£100K Garage: Andy Craven
Ginetta, MG, Lotus, Mazda, Ducati and - yes! - a Ford Escort RS Turbo - what a way to 'spend' £100K!
Previously owned: BMW M135i, BMW 120d, Citroen Xsara VTR,
Currently owned: Porsche 997 Carrera GTS
On the shortlist: Ferrari 355, Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500, Aston Martin V8 Vantage
Cost: £29,950
Balance: £70,050
Why I chose it: "I'm desperate to go racing and nearly bought a G40R instead of my 997, but bottled it in the end. It might not be everyone's idea for a car in a dream garage, but would tick a lot of boxes for me."
1957 MG MGA Roadster
Cost: £29,995
Balance: £40,055
Why I chose it: "I'm not quite yet 35, but have been hankering after a proper classic car for several years now. Although they're worlds apart, it was a tough call between this and an Aston Martin V8 Vantage. I'm not a fan of drop tops, but on a classic like the MGA it's stunning. With the uprated 1800cc engine, it won't be any slouch either. This would be a car for the old man and me on a sunny Sunday afternoon."
Cost: £16,995
Balance: £23,060
Why I chose it: "Look at it! It's just magnificent and my perfect spec being blue with the cream leather. I'm determined to own one of these, restore it and use it as my pride and joy, I like them that much. I've had my eye on this one for a while now, but find myself having to quickly stop otherwise the temptation might be too much."
1987 Ford Escort RS Turbo
Cost: £12,995
Balance: £10,065
Why I chose it: "I'm an 80s kid and grew up around these at my dad's garage. I still remember him selling mint examples of these for less than £5K...if only we'd have known! For the record, this would get driven and driven hard as well, just like they should be."
Cost: £3,950
Balance: £6,115
Why I chose it: "I remember seeing this on Top Gear when they first arrived and thinking 'one day I'll own one of them.' I can't believe how cheap these things are these days, well I can if you count the oil cost on top. I actually went out in one of these a few weeks ago with a mate who came up from the Cotswolds, he refused to say how much he spent on fuel that weekend..."
1995 Ducati 748 SP
Cost: £5,500
Balance: £615
Why I chose it: "There's an interesting thread on the forums at the moment about the engagement you get from a car and in comparison, a motorbike. I don't mind admitting the thought of riding on the road terrifies me these days, but with the balance of my spends I'd turn this into a track bike. I need to scratch that bike itch and this is the only way I'd do it."
I think I would be too tempted by a DB9 or V8 Vantage over the MG. Though if it has to be classic then it looks great.
Understand the Esprit but The Scort and the Mazda. You could have an Evo I instead or many better alternatives, sucha as a number of TVR's that would be both entertaining and soft or hard topped. However it is a personal choice so....
Seems a shame to take a now rare 748SP with 20k on the clock as a track bike. There is a 999s with fewer miles that would be much better on the track. Or for 3k more an 848 or 1198 which would also help you out on the track. 916 shapes are getting rare though and if it has to be then this is the cheapest way to get one.
However they are very personal choices and would all be much better than your current VW jelly moulds.
Oops! Forgot the Lotus. Always liked the Esprit, and if the Top Gear special is anything to go by, tougher than their reputation.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff