Tuesday 22nd July 2014

£100K Garage: Steve Chaplin

Patriotic Steve has three Brit sports cars in his four car garage

---

Name: Steve Chaplin
Previously owned: "Peugeot 205 (first car), Citroen Saxo VTR, BMW Compact (x3), BMW 320 E30, Westfield SEi, Porsche 944 S2, classic Mini, 'new' Mini, Audi A3, Mazda MX-5 Mk1." Currently owned: "Two diesel SEAT Ibizas, hence my need for a £100K fantasy garage!"
On the shortlist: "Volvo V50, Caterham, BMW Z4."

---

Volvo V50
Cost: £10,723
Balance: £89,377
Why I chose it: "I thought I would start with the mundane family hack! A small estate that the wife can use (and park) and will cart the family around with bikes on the roof rack. Oh, and achieve some decent MPG and not cost much to tax."

Caterham Seven
Cost: £12,500
Balance: £76,877
Why I chose it: "When I was young I had a Westfield and it was the cheapest available. It didn't work very well but when it did I had so much fun in that car! This looks like a nice example of a Caterham and at a decent price ideal for some blasts into North Wales and the odd track day."

Vauxhall VX220
Cost: £7,095
Balance: £4,792
Why I chose it: "As mentioned above I will need another two-seater for when the wife has snaffled the keys to the Aston and gone to Spar leaving me and the boy needing transport to the footy or to Spa. I was torn between an Elise or a BMW Z4 but the Aston has only left me with £11K and although this one isn't perfect it doesn't need much work and it leaves me with £4K left for a classic!"

Aston Martin V8 Vantage N420
Cost: £65,000
Balance: £11,877
Why I chose it: "The dream performance car - I toyed with various Porsches but this ticks all the boxes for me. The trouble is the wife likes Astons too so I could imagine a scramble for the keys when we don't need to use the Volvo. I'm going to need something else with two seats in case this isn't available!"

Classic Mini
Cost: £4,000
Balance: £792
Why I chose it: "Again I've had a classic Mini before but it was a rough £750 one and I blew up the engine so here is a far better example, I can't think of a better use of the remaining money than to add this to the corner of the rather large garage I think it would sit well between the Aston and the Caterham."

 

 

 

[ManOpener]

I count five cars, and some funny goings on with the order!

[Phateuk]

I think the vx220 is in the wrong order - the remaining balance goes a bit wrong at that point..

[sandman77]

I wouldn't have both the Caterham and the VX220. If it were my money I would choose one of those then a more comfortable soft top for days out with the wife. An MX5 perhaps?

[Theallotmentman]

I keep reading these lists and wondering what I would have. It's only £100k so it needs to go a long way but be fun, practical and have an once of future value to it. Mine would need an economical and comfy estate like a Skoda Superb 170 tdi, a fun car like a Caterham 7, a couple of projects like a Mazda RX7 to attend festivals and shows with as well as the odd track day and finally a Classic so a Splitty VW camper. That would leave me plenty for insurance, ongoing bills and extra to take the wife out as she would hate the dirt I bring in everywhere.. What more could I need......

[soad]

Maths fail, I count two mistakes. Remaining balance should be: £682
Yes, I'm bored.

[gsuk1]

That Aston add is the worst car add I have ever seen!

Description:
White

...Oh brilliant that's all I needed to know.

[dlockhart]

I think he has brought the wrong Aston Martin :

56k gets you this V12 DB-9:
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

[unsprung]

Love the VX220 / Opel Speedster. A contemporary heir of the VW-Porsche 914 as well as the Fiat X1/9. And looks better IMHO than the Lotus Elise of that time.

[markupton]

Definitely a few mistakes there. Did nobody read it (and look at the order) before publishing? Don't end up like EVO....

[P4ROT]

When you get in the Aston and notice all the switchgear from the Volvo, you really will wonder were the 65K went.

[Token Jock]

P4ROT said:

When you get in the Aston and notice all the switchgear from the Volvo, you really will wonder were the 65K went.

And when you press the throttle and hear the V8 rumble you soon forget about the odd bit of Volvo switchgear

Good choice on the OP's garage

Had a VX220 Turbo which was just awesome but after nearly 3 years that made way for the Aston after but I missed the enjoyment I had in my old Westfield and the VX220 so I acquired a Caterham to sit alongside the Aston

Great pairing which compliment each other very well

Edited by Token Jock on Tuesday 22 July 22:28

[BlahDeBlah]

Token Jock said:

And when you press the throttle and hear the V8 rumble you soon forget about the odd bit of Volvo switchgear

I quite like Volvo switchgear anyway, something settling about it, whilst listening to that lovely noise.

[BoRED S2upid]

Some iconic cars here. Caterham, Aston, Classic Mini yes please

[smilo996]

Never thought of a modern Volvo as the family daily. Good choice.

Given the colours I think Steve lives near Bisley. Only house I have ever seen with 2 white Seat's.

Drop the VX220 and add an Alfa:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

use the 3.5 left to make it reliable, if that is possible.

[Agent Orange]

Well I must say that Caterham is an excellent choice...

Just got back from a blast in it.

Edited by Agent Orange on Thursday 24th July 22:10

[irocfan]

I love the AM would far rather have one of those than a porker, fezza or lambo - let alone anything from Japan. I know that objectively speaking it's probably way worse than most products by the German or Italian lot but the look, the feel, the sound and the name all combine to tick all my boxes.

You've lost me with the vulva and mini and while I can see the point of the VX220 I rather suspect that that and a 7 is overkill and a waste

[disco666]

Has to have a luxury family wagon for me.