Thursday 17th July 2014

£100K Garage: Jim Harris

A Japanese feast for Jim, with a BMW oddball and a French hot hatch for good measure

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Name: Jim Harris
Previously owned: Nissan 300ZX TT, Mazda RX-8 (231), Nissan Micra 1.3 Si (track day car...)
Currently owned: Toyota GT86, Toyota MR-S (new track day car)
On the shortlist: "Probably more Japanese cars than most people could stomach but there's something for most occasions in there: practical load-lugger, runabout, practical supercar, impractical supercar, track toy and a roadster. The only thing missing is an off-roader...or MPV. £2,770 left at the end to tidy anything up or some K-Tec bits for the Twingo."

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Nissan GT-R
Cost: £48,995
Balance: £51,005
Why I chose it: "The GT-R is a dream car for someone who grew up with Gran Turismo so it always had a guaranteed place in my list. It had to be a 2011 or later for the 530hp output and they look good in blue."

Don't want a blue one? Search all GT-Rs on PH here.

Honda Integra Type R (DC5)
Cost: £7,995
Balance: £43,010
Why I chose it: "Something to thrash on track days without too much financial penalty for bending it! One of the best FWD cars available and I like the look of the DC5 more than the DC2. Ideally I'd have it in white but there aren't any cheap good'uns around."

Does a fast Honda have to be white? All Integras for sale here.

Honda NSX
Cost: £23,995
Balance: £19,015
Why I chose it: "It's an NSX. This one sounded well looked after and the wheels suit it (though some proper TE37s would be even better). To be used occasionally for junior supercar thrills and hopefully it'll be an appreciating asset in the not too distant future (assuming the thrills don't involve a tree...)."

After your own hopefully appreciating supercar asset? NSXs for sale here.

Renault Twingo 133
Cost: £6,000
Balance: £13,015
Why I chose it: "A little fun runabout for getting to work across town and to the shops."

There aren't many, but you can see every Renaultsport Twingo on PH here.

Subaru Impreza WRX STI Version 5
Cost: £3,995
Balance: £9,020
Why I chose it: "A fast and capable workhorse for long trips and load lugging, plus I like the estate body more than the saloon."

Impreza STIs new and old on offer here.

BMW Z3 M Roadster
Cost: £6,250
Balance: £2,770
Why I chose it: "Needed a convertible in the list somewhere and I've got a soft spot for the Z3 with big flared arches, being an M makes it even better. This was the only one available with the budget I had left!"

Z3 Ms from £6-£20K for sale here.

 

[myhandle]

Good choices - the M Roadster is an absolutely outrageous car to drive. It has absolutely nothing in common with a Z3, and a lot more in common with a TVR Tuscan.

I consider myself a careful and reasonably competent driver who has had very few accidents, and I utterly lost control of my M Roadster twice when I had it, both times managed to keep it on the road. A friend of mine also bought one, and this was the result (she was absolutely fine by the way despite the accident looking horrific):

http://www.wreckedexotics.com/accident/7067?c=mo43...
http://www.wreckedexotics.com/accident/7066?c=mo43...

Edited by myhandle on Thursday 17th July 11:05

Edited by myhandle on Thursday 17th July 11:08

[LukeKerr]

Love the Nissan GT-R - would be in my list for sure.

[smilo996]

Isn't that why they built the M Coupe? better handling and road manners. However the man needs a rag top for pottling on sunny days.

Like the selection though never really saw the NSX as anything special. Seems the design was copied for the Corvette Z01.

[JayUK91]

As a fellow Japanese car fan, I approve. Although, would have certainly chosen an S2K over the BMW.

[Northerndubber]

myhandle said:

Good choices - the M Roadster is an absolutely outrageous car to drive. It has absolutely nothing in common with a Z3, and a lot more in common with a TVR Tuscan.

I consider myself a careful and reasonably competent driver who has had very few accidents, and I utterly lost control of my M Roadster twice when I had it, both times managed to keep it on the road. A friend of mine also bought one, and this was the result (she was absolutely fine by the way despite the accident looking horrific):

http://www.wreckedexotics.com/accident/7067?c=mo43...
http://www.wreckedexotics.com/accident/7066?c=mo43...

Edited by myhandle on Thursday 17th July 11:05

Edited by myhandle on Thursday 17th July 11:08

Wow!! that's insane. Amazed but obviuosly glad that she walked away unhurt

[dukebox9reg]

Northerndubber said:

myhandle said:

Good choices - the M Roadster is an absolutely outrageous car to drive. It has absolutely nothing in common with a Z3, and a lot more in common with a TVR Tuscan.

I consider myself a careful and reasonably competent driver who has had very few accidents, and I utterly lost control of my M Roadster twice when I had it, both times managed to keep it on the road. A friend of mine also bought one, and this was the result (she was absolutely fine by the way despite the accident looking horrific):

http://www.wreckedexotics.com/accident/7067?c=mo43...
http://www.wreckedexotics.com/accident/7066?c=mo43...

Edited by myhandle on Thursday 17th July 11:05

Edited by myhandle on Thursday 17th July 11:08

Wow!! that's insane. Amazed but obviuosly glad that she walked away unhurt

On a straight bit of road.....bit of lead footing going on?

Is quite impressive ripping the front end completely off the back end.

[myhandle]

dukebox9reg said:

On a straight bit of road.....bit of lead footing going on?

Is quite impressive ripping the front end completely off the back end.

I wasn't there, but apparently it happened very suddenly. She's not a bad driver either and had no problems with the Maserati GranSport that replaced the M Roadster, for example.

My experience with my M Roadster was that it it extremely easy to turn the car in its own length while starting from stationary, without even using full revs. That sort of responsiveness is very amusing, and it's a good handling car, but with tons of power and a short wheelbase, you can get yourself into all sorts of trouble. It is a good car though, but you just need to be super careful. Completely different to any Z3, and completely different to an E36 or E46 M3. Wild!

[anonymous-user]

That is good going. The S52 engined versions had no traction control, either.

Those prices for the low mileage examples. Jokers.

[Otispunkmeyer]

La Liga said:

That is good going. The S52 engined versions had no traction control, either.

Those prices for the low mileage examples. Jokers.

I know. Just looked at M Coupes as well, one is up for nearly £15k with over 100k miles on it.

[irocfan]

I can sort of see where you're coming from but just like mine was too 'merkin for most yours is too Japanese for me, that being said I'd still not object to a couple of occasional play with some of your toys!

[Oz83]

Some great choices there, but an Impreza STI for long journeys? The fuel bills would see to that £2770

[HowardB]

I would have a GB270 Impreza Wagon at the drop of a hat,.. I did over 600,000 miles in WRX wagons, great all weather cars, including many "snow closed roads", fantastic drives. Fuel - pah,..... more Optimax,... less beer

[iwantcheese5]

JayUK91 said:

As a fellow Japanese car fan, I approve. Although, would have certainly chosen an S2K over the BMW.

I was considering the S2000 over the Z3 M but I thought two 2xxbhp Hondas was enough in the list already...the BMW is a bit more unusual and the straight 6 sound would be great with the top down!

[chungasarnies]

Great list. Was looking at that very NSX the other day. So much want.