RE: £100K Garage: Chris Smith
Tuesday 2nd December 2014
Name: Chris Smith
Previously owned: VW Polo Mk3 coupe, VW Polo Mk4 (first cars, both 'Dub style' as it were), '96 Toyota Starlet Glanza V (sold shortly after discovering insurance costs at 19), '96 Mk4 Polo (temporary shed), '99 Glanza V (now I could afford to run one, but sold just before dropping serious money on the engine in favour of a company car), Kia Venga, Ford Focus, VW Golf Mk6, VW Golf Mk7, Renault Captur - all diesel company cars.
Currently owned: Mini Cooper S F56 (swapped the company car for a car allowance as I wanted something actually fun to drive, the Mini ticks all boxes for me currently, fantastic little car), Triumph Daytona 675R (I'm a biker at heart and this is my favourite bike, so that's one box already ticked!), Honda CBR400RR (first 'big' bike before the Triumph, haven't got the heart to sell it).
On the shortlist: "Nothing in the immediate future. A Porsche 964 coupe is on my list but it seems the increasing values will make that difficult. A track bike is probably next on my list though, preferably a two-stroke."
Mercedes G-Wagen
Cost: £13,995
Balance: £86,005
Why I chose it: "I plan to move to somewhere rural, so would want a capable vehicle to tackle the dirt roads and bad weather and also tow a bike trailer with reasonable road manners. I don't know a great deal about G-Wagens but I've always admired them and this one seems good to me - I only need a three-door, the looks are understated, there's enough power plus room in the back for a couple of dogs. The interior isn't particularly nice, but at least it's RHD."
Porsche 964 C2 Coupe
Cost: £34,995
Balance: £51,010
Why I chose it: "I'd have to. I'm sure we all know these cars are in demand right now, and we can probably argue the prices until the cows come home. For me, it's a realistic dream car, I've lusted after them for years and this particular car is the perfect example. I wouldn't buy it right now but I would if I had £100K in my pocket."
TVR Griffith
Cost: £14,950
Balance: £15,060
Why I chose it: "TVR, V8, convertible. This is the summer evening toy. I like most TVRs, but the Griffith is the first I saw as a kid and it's still such a pretty car. I also need to scratch the V8 itch. This looks a fantastic example for the price and it suits nice summer colours too I think."
Renault 5 GT Turbo
Cost: £3,695
Balance: £1,370 (that can go towards tidying up the Mazda, and a couple other bits on the other cars.)
Why I chose it: "I know there are better, more reliable hot hatches out there, but the R5 is one that's always stuck with me. I almost bought one years ago before buying the Glanza V. It's tough to find one now, they're either overpriced standard cars or cheap modified bangers - this seems a good compromise as there are only a handful for sale."
£100K Garage: Chris Smith
Two German icons, a legendary TVR, a hot hatch hero and more besides in Chris's fantasy garage
Previously owned: VW Polo Mk3 coupe, VW Polo Mk4 (first cars, both 'Dub style' as it were), '96 Toyota Starlet Glanza V (sold shortly after discovering insurance costs at 19), '96 Mk4 Polo (temporary shed), '99 Glanza V (now I could afford to run one, but sold just before dropping serious money on the engine in favour of a company car), Kia Venga, Ford Focus, VW Golf Mk6, VW Golf Mk7, Renault Captur - all diesel company cars.
Currently owned: Mini Cooper S F56 (swapped the company car for a car allowance as I wanted something actually fun to drive, the Mini ticks all boxes for me currently, fantastic little car), Triumph Daytona 675R (I'm a biker at heart and this is my favourite bike, so that's one box already ticked!), Honda CBR400RR (first 'big' bike before the Triumph, haven't got the heart to sell it).
On the shortlist: "Nothing in the immediate future. A Porsche 964 coupe is on my list but it seems the increasing values will make that difficult. A track bike is probably next on my list though, preferably a two-stroke."
Cost: £13,995
Balance: £86,005
Why I chose it: "I plan to move to somewhere rural, so would want a capable vehicle to tackle the dirt roads and bad weather and also tow a bike trailer with reasonable road manners. I don't know a great deal about G-Wagens but I've always admired them and this one seems good to me - I only need a three-door, the looks are understated, there's enough power plus room in the back for a couple of dogs. The interior isn't particularly nice, but at least it's RHD."
All G-Wagens for sale on PH here.
Cost: £34,995
Balance: £51,010
Why I chose it: "I'd have to. I'm sure we all know these cars are in demand right now, and we can probably argue the prices until the cows come home. For me, it's a realistic dream car, I've lusted after them for years and this particular car is the perfect example. I wouldn't buy it right now but I would if I had £100K in my pocket."
Tempted by a 964 too? Browse the classifieds here.
Lancia Delta HF Integrale
Cost: £21,000
Balance: £30,010
Why I chose it: "Probably my second dream car just below the 964. I've loved these since the Sega Rally days, and they're such a rare sight. The garage wouldn't be complete without something 'rally', and the Delta just does it for me. As I already have one red car, this dark green with contrasting leather looks stunning." [Chris's first choice had sold unfortunately so it has been substituted with this slightly more expensive Delta. Definitely not red though.]
Find your own Integrale through the PH Classifieds.
Cost: £14,950
Balance: £15,060
Why I chose it: "TVR, V8, convertible. This is the summer evening toy. I like most TVRs, but the Griffith is the first I saw as a kid and it's still such a pretty car. I also need to scratch the V8 itch. This looks a fantastic example for the price and it suits nice summer colours too I think."
All Griffiths on PH this way!
Mazda RX-7
Cost: £9,995
Balance: £5,065
Why I chose it: "I need something Japanese, and the RX-7 is stunning car in my eyes. I've wanted a rotary car for years too. This looks a good example in a lovely colour and it's close to standard which is important. Just needs a good detail."
Imports, UK cars, standard and modified RX-7s here.
Cost: £3,695
Balance: £1,370 (that can go towards tidying up the Mazda, and a couple other bits on the other cars.)
Why I chose it: "I know there are better, more reliable hot hatches out there, but the R5 is one that's always stuck with me. I almost bought one years ago before buying the Glanza V. It's tough to find one now, they're either overpriced standard cars or cheap modified bangers - this seems a good compromise as there are only a handful for sale."
As Chris says, there aren't many around now. Grab a 5 Turbo while you still can here.
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Discussion
A garage covering the whole spectrum from epic to.......
Not to mention the best list of names in a car history: Glanza, Venga and Captur. Sound like Italian Transformer names.
G Wagon - just no.
Porsche - The 90's 911 with the flatulant, huge and heavy arse. They were all driven by short, bald, divorced men with their own PR business. Just no.
You could have: V8 Vantage, Godzilla 35, M3 with the good 3 letters, V8 Esprit, V12 DB9, Ferrari 348, BMW 2 and 4 series to name but a few.
Integrale - stellar choice. Though there is that lary Martini for another 995 with much lower milage. Though not exactly low profile. Would love an Integrale.
TVR - British V8 TVR and convertible, what is not to like. Shame the Tuscan and Tamora look so aweful from the rear, otherwise.....
RX7- The RX-7 and 8 looked unusual and great. Something completely different than the VW Sports brigade. Good choice. This one looks great and seems in good condition. Even a line of playstation lights atop the steering column.
If I had 5k spare and rode a bike then there are a number of interesting bikes at @that price: 08 Blade, Ducati 999, Honda SP2, 08 Speed Triple, brand new 06 CBR 600RR, MV Brutale, to extend your motorcycling experience up and beyond what you have You have left me as the only person to have a PH motorbike in my 100K garage!!!
Must have been a fun delve and pretty good.
Not to mention the best list of names in a car history: Glanza, Venga and Captur. Sound like Italian Transformer names.
G Wagon - just no.
Porsche - The 90's 911 with the flatulant, huge and heavy arse. They were all driven by short, bald, divorced men with their own PR business. Just no.
You could have: V8 Vantage, Godzilla 35, M3 with the good 3 letters, V8 Esprit, V12 DB9, Ferrari 348, BMW 2 and 4 series to name but a few.
Integrale - stellar choice. Though there is that lary Martini for another 995 with much lower milage. Though not exactly low profile. Would love an Integrale.
TVR - British V8 TVR and convertible, what is not to like. Shame the Tuscan and Tamora look so aweful from the rear, otherwise.....
RX7- The RX-7 and 8 looked unusual and great. Something completely different than the VW Sports brigade. Good choice. This one looks great and seems in good condition. Even a line of playstation lights atop the steering column.
If I had 5k spare and rode a bike then there are a number of interesting bikes at @that price: 08 Blade, Ducati 999, Honda SP2, 08 Speed Triple, brand new 06 CBR 600RR, MV Brutale, to extend your motorcycling experience up and beyond what you have You have left me as the only person to have a PH motorbike in my 100K garage!!!
Must have been a fun delve and pretty good.
crostonian said:
smilo996 said:
Porsche - The 90's 911 with the flatulant, huge and heavy arse. They were all driven by short, bald, divorced men with their own PR business. Just no.
Surely you're confusing the 964 with the later 993??Great garage also!
"Surely you're confusing the 964 with the later 993".
Nope I knew two people who had them and both had the aforementioned characteristics. Not an exhaustive survey obviously but clear evidence of a trend!!!
G-Wagon - for dogs? 14k for a 20 year old car with 200 litres of "dog" space, 156,000 miles on a petrol engine or:
Any number of Range Rovers, Defenders 110 or 90 (3 doors) all from this decade with less than half the milage.
More illogical German love on PH.
Nope I knew two people who had them and both had the aforementioned characteristics. Not an exhaustive survey obviously but clear evidence of a trend!!!
G-Wagon - for dogs? 14k for a 20 year old car with 200 litres of "dog" space, 156,000 miles on a petrol engine or:
Any number of Range Rovers, Defenders 110 or 90 (3 doors) all from this decade with less than half the milage.
More illogical German love on PH.
smilo996 said:
"Surely you're confusing the 964 with the later 993".
Nope I knew two people who had them and both had the aforementioned characteristics. Not an exhaustive survey obviously but clear evidence of a trend!!!
Ian Watkins and Ian Huntley are both filthy paedos - clear evidence of a trend. Just sayin'.Nope I knew two people who had them and both had the aforementioned characteristics. Not an exhaustive survey obviously but clear evidence of a trend!!!
lose the RX7 - why on earth would you drive that with the others on that list?
ditch the G Wagen and get a Defender...
and forget the tin box R5
THEN it makes sense - great choice - exactly the right era 911, right spec, right colour.
What about a daily driver for the sum of the RX7 and the R5? An M5? RS4?
ditch the G Wagen and get a Defender...
and forget the tin box R5
THEN it makes sense - great choice - exactly the right era 911, right spec, right colour.
What about a daily driver for the sum of the RX7 and the R5? An M5? RS4?
Thanks for the mostly good comments guys 
I'm only 24 and as you can see from my car history, I'm picking this garage hypothetically, having not really driven any of them!
A Defender is probably more sensible than the Merc, but I can't explain what it is about the G-Wagen that I adore. It was one of those 2 though, I don't like modern looking 4x4's, or many modern cars in general.
To be honest, I wasn't sure if the £100k garage implies we don't keep our current vehicles, in which case I'd definitely have a Daytona and probably another bike or 2 in there.
The 964 - until I spunk £35k on one and am left feeling broke and disappointed, you won't persuade me otherwise. @ smilo996, sorry bud, none of your suggestions appeal to me, they're just not my type of cars. Maybe the Vantage, but I'd get the roadster and drop the TVR.
I had to have at least one Jap motor though, I grew up in the Playstation Gran Turismo era, so cars like that I've always loved. There's a lot to choose from but I went for the RX7 as it's effortlessly pretty, FR layout, and that crazy wankel motor.
There's not really a motorway mile-muncher in the garage but hey - I'd find a way to avoid it
Cheers, Chris.
I'm only 24 and as you can see from my car history, I'm picking this garage hypothetically, having not really driven any of them!
A Defender is probably more sensible than the Merc, but I can't explain what it is about the G-Wagen that I adore. It was one of those 2 though, I don't like modern looking 4x4's, or many modern cars in general.
To be honest, I wasn't sure if the £100k garage implies we don't keep our current vehicles, in which case I'd definitely have a Daytona and probably another bike or 2 in there.
The 964 - until I spunk £35k on one and am left feeling broke and disappointed, you won't persuade me otherwise. @ smilo996, sorry bud, none of your suggestions appeal to me, they're just not my type of cars. Maybe the Vantage, but I'd get the roadster and drop the TVR.
I had to have at least one Jap motor though, I grew up in the Playstation Gran Turismo era, so cars like that I've always loved. There's a lot to choose from but I went for the RX7 as it's effortlessly pretty, FR layout, and that crazy wankel motor.
There's not really a motorway mile-muncher in the garage but hey - I'd find a way to avoid it
Cheers, Chris.
Edited by smithyithy on Tuesday 2nd December 22:45
Edited by smithyithy on Tuesday 2nd December 22:46
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