Saturday 23rd May 2015

£100K Garage: Ross Thomas Jones

Ferrari Scaglietti and Fiat Panda 4x4? Welcome to the eclectic world of PHers' fantasy garages!

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Name: Ross Thomas-Jones
Previously owned: "BMW 740i, Smart Roadster Brabus, Ford Fiesta Zetec S, MG ZS, Honda Prelude, BMW 328i Coupe, Peugeot 309, Merc SLK AMG, Saxo VTS, Renault Clio automatic, Suzuki Jimny, Rover 216sli automatic."
Currently owned: "Saab 9-5 Aero, Merc B200 Turbo"
On the shortlist: "Most of them, there's not much I wouldn't like to try!"

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Ferrari 612
Cost:£74,990
Balance: £25,010
Why I chose it: "No wish to replace what we already have so I can spend big on something that can a) make me feel very special and b) be shared with my whole family or more than one friend at the same time. More and more elegant as time goes on, manual Ferrari V12 and four usable seats. Love these, job done!!"

VW Transporter Campervan
Cost: £22,500
Balance:£2,510
Why I chose it: "For all those trips out where we knew the fun might have to be cut short. Trips to the coast, parties in the forest, meeting up with family and friends. We need never miss out by having to get back home at the end of the evening again!"

Fiat Panda 4X4
Cost:£2,500
Balance: £10
Why I chose it: "Just for a bit of practical fun to help get around all the farm and woodland areas that my parents in law have access to in Norfolk. Small enough to get most places, cheap enough not worry about bashing it and just a little bit cool too!"

 

[hunter 66]

Like this as have a 612 as well but have a Scuderia 430 GT3 as fun toy , just over 100 k for both ....... family run around and fun car

[gigglebug]

I've liked the 612 more and more as time has moved on, Ferrari's have a habit of doing that! I can remember seeing the original press photo of the Enzo and thinking "What the heck!!" but it's grown into another firm favorite. (I'm not a Ferrari fan boy by the way!) To be honest the 612 would have been chosen regardless, it could have been a one car or 10 million pound garage it wouldn't have mattered. I can't think of another car that looks as stylish but combines practicality and excitement into one package. I just love them and this one being a manual maybe it wouldn't be a bad investment either?

The garage I've chosen might not be most exciting (I could have gone down the fast estate/tuned Jap/British sports car/odd ball route like many others) but it is a realistic one and the vehicles where chosen as they fulfill roles not already covered by the cars we already have. The campervan would give us so much freedom and would completely change the way we could use our free time. I like the idea of having a classic one but know people who have lived to regret them so a modern equivalent was the only answer. I've had a go in a boggo standard Panda and the 100HP version and they were both full of character so I can imagine the little 4x4 being a riot to bomb around the undergrowth in. You don't need anything too serious in Norfolk as you don't come across many hills (none in fact!), just the added traction for when it's wet and slippy and a bit more ground clearance will do nicely! It'll save getting our other cars covered in crap and provide plenty of fun too

Above anything else all these three would get used lots and wouldn't be there just for the sake of it and to me that's the whole point of a fantasy garage!!

Edited by gigglebug on Sunday 24th May 10:06

[crostonian]

Always liked the 612, especially in sombre metallics and with the larger alloys, I regret not buying one at £48k a few years ago, turned it down because it was a silver manual which nobody wanted back then, what a fool! The looks have definitely improved over time to my eyes, the rear three quarter view is particularly sublime, I think I prefer them to the 456 now. I always used to think a Gran Turismo S was a better value alternative as it was also a 4 seater, more modern architecture and better looking, not so sure now!

[X5TUU]

Panda 4x4 a little bit cool ... I think the OP needs to spend some of the budget on glasses and either the recommended occular correcting surgery and/or glasses

love the 612

[Limpet]

Wow, are 6 year old Transporters really £22.5k?

[gigglebug]

Limpet said:

Wow, are 6 year old Transporters really £22.5k?

I think a lot of these are done as brand new conversions using second hand vans as the shell. The majority of the cost is for the conversion obviously, I can't imagine the vans being that much!!

Edited by gigglebug on Tuesday 26th May 15:02

[gigglebug]

X5TUU said:

Panda 4x4 a little bit cool ... I think the OP needs to spend some of the budget on glasses and either the recommended occular correcting surgery and/or glasses

love the 612

HA ha, maybe you have a point! I did say only a little bit cool though to be fair! There is something to be said about little cars like these that on the face of it don't promise too much but then surprise you with their ability to entertain though. One of the funnest cars we've owned was the Clio automatic bizarrely, you simply stuck your foot to the carpet and kept it there then bombed around like a kid on a go-kart. It loved it!!