RE: ?100K Garage: George Ince
Wednesday 24th August 2016
Name: George Ince
Previously owned: Peugeot 306 GLX 1.9 TD (written off by another driver, will always be missed)
Currently owned: BMW 318Ci E46 (soulless and looking forward to being replaced with something far more idiotic and impractical)
On the shortlist: "Something far more idiotic and impractical than a 3 Series, most likely of the Caterham/Ginetta variety. Probably a Defender after spending a long weekend away surfing and realising how awesome they look with a roof rack stacked with bags and boards (second trip being planned already!). Finally something small and hot for nipping out when I really can't be bothered with a harness and the Defender is just too sluggish on the main roads."
Ginetta G40R Drivers Club
Cost: £33,300
Balance: £9,850
Why I chose it: "What better way to learn to drive than a road legal race car on some of the UK's best circuits? I've had a soft spot for Ginettas G40R for a while; I think it's pretty cool when the R stands for road and not race. So much so I'm even looking at these used myself for something stupid to replace the BMW. It obviously isn't a Caterham, but with all the racing and instruction included it seems pretty good value in my book. It gives the Bowler something to tow as well!"
PRG/GT Covers Race Tech 77
Cost: £4,200
Balance: £2,650
Why I chose it: "Something with no-wheel drive? Well I need something to put the Ginetta in and it helps justify the very expensive Defender if that becomes my tow car as well Let just ignore the Ginetta's road legal status....
£100K Garage: George Ince
More than £50K on a Defender, but that still leaves enough for a genuine race car and a hot hatch legend
Previously owned: Peugeot 306 GLX 1.9 TD (written off by another driver, will always be missed)
Currently owned: BMW 318Ci E46 (soulless and looking forward to being replaced with something far more idiotic and impractical)
On the shortlist: "Something far more idiotic and impractical than a 3 Series, most likely of the Caterham/Ginetta variety. Probably a Defender after spending a long weekend away surfing and realising how awesome they look with a roof rack stacked with bags and boards (second trip being planned already!). Finally something small and hot for nipping out when I really can't be bothered with a harness and the Defender is just too sluggish on the main roads."
Land Rover Defender 110 Bowler
Cost: £56,850
Balance: £43,150
Why I chose it: "I had to go and find my jaw again after I was able to peel my eyes away from staring - looking at the price helped though. The best colour in my opinion, appearing bright green in the sun and almost black in the shade. This is the exact vehicle I had in mind when looking: a Bowler tinkered 110 in Aintree Green. Sure, it's missing the roof rack, but I'll find some change at the end I'm sure. What can't this vehicle do? Sure, I'd prefer the interior solid black, but I think I'd cope! Something to carry me and those who matter most on whatever adventure may be next."
Cost: £33,300
Balance: £9,850
Why I chose it: "What better way to learn to drive than a road legal race car on some of the UK's best circuits? I've had a soft spot for Ginettas G40R for a while; I think it's pretty cool when the R stands for road and not race. So much so I'm even looking at these used myself for something stupid to replace the BMW. It obviously isn't a Caterham, but with all the racing and instruction included it seems pretty good value in my book. It gives the Bowler something to tow as well!"
Peugeot 205 GTI
Cost: £3,000
Balance: £6,850
Why I chose it: "I want my 306 back but that can't happen, so instead why not its fiery little brother? The brilliant little hot hatch in my perfect colour combo and seemingly well looked after too. Hopefully saving money on maintenance for this will mean there's some spare for tyres on all of the above. Something I can hoon around at sensible speed without the fear of wrecking me beloved race car I need for the coming weekend at Silverstone. Or Brands Hatch. Or Oulton...
Cost: £4,200
Balance: £2,650
Why I chose it: "Something with no-wheel drive? Well I need something to put the Ginetta in and it helps justify the very expensive Defender if that becomes my tow car as well Let just ignore the Ginetta's road legal status....
"This trailer fits in perfect budget wise and already seems to have an orange cover to match the Ginetta orange. A cover was essential and a solid one was out of budget which left this - I don't want to cover my shiny racecar in all the crap the 180hp Bowler rips up!"
"The change can go towards that roof rack and tyres. I think these three complement each other pretty well, and if I ever get near I think I'll have a pretty good life going."
 |
 |
Discussion
jamespink said:
Sorry, I just cant see almost £60k on a tarted Landrover. Its neither one thing or the other. What on earth are the silly gear leaver replacement/extensions? School boy fantasy stuff. Truly last century with the ride from the one before...
Have to agree - £50k and it's not even a V8.The rest is very good though.
I always assumed the £100k garage was what you would go if the money was a gift or lottery win, not hard earned cash. As such, if his fantasy car is an OTT Land Rover, good luck too him. (Although it's not something I would choose at a quarter of the price.)
Is the 205 really the 306's "little brother"? The 309 was introduced as the big brother to the 205. The 306 and 206 were the next generation. So, that would make the 205 it's uncle. Wouldn't it?
Is the 205 really the 306's "little brother"? The 309 was introduced as the big brother to the 205. The 306 and 206 were the next generation. So, that would make the 205 it's uncle. Wouldn't it?
I have to agree I did blow a bit much of the budget on the Defender however I still have rose tinted spectacles for it after only just getting back from a road trip in one and think Bowler have the right take if you're going to get one blinged up, steering well clear of Khan etc... V8 was the agenda but couldn't find one which looked quite as good as this one so sadly the simple upgrades will have to suffice.
As for the Peugeot uncle is a much better relation come to think of it!
As for the Peugeot uncle is a much better relation come to think of it!
Having lived with this for a while:-
I cannot see an argument for a Defender in 2017. I drove a new SWB back in 2006 ish and was very underwhelmed by it, it was OK but very agricultural and terrible on the road in comparison to the vehicle I bought in its place - a Toyota Hilux.
Last week or so I hired the LWB and my god, everything about it is worse in LWB form. I am guessing you haven't driven one? I think you must have WAY more money than sense to buy something like this at £56k, I mean something like this with 65k on the clock is now sub £50k:-
In fairness the Defender does look cool, I turned up at my local rugby club and I had all my mates climbing over it, they have never been like that with any of my other cars
I cannot see an argument for a Defender in 2017. I drove a new SWB back in 2006 ish and was very underwhelmed by it, it was OK but very agricultural and terrible on the road in comparison to the vehicle I bought in its place - a Toyota Hilux.
Last week or so I hired the LWB and my god, everything about it is worse in LWB form. I am guessing you haven't driven one? I think you must have WAY more money than sense to buy something like this at £56k, I mean something like this with 65k on the clock is now sub £50k:-
In fairness the Defender does look cool, I turned up at my local rugby club and I had all my mates climbing over it, they have never been like that with any of my other cars
A logical personal race team and support vehicles, makes sense. However missing the cross-channel ferry emitting 306 diesel and not liking the, admittedly underpowered version of, one of BMW's best looking, best handling, best value and best quality, cars ever is a surprise. Please drive a 330ci and M3 of the E46 generation, and you will like your 318ci so much more. That design is such a capable car and looks better than most new BMWs.
myhandle said:
A logical personal race team and support vehicles, makes sense. However missing the cross-channel ferry emitting 306 diesel and not liking the, admittedly underpowered version of, one of BMW's best looking, best handling, best value and best quality, cars ever is a surprise. Please drive a 330ci and M3 of the E46 generation, and you will like your 318ci so much more. That design is such a capable car and looks better than most new BMWs.
It was a car passed down through the family starting at my grandad so had something sentimental about it, and a 1.9 turbo diesel also sluggish was fun. As for the E46 that's why I bought it as I love the shape and look but I've simply gotten bored of it, an E46 M3 yes please 😍Mince said:
Some might even say it's like I'd stumbled into £100k to spend willy nilly...
I get that, but you have to ask, if the OP was genuinely in this position, would they REALLY choose a £56k Defender? Having lived with one I think you would have to be totally off your head to spend £28k let alone £56k.
If your not putting reasonably serious thought into the choices then it makes the feature a little pointless
Well I think you have a great set of choices but that's probably because I run a 110 Bowler as my daily driver, actually my one and only car. Sure the Defender experience isn't for everyone but the changes Bowler make to the Suspension, Steering and Engine make it a lot more fun and usable although it's still pretty agricultural. It is definitely a feel good car though, whether you are chatting to ex service people at the petrol station about their memories of running around in one or whether it's hustling it down a B road or just going to the airport being thankful not to be in a grey saloon of some description.
Bowler are predominantly a Motorsport Engineering outfit still so most of what they do is for a reason with a small amount of bling thrown in for good measure. As the OP kind of points out, there are an awful lot of companies out there that are all about the the bling, Bowler I don't think are one of them and should be congratulated about bringing their Rally Raid madness to the road, whether you agree that a Defender is a good car or not. It's about the closest thing Land Rover have to an M-Sport/AMG/Alpina brand, SVR is a trim level at the end of the day.
Bowler are predominantly a Motorsport Engineering outfit still so most of what they do is for a reason with a small amount of bling thrown in for good measure. As the OP kind of points out, there are an awful lot of companies out there that are all about the the bling, Bowler I don't think are one of them and should be congratulated about bringing their Rally Raid madness to the road, whether you agree that a Defender is a good car or not. It's about the closest thing Land Rover have to an M-Sport/AMG/Alpina brand, SVR is a trim level at the end of the day.
Iknownothin said:
Well I think you have a great set of choices but that's probably because I run a 110 Bowler as my daily driver, actually my one and only car. Sure the Defender experience isn't for everyone but the changes Bowler make to the Suspension, Steering and Engine make it a lot more fun and usable although it's still pretty agricultural. It is definitely a feel good car though, whether you are chatting to ex service people at the petrol station about their memories of running around in one or whether it's hustling it down a B road or just going to the airport being thankful not to be in a grey saloon of some description.
Bowler are predominantly a Motorsport Engineering outfit still so most of what they do is for a reason with a small amount of bling thrown in for good measure. As the OP kind of points out, there are an awful lot of companies out there that are all about the the bling, Bowler I don't think are one of them and should be congratulated about bringing their Rally Raid madness to the road, whether you agree that a Defender is a good car or not. It's about the closest thing Land Rover have to an M-Sport/AMG/Alpina brand, SVR is a trim level at the end of the day.
good post, fair pointsBowler are predominantly a Motorsport Engineering outfit still so most of what they do is for a reason with a small amount of bling thrown in for good measure. As the OP kind of points out, there are an awful lot of companies out there that are all about the the bling, Bowler I don't think are one of them and should be congratulated about bringing their Rally Raid madness to the road, whether you agree that a Defender is a good car or not. It's about the closest thing Land Rover have to an M-Sport/AMG/Alpina brand, SVR is a trim level at the end of the day.
Tuvra said:
Mince said:
Some might even say it's like I'd stumbled into £100k to spend willy nilly...
I get that, but you have to ask, if the OP was genuinely in this position, would they REALLY choose a £56k Defender? Having lived with one I think you would have to be totally off your head to spend £28k let alone £56k.
If your not putting reasonably serious thought into the choices then it makes the feature a little pointless
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff