Sports daily and "shop truck" combo... ideas?
Discussion
Afternoon all,
Currently my "everything" car is a 2016 Hilux, and it fulfills the range from long distance motorway cruising to short commutes to ferrying my various projects around on large and heavy trailers. It's perfect for me as it's modern, easy to drive, does 35mpg on a run, and crucially (given some of my previous chariots) it's reliable and doesn't leave me worrying about being stranded by the roadside in a cloud of smoke at the other end of the country. This also means I'm able to safely fund mortgage payments and other "champagne lifestyle, lemonade budget" tinkering/racing projects without living in fear.
Based on a throwaway comment from a friend, plus some rather nice vehicles spotted whilst in America with the family recently ("I could see you in one of those..."), I've been looking curiously about the prospect of selling up - and splitting the proceeds into a practicably modern daily drive GT/roomy >4cyl sports car, and an older but robust "shop truck" which I can leave parked at my project barn until needed. Said truck also needs to have a 3.5 ton tow rating which rules out rather a lot of options.
My initial want was a C6 Corvette and 105 series Land Cruiser, but I've swiftly realised the ~£19-20k my Hilux would fetch wont cover this by a long chalk.
Looking today I've realised a pretty nice 996 911, the original "daily drive GT" (with the important trouble spots like IMS all sorted) paired with a late 300tdi Discovery 1 would be affordable, but I'm quite worried about the ability of both of them to make my wallet wilt with unexpected bills - the Porsche with all manner of things, the Disco (which I know my way around well) with never ending tinworm.
I'm now therefore a bit stuck for ideas.
Sports wise: I suspect a C5 vette, whilst in budget, would be pushing things a bit to leave outside on a driveway in all weathers with no detriment to a now quite old fair weather car. Something like a Nissan 350Z or BMW Z4M would be a bit soft/dull, perhaps, and I'm not a huge fan of either. A Jag XK or Maserati Grancoupe would, I suspect, not trouble the reliability standings and are both auto only I beleive?
Truck wise: I know the 4.2 Cruisers are reliable but I'd still baulk at the 250k mile ones in budget. I definitely wouldn't touch a Disco 2/3/RR with a bargepole (been there, done that, got the scars). Ditto for a Ford Ranger, and I suspect an elderly X5/Touraeg is asking for trouble.
Sensibly, I know that really I ought to hang onto the Hilux and wait a few years until I've got more disposable cash/ less net drains/ a better job, but once I've got an idea in my head I just can't let it go..... what do the PH missive think please?
Currently my "everything" car is a 2016 Hilux, and it fulfills the range from long distance motorway cruising to short commutes to ferrying my various projects around on large and heavy trailers. It's perfect for me as it's modern, easy to drive, does 35mpg on a run, and crucially (given some of my previous chariots) it's reliable and doesn't leave me worrying about being stranded by the roadside in a cloud of smoke at the other end of the country. This also means I'm able to safely fund mortgage payments and other "champagne lifestyle, lemonade budget" tinkering/racing projects without living in fear.
Based on a throwaway comment from a friend, plus some rather nice vehicles spotted whilst in America with the family recently ("I could see you in one of those..."), I've been looking curiously about the prospect of selling up - and splitting the proceeds into a practicably modern daily drive GT/roomy >4cyl sports car, and an older but robust "shop truck" which I can leave parked at my project barn until needed. Said truck also needs to have a 3.5 ton tow rating which rules out rather a lot of options.
My initial want was a C6 Corvette and 105 series Land Cruiser, but I've swiftly realised the ~£19-20k my Hilux would fetch wont cover this by a long chalk.
Looking today I've realised a pretty nice 996 911, the original "daily drive GT" (with the important trouble spots like IMS all sorted) paired with a late 300tdi Discovery 1 would be affordable, but I'm quite worried about the ability of both of them to make my wallet wilt with unexpected bills - the Porsche with all manner of things, the Disco (which I know my way around well) with never ending tinworm.
I'm now therefore a bit stuck for ideas.
Sports wise: I suspect a C5 vette, whilst in budget, would be pushing things a bit to leave outside on a driveway in all weathers with no detriment to a now quite old fair weather car. Something like a Nissan 350Z or BMW Z4M would be a bit soft/dull, perhaps, and I'm not a huge fan of either. A Jag XK or Maserati Grancoupe would, I suspect, not trouble the reliability standings and are both auto only I beleive?
Truck wise: I know the 4.2 Cruisers are reliable but I'd still baulk at the 250k mile ones in budget. I definitely wouldn't touch a Disco 2/3/RR with a bargepole (been there, done that, got the scars). Ditto for a Ford Ranger, and I suspect an elderly X5/Touraeg is asking for trouble.
Sensibly, I know that really I ought to hang onto the Hilux and wait a few years until I've got more disposable cash/ less net drains/ a better job, but once I've got an idea in my head I just can't let it go..... what do the PH missive think please?
As I say, I've had a Ranger- never again!
I'm after something RWD and 6 + cylinders, a hot hatch wouldn't be "special" enough for me to warrant the change.
I'd realised I hadn't considered the Mk1 Merc ML270cdi as a utility tuck, a good friend had one and was impressed with it - even the malaise era body rust wasn't a problem due to the separate chassis
I'm after something RWD and 6 + cylinders, a hot hatch wouldn't be "special" enough for me to warrant the change.
I'd realised I hadn't considered the Mk1 Merc ML270cdi as a utility tuck, a good friend had one and was impressed with it - even the malaise era body rust wasn't a problem due to the separate chassis
Can’t really suggest anything on the truck front but for a similar price to the 996 you could get an E46 M3? Not really a GT but would certainly tick the fun daily box.
Suspect the Maserati and Jag would definitely have the potential to throw up big bills and actually a well-sorted 996 might look after you reasonably well. You might be able to offset running costs with the knowledge that it’s unlikely to lose much value…
Suspect the Maserati and Jag would definitely have the potential to throw up big bills and actually a well-sorted 996 might look after you reasonably well. You might be able to offset running costs with the knowledge that it’s unlikely to lose much value…
It sounds like you want a V8 but a 6 pot will do, with that in mind there are three I'd be looking at.
370Z a great car & you'll get a nice one for around 13k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307109...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305317...
Convertible:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306268...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207308...
They're a good steer & won't break the bank, the same is true for the SLK55 AMG below & these are more in line with a C6:
SLK55 AMG:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306068...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206176...
Bombastic engine, a true little hot rod, or if you fancu the same drivetrain in coupe form then the CLK55 AMG gets my vote:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307089...
Now there's an AMG light version of the above (it doesn't get the same suspension set up as the AMG version BUT it does have a V8 with smidge more power than 55 as well as air cooled seats etc:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307119...
The good thing about these is that it still leaves you with a great budget for your tow truck:
370Z a great car & you'll get a nice one for around 13k:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307109...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305317...
Convertible:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306268...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202207308...
They're a good steer & won't break the bank, the same is true for the SLK55 AMG below & these are more in line with a C6:
SLK55 AMG:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202306068...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202206176...
Bombastic engine, a true little hot rod, or if you fancu the same drivetrain in coupe form then the CLK55 AMG gets my vote:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307089...
Now there's an AMG light version of the above (it doesn't get the same suspension set up as the AMG version BUT it does have a V8 with smidge more power than 55 as well as air cooled seats etc:
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307119...
The good thing about these is that it still leaves you with a great budget for your tow truck:
Many thanks for the replies,
The Mercs are tempting but not sure I fancy the bork potential, however a colleague with a 370Z was telling me how decent they are... and pretty cheap too, it seems.
I've had a lucky break on the truck front with the potential for a Land Cruiser at a very good price, so I will see how that goes and then see what budget is left over!
The Mercs are tempting but not sure I fancy the bork potential, however a colleague with a 370Z was telling me how decent they are... and pretty cheap too, it seems.
I've had a lucky break on the truck front with the potential for a Land Cruiser at a very good price, so I will see how that goes and then see what budget is left over!
Truckosaurus said:
biggbn said:
...but what is a 'shop truck'?
It is a dreadful Americanism, that is what it is.Shop = Workshop.
Truck = Pickup Truck
Shop Truck = practical vehicle for doing work tasks such as parts transportation and towing.
Truckosaurus said:
Ideal candidate for the 'shop truck' is just an older Hilux perhaps with more basic spec as it will only be used sparingly.
Unfortunately, pickup wise, only the current model Hilux, outgoing and current Ranger, and prefacelift/current model DMax have got the towing capacity I need, historially pickups have generally been quite poor for towing weight figures. Also, some interesting developments in the last week have given me cause for concern on using a pickup going forwards - it seems if you want commuting cover (which I would) on a pickup, most insurance comparisons sites are forcing you to opt for business usage which does somewhat alter the quote price....
Truckosaurus said:
biggbn said:
...but what is a 'shop truck'?
It is a dreadful Americanism, that is what it is.Shop = Workshop.
Truck = Pickup Truck
Shop Truck = practical vehicle for doing work tasks such as parts transportation and towing.
ChemicalChaos said:
Truckosaurus said:
Ideal candidate for the 'shop truck' is just an older Hilux perhaps with more basic spec as it will only be used sparingly.
Unfortunately, pickup wise, only the current model Hilux, outgoing and current Ranger, and prefacelift/current model DMax have got the towing capacity I need, historially pickups have generally been quite poor for towing weight figures. Also, some interesting developments in the last week have given me cause for concern on using a pickup going forwards - it seems if you want commuting cover (which I would) on a pickup, most insurance comparisons sites are forcing you to opt for business usage which does somewhat alter the quote price....
Truckosaurus said:
biggbn said:
...but what is a 'shop truck'?
It is a dreadful Americanism, that is what it is.Shop = Workshop.
Truck = Pickup Truck
Shop Truck = practical vehicle for doing work tasks such as parts transportation and towing.
ChemicalChaos said:
Many thanks for the replies,
The Mercs are tempting but not sure I fancy the bork potential, however a colleague with a 370Z was telling me how decent they are... and pretty cheap too, it seems.
I've had a lucky break on the truck front with the potential for a Land Cruiser at a very good price, so I will see how that goes and then see what budget is left over!
What borkage? Your talking to someone who's had a number of 55's as well as currently owning a CLK55 & 63, they really are bulletproof.The Mercs are tempting but not sure I fancy the bork potential, however a colleague with a 370Z was telling me how decent they are... and pretty cheap too, it seems.
I've had a lucky break on the truck front with the potential for a Land Cruiser at a very good price, so I will see how that goes and then see what budget is left over!
Have you looked at the most base-spec petrol Touareg or Cayenne you can find? Avoiding the Porsche V8, air suspension and diesels will keep the bork factor down.
£4k petrol V6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305057...
Or this one! 4.2L petrol V8 - I didn't know they were even made. Advert doesn't include photo of the engine bay...
Already used as tow car for a historic racer by the looks
£6k
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307169...
Being ULEZ/CAZ compliant, these cars will also hold their value well over the next 5 years.
£4k petrol V6
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202305057...
Or this one! 4.2L petrol V8 - I didn't know they were even made. Advert doesn't include photo of the engine bay...
Already used as tow car for a historic racer by the looks
£6k
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202307169...
Being ULEZ/CAZ compliant, these cars will also hold their value well over the next 5 years.
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