Name: Jim Willows
Previously owned: Various BMWs and Porsches (all company cars)
Currently owned: N/A
On the shortlist: "A variety of driving experiences."
The Shed
BMW 525d Touring (E39)
Cost: £1,490
Remaining balance: £98,510
Why I chose it: "There is something uniquely attractive about leggy German wagons at silly prices; so much engineering for so little money. This would be a perfect 'chores' car - cheap enough to throw all your garden rubbish in for a trip to the dump, then smart enough to do the Waitrose run on the way back. I also have a nostalgic love for E39 Tourings having moved myself back from university in a 530d Sport (thanks for lending it to me Dad...)."
The Brave Pill
BMW M6 (E63)
Cost: £12,995
Remaining balance: £85,515
Why I chose it: "Sorry - another slice of Munich rostbraten. Quite how brave a choice this is I'm not sure. All E63s seem to be bonkers value but should the glorious wailing V10 (or the inglorious wail-inducing SMG 'box) ever let go I think it would be enough to induce a cold sweat at First Direct, so I'm qualifying it on that basis. Black on black seems suitably moody and, with a naughty exhaust, this would be a great cruiser and tunnel monster for bag-of-chips money."
The one that's still on sale
Ariel Nomad
Cost: £64,999
Remaining balance: £20,516
Why I chose it: "Okay, it's a big chunk of the £100,000 to blow on a toy but I love everything about the Nomad. When it was announced I saw it as the answer to the question no-one asked - but really should have. It presses so many buttons for me; unique driving experience, light, fast, nimble, looks silly, splendid pitch and roll, you can clean the interior with a hose etc. I also love cars you can take to a track day with the aim of having the most fun rather than trying to out-pace everyone else. And you can drive this home across the fields - non è possibile in a Pista."
1965 Ford Mustang
Cost: £18,000
Remaining balance: £2,516
Why I chose it: "So, with £20k left and four-, six- and 10-cylinder machines accounted for, I needed to plug the gap with an 8. I wanted something older (pre-1970) but not impossible to maintain, it had to have a manual, be naturally aspirated and have something around 300hp driving the rear wheels. I was hoping for a rat rod but, using the search criteria above, this was the only car in the whole of PH's classifieds that came up with the goods and it couldn't be a better fit. Also leaves me a few quid for new boots, a Stetson and some chewing tobacco..."
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