What Car - with a twist?
Discussion
So ok, before starting a family I went through a stream of sports cars and supercars - a Focus ST, to Cayman S, various 997's F430, and LP550... when I found out I was having a baby, I sold the F430 and got an ML63 thinking "this will be one car to do it all, that'll be fun to drive fast on country roads in, AND carry all the family gear I'll need like prams etc. whilst being safe and comfy day to day".
I decided to keep the LP as I liked it, but after driving it 300 miles in 3 months I decided to sell it as I just didn't have any time anymore to use it.
Cue 2 years later or so, I missed having sports cars, so sold the ML63, bought an Exige V6 for weekends, and an Auris Hybrid for day to day (as my daily commute is utterly dull and I figured, why not just save money and get something efficient - this is after about £1500 pcm depreciation in the Merc!).
This brings us to today, where my gf doesn't like the Exige and it hurts her back, so I've driven that 900 miles in 4 months, and spend 90% of my time in the Auris which is a great car but not a car person's car.
So here's my question.... for someone who's into cars, who doesn't want to show off and drive anything too flashy, but would like something nice, what would you get? I want to go back to having 1 car again as I just don't get time between work & family to drive anything else, so this 1 car needs to be:
- fun
- practical
- an event / an experience
- enough space to fit family
- interesting
- decent to use day to day whilst also being FUN
Been looking at run-out Defenders as they're different and I used to have a Landcruiser 70 series which I took up in the Alps and through floods and all sorts, that was fun, and that would allow me to take my son out with me and share a love of cars father to son (e.g. I could take him off roading, or do another alps trip etc...and it'd be fun).
Aside from that... not sure, what's the solution in terms of an "event" car that's not going to be too showy to clients etc. (my attitude has changed in the last few years re: showy, so whereas 2yrs ago I'd have parked a supercar out front, now I think that'd just make life difficult with negative attention), whilst also being practical, and interesting? Something that I can take my son in, and use day to day, and is different to the standard things you see every day?
Things I've considered so far:
- M3 (maybe a bit showy)
- C63
- Defender
- Second hand G350 (new = silly depreciation imo)
- Landcruiser (to take off road, like the Defender)
- Kahn Wrangler Unlimited?
..... pretty stumped after this list? The new RR and RRS are too showy imo and I'm not really after something flash. he Disco is nice but just doesn't do it for me.
This can probably be grouped into the "First World Problems" list, but I've always loved cars, and it's about the only material thing I take any interest in, so I'd like to get it right ha! Ideas?
I decided to keep the LP as I liked it, but after driving it 300 miles in 3 months I decided to sell it as I just didn't have any time anymore to use it.
Cue 2 years later or so, I missed having sports cars, so sold the ML63, bought an Exige V6 for weekends, and an Auris Hybrid for day to day (as my daily commute is utterly dull and I figured, why not just save money and get something efficient - this is after about £1500 pcm depreciation in the Merc!).
This brings us to today, where my gf doesn't like the Exige and it hurts her back, so I've driven that 900 miles in 4 months, and spend 90% of my time in the Auris which is a great car but not a car person's car.
So here's my question.... for someone who's into cars, who doesn't want to show off and drive anything too flashy, but would like something nice, what would you get? I want to go back to having 1 car again as I just don't get time between work & family to drive anything else, so this 1 car needs to be:
- fun
- practical
- an event / an experience
- enough space to fit family
- interesting
- decent to use day to day whilst also being FUN
Been looking at run-out Defenders as they're different and I used to have a Landcruiser 70 series which I took up in the Alps and through floods and all sorts, that was fun, and that would allow me to take my son out with me and share a love of cars father to son (e.g. I could take him off roading, or do another alps trip etc...and it'd be fun).
Aside from that... not sure, what's the solution in terms of an "event" car that's not going to be too showy to clients etc. (my attitude has changed in the last few years re: showy, so whereas 2yrs ago I'd have parked a supercar out front, now I think that'd just make life difficult with negative attention), whilst also being practical, and interesting? Something that I can take my son in, and use day to day, and is different to the standard things you see every day?
Things I've considered so far:
- M3 (maybe a bit showy)
- C63
- Defender
- Second hand G350 (new = silly depreciation imo)
- Landcruiser (to take off road, like the Defender)
- Kahn Wrangler Unlimited?
..... pretty stumped after this list? The new RR and RRS are too showy imo and I'm not really after something flash. he Disco is nice but just doesn't do it for me.
This can probably be grouped into the "First World Problems" list, but I've always loved cars, and it's about the only material thing I take any interest in, so I'd like to get it right ha! Ideas?
Jeep Wranglers are fun cars off-road and (to a slightly lesser extent) on the road too; the later JK models are holding their prices very well. They are capable, practical and if you're in to it, very modifiable too.
Another one to consider is the Range Rover Classic - if you buy wisely this is likely to increase in value.
Another one to consider is the Range Rover Classic - if you buy wisely this is likely to increase in value.
jhonn said:
Jeep Wranglers are fun cars off-road and (to a slightly lesser extent) on the road too; the later JK models are holding their prices very well. They are capable, practical and if you're in to it, very modifiable too.
Another one to consider is the Range Rover Classic - if you buy wisely this is likely to increase in value.
I did see this before and think it looks pretty good, and different - http://www.kahndesign.com/automobiles/automobiles_...Another one to consider is the Range Rover Classic - if you buy wisely this is likely to increase in value.
Worst "Check out how much I can afford to spend on cars!" thread ever.
I've reached a point in my life, where my age still starts with a three, however I've really lost interest in running fast road cars.
90% of my driving is on the moon craters that our government charge us for, and try and convince us they qualify as roads.
90% of my driving is with the other half, who doesn't mind travelling quickly, however dislikes being sideways or excessively rattled and bounced about.
90% of the roads where I drive have ever decreasing speed limits, and increasing control measures or monitoring.
90% of the time I'm driving on the road in traffic, either too or from work.
The opportunity to enjoy a good bit of road, with space and freedom to do it safely, without a passenger, and with the surface in a sound condition, feels like it's increasingly and frustratingly minimal.
My M3 went a year ago, and I miss it occasionally, however nowhere near as much as I thought I would. Much as an amputee must feel (however nowhere near as severe), I have that longing for it to be there, and really miss having a tool for a track blast.
I'm well down the road of owning a socially unacceptable SUV lounge to drive around on the road. Just a diesel one, with no mods or desire to mod. I plod about have a squeeky licence for the first time in decades. I have a fix occasionally with a borrowed track or fast road car that a friend owns, and am well down the road with finishing my Mk2 Escort race car now to be used to satisfy my addiction.
Even my lottery desires doesn't include anything current from the usual suspects competing for your supercar cash - I'll still have an F40 though, as that can be enjoyed on the drive with a pot of carnuba nearly as much as getting in and scaring yourself on the road to the Alps.
Gonna be super contraversial to this audiance, however if I had the means/funds that the OP appears to have, I'd have a nice brisk and relaxed diesel barge (SUV / Estate) for daily duties, and would be investing my disposable cash on a race / rally club series. Even the most modest hot hatch race / rally series is infinitely more fun that driving a fast car on the road can be.
I've reached a point in my life, where my age still starts with a three, however I've really lost interest in running fast road cars.
90% of my driving is on the moon craters that our government charge us for, and try and convince us they qualify as roads.
90% of my driving is with the other half, who doesn't mind travelling quickly, however dislikes being sideways or excessively rattled and bounced about.
90% of the roads where I drive have ever decreasing speed limits, and increasing control measures or monitoring.
90% of the time I'm driving on the road in traffic, either too or from work.
The opportunity to enjoy a good bit of road, with space and freedom to do it safely, without a passenger, and with the surface in a sound condition, feels like it's increasingly and frustratingly minimal.
My M3 went a year ago, and I miss it occasionally, however nowhere near as much as I thought I would. Much as an amputee must feel (however nowhere near as severe), I have that longing for it to be there, and really miss having a tool for a track blast.
I'm well down the road of owning a socially unacceptable SUV lounge to drive around on the road. Just a diesel one, with no mods or desire to mod. I plod about have a squeeky licence for the first time in decades. I have a fix occasionally with a borrowed track or fast road car that a friend owns, and am well down the road with finishing my Mk2 Escort race car now to be used to satisfy my addiction.
Even my lottery desires doesn't include anything current from the usual suspects competing for your supercar cash - I'll still have an F40 though, as that can be enjoyed on the drive with a pot of carnuba nearly as much as getting in and scaring yourself on the road to the Alps.
Gonna be super contraversial to this audiance, however if I had the means/funds that the OP appears to have, I'd have a nice brisk and relaxed diesel barge (SUV / Estate) for daily duties, and would be investing my disposable cash on a race / rally club series. Even the most modest hot hatch race / rally series is infinitely more fun that driving a fast car on the road can be.
If you like the idea of a Defender, but one a little more sorted for "car people", why don't you consider something from either
JE Engineering
http://www.jeengineering.co.uk/je-super-defenders
http://www.twistedautomotive.com/new-vehicles
T-range - all sorts of options
Either would give you a very unique truck that will give many, much more obviously quick cars a run for their money
JE Engineering
http://www.jeengineering.co.uk/je-super-defenders
- Zulu - 480bhp supercharged V8
- Liberator - 320bhp N/A V8
- Saluki - 245bhp TDv6
http://www.twistedautomotive.com/new-vehicles
T-range - all sorts of options
Either would give you a very unique truck that will give many, much more obviously quick cars a run for their money
mat205125 said:
is infinitely more fun that driving a fast car on the road can be.
You have a point. In order to get to decent roads from where I live, you need to drive about 45 mins. I like you idea of a lounge on wheels. I like some of the other suggestions too. I'll have a drive of some over the next 2 weeks and see if anything fits. Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff