£100K Garage: Toby Barlow
German heavyweights, the compulsory Landie and something tasteful for weekend jaunts...
Previously owned: "Land Rover Series III Lightweight, Defender 90, Mini Cooper S, Mercedes CLK350 Sport, Audi S5 Coupe."
Currently owned: "Porsche Boxster S PDK, Defender 90 Tomb Raider."
On the shortlist: "Manual Gallardo Spyder one day..."
Porsche 981 Boxster S
Cost: £39,000
Balance: £61,000
Why I chose it: "It's a natural progression from my 987, possibly the most fun you can have on the road/be comfortable cross-continent and this colour scheme is just mega! Weekend plaything and occasional use for a pointless journey to go and pick up some milk. I've always loved the 981 shape ever since it was released and although the interior layout has really divided opinion, for me it's the perfect blend of sportiness and luxury. The exhaust note with PSE is downright dirty too. Why not a manual? Because PDK is just unbelievable! This one has the Sport Design steering wheel which is a total must for PDK because my current Boxster has those awful buttons where the accidental 6,000rpm downshift has happened when my concentration lapsed... So yes, Agate grey, PDK, Sport Classic wheels, Carrera Red leather and red roof? Perfection in my view!"
Cost: £34,995
Balance: £26,005
Why I chose it: "Because I refuse to be 'that' sensible with my daily transport. Colour is a bold call but every C63 seems to be white or black so, you know, originality etc... Same practicality as a diesel one and petrol is cheaper to buy (man logic). Also, THAT NOISE. After driving a C63 coupe a while back, I wasn't sure if I could ever not have that engine in my life. One of these on a cold start is wonderfully obnoxious and yet the car itself is just so useable. It has a big boot, comfy seats, room for five, massive drift potential (sorry, I meant great stereo) and understated looks. I guess the only thing that would rival it would be a RS Audi but after my S5, I was a bit put off by these as being too dynamically blunt."
Caterham Megagrad
Cost: £11,995
Balance: £14,010
Why I chose it: "Who does't love a bit of hooligan behaviour with the potential to do some racing as well? I used to race Tiger sports cars and was thoroughly bitten by the Super 7 philosophy so this road/race car fits the bill perfectly."
Cost: £7,995
Balance: £6,015
Why I chose it: "The one car I regret selling. My old Series III was £1,500 worth of shed but I loved every rusty inch of it. It leaked, backfired when you started it and had Range Rover differentials in so the top speed was 45mph. Not that it mattered of course, because by the time you got there you'd run out of fuel due to the Weber carb doing it's utmost to gulp the under-seat fuel tank dry. However, the feeling of bumbling around the lanes of Norfolk it with the windscreen down, doors off, no roof, inhaling toxic exhaust gasses while being force fed the entire population of summer insects is a feeling that I doubt you'll ever replicate. Plus camo paint is just cool and if it got scratched, just get the paint and the dirty yard brush out and touch in for the 'authentic' look!"
Rolls Royce Silver Shadow
Cost: £6,000
Balance: £15 (Fuel for the C63!)
Why I chose it: "Because smoking jacket, amusing Sunday afternoon pub jaunts and absolute waft factor. Oh and saying 'let's take the Rolls' will never, ever get old!"
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