£100K Garage: Martin Joyce
A bike, a pick up, a pair of sports cars and a hyper hatch cover off Martin's choices
Previously owned: Ford Cortina, Vauxhall Cavalier SRi 1.8l and 2.0l, Vauxhall Astra GTE, Metro GTi, more Ford Escorts, Sierras, Fiestas and Mondeos than I can list, Ford Sierra Sapphire Cosworth 4x4, Ford Escort Cosworth, Ford Racing Puma, Jaguar XJ8, numerous Jaguar X-Types, VW Golf GTI Mk5, Honda Accord, Seat Leon FR x2 , Ford Ranger, Mazda B2500.
Bikes including SS50, CB125T, XL100, XL250, CD200, CM200, CG125, CBX250, CB400, RG500, GPz500, GPz550 x 2 , CBX550, GSX750, CBX750, VFR750 x5, VFR800, VFR800 VTEC, ZZR100, CB1100R
Currently owned: Toyota Hilux, Fiesta ST, VFR800, Fireblade
On the shortlist: Ford Mustang, Honda CRX, Ducati 999, Golf Mk7 R, Jaguar XJR
I had the pleasure of working at Jaguar from 1983 to 2002 and when I did my first £100K garage (70s-2000s) I let this colour my choices heavily. As I've already got those four tucked in the garage, this collection is a bit more diverse.
Cost: £16,995
Balance: £83,005
Why I chose it: "If you are going to have an American car, then it really has to be either a muscle car or a pick-up. Also as none of them really go round corners properly (and are too big for British B roads) then it had best make a great noise and go fast in a straight line. The F150 is the quintessential American vehicle being the best seller since 1993 (or so) and currently selling around 900,000 a year! This one fits the bill nicely and at a sensible price; nice condition. 380 ponies, V8 and not much weight on the rear axle - lovely jubbly!"
Rest of Europe: MV Augusta F4
Cost: £14,995
Balance: £68,010
Why I chose it: "One of my rules for car and bike ownership is "nothing French and nothing Italian" - lovely as they might be they are just not as well made and reliable as vehicles from other countries. All my experience of friend's ownership and data I have seen whilst working in the car industry has confirmed that the stereotype is basically true ( I realise I will likely get a load of abuse from French and Italian vehicle lovers at this stage - each to their own I say). So given I had to get something not German I was left with a problem - Seat and Skoda are German really. Saab - nothing there for me. Volvo - an 850T5 as a left field choice. Anyway, I decided to settle with a piece of art. My preference would have been a Ducati 916 but there are none in the classifieds at the moment, so this MV will make a lovely ornament in my living room. It doesn't need to be reliable because I'm only going to look at it!"
Cost: £13,995
Balance: £54,015
Why I chose it: "My cousin had one of these as a track-day car and I was lucky enough to have a couple of goes in it. Fabulous handling and a really practical track-day car; not too hard on tyres and brakes due to its weight and quick enough to match most things despite the modest power. Prefer the N/A to the turbo for the more direct response for and the on the limit handling. I like the inverse snobbery of the Vauxhall badge rather than having an Elise."
Japan: Honda S2000
Cost: £12,495
Balance: £41,520
Why I chose it: "I came within a few minutes of buying one of these when they were first launched in 1999. The engine was such a gem (and still is) and the only thing that stopped me was I got promoted and given a company car. I love this engine and the rest of the car is OK as well. This one is a lovely late model version with the "sorted" handling and with the optional hard top. Perfect as the antithesis of the F150; a high revving sports car for nice summer evenings with the roof down."
Cost: £40,995
Balance: £525
Why I chose it: "I've got the 'hot rod' pick-up for when I want to burn rubber in a straight line, the track-day car, the piece of art for the living room and the sports car for sunny days. Now I want a nice "daily driver" to cover ~25,000 miles for work and getting to kart tracks on the weekends. I've got a soft spot for Audi interiors and also the Audi 5-cylinder engine. The handling of the RS3 may be a little inert but it's a lovely place to travel in, blisteringly fast, great all-weather traction and a good balance of size. Big enough for practicality and small enough to be nimble on B-roads. This one is a good colour, with good spec, properly maintained and plenty of warranty left for peace of mind."
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Bit of a dog. A fair bit of rust and pretty poor paint. Front end has come off at some point for reasons unknown but whoever did it has failed to put the bolts back along the top of the wings - bit of a giveaway!
Dealer feigned ignorance to pretty much every question asked of him. Had been sat in their premises for significantly longer than "a couple of weeks".
Anyone else looking for an S2K - beware.
He's since bought a minter privately - happy days.
Edit - I've just realised it was over two months ago we went to see this. Also checked the classifieds and its still there. Not exactly flying off the shelf.
Bit of a dog. A fair bit of rust and pretty poor paint. Front end has come off at some point for reasons unknown but whoever did it has failed to put the bolts back along the top of the wings - bit of a giveaway!
Dealer feigned ignorance to pretty much every question asked of him. Had been sat in their premises for significantly longer than "a couple of weeks".
Anyone else looking for an S2K - beware.
He's since bought a minter privately - happy days.
Edit - I've just realised it was over two months ago we went to see this. Also checked the classifieds and its still there. Not exactly flying off the shelf.
Unlike your father though, I am still looking!!
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