned-down nearly-flawless suspension. Is it a bit stiff and bumpy? Sure, it's a Porsche--a sportscar, and I'm not quite sure why anyone would expect otherwise. But it's not punishing, and whatever you loose in cushy-soft ride quality, you gain twofold in handling and driving fun.

My only complaint about the Boxter is its rather boring-looking interior. The examples I've driven have been all-black with the 996-style instruments and center stack, which I always thought were...well just boring. Still, drive one, and drive it fast, and you'll probably not be interested in anything else.