: Peugeot 309 Style, Mk3 Astra 1.4, Alfa GTV V6, Panda 100HP, Mercedes 190E 2.0
: "Another 190E - the previous I owned for a mere three months before it was written off, sadly.
"There comes a point in a man's life when style becomes a secondary consideration. In this age of well-manicured beards, jeggings and gym memberships, I seem to be hastily heading towards middle-age in the kind of determined, loping and decaying way first made famous by George A Romero. Perhaps a mid-life crisis is in order. What better way to spend £100K?"
Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R
Cost: £11,999
Balance: £88,001
Why I chose it: "Obvious, really. There's something about Godzilla. Besides the incredible performance, technology and history, I really like the no nonsense styling. I'd prefer one in gunmetal grey, but this one looks like it's been well looked after and is relatively stock - which is how I'd like to keep it."
Mazda RX-7
: "The other one being the Skyline, this is my unicorn. I came so close to buying one of these some years back but back pedalled at the last moment. Obviously, prices have since doubled so I've always harboured some regret. Probably the best looking modern car to come out of Japan in my opinion, and this one looks like it hasn't been messed with too much. Really, if I could one day own an R32 GT-R or an RX-7, I'd die a happy man."
Maserati Quattroporte
Cost: £17,950
Balance: £58,056
Why I chose it: "Need something smart, Italian and with a V8. This seems to tick all boxes. Ferrari derived engine in something under £18K? Yes, please. And I prefer the looks of this over the latest generation. Really seems cheap, though, so I expect something may go wrong, but it'll be fun up until that point!"
BMW E34 M5
: "For when the Maserati goes wrong. I've always preferred the M5 over the M3 looks wise and this one, in blue, is just right. These older BMWs have an understated elegance that is missing from the modern alternatives I think. Plus there's a BMW straight six. The miles are relatively high but, the way I see it, there's no point in getting anything you're too worried about to enjoy."
Classic Mini Cooper
Cost: £7,495
Balance: £35,566
Why I chose it: "A proper Mini. The new ones are fun to drive but (to me) they just miss the mark styling wise. And they're not small. Anyway, when I first started driving, a mate had a silvery blue thing with side-skirts, big arches and minilites. It was gorgeous. I wish I had picked one up when they were a few hundred quid. They're certainly not that cheap now! This looks like a nice example to use to pop to the shops in."
Subaru Impreza Turbo Wagon
: "Not quite done with my turbo-Jap-nutter machines, I needed something to use in the winter and for general runs to Ikea. I know I could go for a Legacy or a Forester for more practicality, but this has roof bars, doesn't it? I don't know too much about Subarus but this looks like it has been well looked after mechanically and it's relatively subdued (looks-wise) to not attract too much attention. Love that burble." [Unfortunately this wagon was sold and a replacement couldn't be found for similar money. Search all Impreza estates for sale on the PH Classifieds
here
VW camper T5
Cost: £21,995
Balance: £9,576
Why I chose it: "Mid-life crisis over, and not wanting to spend £20K on a classic camper van, this is a place to live when the remaining £9,576 used to rebuild rotary engines and pay for Maserati oil changes runs out. This one is a bit cheaper than some of the other examples I could find and comes with a bunch of extra camping goodies to make homelessness a bit more bearable. Chemical toilets for the win!"