Suitable cars for the modern 'English Gentleman'?

[PZR]

I had an interesting conversation with a Japanese work colleague the other day. He asked me what kind of cars the modern 'English Gentleman' would choose to own.

Obviously today's definition of a true 'English Gentleman' is up for debate, but I'm fairly sure it's not what it used to be or what he thinks it is. He wasn't taking the class system of the past into account, and I reckon that today there's a lot more to being a Gentleman than wealth and social status. A certain amount of refined - not to mention restrained - good taste might well be a requisite.

He asked me to cite examples of modern 'English Gentlemen' and what they drive. I honestly couldn't think of anybody in the public eye whom I'd class as my idea of a Gentleman, and I didn't want to tell him that such a man might have a chauffeur / driver.

So what does the modern 'English Gentleman' choose to own and drive? Probably more than just the one vehicle I should think...

[nonuts]

Defender.

[Asterix]

Bristol.

[R11ysf]

Aston.
Everyone from Bond to Prince Charles who you would regard as "a Gentleman" has had one.

[steviegunn]

A Dark Blue or Dark Green Jaguar XF-R?

[VladD]

steviegunn said:

A Dark Blue or Dark Green Jaguar XF-R?

A true English Gentleman wouldn't be seen dead in an XF. They're built to appeal to the Europeans and Yanks. They've completely lost their Englishness. Old XJR or S-Type R is the correct answer.

[McSam]

XJs, Range Rovers in sober colours and trims, Astons, and Bentleys. And happily, any age of the above will work too!

[Pvapour]

FFRR

[Asterix]

R11ysf said:

Aston.
Everyone from Bond to Prince Charles who you would regard as "a Gentleman" has had one.

I agree but the new ones are bordering on being too blingtastic.

Perhaps a 80's V8 Vantage (X-pack, of course) or any of the DBs.

[PZR]

R11ysf said:

Aston.
Everyone from Bond to Prince Charles who you would regard as "a Gentleman" has had one.

I think so too, but which exact model for today's discerning gent? Wouldn't be a white one either, would it?

Come to think of it, does daniel Craig own an Aston?

[RZ1]

[Neil1300R]

R11ysf said:

Aston.
Everyone from Bond to Prince Charles who you would regard as "a Gentleman" has had one.

You've obviously not seen the PH Aston owners when we get together for drinks in Soho! Not very gentlemanly...

[Rouleur]

R11ysf said:

Aston.
Everyone from Bond to Prince Charles who you would regard as "a Gentleman" has had one.

Only old Astons though, ie. proper ones.

I'm struggling to think of any new cars beyond the non-sport Range Rover and the Defender.

[Burnham]

Morgan Aero 8?

[DanDC5]

Subaru Legacy Outback.

A gentleman does not drive something as ostentatious as a Jag or Range Rover

[VladD]

DanDC5 said:

Subaru Legacy Outback.

A gentleman does not drive something as ostentatious as a Jag or Range Rover

That's what a gentleman's wife drives.

[F1GTRUeno]

Rouleur said:

Only old Astons though, ie. proper ones.

I'm struggling to think of any new cars beyond the non-sport Range Rover and the Defender.

The non-sport Range Rover is still a Chelsea Chariot.

[DanDC5]

VladD said:

DanDC5 said:

Subaru Legacy Outback.

A gentleman does not drive something as ostentatious as a Jag or Range Rover

That's what a gentleman's wife drives.

[off_again]

DanDC5 said:

Subaru Legacy Outback.

A gentleman does not drive something as ostentatious as a Jag or Range Rover

Which is never washed, cleaned or valeted in any way. Yet starts every time and doesn't look too out of place in the Polo matches car park.

And when its not the 'baru, its the local private hire taxi - nothing cheap and nasty of course, but something suitably comfortable to waft the gentleman and his wife to and from "occasions" after they have had a drink or ten.

[Mastodon2]