If you had to choose just one car for life.......
If you had to choose just one car for life.......
Author
Discussion

Oi_Oi_Savaloy

Original Poster:

2,315 posts

287 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
quotequote all
....What would you choose and why?

(I've just read Alan Clark's book 'Backfire', which is an excellent read incidentally, and he owned a Jaguar XK120 from when he bought it new (1953) until his death in '99. This got me thinking, hence the post.

On a slightly seperate note it has to be said that you might not think much of the man's politics but there is no denying his excellent taste in cars. He had a D type, a c type, various XK's, Derby Bentleys by the bucketload, a silver ghost with a lightweight body, various american gas guzzlers (Impala's if I remember correctly), a Citroen DS and the original 2cv, a WWII jeep, a Porsche 911 that he used as his everyday car for over 10 years from 85 onwards, and those were just the cars he kept - he bought and sold if not 00's then at least 50 or 60. But I digress.)

>>> Edited by Oi_Oi_Savaloy on Thursday 19th December 10:02

clubsport

7,408 posts

285 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
quotequote all
I agree you have to respect the man for his interesting choice in cars.
I am not in that league,but have had the same Morgan since 1985 & 4 different 911 since 1994 as daily drivers.Along with varied sports cars / hatches along the way when I have the opportunity to be silly or have to be a little sensible.
I think Mr Clarke has certain things right as in maintaining certain cars in your collection.
In terms of one car,I will probably go for 968 Sport which I am currently looking for...subject to revision of course.


>> Edited by clubsport on Thursday 19th December 10:26

deltaf

1,384 posts

284 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
quotequote all
Any car?
Ok Has to be a highly tuned Nissan Skyline GTR Vspec2.
Tuned to around 800bhp would make me very happy indeed.
Has all the essentials already, toys too(as if i care bout that) 4wd and has those aggressive looks.
Very very capable car in standard guise, but has so much more to follow.

mr_tony

6,349 posts

296 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
quotequote all
just one,

well it'll have to be a 911 if I'm runnign it for the next 50 years....
if I was feeling brave I'd have a Bentley continental

Oi_Oi_Savaloy

Original Poster:

2,315 posts

287 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
quotequote all
You're a lucky man Clubsport, long may it continue!

And the Skyline's an interesting option too.

And it can be any car (from a reliant robin to a Bugatti EB110)

nubbin

6,809 posts

305 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
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A car to do everything? It doesn't exist, but I'd probably go for thr new Audi S8. But I'd still need a TVR for weekends, sunny days etc.

tyke

250 posts

283 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
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Audi RS4

GrahamG

1,091 posts

294 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
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Big, Comfy, Fast - But that's enough about the missus!!

M5 - S6 something like that I guess

AlanN

246 posts

283 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
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911 Turbo (current model)

Alan.

raceboy

13,828 posts

307 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
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Well if I'm only allowed one car, and it's got to last 40 years...........
Aston Vanquish, or 911 Turbo
Wonder how it would stack up financally keeping one car so long, against all the little losses on a new car every couple of years, it may work out cheaper in the long run

granville

18,764 posts

288 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
quotequote all
Bentley RT with a lifetime option on additional power hikes from the factory.

Would start off with 550 bhp (it has been known, so I'm reliably informed) and take thinks gradually to Veyronesque levels, as the taxman/state thieves allow.

Clearly, the venerable 6.75 litre masterpiece is understressed in the extreme and I'm sure Crewe wouldn't have any problem with 1200 bhp being described as 'adequate.'

Obviously, the set up would need a little adjustment but 8 seconds to 100 and at least 250 mph top hole with the aerodynamics of a Redrow housebrick has a certain unhealthy appeal.

A plan I would most desperatley love to see come together. Sensible cars for a happier Britain.

willdew

2,138 posts

291 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
quotequote all
I think I'd have to go with the concensus of opinion. If it's a car to keep to do everything it's have to be a 911 Turbo or an M5. They're the only really good all round cars I'd be happy to put big miles on and not be terrified of the whole thing falling apart.

craigw

12,248 posts

309 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
quotequote all
Ruf 996 Turbo Cabriolet Tiptronic. Rare, mentally fast, roof comes off, auto if you want it, 4 seats (just), 4 wheel drive.

levensnevel

245 posts

299 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
quotequote all
Gosh,

lots of exotics there. Guess I just stick to my current set of wheels: a '92 Volvo 480 Turbo

Levensnevel

williamp

20,276 posts

300 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
quotequote all
Probably an Alipna 3 or 5 series Touring. Very quick, comfortable, and with the estats it could hold all the little Will's that may appear one day (and were talkign a long way off...)

Or, thinking about it Aston did a Virage Shooting break. Hmmm, yes one of those please...

CVP

2,799 posts

302 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
quotequote all
For me could only be a 959.

I still remember first hearing one on a cassette attached to the front of Fast Lane? magazine. This had I think Mark Hayles caning the 959, Lambo Countach, AM Vantage (old) and Lister XJS around one race circuit. He was being "interviewed" by some woman I've never heard of before or since, but it was mainly him describing driving each of the cars and the glorious sound of each in the background. Unfortunately I long ago lost the tape.

The most important things I recall are;
1 - Brake failure on the Lambo, the brake fluid simply boiled away after a few laps.
2 - The wonderful V12 howl of the Lister. If I was deristrictor I could be more elequent here, but howl is the best you'll get from me
3 - The flat tyre alarm going off in the 959 with a quote by Halyes of "don't worry it's just telling us we have a flat tyre!" Funny that you never heard him lift his foot for an instant
4 - The magnificent wail of the flat six and the whoosh as the turbos spool up to full boost.

As I remember he was very impressed with the Lister and the 959. he was very complimentary about the old AM Vantage but was very dismissive of the lambo and especially the brakes.

Don't suppose anyone still has a copy?

Chris

piper

306 posts

295 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
quotequote all

CVP said: For me could only be a 959.

I still remember first hearing one on a cassette attached to the front of Fast Lane? magazine. This had I think Mark Hayles caning the 959, Lambo Countach, AM Vantage (old) and Lister XJS around one race circuit. He was being "interviewed" by some woman I've never heard of before or since, but it was mainly him describing driving each of the cars and the glorious sound of each in the background. Unfortunately I long ago lost the tape.

The most important things I recall are;
1 - Brake failure on the Lambo, the brake fluid simply boiled away after a few laps.
2 - The wonderful V12 howl of the Lister. If I was deristrictor I could be more elequent here, but howl is the best you'll get from me
3 - The flat tyre alarm going off in the 959 with a quote by Halyes of "don't worry it's just telling us we have a flat tyre!" Funny that you never heard him lift his foot for an instant
4 - The magnificent wail of the flat six and the whoosh as the turbos spool up to full boost.

As I remember he was very impressed with the Lister and the 959. he was very complimentary about the old AM Vantage but was very dismissive of the lambo and especially the brakes.

Don't suppose anyone still has a copy?

Chris



Yes I still have a copy, it is called 'Now hear This'

moleamol

15,887 posts

290 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
quotequote all
A bit extravagent but I'd have to go for a McLaren F1. All the power and speed you could ever need, looks gorgeous, one of the greatest cars ever made AND it could fit you, t'other half and a sprog in it.

Marumba

72 posts

284 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
quotequote all
Aha - was going to say 911 Turbo but now you mention the F1... that'd have have to be my choice!

trackdemon

13,377 posts

288 months

Thursday 19th December 2002
quotequote all

CVP said: For me could only be a 959.

I still remember first hearing one on a cassette attached to the front of Fast Lane? magazine. This had I think Mark Hayles caning the 959, Lambo Countach, AM Vantage (old) and Lister XJS around one race circuit.


Yesyesyes!! That was years ago - must have been what, 1989/90? Fantastic. As a boy living in't sticks I was more used to hearing the blair of a Massey Fergusson so this was music to my ears. Long gone now unfortuately (thankfully the spirit of the mag has been somewhat resurrected by the EVO boys)... the track was Brands Hatch Indy. There were some quality pictures of all of the cars going sideways out of Druids I think. Funny how you remember certain things so clearly?

Lifecar shortlist:

McLaren F1
Aston V8 Vantage
Merc S600
Porky 996TT

Macca wins. Easily. Its a McLaren adventure.