Wednesday 4th May 2016

£100K Garage: Harry Gravett

A simple but rather stylish two-car fleet for PHer Harry's £100K

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Name: Harry Gravett
Previously owned: Nothing yet!
Currently owned: "I'm 17 and I don't drive yet, unfortunately"
On the shortlist: "Ferrari 360, 550 or 355, Porsche 911 Cabriolet, any Speed 6 TVR"

Ferrari 360 Spider F1
Cost: £72,995
Balance: £27,005
Why I chose it: "I have always loved the 360, and in my opinion, it looks better with age. I would perhaps have preferred a F355, however the prices are beginning to go a little mad. And I'm not sure how much I would realistically trust a sub-£80K one now as they are getting older. The 550 is also going crazy now, and the 360 is slowly creeping up. Being the newest of the three, the 360 is the least expensive and I suspect this car is a solid investment too. I chose this particular one because I think the black paint really complements the tan interior and shows off this car's beautiful design. I do like red ones, however this looks classy and quite discreet which is nice. In addition to this, I have always liked the split rims this car has."

TVR T350
Cost: £26,995
Balance: £10
Why I chose it: "I think the T350 is one of the prettiest TVRs, and it is certainly a very rare car. Prices have never really dipped too low and I feel as though this car is another solid investment. With the new TVR coming very shortly, prices are sure to increase soon. The choice, for me, was between a Tuscan and a T350 - I would have liked a T350T as they are even rarer, and I will take anything without a roof. However, there are no Ts in the classifieds right now. I particularly like this example as the colour works well with the simple, elegant design."

[dannymullered]

Buying cars because they're (potentially) a good investment. :-(

[Tuvra]

That's my old TVR

[QBee]

Surprisingly good taste for 17 year old yoof.....well done young sir.

And yes, what's wrong with zero depreciation as a side-effect?
Its the biggest single cost of ownership of almost any modern car under £100,000.

[MR_STILAN]

too similar, they will both break down by then end of the year

[Tuvra]

MR_STILAN said:

too similar, they will both break down by then end of the year

I thought the same thing. There's no way you'd cope with them as your only vehicles

[smilo996]

Well, it restores a little faith in "millenials" though the comments about investments allude to a sad obsession.

You might need a daily driver as well to use when these are in the garage!


However good taste and well argued. The Force is strong with this one......

[griffsomething]

Tuvra said:

I thought the same thing. There's no way you'd cope with them as your only vehicles

Ah, I have a Griffith as my sole car and... Well, actually I did cycle in today cos it was making a dodgy noise come to think of it. I see your point...

[QBee]

Depends what your daily drive is, and how many times a week you commute.
I am nearing retirement age, so still need a sensible hack for 25,000 miles a year.
But I use my TVR Chimaera when not on business, and soon could could be very happy with it as my only car, especially if my wife continues to run the sensible Saab estate for dog/grandchild/longhaul etc duties.
It certainly was a whole load of fun around Cadwell Park yesterday evening.

1. still19inside

[soad]

Rather have a Gallardo than 360 myself.

[Lordbenny]

Those Fezzas are unbelievably slow....

[ducnick]

Young chap. No kids. No Labrador. Doesn't need a Range Rover or fast Audi so fair play.
To choose a couple of future classics with low to zero depreciation is an inspired move if your annual mileage is low. Personally I would go for the Ferrari 550 at any cost and supplement with a cheaper tvr for the daily..... The 550 is on the rise for a reason! Last of its lineage being a manual v12 without the tech.

[Leggy]

At 17 why choose anything sensible!
Love the TVR, would be interested to know what they are like reliability wise?

[QBee]

Leggy said:

At 17 why choose anything sensible!
Love the TVR, would be interested to know what they are like reliability wise?

If you get one that has had an engine rebuild (most have now, the factory sourced inferior parts early on), and drive it regularly, they are surprisingly reliable. Don't drive it for weeks on end and it tends not to like it.

[Axionknight]

Tuvra said:

That's my old TVR

that is lovely.

[Tuvra]

Leggy said:

At 17 why choose anything sensible!
Love the TVR, would be interested to know what they are like reliability wise?

It would get very, very tiresome as a dailly driver.

It got on my tits and it was a 2nd/3rd car for me. TVR drivers will defend them, but you can't help but wince and prey when you go to jump in one. I have accessed that very car via the boot for example because the bd alternator collapsed....

[405dogvan]

dannymullered said:

Buying cars because they're (potentially) a good investment. :-(

We should really ban the concept - almost no car is a 'good financial investment' and it's just better if we stop thinking about that aspect of it.

As for daily drivers, you'd struggle to choose 2 less practical cars for that - tho at least using the Ferrari would reduce issues with it (and it's value at a hell of a rate!!)

[Mr Alex]

Really refreshing to see another with only a couple of cars in it (my £100k garage was another). Fewer and higher quality is definitely more in my book!

[Martin_Hx]

Good choice, One loud hard top, one loud convertible... whats not to like!

[RobST170]

2 cars, job jobbed. Good job.

[TomEP]

405dogvan said:

We should really ban the concept - almost no car is a 'good financial investment' and it's just better if we stop thinking about that aspect of it.

As for daily drivers, you'd struggle to choose 2 less practical cars for that - tho at least using the Ferrari would reduce issues with it (and it's value at a hell of a rate!!)

Why should we ban it?

I work hard, why do I want to spank a load of money on a car that depreciates barrell loads, particularly in the context of older sports cars like these. Any gains you make are also tax free...