Re-jigging the "Fleet"
Discussion
We currently own a Fabia, a Mk4 Mondeo estate and a motorbike.
I really enjoy riding, driving and spannering (the Mondeo does everything well. The Fabia is a shopping trolley. The bike has been fettled to improve handling, as twisty back roads are my interest)
I used to get out on my motorbikes a fair bit and had an interesting commute that could be extended fairly easily.
These days, my commute is 12 miles along the urban motorway, with very little opportunity to weave in some quiet roads on the way back. It's hardly worth getting my bike gear on and off. The weather has also been terrible for the past few years.
Despite my best intentions ("It won't change me"
), family commitments mean little time for playing-out and for the few opportunities to get out I prefer to go mountain biking with my mates.
Other than some commuting and a trip to the IOM, I went out 3 times on the bike this year.
Although I'm still tempted to get a KTM950/990SM, sadly, it makes very little sense for me to keep a bike that is hardly used.
The vague plan is:
Sell bike
Swap the Fabia for a Roomster/other practical small mpv/estate.
Swap the (admittedly excellent handling for a large car)Mondeo for a smaller, more fun car.
The question is, what to replace the Mondeo with?
I no longer do large mileages.
It needn't be as big (Roomster for carting stuff), but it needs to be able to carry children in the back.
Good to drive, enjoyable, steer-with-the-throttle handling (rwd would be nice, but not essential) for brisk back road driving are the priorities. It needn't be a rocket-ship in a straight line, with compliant suspension rather than spine-jarring/teeth-shattering. More tarmac rally than Nurburgring.
An MX5 would be good if it had rear seats.
The GT86 concept appeals, albeit a little small, and costs more than I'm willing to pay.
I also don't want to be concerned about scratching it, due to...
Ability to carry mountain bikes on a rack (The Mondeo estate needs a rack anyway due to the child seats) so that it can be used for interesting drives to mountains.
A 'classic' would be no good due to an unfortunate lack of extensive spannering time.
I really enjoy riding, driving and spannering (the Mondeo does everything well. The Fabia is a shopping trolley. The bike has been fettled to improve handling, as twisty back roads are my interest)
I used to get out on my motorbikes a fair bit and had an interesting commute that could be extended fairly easily.
These days, my commute is 12 miles along the urban motorway, with very little opportunity to weave in some quiet roads on the way back. It's hardly worth getting my bike gear on and off. The weather has also been terrible for the past few years.
Despite my best intentions ("It won't change me"
), family commitments mean little time for playing-out and for the few opportunities to get out I prefer to go mountain biking with my mates. Other than some commuting and a trip to the IOM, I went out 3 times on the bike this year.
Although I'm still tempted to get a KTM950/990SM, sadly, it makes very little sense for me to keep a bike that is hardly used.
The vague plan is:
Sell bike
Swap the Fabia for a Roomster/other practical small mpv/estate.
Swap the (admittedly excellent handling for a large car)Mondeo for a smaller, more fun car.
The question is, what to replace the Mondeo with?
I no longer do large mileages.
It needn't be as big (Roomster for carting stuff), but it needs to be able to carry children in the back.
Good to drive, enjoyable, steer-with-the-throttle handling (rwd would be nice, but not essential) for brisk back road driving are the priorities. It needn't be a rocket-ship in a straight line, with compliant suspension rather than spine-jarring/teeth-shattering. More tarmac rally than Nurburgring.
An MX5 would be good if it had rear seats.
The GT86 concept appeals, albeit a little small, and costs more than I'm willing to pay.
I also don't want to be concerned about scratching it, due to...
Ability to carry mountain bikes on a rack (The Mondeo estate needs a rack anyway due to the child seats) so that it can be used for interesting drives to mountains.
A 'classic' would be no good due to an unfortunate lack of extensive spannering time.
Edited by MC Bodge on Monday 5th November 10:44
v8will said:
I prefer the Yeti but I believe it is more expensive than the Roomster, not sure about actual size difference between them though.
The Roomster seems the better value, better load-carrying option.v8will said:
Some sort of 3 series Coupe to replace the Mondeo?
That seems the obvious choice (a 5 year old 328/330i), although they're more ubiquitous than the Mondeo! Having said that, I'm more interested in being behind the wheel than looking at it.The 3-series is an option, but something else would be preferable.
An RX8 wouldn't be a option.
Any other suggestions?
something RWD
M5, VXR, Camaro, Mustang, Challenger, Charger, 300C SRT8,
All capable family car's with a bit of fun thrown in
Alternatively a sporty SUV such as the Grand Cherokee SRT8? Practical for the snow and bikes yet quick enough to have some fun in.
M5, VXR, Camaro, Mustang, Challenger, Charger, 300C SRT8,
All capable family car's with a bit of fun thrown in
Alternatively a sporty SUV such as the Grand Cherokee SRT8? Practical for the snow and bikes yet quick enough to have some fun in.
Edited by jbi on Sunday 4th November 17:39
until june this year we had a 07 renault clio diesel and a 09 mondeo estate and a 04 r1 . the clio was a 3 door which was a pain for the wife with the kids , and the mondeo was a great car but too big for me commuting by myself. so i had the clio off my wife for my use , which is perfect for me, i px'd the mondeo for a peugeot 308 diesel (i know , but it ticked every box for her) and got an honda s2000 for sunny days ...........
LukeSi said:
Perhaps instead of a roomster get an Octavia VRS estate.
And then a Chimaera or a Cerbera for you fun car.
The Roomster is just an idea. It's probably possible to get something similarly practical for less dosh.And then a Chimaera or a Cerbera for you fun car.
I'd be happy with a Mk1/2 MX5 to fettle, but it would be no use for family duties. We need 2 cars for our jobs and a third, "sunny days only", car would, like the bike, just not get enough use.
wilbo83 said:
jbi said:
Alternatively a sporty SUV such as the Grand Cherokee SRT8? Practical for the snow and bikes yet quick enough to have some fun in.
Can they be had for £9k? If so, I am off to the classifieds, love them.Edited by jbi on Sunday 4th November 17:39
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
jbi said:
something RWD
M5, VXR, Camaro, Mustang, Challenger, Charger, 300C SRT8,
All capable family car's with a bit of fun thrown in
Alternatively a sporty SUV such as the Grand Cherokee SRT8? Practical for the snow and bikes yet quick enough to have some fun in.
No point getting something family-sized and sporty though, he's already getting a practical car. An M3 (E46 or E36 Evo) is the obvious choice really, but with a "no 3-series" rule it's a bit trickier. I think you should be looking at larger hot hatches - practical, pacy, nice to drive and with b-roads as their natural habitat. Focus ST, Astra VXR and Megane R26 would seem good options.M5, VXR, Camaro, Mustang, Challenger, Charger, 300C SRT8,
All capable family car's with a bit of fun thrown in
Alternatively a sporty SUV such as the Grand Cherokee SRT8? Practical for the snow and bikes yet quick enough to have some fun in.
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