I’ve noticed quite a few publications have started doing this. I thought I would dream up my own garage with a hypothetical £100,000 to spend. Please may I emphasise that this is a fantasy garage, running costs and fuel economy do not enter the equation.
Feel free to have a go yourself and email (found in About) me your list.
The categories are;
- Sports Car
- Roadster/Cabriolet
- Hot Hatch
- Family Wheels
Sports Car
2009 Porsche Cayman S:-
The revised 3.4 litre flat six engine does no longer suffer intermediate shaft failure. The mid-engine layout gives the car a tremendously low centre of gravity, providing extra grip to encourage on-the-limit driving. The facelift also looks fresher with LED daytime running and tail lights. A circa 30,000 mile example can be found at around £30,000.
Budget Remaining: £70,000
Roadster/Cabriolet
2007 BMW Z4 M Roadster:-
338 bhp with a very well balanced chassis and with the roof down, the famous BMW straight six wail will be very audible. You’ll be looking at around £20,000 for a 20,000 mile example. It looks especially great in Imola Red (below) or Black.
Budget Remaining: £50,000
Hot Hatch
2013 Volkswagen Golf MK 7 GTI:- (I’ve tested this car)
Newer cars these days just get bigger and bigger. In the case of the Golf GTI, the previous couple of generations have been a little chubby and lacking in dynamic ability. The current MK 7 has brought the GTI’s mojo back. You will find the classifieds are predominantly cluttered with DSG examples. Although a great gearbox, the six-speed manual is recommended to get the most enjoyment from the car. Look out for Performance Pack models for 227 bhp, bigger brakes and an excellent limited slip differential. Rivals may be faster, but as the perfect all-rounder, the Golf is far superior – interior quality is a cut above. A 2013 car with 5,000 miles will cost about £28,000.
Budget Remaining: £22,000
Family Wheels
Volkswagen Passat R36:-
The ultimate wolf in sheep’s clothing. The 3.6 litre V6 unit produces 300 bhp through a Haldex Four Wheel Drive system. DSG gearbox only, but as a family estate and dog-wagon a manual gearbox isn’t essential. Down changes are effortless with the DSG so the performance is on tap when required. The Passat R36 is also VERY rare, so if you do manage to find one in the classifieds, expect to pay around £12,000 for a 60,000+ mileage car.
Budget Remaining: £10,000
A cheeky remap on the Passat could be good for a laugh, so with plenty change left over there is ample scope for any desired modifications…
Don’t forget to have a go yourself!
