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benjj

Original Poster:

6,787 posts

162 months

Sunday 15th February 2015
quotequote all
The 4 seat thing really is quite important. That or a decent roof rack for the kids smile

sunbeam alpine

6,936 posts

187 months

Sunday 15th February 2015
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On the Alfa theme, a 155 Q4 would fit quite well.

4 doors, 4wd, 195 hp standard (easily tuneable - mine has the Squadra 240 hp chip). Sounds very good with the right exhaust.

P.S. Are we all on for Arras this year? I see from the web site it's in April, but no date confirmed yet.

85Carrera

3,503 posts

236 months

Sunday 15th February 2015
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benjj said:
Lotus and Jag don't really do it for me. Well, a Mk2 3.4 or 3.8 would.
What about an S type? Cheaper and roomier than a Mk2 and IRS so less moans for the passengers about the ride quality.

Not got the racing pedigree of a Mk2 but they must have some rarity value as at least one a week got trashed in The Sweeney.

johnfm

13,668 posts

249 months

IanMorewood

4,309 posts

247 months

Sunday 15th February 2015
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I would say Porsche 928 it's still an epic GT car and values look strong.

85Carrera

3,503 posts

236 months

Sunday 15th February 2015
quotequote all
benjj said:
Lotus and Jag don't really do it for me. Well, a Mk2 3.4 or 3.8 would.
What about an S type? Cheaper and roomier than a Mk2 and IRS so less moans for the passengers about the ride quality.

Not got the racing pedigree of a Mk2 but they must have some rarity value as at least one a week got trashed in The Sweeney.

The Surveyor

7,576 posts

236 months

Sunday 15th February 2015
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Stretch the budget a little and you could have a vauxhall...

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C553463

Should be quick and roomy enough!

anonymous-user

53 months

Sunday 15th February 2015
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Not sure a 928 will tick all the boxes - think you will struggle to get a full child seat in the back, plus they only came with lap belts up until the last of the line. They are fantastic though.....I absolutely loved mine and it was wonderfully balanced.

You could also consider an SLC rather than a SEC. I had a 280SLC and it was a lovely machine - being the 280 it was actually not bad on the twisty bits as the engine was much lighter than the V8, quite free revving too. And very stylish...

TurboBlue

672 posts

162 months

Sunday 15th February 2015
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an eclectic mix for you:
Alfa.Romeo 75 V6
Audi 200 Turbo
Bristol 411
Citroen CX gti Turbo 2
Fiat 130
Lancia Thema 8.32
Mercedes 190 2.5 Cosworth
Mercedes 450 SLC
Saab 99 Turbo

Not all meet your requirements but the original request is just another way of asking for a M535i :-)

dryden

361 posts

168 months

Monday 16th February 2015
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shirt

22,508 posts

200 months

Monday 16th February 2015
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renault alpine gta / a610

jag xjc

alfa gtv6

AndrewCrown

2,280 posts

113 months

Monday 16th February 2015
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B
I think you description screams CL500, CL55, CL600 or more... plenty of room in the back...enormous boot and plenty of power..
Alternatives might be a well sorted SEC... that will go up in value..

More classic... see if you can find a 450 SEL... 6.9

I know I've been a bit Merc orientated.. the only other options might be an Alpina B10 even a B10 Estate?

A

hidetheelephants

23,778 posts

192 months

Monday 16th February 2015
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johnfm said:
What he said; there's room for average adults in the back over short distances with mild contortion, so kids will fit easily enough; your budget is enough for a minty one.

If the budget might stretch a little, what about a Lotus Carlton? If not, then a pre-V8 Jag XJR or active-ride Bentley Turbo R.

Left field; given you're partial to a DS I like the idea of a CX Turbo; not the greatest engine ever made, but strong and can be tweaked a fair bit; plus your budget will pay for 2-3 decent ones. Are there any Renault 25s or 30s still in existence in the UK, or have they all been broken for their gearboxes? The Douvrin can be coaxed into making decent power, but the handling will probably remain lairy; perhaps a Pug 604 would be a better bet. hehe The Pininfarina 3-box saloon theme thens lead on to the FIAT 130 and the Lancia 2000, and by association the Alfa 6 and the awesome Opel Diplomat. I think I have digressed slightly...

Dunk130TC

328 posts

189 months

Monday 16th February 2015
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Maserati Ghibli. I've just bought one and it'll seat 4, do 150+ and you won't see another. Very hard to find unless you import from Europe, in which case you could grab a manual and ideally the 2.0 v6 with lhd for the trip.
Good investment potential too.

benjj

Original Poster:

6,787 posts

162 months

Monday 16th February 2015
quotequote all
Some interesting ideas here gents, thank you.

At present the main contenders have to be the 560 SEC and the 928. I could live with the slushbox in the Merc but not in the Porsche. That probably means the Merc is the most likely contender.

Ghibli - hmm, interesting too, will have a look. Wasn't expecting stuff like that to be in budget.

An AMG Hammer would be my absolute holy grail at the moment I think but waaaaaay out of budget. May have a look at some smoking hot 80's Merc saloons too.

crofty1984

15,830 posts

203 months

Monday 16th February 2015
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How much are Fiat Dinos nowadays? Aren't they 4 seats?
Proper Ferrari Dino engine in a pretty shell. Not that the Dino 246 is ugly, but show me a 15 grand one!

SHutchinson

2,040 posts

183 months

Monday 16th February 2015
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When I read your opening post I immediately thought of the Mercedes 190 Cosworth.

I see it's been mentioned a few times too. An EVO one would be even more novelty.

benjj

Original Poster:

6,787 posts

162 months

Monday 16th February 2015
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The Fiat Dino is actually the one I really want but prices have crept up. They were 8k cars for a snotter just 3 or 4 years ago. A not bad one could be had for teens. Will have a look around again just in case.

190 Cossie - yes, big like for those, got to be a manual dog box though.

I'd forgotten how fun car buying is, it's been well over a year since I've bought anything.

IanMorewood

4,309 posts

247 months

Monday 16th February 2015
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benjj

Original Poster:

6,787 posts

162 months

Monday 16th February 2015
quotequote all
Hells bells, I never knew the R129 had a couple of rear seats, just assumed they were 2 seaters.

To add a bit more info, on these summer road trips the wives and kids fly down to the south of France and the husbands drive down via London (drinking), Le Mans (drinking), south/central France (drinking) and collect the families from the airport. The rear seats are really only needed for an hour hop here or there for a few weeks on holiday.

So, looks like I'm off R129 shopping.