£100K Garage: Johan Pederson
Johan likes an estate car, as you might be able to tell from this selection!
Previously owned: None, impoverished student
Currently owned: A Raleigh bicycle; for actual cars, see above
On the shortlist: Practical, reasonably priced, low-mileage estates such as the Alfa 159, Volvo V70 or the Jaguar XF Sportbrake. Although in my dreams a Series IIa Land Rover is just the ticket, in essence I love cars that are as comfortable on the Autobahn, as they are going to the DIY shop on a Saturday.
Cost: £22,995
Balance: £77,005
Why I chose it: "As a massive fan of Jaguar, my £100K Garage had to include one. The XJS may be an unpopular choice, with those strange buttresses surrounding the rear window and a far from brilliant reliability record. However, it is a big V12 GT that found its way on to the racing circuits of the world under the guidance of Tom Walkinshaw - that is what makes the XJS special to me.
"And this is not just a normal XJS, but a Jaguar Sport XJR-S improved by TWR to be a far better sports car than most people ever expected of it. It's a rare car - only 837 were ever built - and this is the only one currently for sale on PH. I think it's destined to be a sought-after classic and this example will be great for a weekend drive, enjoying the smooth purr of the V12."
Cost: £11,990
Balance: £65,015
Why I chose it: "When I was looking around for an exciting yet practical everyday car, this cropped up and I needed to look no further. For me this is one of the prettiest cars of the 21st century, and this example showcases that to the fullest.
"Not only is it already one of the cars on my future shortlist, it also happens to as close to my perfect 159 as is currently available: a red 1.75 TBi Sportwagon in the TI spec, with a gorgeous black leather interior - a stunning combo in my opinion. The only thing I happen to dislike on this car are the silver roof racks, however removing those should not be impossible."
Cost: £10,950
Balance: £54,065
Why I chose it: "This is the car closest to my heart on the list. Hot hatches are what I grew up dreaming about as a young boy in Germany, immersed and shaped by German car culture. As a Volkswagen fanboy, my hot hatch had to be a Golf, and for me nothing beats the Mk4 R32 with its sonorous VR6 and bulbous arches. This is the car of my childhood dreams, the car I always bought first when playing racing games and for me this was the only car of which its inclusion in this list was a certainty.
"This example ticks all the right boxes: not only is it blue, original, low mileage and well maintained, it also happens to be a three-door, which to my mind is essential for a proper hot hatch. For hot hatches should sacrifice practicality for looks and performance!"
Cost: £24,750
Balance: £29,315
Why I chose it: "When people speak of quintessentially American cars, they mention hot rods, pick-up trucks and muscle cars; but the Americana I like are big station wagons, with room for friends and gear as you head off to the mountains, beach or camp site. This for me is an embodiment of American motoring: a big V8 out front and 15 feet of car behind that.
"The Pontiac Tempest did not instantly jump out at me, but its qualities are obvious once you read the description and look at the pictures. Having lived its life in the dry climate of California, it is in great condition and it's also pretty rare by the sounds of it. In its beautiful white paint with a red vinyl interior, it is an immaculate example of the American station wagon, which offers a V8 burble, practicality and a certain coolness."
Cost: £8,490
Balance: £20,825
Why I chose it: "The Japanese are masters at keeping the most interesting and quirky cars to themselves. Nowhere is the case more evident than with this Legacy Spec B WR, a model that never made it outside of Japan yet for me is a far more interesting car than an Impreza STI or Lancer Evo.
"This for me is a wolf in sheep's clothing and offers the best of both worlds. It still has the near-300hp flat-four turbo, but it has a less boy racerish look to it. And it's more practical. This is a recently imported example straight from Japan and comes with all papers and registration in order. This example was modified by the previous owner, but is otherwise in good condition and has done a not unreasonable amount of miles."
Whilst I like the one you've chosen, there's just something strange about it, and I don't need that in my neighborhood.
Personally, for some weird reason I've always fancied the king of 80s timbered barges, a Mercury Colony Park
The angular styling and turbine wheels really do go well. The machined silver anodised aluminium buttons and switches inside remind me of the controls for an old B&O stereo system, and look how comfy those seats are!
"in essence I love cars that are as comfortable on the Autobahn......"
and also
"Although in my dreams a Series IIa Land Rover is just the ticket......." ;-)
A Land Rover will NOT be comfortable on the Autobahn, unless you like cruising at 80 km/h wearing earplugs and sitting on a seat as comfortable as a wooden bench!!
The angular styling and turbine wheels really do go well. The machined silver anodised aluminium buttons and switches inside remind me of the controls for an old B&O stereo system, and look how comfy those seats are!
I must chastise you for one comment made.............' a hot hatch should sacrifice practicality for looks and performance.....'
NO NO NO!
The whole point of the original concept of the hot hatch was that it WAS practical, allowing the enthusiast family man to hold on to his sanity whilst fulfilling the family duties.
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