Re: Z8..............FACT OR FICTION?? (archive)

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: Just saw real live Z8 at auto show. Anyone who thinks this car is in the class of a Ferrari Modena is dreaming. The Z8 project is mosly marketing hype designed to sell more BMW sedans and Z3's. This car is basically a new body on the M5. The retro-look design with long nose and short deck is dated. The Z8 is overpriced......the demand is now only a function of the small supply. Those who pay over list will get hurt as this car will not be a future classic. Just my opinion.

I have not seen one in person but feel fairly comfortable ordering one. I have been concerned about your impressions and have rationalized them (as we all do when we want something...). Marketing hype-yes, no doubt and I despise the association with Bond, James Bond. But they all do it. That's the reason for the Viper and it's a pretty good car if that's your thing. Compared to the F 360- I've been tempted but maintenance costs are outrageous- $3500-5000 for tune ups/ annual service, valves that wear out quickly, tires that last 5,000 miles, exotic factor that makes it difficult to drive on a regular basis- gauckers, people that drive up to you dangerously, impossible to park anywhere; basicaly a beautiful garage queen, nice for Sunday afternoon drives, awesome to look at and I still may get one someday. Old retrobody on a M5? We'll, the M5 is one incredible car! I'd have on in a second if they offered an automatic as a daily driver. Retro- that's the thing for us baby boomers, nostalgia. Besides the long hood it's still basically a mid engine car with state of the art aluminum chassis and suspension components; performance will be approaching the 360 and 996 turbo (close enough for US roads). Overpriced...Bmw will probably lose money on a limited production car like this. It's still $30K less than a Modena, much more when maintenance costs are figured in (hard to beat a basic V8, bumper to bumper for 3 or 4 years, then very inexpensive maintenance costs). Exclusivity is definitely worth something when there are so many people and cars out there.. I love to see perfectly restored old De Sotos out there, or Porsches, etc. My local Porsche/Ferrari dealer has already offered me a generous trade toward the other cars one would consider in this price range.
Overpriced? At this price, $$ are relative. No one *needs* a car this expensive. Fair value-who knows. You can make a better argument for Accord vs Camry. Stock market fluctuations make cars like this a moot point (I'm paying sticker ). The bottom line for me is how it drives. I know what it looks like ( I think ) but if it drives funny, I'll get a 996 turbo or NSX or ?. And there's a waiting list for the car and the possible opportunity for making a little profit may exist.

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