Many people love the idea of a vintage British roadster. Maybe they had one 30 years ago and have fond memories of driving the car on long trips across the country and want to relive those times. While there are a lot of people who go out and buy classic Triumph TR6s or MG MGBs, many of them find that the car they fondly remember is not that fun after all. That might be because the car frequently needs service or maybe the basic seats are just not as comfortable now as they were back in the day. In addition, cars from the 1960s and ’70s are slow compared to any modern car, even minivans. If you find yourself in this second category, I suggest an alternative: the BMW Z4 roadster.
The BMW Z4 was the second small roadster that BMW offered in the U.S. I have owned both a Z4 and a Z3 and while I think the styling of the Z3 is more classic, the Z4 improves every single thing about the Z3, including the handling, ride, driving dynamics, performance, and comfort. I will say that I sold my Z4 in order to buy my old Z3 back, but I did this with the knowledge that I was getting a roadster that was not as good as the Z4.
My Pick of the Day is one of these cars, a 2003 BMW Z4 in my favorite Z4 color of Maldives Blue with a tan top and a tan leather interior. It is powered by the 184-horsepower N52 2.5-liter I6 and equipped with a five-speed manual gearbox. That combination gives the car a 0-60 time of seven seconds and a top speed of 146 mph.
The Indiana dealer describes this Z4 as featuring electric power steering, power brakes, power windows, power locks, air conditioning, a power top, an AM/FM/CD audio system, and more.
These cars are not only fun to drive, but also very reliable. I bought my personal Z4 in 2020 and used it from spring to fall. I even drove it in the Hagerty-sponsored Drive at Dawn that made up for the lack of Dawn Patrol due to the cancellation of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. These cars offer strong performance, are faster than any MGB or TR6, and offer things such as A/C that works, a top that actually seals, and even heated seats.
This car has covered only 43,000 miles from new and looks pretty clean. In the photos, the seller points out some paint scratches that I would have sorted out if I were to buy it. The craziest part is that you can get this Z4 for less money than a comparable 2003 Mazda Miata. To me, that makes it a complete bargain.
The asking price of this 2003 Z4 is a fair $15,900. I would seriously consider this example if I were looking for a Z4 to match my Atlanta Blue Z3.
Click here to view the listing for this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com.
Source: www.classiccars.com