£100K Garage: James Lee

GTI, GT-R, Corvette and M5 see to James's by the decades choices

Name: James Lee
Previously owned: Saab 900, Peugeot 406 Coupe, BMW Z4 Coupe, Nissan Qashqai
Currently owned: Audi S4 Avant
On the shortlist: Mercedes C63 AMG estate, Tesla Model S, any V8 mid-engined Ferrari...

70s:Chevrolet Corvette (C3)
Cost: £34,950
Balance: £65,050
Why I chose it: "I've always loved old Corvettes - particularly the C3. Admittedly buying one in the UK doesn't exactly feel like great value, and we're not spoilt for choice, but isn't that the point of a fantasy garage? Though it wouldn't otherwise be my first choice, getting a convertible makes sense alongside the other cars here - it's very much the occasionally sunny summer's day car."

80s:VW Golf GTI Mk1
Cost: £12,490
Balance: £52,560
Why I chose it: "A great combination for a classic choice: practical, reasonably priced and fun. What's not to like? My first memory of being driven at speed as a passenger was by my neighbour in a Mk2 GTI, so owning its older brother would be a trip down memory lane. Also by having just over 100bhp, it's nice to have a car in the garage I could actually drive flat out - unlike the next two!"

90s: BMW M5 (E39)
Cost: £11,995
Balance: £40,565
Why I chose it: "I started off by repeatedly trying to put together a garage with a Ferrari F355, a daily driver that I'd really enjoy using and some decent classics too. I couldn't quite make it work though, so instead went with an E39 M5 as a fun yet sensible daily driver and kid lugger, plus a 2000s sports car in addition. Wood trim wouldn't have been my first choice, but requiring it to be pre-2000 does reduce the options a little..." [Sadly James's first choice of M5 was sold; this is perhaps the best replacement staying in the 90s - MB]

2000s: Nissan GT-R
Cost: £39,990
Balance: £575
Why I chose it: "Once I figured out that I couldn't make Ferraris or Lambos work within budget it was down to this, a 911, or an R8 as my choice for the 2000s - and for me the GT-R is just that little bit more special (and potent!)."