BMW Z4

The BMW Z4 epitomises design, speed and quality.  Sitting in the driver’s seat you immediately feel safe and in control.  The Z4 is both elegant and fast, the basic version recording a 0-60mph time of 6.6 seconds.  Find a straight piece of road, in a country where there is no maximum speed limit, of course and you could find yourself barrelling along at 151mph.  There are four models to choose from, 23i, 30i and the 35i, which has a twin turbo 3.0 litre engine that will rocket you from 0-60 in 4-8 seconds; this car has some serious poke.  Coupled with its 6 speed gearbox and precision steering and you have all the ingredients for a sports car that will keep its owner contented for hours at a time.

As with all BMWs, you have to pay for a wide range of extras that many manufacturers often fit as standard equipment.  Having said that the Z4 comes with ESP, passenger and driver airbags, satellite navigating, Bluetooth compatibility, climate control and everything you need to listen to your favourite music, including CD and IPod docking.  Prices range from £28,695 to £44,220.

The BMW Z4 is definitely not a shoppers car, there is simply no room in the tiny boot, but that is not the reason for buying a car like this; it is, quite simply, a sexy, sporty, driver’s car.  The handling and level of grip are superb, but the price you pay is quite a high level of road noise.  Also, for some reason there is a little noise from the wing mirrors, but you can just pretend that is due to the speed that you are travelling at.  Despite these minor niggles, you will still feel like a warrior of the road in this very sleek adult roadster.