Wednesday 25th May 2016

£100K Garage: Thomas Leary

A strong Italian theme for this dream garage, with one of the maddest hot hatches too

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Name: Thomas Leary
Previously owned: Alfa Romeo Giulietta QV Launch Edition, Renaultsport Megane 225, Skoda Octavia vRS, Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth, Renault 5 GT Turbo, 3x Renault Clio 16v, 2x Vauxhall Nova GSI, Vauxhall Nova SR, Ford Escort 1.6 Cabriolet, Rover 214, 2x Kawasaki ZX6-R, 2x Aprilia RS250, Yamaha YZF 750, Suzuki GSX-R 750, Cagiva Mito 125, Rieju RS1, Kawasaki ZXR400.
Currently owned: Lexus IS F
On the shortlist: "A diesel estate for commuting plus ferrying about the kids and dog, a two-seater toy for summer weekends, a fast saloon or coupe for road trips and year-round use and then a bike or track car if I'm left with enough.

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Renault Clio V6 Phase 1
Cost: £24,990
Balance: £75,010
Why I chose it: "The Phase 1 came out roughly around the time I started learning to drive and was my dream car back then. I have always wanted one and lost out on an eBay auction for one back in 2007 by 150 quid!

"I still think I will buy a V6 one day but they have rocketed in price over the last decade. I prefer the looks of the Phase 1 over the Phase 2 and this is a very low mileage example for a decent price nowadays. Perfect summer toy!"

Alfa 159 JTDM Ti SW
Cost: £11,500
Balance: £63,510
Why I chose it: "Bar the RS6 Avant, this is the best looking estate on the market in my opinion. Alfa Romeo makes gorgeous looking cars and this is definitely one of those. A mean looking front end, gorgeous alloys on the Ti model and a great interior. This would be my diesel commuter and everyday family car with a boot big enough for the pushchair and/or the dog.

"I would have gone for the 2.4-litre diesel, but none are for sale on PH at the moment so 1.9 it is. This example looks the part: black with black leather, full Ti spec and low miles."

Maserati GranTurismo S 4.7 V8
Cost: £52,990
Balance: £10,520
Why I chose it: "Stunning! I really love the look and sound of these, and for the money you can't buy a series car. If I had the £100K now, it would be the first one I would go and buy. This one looks gorgeous in black with the tan leather and I can still fit my two daughters in the back, so it would be usable day to day if needed. I can see my wife and I touring around Europe in one of these if my numbers ever come in."

Ducati 1198
Cost: £9,995
Balance: £525
Why I chose it: "I was always into bikes during my late teens and early 20s, but it's been over seven years since I sold my GSX-R 750 and every summer I get the urge again.

"I've never owned a Ducati but Italians have always made the best looking bikes and cars so it has to be another one in my £100K garage. Ideally I would like a 916/996 (preferably the Senna special edition) but with limited availability (and money!), an 1198 in red with the gold wheels would provide a route back onto two wheels and a few track days too."

[Blackbird425]

I just can't see the appeal of those Clios at all. I've said it before but it's a £25k sheep in wolf's (cheap) clothing.

[smilo996]

Well it has been a while since the last 100K, was beginning to miss them.

Boom, what a garage. We motorcycle riders need to stick together on PH. Gret choice, the last analogue Ducati Superbike and more than enough for the vast majority. Still looks great too. Good price, correct wheel colour, decent exhaust.

Car history a hoot.

Always loved the Clio V6, back when Renault had it's mojo and just brought out cars because they wanted to. Nice car, what's that in the back seat....a V6!

The other two, lovely Italians. With a sports exhaust that GT is still in the top 5 best ever sounding engines and looks great in black.

Great garage.

[Fetchez la vache]

Great list, and was toying with a Clio some years back.. but 25k!
Almost bought a ti estate too..very nice

[WCZ]

Blackbird425 said:

I just can't see the appeal of those Clios at all. I've said it before but it's a £25k sheep in wolf's (cheap) clothing.

rarity and looks!

never driven the mk2 but I drove the mk1 on the track for a few laps and it was awful

[northwestrecover]

I think some people need to learn to drive without all the driver aids switched on and enjoy the car for what it is ,Yes the clio is flawed in lots of places but it isnt slow ,handles ok if driven well ! not to the point where if it goes wrong you dont know how to get it back .Yes its great to get in a dsg golf and just point and squirt but its f**king boring .

[birdcage]

Looking at Clio V6 what is this price all about!

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/r...

[wst]

I like the Clio V6 for it being a car that shouldn't exist, but does... but a Megane R.26 R is equally impractical, wild to look at, and a much better thing to drive... and there's some in the classifieds for ~19k...