RE: £100K Garage: Jake Pocock
Friday 16th January 2015
Name: Jake Pocock (R2T2)
Previously owned: Ford Ka
Currently owned: Fiat Grande Punto T-Jet
On the shortlist: BMW 335i, Jaguar E-Type, Honda NSX, Audi RS6, Abarth Grande Punto, A45 AMG, RX7, Octavia VRS, CLS55 AMG
Abarth Punto Evo
Cost: £13,489
Balance: £86,511
Why I chose it: "The other half's daily. I have a Grande Punto T-Jet which shares the same engine and has a similar platform as this, except it has a better interior with Alfa's DNA system. It's the sort of car that you can park in a supermarket and not worry about it, and it won't draw too much unwanted attention. But if you want to it can be a great hoon-mobile (if my T-Jet with much less power is anything to go by) Ever since I bought mine my girlfriend's constantly asking me if she can drive it and when she does it's err.. startling! But a joy to watch. She loves mine, this is the ultimate expression of it, and being in black with the multi-spoke wheels it's a more left field option compared to the Abarth 500."
BMW 335i
Cost: £14,150
Balance: £72,361
Why I chose it: My daily driver, and the load lugger/tip wagon. I need something practical for work, and wanted something very discreet to most but obvious to those who know about them. I also wanted something that could make me smile on an otherwise boring commute to work/extended journey. My initial thought was the 335i. BMW have always been onto something with the 3.0-litre six-pot engines, and with two turbos it would certainly makes for a rapid commuter tool. I chose this one because it's in my favourite BMW colour, Le Mans Blue, and it's a Touring which I particularly wanted. It's also done fairly few miles at 54k as most of them seem to be not far from 100K. (I would actually consider this one as a real purchase, but sadly the house fund is currently more important!).
Porsche 911 GT3
Cost: £69,995
Balance: £2,366 (should cover a few track days and associated expenses!)
Why I chose it: "I know it might seem the obvious choice, but bear with me here! It's a manual, It's not the RS so it's not apocalyptically expensive, which also means it can be used on the road should the desire for a drive arise. The seatbelts may clash with some shirts but I think they're cool. I don't know why manufacturers don't offer coloured seatbelts. It's instantly recognisable as a GT3 and doesn't seem to be too intimidating for track days, which is a great plus!"
£100K Garage: Jake Pocock
A Punto Abarth and a BMW 335i can deal with the sensible stuff, then there's a GT3 for fun!
Previously owned: Ford Ka
Currently owned: Fiat Grande Punto T-Jet
On the shortlist: BMW 335i, Jaguar E-Type, Honda NSX, Audi RS6, Abarth Grande Punto, A45 AMG, RX7, Octavia VRS, CLS55 AMG
Cost: £13,489
Balance: £86,511
Why I chose it: "The other half's daily. I have a Grande Punto T-Jet which shares the same engine and has a similar platform as this, except it has a better interior with Alfa's DNA system. It's the sort of car that you can park in a supermarket and not worry about it, and it won't draw too much unwanted attention. But if you want to it can be a great hoon-mobile (if my T-Jet with much less power is anything to go by) Ever since I bought mine my girlfriend's constantly asking me if she can drive it and when she does it's err.. startling! But a joy to watch. She loves mine, this is the ultimate expression of it, and being in black with the multi-spoke wheels it's a more left field option compared to the Abarth 500."
All Abarth Puntos on PH here.
Cost: £14,150
Balance: £72,361
Why I chose it: My daily driver, and the load lugger/tip wagon. I need something practical for work, and wanted something very discreet to most but obvious to those who know about them. I also wanted something that could make me smile on an otherwise boring commute to work/extended journey. My initial thought was the 335i. BMW have always been onto something with the 3.0-litre six-pot engines, and with two turbos it would certainly makes for a rapid commuter tool. I chose this one because it's in my favourite BMW colour, Le Mans Blue, and it's a Touring which I particularly wanted. It's also done fairly few miles at 54k as most of them seem to be not far from 100K. (I would actually consider this one as a real purchase, but sadly the house fund is currently more important!).
Saloon, Touring, Coupe, Cabrio, manual and automatic 335is this way.
Cost: £69,995
Balance: £2,366 (should cover a few track days and associated expenses!)
Why I chose it: "I know it might seem the obvious choice, but bear with me here! It's a manual, It's not the RS so it's not apocalyptically expensive, which also means it can be used on the road should the desire for a drive arise. The seatbelts may clash with some shirts but I think they're cool. I don't know why manufacturers don't offer coloured seatbelts. It's instantly recognisable as a GT3 and doesn't seem to be too intimidating for track days, which is a great plus!"
Sadly £70K is about as cheap as 997 GT3s are now. See them all here.
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Discussion
I think the point in the punto is that based on current and previous cars owned, this is close to the drivers experience of cars, where the 335i sounds like a realistic leap one day (post house purchase) and the Gt3, is a dream machine.
Good effort at the garage. I like the BMW and the Gt3, however if I was looking for something equal in fun terms for the run around, I'd prefer a mini cooper s and some extra boost.
Cheers,
Steven_RW
Good effort at the garage. I like the BMW and the Gt3, however if I was looking for something equal in fun terms for the run around, I'd prefer a mini cooper s and some extra boost.
Cheers,
Steven_RW
Thanks for all of your comments!
The Abarth is mainly for the OH as she likes my Grande Punto T-Jet (which has similar platform) and this is the best one of it. I'm not too keen on the A500's but can appreciate what a great car it is. Especially the 595 Biposto
The Panda's a great car, and I did think about it, but I prefer the power delivery of a turbocharged car for the daily hack.
The Abarth is mainly for the OH as she likes my Grande Punto T-Jet (which has similar platform) and this is the best one of it. I'm not too keen on the A500's but can appreciate what a great car it is. Especially the 595 Biposto
The Panda's a great car, and I did think about it, but I prefer the power delivery of a turbocharged car for the daily hack.
Good choice. GT3 prices are very strong.
Regarding GT3s, Ex 997 GT3 cup racers can be had for £55-£60k, is there any mileage buying one of these and having them modified to pass SVA and turned into a road car?
Modifications would need little more ride height and compliant suspension, full roll cage and LHD would be compromises plus the sequential box. Or would it simply be too raw and uncompromised for any road driving?
Regarding GT3s, Ex 997 GT3 cup racers can be had for £55-£60k, is there any mileage buying one of these and having them modified to pass SVA and turned into a road car?
Modifications would need little more ride height and compliant suspension, full roll cage and LHD would be compromises plus the sequential box. Or would it simply be too raw and uncompromised for any road driving?
Wasting 2/3 on the fat arsed Frog, mmmm
However Punto and BKMW good choices though:
"I have a Grande Punto T-Jet which shares the same engine and has a similar platform as this, except it has a better interior with Alfa's DNA system."
So your other half gets the one with the crappy interior then!!???!!
Not going to get the Porka then are you.
Punto an interesting and stealthy choice. BMW solid and a great engine. Looks nice too.
However Punto and BKMW good choices though:
"I have a Grande Punto T-Jet which shares the same engine and has a similar platform as this, except it has a better interior with Alfa's DNA system."
So your other half gets the one with the crappy interior then!!???!!
Not going to get the Porka then are you.
Punto an interesting and stealthy choice. BMW solid and a great engine. Looks nice too.
British Beef said:
Good choice. GT3 prices are very strong.
Regarding GT3s, Ex 997 GT3 cup racers can be had for £55-£60k, is there any mileage buying one of these and having them modified to pass SVA and turned into a road car?
Modifications would need little more ride height and compliant suspension, full roll cage and LHD would be compromises plus the sequential box. Or would it simply be too raw and uncompromised for any road driving?
Sequential box whirring and no sound deadening on a road car - no thanks Regarding GT3s, Ex 997 GT3 cup racers can be had for £55-£60k, is there any mileage buying one of these and having them modified to pass SVA and turned into a road car?
Modifications would need little more ride height and compliant suspension, full roll cage and LHD would be compromises plus the sequential box. Or would it simply be too raw and uncompromised for any road driving?
I went from T-Jet Sporting to Abarth Grande Punto and it was/still is a lot more fun and different that I expected at the time! Only got the 150 Bhp rather than the SS version though, still great fun and 0-62 in 7.8 in Sports mode. The mid range from the turbo means it has pretty good acceleration in most gears though! Good daily choice (if I am a little biased)
British Beef said:
Regarding GT3s, Ex 997 GT3 cup racers can be had for £55-£60k, is there any mileage buying one of these and having them modified to pass SVA and turned into a road car?
Modifications would need little more ride height and compliant suspension, full roll cage and LHD would be compromises plus the sequential box. Or would it simply be too raw and uncompromised for any road driving?
Yes. It would be pointless. The road version would be faster in the real world on real roads. It would cost a fortune to convert it when you can buy a road one for this money. For a track day car, yes. Road car it is not.Modifications would need little more ride height and compliant suspension, full roll cage and LHD would be compromises plus the sequential box. Or would it simply be too raw and uncompromised for any road driving?
Nice collection, probably the most real world 100k garage yet.
Having driven a Punto recently I must say... I did not like it at all. Wobbly and rubbery like no other supermini I've tried, steering ridiculously light and gearshifts were like rowing through a bucket of water, absolutely no feel. Also the petrol engine had no torque whatsoever.
Other superminis I've driven include a '04 Ibiza diesel and a '09 Vauxhall Corsa, the Ibiza being the best in terms of steering and gearbox responses, but with a horrible engine noise, and the Corsa feeling more substancial than the Punto, while still feeling quite vague.
Other superminis I've driven include a '04 Ibiza diesel and a '09 Vauxhall Corsa, the Ibiza being the best in terms of steering and gearbox responses, but with a horrible engine noise, and the Corsa feeling more substancial than the Punto, while still feeling quite vague.
Very well chosen garage, the BMW and the Porsche would be on my list too, albeit in 996 GT3 form and a 335d.
Personally I'm not a fan of the Punto, but I can see your reasoning behind it. If I needed a new(ish) hot hatch for that sort of money I think I'd sink my cash into one of these ;
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...
Personally I'm not a fan of the Punto, but I can see your reasoning behind it. If I needed a new(ish) hot hatch for that sort of money I think I'd sink my cash into one of these ;
http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/f...
Sampaio said:
Having driven a Punto recently I must say... I did not like it at all. Wobbly and rubbery like no other supermini I've tried, steering ridiculously light and gearshifts were like rowing through a bucket of water, absolutely no feel. Also the petrol engine had no torque whatsoever.
Other superminis I've driven include a '04 Ibiza diesel and a '09 Vauxhall Corsa, the Ibiza being the best in terms of steering and gearbox responses, but with a horrible engine noise, and the Corsa feeling more substancial than the Punto, while still feeling quite vague.
Punto's have had electric steering for years, thus the lightness, if you drive a 1.2 or even a 1.4 16v then it is slow, drive the Turbocharged versions it's completely different. if it's the 6spd 'box then they were known for bad bushings, the 5sp (normal action, no lift to reverse) were fine.Other superminis I've driven include a '04 Ibiza diesel and a '09 Vauxhall Corsa, the Ibiza being the best in terms of steering and gearbox responses, but with a horrible engine noise, and the Corsa feeling more substancial than the Punto, while still feeling quite vague.
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