I don't think they make the car I want

[DickDasterdly]

Looking for some recommendations from PH-ers.

I am very reluctantly selling my much loved AMG C63 coupe https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

It has to go because is doesn't get enough use. Having just had most of the a/c (condenser) replaced, has tipped me over the edge. My dealer was pretty clear that it was lack of use that dried out the seals and did for the condenser. £1,200 later. . .

I also blame my daughter. She works for BMW Motorrad and through her I get a new BMW bike every 5 months for about half the normal PCP cost. This makes commuting on a bike a no-brainer. In fact I have ridden to work through the last 2 winters on my relatively short 30m round trip. There were some snowy mornings when a bike with knobblies was the sensible choice over the C63. However, on the few days with standing snow or sheets of ice, the security of 4 wheels beckons.

One of my route choices to works is essentially a dirt track - not really an option in the C63 either. So I began to think about the spec for my next car: Fast, good off-road, get away from the whole fear of car park door dings, kerbing 19" rims, regular cleaning etc. Creature comforts aren't that important when your other option is a bike. I guess my ideal recipe would be something that looked like a Tamiya RC car with a C63 engine. My first crack at matching actual motor to spec. came up with an Ariel Nomad. However, 'er outdoors wouldn't concede that something without a windscreen or roof is actually a car. So it's back to the drawing board.

What would you recommend?

[James_B]

Ariel Nomad.

[Butter Face]

James_B said:

Ariel Nomad.

Er, I think he mentioned that.

[snake_oil]

Bowler Wildcat.

G55?

GLC63?

X6M?

[Gareth1974]

Butter Face said:

James_B said:

Ariel Nomad.

Er, I think he mentioned that.

You can actually spec a Nomad with lights, windscreen (and washers), and a kind of body - look at the (sold) Nomad 300 on the Ariel Website, about half-way down the page http://www.arielmotor.co.uk/used/used/

Edited by Gareth1974 on Saturday 16th June 23:01

[ZX10R NIN]

I'd say one of these fits the bill they still have a decent amount of tyre & go isn't an issue:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[James_B]

Butter Face said:

Er, I think he mentioned that.

He did, but in the rest of his post he described one exactly.

[MissChief]

Range Rover SVR?

[caelite]

What you need is a Nissan Juke Nismo RS.

Sorry, I meant MX5.

[blearyeyedboy]

Not one I'd usually recommend in a What Car discussion, but if Sir has the means, has Sir considered the rather esoteric charms of the Ford Motor Company's F150 Raptor?

If you can't have a Tamiya-like RC Car resembling a Baja Buggy (á la Ariel Nomad) because of the lack of windows, you could at least have a "car" resembling a Tamiya-like Dakar racer.

It has windows and lights and indicators and air conditioning and cupholders and rear seats and... and you get the idea.

(edit: On a lower budget, I'd agree with the poster above me and go for a Juke Nismo RS.)

[Google [bot]]

I’d recommend you get an old Forester STI. It’s no Nomad but it’ll do everything you want.

[AlexiusG55]

I have no idea how/if you could get one to the UK, or if RHD is an option, or even if they are still made, but the Rally Fighter exists.

[DickDasterdly]

Good stuff fellas - thanks - keep them coming!

Some new ideas to me there. The Bowler looks perfect but - ££££! I'm also thinking ex-rally/road legal. Although I guess that could be a bit of a minefield. And like the Bowler - I guess you would end up thinking it would have to be raced.

[grumbledoak]

[SydneyBridge]

https://www.classicdriver.com/en/car/lancia/strato...

https://www.listerbell.com/for-sale

Edited by SydneyBridge on Sunday 17th June 19:23

[DickDasterdly]

So I actually did it. Once I had a quick blast around the Somerset lanes that was it. Two year waiting list for a new Atom or Nomad, but they just happened to be selling this one (some of you may have seen it as Goodwood FoS).

https://i.imgur.com/KIPxHvn.jpg

Any tips on embedding an image?!

Edited by DickDasterdly on Monday 10th September 16:56

[Butter Face]

DickDasterdly said:

So it's back to the drawing board.

Where some git has drawn a picture of a Nomad

Great purchase, looks fantastic. Get a supercharger

[S100HP]

DickDasterdly said:

So I actually did it. Once I had a quick blast around the Somerset lanes that was it. Two year waiting list for a new Atom or Nomad, but they just happened to be selling this one (some of you may have seen it as Goodwood FoS).

https://i.imgur.com/KIPxHvn.jpg

Any tips on embedding an image?!

Edited by DickDasterdly on Monday 10th September 16:56

Awesome! Can you video your commute please?

[caelite]

DickDasterdly said:

So I actually did it. Once I had a quick blast around the Somerset lanes that was it. Two year waiting list for a new Atom or Nomad, but they just happened to be selling this one (some of you may have seen it as Goodwood FoS).



Any tips on embedding an image?!

Edited by DickDasterdly on Monday 10th September 16:56

You pop little bits of text at each side of the url like this: [ímg]...[/ímg] without the accent on the i of course.
Looks awesome though.

Edited by caelite on Monday 10th September 17:17

[DickDasterdly]

Yay. Thanks - there it is!

(Good job I didn't admit my day job is running a digital agency. . . )