£100K Garage: Ben Sloan
From sensible to borderline psycho, PHer Ben Sloan has assembled a fearsome dream fleet
Previously owned: "1978 Austin Mini 1000cc (MoT failure, but used on our farm from age of 13), VW Beetle 1200 (lovely car but painfully slow), Ford Fiesta x2, Citroen Saxo VTR (best fun car I had until the Clio - would do 45mpg no matter how you drive it), Toyota Celica 1.8 VVTi (needed another 100hp, and had to thrash it to get it to go), VW Golf Mk 4 GTi 1.8T (went well in a straight line, but awful handling), Mazda MX-5 Mk3 Sport (very disappointing - bought it new but the gear box came out for repairs four times in the three years I owned it), Renaultsport Clio 172 Cup (only sold it as it was too good to continue to abuse on track)."
Currently owned: "Ford Focus 1.8 (wife's car), VW Passat Estate Sport (Kiddy wagon, so the Sport bit means nothing), Mazda MX-5 Mk1 (1990 model with 66K miles - wonderful car, quite slow but skinny tyres still mean fun is possible. Summer fun only)."
On the shortlist: Too many to list, but must include a TVR, a V8 and a track day toy of some sort. Also a Mk7 Golf R in the next year or so...
Cost: £34,995
Balance: £65,005
Why I chose it: "I know the RS6 is such a cliche but it just ticks so many boxes. Firstly, it is silly fast and with four-wheel drive it's properly planted. You can make some very expensive machinery look silly on a damp or twisty road with one of these (unless they have a pro driver at the wheel).
"Also, look at that colour and those wheels, not to mention the leather - imagine the smell! And it's an Audi so it should be reliable. With a child I need something big and practical so, again, another box ticked. With this car meeting so many of my criteria, it means I can be a little less sensible with the rest.
"Dull choice maybe, but it's just got to be on the list. What's not to like?"
Cost: £7,500
Balance: £57,505
Why I chose it: "Who doesn't want a Land Rover? In 'Farmer Green' it is hugely inconspicuous and can go anywhere. This is to be used on a daily basis on- and off-road.
"OK, it's not the car to drive long distances (and it's going to ruin your right elbow) but that's not what it's about. You can service it yourself if you so wish and it will almost certainly outlive the rest of the fleet as long as you treat the chassis right..
"Being the TD5 engine, it is significantly less agricultural than the older versions. So although nowhere close to luxury, it's much easier to live with."
Cost: £29,999
Balance: £27,506
Why I chose it: "Well just look at it, and imagine what it would sound like.
"I know it's only a kit car, but most people who see these on the road assume they are a kit even if they are the real thing - as such, why not save the money and drive a kit? And being a Dax, it's not some flimsy cheap affair. Rover V8 and Jag running gear - it should be bulletproof.
"It's also a boyhood poster car. That said, it is probably horrible to drive, but that's not what it is about with this car. I'm fulfilling a dream, so that's justification enough. Not a car to take shopping, or anywhere near a tight car park, but see later on for that."
Cost: £26,999
Balance: £507
Why I chose it: "Quite simply, I have always wanted a TVR.
"I originally searched for a Griffith but the good ones are too expensive and the bad ones are just waiting to ruin your day. I had a ride in one of these round Snetterton race circuit many years ago, and fell in love. OK, it's not a V8, but I have the Cobra for that. This would also venture onto track occasionally if I were feeling brave - I might tow it to the track using the RS6 just in case though...
"I know the flip paint is not to everyone's taste, but to me it just looks stunning."
Cost: £500
Balance: £7, enough for a couple of chocolate bars
Why I chose it: I need a scruffy but fun car for supermarket runs and other such mundane duties. This Shed-spec Puma has a wonderful chassis and a decent engine so hopefully won't be too boring. It hould hopefully be reliable as well.
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