Discussion
I found myself washing four cars this morning and thought I might take a few snaps while I was at it as the fleet will be dwindling to three shortly. Went back through some old photos and found shots of all our family cars from the last few years so thought it might be worth sharing with you chaps. My dad's a massive car fan who took me to my first motor race when I was 3 so decided to include his cars in the fleet as they're invariably a bit better than mine. All photos really low res I'm afraid. Apologies if I ramble...
As the fleet stood in 2002. My little Civic, dad's E36 328i Sport company car, his very newly purchased E46 M3 and mum's E46 330i Touring. We had a month overlap with all three BMWs. He kept the M3 for five and a half years and absolutely adored it.
Once insurance was bearable and I'd finished studying I bankrupted myself with an EP3 CTR which I kept for a couple of years and did 40k miles in without the slightest niggle.
In fact I liked it so much I bought a Final Edition to replace it. I pondered various things but just loved the Civic's ability to dispense with long journeys and also tear around the lanes like a hooligan so hunted out the best one I could find. Again, it was entirely vice-free and I was loath to sell it.
Meanwhile mum's 330i was due for replacement after six happy years and conveniently BMW had just announced their new 3.0L bi-turbo engine. So they went for a total sleeper-specification 335i Touring. It's a phenomenal car which just eats the road up in the most hilariously discrete way.
A few months later and dad was looking for an E46 M3 CS when the dealer called to advise that they'd had a cancellation on the (supposedly 9 month) waiting list for the new E92 M3 and would he be interested. As the arse had just fallen out of the economy, I suspect quite a few cars of that kind probably experienced a similar fate. So he ended up with one of the first E92s into the country from the initial customer batch. He had it for a bit under three years but never really bonded with it like he did with the E46. Pics below are from a little French village called Marcon after we'd landed for a weekend at the 2010 Le Mans Classic.
The Elise also in frame is my beloved and a car I'd promised myself from the age of thirteen when the S1 was first released. I bought it almost two years ago to replace the CTR as an only car, having bought a house with a garage. It never fails to make me smile. It has (touch wood) been faultless during 20k miles during which it has done a couple of quick laps of the full Le Mans circuit, 500 miles in a day back from France, 200 mile round trips around the Yorkshire Dales and every other kind of journey in between.
However, I soon tired of using it every day for work and decided, as I was to be a site-based surveyor for at least a couple of years, that I ought to have something more suited to building site life. So I bought this God-awful Clio from my better half. It was truly woeful, but was so cheap to run that I started saving for something more exciting as a replacement. And in fairness, it was reliable, frugal and great in last winter's snow.
My GF upgraded from the awful Clio to a 1.7 Puma. Being a car enthusiast herself, she fancied something a bit more exciting. It is a fantastic machine and we've had loads of fun in it. The engine is just so willing and the front-end is amazing - the way it darts into corners is remarkable. For something so inexpensive, it is a great little car, but now sadly up for sale. She decided she wanted something newer, better built and more economical. Initially we were looking at Fabia VRSs and Seat Ibiza Cupras but she couldn't get very enthused so we widened the net and came across the previous shape Grande Punto. They did a Sporting variant with the 1.9 Multijet diesel engine. These have got a bit the nice 17" wheels, deeper sills and nice bucket seats, as well as that strong 130bhp engine. Eventually we turned up a lovely Caribbean Orange example which has been something of a revelation. It's surprisingly well-built with a nice broad stance on the road, good visibility, fuel economy and a decent turn of speed when required.
Earlier in the year, I'd felt I'd done my time in the Clio and started looking for something a bit more long-legged and fun. I was initially searching for 205 GTIs, but struggling to find one I liked, when a low-mileage 306 Rallye appeared locally in the classifieds. It'd only done 69k miles, was in good nick and also one of the rarest of the rare in black. I was smitten. It is bags of fun with a compliant ride and that glorious engine which will pull from nothing in the most delightfully seamless manner.
So that's how our fleet looks today.
Back at my parent's house and dad had been busy. Getting fed up of using the BMs for short journeys, carrying the hound and supermarket runs, he invested in this little Suzuki Swift as a run-about. The only photo I have is this one when we went over to Oulton Park in it for the day. It's not terribly exciting but in 1.5L petrol form it's spritely enough and serves its intended purpose perfectly - costing precious little to run and easily transporting dog and shopping in relative comfort.
Buying the Swift meant he could finally indulge in something silly for himself. Having wanted an Aston since he was a child, he'd yearned for a V8 Vantage since the first prototype was shown. After much soul-searching, he decided to trade in the M3 for this V8V. It is just the most exquisite piece of kit. Now we just need some nice weather so we can get back out and enjoy driving again.
Any Yorkshire folk will recognise the B6255 Hawes to Ingleton - 19 miles of unadulterated joy and one of those roads which reminds you of why you fell in love with driving in the first place.
As the fleet stood in 2002. My little Civic, dad's E36 328i Sport company car, his very newly purchased E46 M3 and mum's E46 330i Touring. We had a month overlap with all three BMWs. He kept the M3 for five and a half years and absolutely adored it.
Once insurance was bearable and I'd finished studying I bankrupted myself with an EP3 CTR which I kept for a couple of years and did 40k miles in without the slightest niggle.
In fact I liked it so much I bought a Final Edition to replace it. I pondered various things but just loved the Civic's ability to dispense with long journeys and also tear around the lanes like a hooligan so hunted out the best one I could find. Again, it was entirely vice-free and I was loath to sell it.
Meanwhile mum's 330i was due for replacement after six happy years and conveniently BMW had just announced their new 3.0L bi-turbo engine. So they went for a total sleeper-specification 335i Touring. It's a phenomenal car which just eats the road up in the most hilariously discrete way.
A few months later and dad was looking for an E46 M3 CS when the dealer called to advise that they'd had a cancellation on the (supposedly 9 month) waiting list for the new E92 M3 and would he be interested. As the arse had just fallen out of the economy, I suspect quite a few cars of that kind probably experienced a similar fate. So he ended up with one of the first E92s into the country from the initial customer batch. He had it for a bit under three years but never really bonded with it like he did with the E46. Pics below are from a little French village called Marcon after we'd landed for a weekend at the 2010 Le Mans Classic.
The Elise also in frame is my beloved and a car I'd promised myself from the age of thirteen when the S1 was first released. I bought it almost two years ago to replace the CTR as an only car, having bought a house with a garage. It never fails to make me smile. It has (touch wood) been faultless during 20k miles during which it has done a couple of quick laps of the full Le Mans circuit, 500 miles in a day back from France, 200 mile round trips around the Yorkshire Dales and every other kind of journey in between.
However, I soon tired of using it every day for work and decided, as I was to be a site-based surveyor for at least a couple of years, that I ought to have something more suited to building site life. So I bought this God-awful Clio from my better half. It was truly woeful, but was so cheap to run that I started saving for something more exciting as a replacement. And in fairness, it was reliable, frugal and great in last winter's snow.
My GF upgraded from the awful Clio to a 1.7 Puma. Being a car enthusiast herself, she fancied something a bit more exciting. It is a fantastic machine and we've had loads of fun in it. The engine is just so willing and the front-end is amazing - the way it darts into corners is remarkable. For something so inexpensive, it is a great little car, but now sadly up for sale. She decided she wanted something newer, better built and more economical. Initially we were looking at Fabia VRSs and Seat Ibiza Cupras but she couldn't get very enthused so we widened the net and came across the previous shape Grande Punto. They did a Sporting variant with the 1.9 Multijet diesel engine. These have got a bit the nice 17" wheels, deeper sills and nice bucket seats, as well as that strong 130bhp engine. Eventually we turned up a lovely Caribbean Orange example which has been something of a revelation. It's surprisingly well-built with a nice broad stance on the road, good visibility, fuel economy and a decent turn of speed when required.
Earlier in the year, I'd felt I'd done my time in the Clio and started looking for something a bit more long-legged and fun. I was initially searching for 205 GTIs, but struggling to find one I liked, when a low-mileage 306 Rallye appeared locally in the classifieds. It'd only done 69k miles, was in good nick and also one of the rarest of the rare in black. I was smitten. It is bags of fun with a compliant ride and that glorious engine which will pull from nothing in the most delightfully seamless manner.
So that's how our fleet looks today.
Back at my parent's house and dad had been busy. Getting fed up of using the BMs for short journeys, carrying the hound and supermarket runs, he invested in this little Suzuki Swift as a run-about. The only photo I have is this one when we went over to Oulton Park in it for the day. It's not terribly exciting but in 1.5L petrol form it's spritely enough and serves its intended purpose perfectly - costing precious little to run and easily transporting dog and shopping in relative comfort.
Buying the Swift meant he could finally indulge in something silly for himself. Having wanted an Aston since he was a child, he'd yearned for a V8 Vantage since the first prototype was shown. After much soul-searching, he decided to trade in the M3 for this V8V. It is just the most exquisite piece of kit. Now we just need some nice weather so we can get back out and enjoy driving again.
Any Yorkshire folk will recognise the B6255 Hawes to Ingleton - 19 miles of unadulterated joy and one of those roads which reminds you of why you fell in love with driving in the first place.
There are a lot of cars there that I'd have in an instant (even to the extent of the shopping cars Cheers, chaps. 
I am besotted with the Elise and it more than lives up to my expectations but didn't really enjoy using it every day. Quite apart from anything else, it's very special to me and being the only child/OCD type I'm not relaxed about putting huge mileage on it for mundane driving and don't like leaving it unless I'm happy it's going to be safe. The lack of visibility is a real pain, the headlights are rubbish and it's spooked me a couple of times on standing water. However, now it's released just for weekend work, it is epic. I get really excited about using it and still did 9,000 miles of pure recreation in the last calendar year so it doesn't fester.
This is the view of the startline at Le Mans where it was brilliant chasing the Ferraris and GT3 Porsches.
I am besotted with the Elise and it more than lives up to my expectations but didn't really enjoy using it every day. Quite apart from anything else, it's very special to me and being the only child/OCD type I'm not relaxed about putting huge mileage on it for mundane driving and don't like leaving it unless I'm happy it's going to be safe. The lack of visibility is a real pain, the headlights are rubbish and it's spooked me a couple of times on standing water. However, now it's released just for weekend work, it is epic. I get really excited about using it and still did 9,000 miles of pure recreation in the last calendar year so it doesn't fester.
This is the view of the startline at Le Mans where it was brilliant chasing the Ferraris and GT3 Porsches.
I recognise that place 
You are very correct - awesome road, I live in Ingleton! the first drive I take any new car on, and the first direction I'll head in whenever I get bored at silly times at night. Fabulous road!
Are you anywhere near local to me then?
P.S what a fantastic collection of cars!
You are very correct - awesome road, I live in Ingleton! the first drive I take any new car on, and the first direction I'll head in whenever I get bored at silly times at night. Fabulous road!
Are you anywhere near local to me then?
P.S what a fantastic collection of cars!
Edited by Louisa911 on Sunday 12th December 22:21
Hi Louisa, I live in Leeds actually but enjoy heading out to the Dales for a blast about whenever the opportunity prevails. I was recommended that particular stretch of road by someone on PH. My dad lives the other side of the Pennines, but I thought it might be a nice chance to bond with his new motor, as he was driving up to Pateley Bridge for a weekend away. It’s a spectacular road! You’re very lucky to live around such awesome driving routes. Perhaps we need a PH meet at the pub under the Viaduct – can’t remember what it’s called now…
chevronb37 said:
Hi Louisa, I live in Leeds actually but enjoy heading out to the Dales for a blast about whenever the opportunity prevails. I was recommended that particular stretch of road by someone on PH. My dad lives the other side of the Pennines, but I thought it might be a nice chance to bond with his new motor, as he was driving up to Pateley Bridge for a weekend away. It’s a spectacular road! You’re very lucky to live around such awesome driving routes. Perhaps we need a PH meet at the pub under the Viaduct – can’t remember what it’s called now…
Ahh the Station Inn? What a fab idea for a meet. The car park is huge, often very empty and has some glorious views!Louisa911 said:
chevronb37 said:
Hi Louisa, I live in Leeds actually but enjoy heading out to the Dales for a blast about whenever the opportunity prevails. I was recommended that particular stretch of road by someone on PH. My dad lives the other side of the Pennines, but I thought it might be a nice chance to bond with his new motor, as he was driving up to Pateley Bridge for a weekend away. It’s a spectacular road! You’re very lucky to live around such awesome driving routes. Perhaps we need a PH meet at the pub under the Viaduct – can’t remember what it’s called now…
Ahh the Station Inn? What a fab idea for a meet. The car park is huge, often very empty and has some glorious views!If you can find a 335i for £15k, I wouldn't hesitate. With the exception of a slightly jiggly ride due to the run-flats and sports suspension, it's such a fantastic car. It's actually got a decent growl to it - certainly better than expected and it just launches itself towards the horizon with unrestrained glee. It's not going to worry a 458, but the delivery is so linear and smooth.
I can understand the reservations regarding the wheels - I wasn't sure at first, but they look stunning on the car and work really well with the N400 sills. The car was a dealer-specified model so has all manner of nice options that you'd baulk at paying for if you were specifying yourself. The wheels are a £1,500 extra for example!
Couple of bits waiting to hit the Elise over the winter as well - 6.5" 2bular exhaust and a set of EBC Yellowstuff pads. I'm also looking into the Lotus Sport ECU re-flash to lower the cam change to make the car a bit more driveable.
Philmots - I'll PM you mate!
Couple of bits waiting to hit the Elise over the winter as well - 6.5" 2bular exhaust and a set of EBC Yellowstuff pads. I'm also looking into the Lotus Sport ECU re-flash to lower the cam change to make the car a bit more driveable.
Philmots - I'll PM you mate!
Very good write up - like the choices. My old man has a Lotus Elan S2 in the same blue as your Elise with cream leather - looks the business! I would say it's a shame that it is front wheel drive but it is so much fun, some of the speeds you can carry in to the corners are fantastic and it doesn't break a sweat.
Like you my g/f has a little Puma too - I second what you say for the money they are a fantastic little car and I use any excuse to borrow it! I had a Focus St until recently but for thrills the Puma won hands down - it is more drivable more of the time with little wheel spin and bulk to haul around. The ST was great and made a great noise but you could tell there was a bit 5 cyl lump up front!
I'm in Leeds too fella are you near Rawdon / Airport?
Marc
Like you my g/f has a little Puma too - I second what you say for the money they are a fantastic little car and I use any excuse to borrow it! I had a Focus St until recently but for thrills the Puma won hands down - it is more drivable more of the time with little wheel spin and bulk to haul around. The ST was great and made a great noise but you could tell there was a bit 5 cyl lump up front!
I'm in Leeds too fella are you near Rawdon / Airport?
Marc
Are you thinking tunnel run? Wait until I get the 2bular on...
The Puma is a fantastic little beast. By far the sharpest turn-in of any car I've ever driven. It's like a terrier chasing a rabbit hunting out an apex - brilliant. Considering they're less than a grand now, they can be considered a total bargain. The engine is great too - so free-revving and bags of punch. It isn't as barrel-chested as the GTI-6 unit, but it's perfect for a darty little coupe. Just wish the visibility was better and I actually fitted in the thing. It should have just sold on eBay, rather sadly.
The Puma is a fantastic little beast. By far the sharpest turn-in of any car I've ever driven. It's like a terrier chasing a rabbit hunting out an apex - brilliant. Considering they're less than a grand now, they can be considered a total bargain. The engine is great too - so free-revving and bags of punch. It isn't as barrel-chested as the GTI-6 unit, but it's perfect for a darty little coupe. Just wish the visibility was better and I actually fitted in the thing. It should have just sold on eBay, rather sadly.
Yeah the tunnel under the airport is a bit of a magnet - a friend of mine used to have an Alfa spider 3.0 v6 with decat and quad exit exhaust - (a tasteful one mind) and with the roof down going through there at full chat made your ears tingle!
I think a meet sound like a great idea. Perhaps when not snowing, being icy and dull so we can see the motors!
I think a meet sound like a great idea. Perhaps when not snowing, being icy and dull so we can see the motors!
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff