RE: £100K Garage: Martyn Banham
Wednesday 11th June 2014
Name: Martyn Banham
Previously owned: Ford Sierra, Nissan Almera, Ford Focus Mk2, Audi TT quattro Sport
Currently owned: BMW E39 M5, Ford Focus Mk1
On the shortlist: "Jaguar X351 XJL, BMW 730d, BMW 760iL, Honda Legend, Caterham Superlight, Ginetta G4, Ginetta G50, Porsche 997 C2, Maserati Gran Turismo, TVR Cerbera, TVR T350C.
Porsche Panamera 4S
Cost: £45,995
Balance: £54,005
Why I chose it: "Waft. As I have been discovering, there's nothing quite like a V8 barge to crush long motorway slogs with disdain, and the Panamera has long held my affection as the perfect tool for getting from A to B in comfort. It was hard to ignore the XJL Supersport, which has arguably more class and unarguably better styling, but a Panamera is a rare sight, and I prefer the driving position and dashboard of the German machine. This particular car has a beautiful scheme inside (shown on the dealer's own website), and doesn't have small sidewalls and big wheels (a mere 19-inch, ahem). I did consider the diesel for the much better range, but I'd sorely miss an eight cylinder soundtrack."
Toyota Hilux D4D
Cost: £13,750
Balance: £40,255
Why I chose it: "Winter Workhorse. This smart, one-owner Hilux offers enormous breadth and depth of capability, taking on all the jobs, and it can tackle the worst of any winter. A far more presentable choice than many an L200; it won't look out of place at a building site or in the Goodwood paddock. A relative has a similar Hilux and it has been faultless in over seven years of hard service, and it tows large loads with ease. This one has a hardtop and towball already fitted, which will be very handy because it will be pulling a trailer with this:"
Ginetta G40R
Cost: £25,500
Balance: £14,755
Why I chose it: "Weekend Warrior. Ever since I first laid eyes on it, I've fancied the pretty little G40R. It's a track toy that ticks all the boxes - light so it won't eat tyres and brakes; excellent chassis, dependable mechanicals, and yet could be enjoyed on the road at the weekend. Just that bit more usable for year-round track work than the obvious choice of a Caterham. This car also offers plenty of potential for stepping up from track days into racing. In fact I did consider a G50 GT4 I stumbled across in the classifieds, but that would be an accident waiting to happen - we must learn to walk before we run."
Mazda MX-5
Cost: £6,450
Balance: £8,305
Why I chose it: "Woman's Wheels. OK, that's a bit of a lie - I had to include a convertible, and the reliable thrills of an MX-5 are very hard to beat. There's nothing quite like the stress-free bliss that comes from a cheap, reliable sports car. The other half may find the keys missing quite often. This example looks well cared for, there's a year's MoT as well and it even has a hard-top. The 2.0 engine gives plenty of punch and offers an extra gear ratio over the 1.8. I'd prefer it in Copper Red but the colour is less important than the condition."
£100K Garage: Martyn Banham
Martyn's choices come courtesy of the letter 'W'. Read on to find out more...
Previously owned: Ford Sierra, Nissan Almera, Ford Focus Mk2, Audi TT quattro Sport
Currently owned: BMW E39 M5, Ford Focus Mk1
On the shortlist: "Jaguar X351 XJL, BMW 730d, BMW 760iL, Honda Legend, Caterham Superlight, Ginetta G4, Ginetta G50, Porsche 997 C2, Maserati Gran Turismo, TVR Cerbera, TVR T350C.
"I did initially yearn for noise, character and presence (TVR), but in the end, via many weird and wonderful combinations, I settled on fulfilling four key motoring needs: waft, weekend warrior, winter workhorse, and woman's wheels..."
Cost: £45,995
Balance: £54,005
Why I chose it: "Waft. As I have been discovering, there's nothing quite like a V8 barge to crush long motorway slogs with disdain, and the Panamera has long held my affection as the perfect tool for getting from A to B in comfort. It was hard to ignore the XJL Supersport, which has arguably more class and unarguably better styling, but a Panamera is a rare sight, and I prefer the driving position and dashboard of the German machine. This particular car has a beautiful scheme inside (shown on the dealer's own website), and doesn't have small sidewalls and big wheels (a mere 19-inch, ahem). I did consider the diesel for the much better range, but I'd sorely miss an eight cylinder soundtrack."
Cost: £13,750
Balance: £40,255
Why I chose it: "Winter Workhorse. This smart, one-owner Hilux offers enormous breadth and depth of capability, taking on all the jobs, and it can tackle the worst of any winter. A far more presentable choice than many an L200; it won't look out of place at a building site or in the Goodwood paddock. A relative has a similar Hilux and it has been faultless in over seven years of hard service, and it tows large loads with ease. This one has a hardtop and towball already fitted, which will be very handy because it will be pulling a trailer with this:"
Cost: £25,500
Balance: £14,755
Why I chose it: "Weekend Warrior. Ever since I first laid eyes on it, I've fancied the pretty little G40R. It's a track toy that ticks all the boxes - light so it won't eat tyres and brakes; excellent chassis, dependable mechanicals, and yet could be enjoyed on the road at the weekend. Just that bit more usable for year-round track work than the obvious choice of a Caterham. This car also offers plenty of potential for stepping up from track days into racing. In fact I did consider a G50 GT4 I stumbled across in the classifieds, but that would be an accident waiting to happen - we must learn to walk before we run."
Cost: £6,450
Balance: £8,305
Why I chose it: "Woman's Wheels. OK, that's a bit of a lie - I had to include a convertible, and the reliable thrills of an MX-5 are very hard to beat. There's nothing quite like the stress-free bliss that comes from a cheap, reliable sports car. The other half may find the keys missing quite often. This example looks well cared for, there's a year's MoT as well and it even has a hard-top. The 2.0 engine gives plenty of punch and offers an extra gear ratio over the 1.8. I'd prefer it in Copper Red but the colour is less important than the condition."
"The remaining balance goes on a trailer for the Ginetta, and if there's anything left after that, some tuition with Don Palmer."
Discussion
.
rsox87 said:
Top choices; but what no Sierra with a welded diff, Martyn?
No welded diff, it had a mere 1600 Pinto in carb'd HE guise, many a custard skin was left untroubled, so there seemed no real point. Plus I was a poor student and it was my first car, so mods were out the question.Although:
montyvr6 said:
I remember an incident with your Sierra and a hedge on a 12 car 
many many years ago!
As it turned out, welded or limited-slip would have come in very handy one night! Thanks again for giving me a push, there was no way I could've manage it on my own many many years ago!
Howroyd said:
The Ginetta is on my shortlist of cars I want to daily. There should be a weekly on here named 'will it daily?' where each week someone daily's a ridiculous car to see if it's practical. I'd laugh, it'd be a Smoking Tyre meets Jeremy Clarkson kind of thing...
This sounds like a brilliant idea, who do we badger to get this as an actually PH thing!Bit of a slight error in the intro!
'On the shortlist:
"Jaguar X351 XJL, BMW 730d, BMW 760iL, Honda Legend, Caterham Superlight,
Ginetta G4, Ginetta G50, Porsche 997 C2, Maserati Gran Turismo, TVR Cerbera, TVR T350C.
Ginetta G4 -
I thought, ahh someone has taste ...but then realised the error, it was meant to be G40R.
However, it wouldn't be an error in my 100k garage!
A (DARE) Ginetta G4 is so more desirable than the G40R, plus it'll do more. Weekend (even as a daily) driver is possible and track toy it's at its ultimate.
The best thing is it's still made if you want one - new - with the same person at the helm who designed it. You might have to wait a while to get a new one, the only drawback, but you can say that about a G40R. Price is on a par with the G40R too, so no contest.
Hard to believe the initial design was in 1959. Still looks the business today. I'm bias. But then I've driven one. You can't comment if you haven't been behind the wheel, you can comment on its looks, but for me that's top marks as well. It never dates.
Yeah, it's tiny, but then all original Ginettas were - look at this G12 in front of the Exige - makes the Exige look enormous!
Yes, the G4 would be on my list (it is on my list!).
Great car! Thrilling experience, bar none. A few snaps of Dare G4 examples (note ALL with tax discs).
No, it's not 'old' - plate is personal.
'On the shortlist:
"Jaguar X351 XJL, BMW 730d, BMW 760iL, Honda Legend, Caterham Superlight,
Ginetta G4, Ginetta G50, Porsche 997 C2, Maserati Gran Turismo, TVR Cerbera, TVR T350C.
Ginetta G4 -
I thought, ahh someone has taste ...but then realised the error, it was meant to be G40R.However, it wouldn't be an error in my 100k garage!
A (DARE) Ginetta G4 is so more desirable than the G40R, plus it'll do more. Weekend (even as a daily) driver is possible and track toy it's at its ultimate.
The best thing is it's still made if you want one - new - with the same person at the helm who designed it. You might have to wait a while to get a new one, the only drawback, but you can say that about a G40R. Price is on a par with the G40R too, so no contest.
Hard to believe the initial design was in 1959. Still looks the business today. I'm bias. But then I've driven one. You can't comment if you haven't been behind the wheel, you can comment on its looks, but for me that's top marks as well. It never dates.
Yeah, it's tiny, but then all original Ginettas were - look at this G12 in front of the Exige - makes the Exige look enormous!
Yes, the G4 would be on my list (it is on my list!).
Great car! Thrilling experience, bar none. A few snaps of Dare G4 examples (note ALL with tax discs).
No, it's not 'old' - plate is personal.
Edited by dandarez on Wednesday 11th June 16:19
dandarez said:
Bit of a slight error in the intro!
'On the shortlist:
"Jaguar X351 XJL, BMW 730d, BMW 760iL, Honda Legend, Caterham Superlight,
Ginetta G4, Ginetta G50, Porsche 997 C2, Maserati Gran Turismo, TVR Cerbera, TVR T350C.
Ginetta G4 - I thought, ahh someone has taste ...but then realised the error, it was meant to be G40R.
Not an error! I initially considered a [Dare] G4, but I couldn't find one in the classifieds at the time that ticked my boxes and would fit around my other choices. A car I've always admired, I had a thoroughly engaging but all-too-brief chat with the owner of a stunning silver Zetec-powered one at the Silverstone Sunday Service (whoever you are, thank you and we must talk again!). They are truly diminutive but awesome, and I long to drive one.'On the shortlist:
"Jaguar X351 XJL, BMW 730d, BMW 760iL, Honda Legend, Caterham Superlight,
Ginetta G4, Ginetta G50, Porsche 997 C2, Maserati Gran Turismo, TVR Cerbera, TVR T350C.
Ginetta G4 -
I thought, ahh someone has taste ...but then realised the error, it was meant to be G40R.
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