I m going mad - GRY / Mk2 GTI / 205 rallye / Cayman R
Discussion
Help me out please
Today I sold my big aero Elise S-Cup to a lovely bloke
Had it 3 years. Loved it. But as I ve got 2 young kids ;and a wife) I was barely doing 1.5k miles a year. I also have too many hobbies which also take my time (maybe I have a problem)
I m going down rabbit holes with what to do. Do I not buy another weekend car (I have just got back into motorbikes after 4 years off) but then I think I do want somthing to interest me sitting in the garage
I really want 4 seats - me and the wife think we will actually do more with it if we can go together. We already have a family washing machine (Tesla) and a camper van so all normal family stuff sorted there
I ve had so many convos this week with sellers
I go from mk1/2 golf GTI s to GR Yaris (spoke to a lovely bloke today but we were about 1 k out on the deal I wanted), then to mint 205 GTi s then GR86 then alpine A110 (2 seats again) I also think I wouldn t mind a Porsche 911 (4 seats right) then I’m talking to a 182 trophy owner with an unloved Trophy for sale in a London Underground carpark!
I ve got £36k to spend. But I could equally put 20k into my extension we ve just had signed off and be happy with a classic fun car (with 4 seats)
Please help someone who is becoming obsessive with searching various car sale / auction sites
Today I sold my big aero Elise S-Cup to a lovely bloke
Had it 3 years. Loved it. But as I ve got 2 young kids ;and a wife) I was barely doing 1.5k miles a year. I also have too many hobbies which also take my time (maybe I have a problem)
I m going down rabbit holes with what to do. Do I not buy another weekend car (I have just got back into motorbikes after 4 years off) but then I think I do want somthing to interest me sitting in the garage
I really want 4 seats - me and the wife think we will actually do more with it if we can go together. We already have a family washing machine (Tesla) and a camper van so all normal family stuff sorted there
I ve had so many convos this week with sellers
I go from mk1/2 golf GTI s to GR Yaris (spoke to a lovely bloke today but we were about 1 k out on the deal I wanted), then to mint 205 GTi s then GR86 then alpine A110 (2 seats again) I also think I wouldn t mind a Porsche 911 (4 seats right) then I’m talking to a 182 trophy owner with an unloved Trophy for sale in a London Underground carpark!
I ve got £36k to spend. But I could equally put 20k into my extension we ve just had signed off and be happy with a classic fun car (with 4 seats)
Please help someone who is becoming obsessive with searching various car sale / auction sites
Edited by oxnop on Thursday 12th February 06:22
We all go through it, I like a lot here have had garage cars for the last 20 years and to be honest its a bit silly really just having it sat there doing very little for most of the year.
The Issue I have is my daily 13 mile each way commute is on rubbish roads so would not want to use something special every day really.
There are lots of nice cars around with 4 seats and Porsche is one I regularly look at too as I have a soft spot for them, really depends what you like the look of.
Finding a well looked after older Porsche can prove to be hard work though and with the risk of engine issues its a bit of a minefield so you have to go in eyes well and truly open.
I fancy a 996 Turbo but paying £36k for one I feel is madness now really when you consider what else you could buy.
A Cayman would be a lovely thing, Im not that sold on the looks of them as standard and prefer the more aggressive GT type look if that makes any sense.
The Issue I have is my daily 13 mile each way commute is on rubbish roads so would not want to use something special every day really.
There are lots of nice cars around with 4 seats and Porsche is one I regularly look at too as I have a soft spot for them, really depends what you like the look of.
Finding a well looked after older Porsche can prove to be hard work though and with the risk of engine issues its a bit of a minefield so you have to go in eyes well and truly open.
I fancy a 996 Turbo but paying £36k for one I feel is madness now really when you consider what else you could buy.
A Cayman would be a lovely thing, Im not that sold on the looks of them as standard and prefer the more aggressive GT type look if that makes any sense.
What do enjoy doing in cars OP? Because if you're going to drive the family about in something it may as well be something you all enjoy doing in it.
No point buying a track car so you can make the kids and wife sit in a windy airfield while you go round in circles only to make them car sick on the way home while you hammer it through the twisties.
By the same margin, buy a classic car and how many classic car shows or rally are they going to want to attend.
My eldest loves short journey's out in my "special" car. But they'd all baulk at a weekend away at the 'ring so a two seater, roll caged GT3 it is for me! Just book your weekends away at the start of the year.
No point buying a track car so you can make the kids and wife sit in a windy airfield while you go round in circles only to make them car sick on the way home while you hammer it through the twisties.
By the same margin, buy a classic car and how many classic car shows or rally are they going to want to attend.
My eldest loves short journey's out in my "special" car. But they'd all baulk at a weekend away at the 'ring so a two seater, roll caged GT3 it is for me! Just book your weekends away at the start of the year.
I am coming out the other side of something different but with a few similarities.
Firstly it sounds like you really want a fun car in your life and I imagine it will be difficult to go from an Exige to nothing at all. In my experience a car like that will leave an itch that you’ll always want to scratch. Life is short.
So then I’d say have a proper think about how you’ll use the car and buy accordingly. Sounds like you’ve given that some thought. Your list is quite diverse.
For me I like cars that are interchangeable, within reason. So if I’m feeling a bit unmotivated and I want to take my fun car to work in the middle of winter then it won’t hate me for it, and I won’t hate it. 911 or GR Yaris would be ideal here.
And if you’ve got another eye on house stuff then lower your budget a bit and don’t feel guilty about the car.
Firstly it sounds like you really want a fun car in your life and I imagine it will be difficult to go from an Exige to nothing at all. In my experience a car like that will leave an itch that you’ll always want to scratch. Life is short.
So then I’d say have a proper think about how you’ll use the car and buy accordingly. Sounds like you’ve given that some thought. Your list is quite diverse.
For me I like cars that are interchangeable, within reason. So if I’m feeling a bit unmotivated and I want to take my fun car to work in the middle of winter then it won’t hate me for it, and I won’t hate it. 911 or GR Yaris would be ideal here.
And if you’ve got another eye on house stuff then lower your budget a bit and don’t feel guilty about the car.
This is is all good Info and comments
To answer the ‘what are you after question’. Not much…
Just a car that…. won’t loose much value, won’t make me feel guilty because servicing and repairs will be costly (this is the main thing I wan to avoid as I think the wife is supportive, I appreciate that but she will think I’m taking the mick if I have a car that costs more to maintain than all the other vehicles we actually use and get benefit from!), is fun, makes me want to turn around at a petrol station and look at it, car fans give me that knowing look… that’s not too much to ask eh!
I really fancy a GRyaris. And today I was within a baw hair from pulling the trigger. I wonder if they are too brlorjing for a weekend blast.. then I think a mint mk2 16v GTI for half the price would do the job… ahhhh
Here is the golf I’ve nearly pulled a trigger on this week… just too far away to view it (my wife likes the idea of this as she’s had a mk2 in her laddettte days
)
https://themodernclassiccarco.com/sales/gti16vatla...
To answer the ‘what are you after question’. Not much…
Just a car that…. won’t loose much value, won’t make me feel guilty because servicing and repairs will be costly (this is the main thing I wan to avoid as I think the wife is supportive, I appreciate that but she will think I’m taking the mick if I have a car that costs more to maintain than all the other vehicles we actually use and get benefit from!), is fun, makes me want to turn around at a petrol station and look at it, car fans give me that knowing look… that’s not too much to ask eh!
I really fancy a GRyaris. And today I was within a baw hair from pulling the trigger. I wonder if they are too brlorjing for a weekend blast.. then I think a mint mk2 16v GTI for half the price would do the job… ahhhh
Here is the golf I’ve nearly pulled a trigger on this week… just too far away to view it (my wife likes the idea of this as she’s had a mk2 in her laddettte days
) https://themodernclassiccarco.com/sales/gti16vatla...
Belle427 said:
Nice car, not something I would want to spend £15k on though.
I owned a J reg one back in the day and have fond memories of it, was an unusual dark petrol blue type colour the name of which escapes me.
Having the missus on board is a bonus though!
Helios Blue? Mine was that colour. I owned a J reg one back in the day and have fond memories of it, was an unusual dark petrol blue type colour the name of which escapes me.
Having the missus on board is a bonus though!
I was in a similar position to you a little while back. Little people started to arrive and getting out in the 2 seater pretty much ground to a halt. I sold it and went through a couple of 2 door/4 seaters thinking things might improve if I could take the family along. That didn't happen as it was so much easier to get everybody into the Tesla to get from A to B.
With that being the case, I decided to move onto something that I wanted as a teenager and bought an E36 M3 Evo Saloon. It barely gets used but it does look pretty sat in the garage and I can't imagine I will lose any money on it in the near term. It is also there if I fancy a stirring the stick and the kids seats fit nicely into the back! To me, a modern classic makes absolute sense in this kind of situation.
With that being the case, I decided to move onto something that I wanted as a teenager and bought an E36 M3 Evo Saloon. It barely gets used but it does look pretty sat in the garage and I can't imagine I will lose any money on it in the near term. It is also there if I fancy a stirring the stick and the kids seats fit nicely into the back! To me, a modern classic makes absolute sense in this kind of situation.
What aren't you getting on the bike that you'll get in a car? Ability to carry everyone else? Year round usage? I've got a bike and it completely killed my car desire. I've got a F56 Cooper S for the daily commuter which is ok, won't excite but then not much will against a bike.
What other hobbies do you indulge in? Would you be better spending money in those areas?
What other hobbies do you indulge in? Would you be better spending money in those areas?
PRO5T said:
Belle427 said:
Nice car, not something I would want to spend £15k on though.
I owned a J reg one back in the day and have fond memories of it, was an unusual dark petrol blue type colour the name of which escapes me.
Having the missus on board is a bonus though!
Helios Blue? Mine was that colour. I owned a J reg one back in the day and have fond memories of it, was an unusual dark petrol blue type colour the name of which escapes me.
Having the missus on board is a bonus though!
The Rallye was my favourite, knew someone with one and would have bought one in a heartbeat if they were rhd.
Slightly more modern R32 might be up the original posters street, have always had a soft spot for them too.
Edited by Belle427 on Thursday 12th February 06:25
I can't comment on the likes of an A110 (other than the 2 seat limitation) but I have a GRY and until recently a fully restored 205 GTI and many Mk2 Golf GTI's in the past. The problem I found running a 'modern classic' was the constant fettling they often require. Don't get me wrong nostalgia is a wonderful thing but they are all over 30 plus years old now and unless you have the time and commitment to keep on top of them they can become a chore. Hence last summer after 2 years of being parked up in the garage I sold the 205 and don't really miss it.
The GRY is not going anywhere and does exactly what I need of a 'fun' car with the added benefits of Toyota reliability, upto 10 years warranty and scope for some bonkers performance enhancements if so desired.
The GRY is not going anywhere and does exactly what I need of a 'fun' car with the added benefits of Toyota reliability, upto 10 years warranty and scope for some bonkers performance enhancements if so desired.
Can you even fit the family (and the s
te essential equipment that goes with a family day out) in a GR Yaris? It all sounds like fun and adventures until you need to go through the realities of actually putting it all into practice.
OP, what sort of family days out do you envisage actually doing with the wife and kids in whatever you buy?
I know car shows aren't exactly everything but they are one of the few things I actually do in cars with my wife and kids-perhaps one or two a year. Even those, I'll drive my car down by myself and the family will come and meet me separately-the car usually needs to be on display 9:30am to 4pm so that'll be too long for all of them-if they meet me from say 11am to 1pm the kids can have some fun and then get off to more interesting things (for them!).
I think if we were all in one car (as I've done before) by the time the kids have had their fun I'm being pressured to get off home before I've seen and done everything I'd want to.
When I did the Jackie Stewart Classic, I did an organised road rally in my car across the amazing Borders roads to get there, stayed over with a few lads and had the kids come up and meet me for a few hours at the show. Then as they went home in comfort I did some other routes across country to get back at my own speed.
teOP, what sort of family days out do you envisage actually doing with the wife and kids in whatever you buy?
I know car shows aren't exactly everything but they are one of the few things I actually do in cars with my wife and kids-perhaps one or two a year. Even those, I'll drive my car down by myself and the family will come and meet me separately-the car usually needs to be on display 9:30am to 4pm so that'll be too long for all of them-if they meet me from say 11am to 1pm the kids can have some fun and then get off to more interesting things (for them!).
I think if we were all in one car (as I've done before) by the time the kids have had their fun I'm being pressured to get off home before I've seen and done everything I'd want to.
When I did the Jackie Stewart Classic, I did an organised road rally in my car across the amazing Borders roads to get there, stayed over with a few lads and had the kids come up and meet me for a few hours at the show. Then as they went home in comfort I did some other routes across country to get back at my own speed.
I'm in the same boat. Same budget and I recently sold my Caterham Superlight. Problem is cars like Lotus and Caterhams spoil you for other cars.
I have an Elise S1, a couple of BMWs and a 911 so don't know what to do and like you have been going from everything from a W126 to an Exige S3 and 205 Rallye. Likely I will go for an Exige S2 or Elise 220/250 Cup.
Yaris is too boring for me personally - driven one at length and it was just a bit dull.
I have thought about a Cayman R too but would want manual and the proper seats so will likely be £45k+ and I don't see the value in it. Also if you didn't use the Elise with kids, what difference will the Cayman make? It's also probably a bit dull in comparison to he Elise (My old Cayman GT4 wouldn't hold a candle to my tweaked S1).
A decent 911 which is as engaging as your Elise will be £40k+ all said and done but given your current cars, it's what I would do. Or a BMW of some description.
My Birds tuned 130i probably cost me £15k in total (bought it for £6 5k). It's the one car that can really do it all - shopping, school run, B road blast, track day and go sideways...I would get that over the old Golf anyday (and I've owned a MK2 GTI alongside a 205 GTI in the past).
I have an Elise S1, a couple of BMWs and a 911 so don't know what to do and like you have been going from everything from a W126 to an Exige S3 and 205 Rallye. Likely I will go for an Exige S2 or Elise 220/250 Cup.
Yaris is too boring for me personally - driven one at length and it was just a bit dull.
I have thought about a Cayman R too but would want manual and the proper seats so will likely be £45k+ and I don't see the value in it. Also if you didn't use the Elise with kids, what difference will the Cayman make? It's also probably a bit dull in comparison to he Elise (My old Cayman GT4 wouldn't hold a candle to my tweaked S1).
A decent 911 which is as engaging as your Elise will be £40k+ all said and done but given your current cars, it's what I would do. Or a BMW of some description.
My Birds tuned 130i probably cost me £15k in total (bought it for £6 5k). It's the one car that can really do it all - shopping, school run, B road blast, track day and go sideways...I would get that over the old Golf anyday (and I've owned a MK2 GTI alongside a 205 GTI in the past).
The same sort of requirements as me.
2 seater not practical enough and unable for a family day out.
Fun to drive.
Not loose money in the short term and possibly increase over ownership.
Not horrible servicing and running costs.
Over the last 4 years I’ve ended up with a fn2 civic type r. Lots of cheap fun. Zero depreciation and very low running costs.
2004 impreza spec c type ra. Not as cheap to run as the civic, but not stupid. The best car I’ve ever driven and owned. Practical 4 door saloon with an absolutely mental streak when asked.
Current car 2000 impreza type r. Like the 2004 impreza but worse in every way bar looks. Not as practical being a 2dr. More expensive to keep in good condition as most trim parts are nla or priced at 22b restoration prices.
Not quite as fun to drive (still better than 95% of cars).
I hit the goldilocks zone with the 2004 Impreza.
In your circumstance I’d go looking for an early to mid naughties rally rep.
If you’ve never owned one. Now is the time before they disappear into collections or piles of rust.
2 seater not practical enough and unable for a family day out.
Fun to drive.
Not loose money in the short term and possibly increase over ownership.
Not horrible servicing and running costs.
Over the last 4 years I’ve ended up with a fn2 civic type r. Lots of cheap fun. Zero depreciation and very low running costs.
2004 impreza spec c type ra. Not as cheap to run as the civic, but not stupid. The best car I’ve ever driven and owned. Practical 4 door saloon with an absolutely mental streak when asked.
Current car 2000 impreza type r. Like the 2004 impreza but worse in every way bar looks. Not as practical being a 2dr. More expensive to keep in good condition as most trim parts are nla or priced at 22b restoration prices.
Not quite as fun to drive (still better than 95% of cars).
I hit the goldilocks zone with the 2004 Impreza.
In your circumstance I’d go looking for an early to mid naughties rally rep.
If you’ve never owned one. Now is the time before they disappear into collections or piles of rust.
Buy that Golf. Organise a specialist pre purchase inspection.
1. You will have fun in it, with or without the family.
2. Your wife will love it.
3. You'll have cash left for the extension.
4. Cheap to run, if you buy well, and as reliable as a classic can be.
5. Shouldn't depreciate.
What else ticks all those boxes.
1. You will have fun in it, with or without the family.
2. Your wife will love it.
3. You'll have cash left for the extension.
4. Cheap to run, if you buy well, and as reliable as a classic can be.
5. Shouldn't depreciate.
What else ticks all those boxes.
Are you going to enjoy driving the car fast, or do the bikes fulfil that role for you?
We've got 10 motorbikes in the garage. Only one is road legal, but I get more thrills on those that I do in a fast car. So cars are either very practical, or slow and good looking.
The only vice car-wise is my mk1 golf. It doesn't cost much to keep (tax & mot exempt), can fit the family in, and is fun at low speeds. And Holds its value (at the moment)... More importantly, it anchors me to my youth; the emotional pull is surely the thing with classics?
We've got 10 motorbikes in the garage. Only one is road legal, but I get more thrills on those that I do in a fast car. So cars are either very practical, or slow and good looking.
The only vice car-wise is my mk1 golf. It doesn't cost much to keep (tax & mot exempt), can fit the family in, and is fun at low speeds. And Holds its value (at the moment)... More importantly, it anchors me to my youth; the emotional pull is surely the thing with classics?
Thanks to you all for taking the time to comment. Even this thread had me on a rollercoaster of decision making and sent me down some (Subaru and BMW) rabbit holes.
Bought the golf this afternoon. Knocked the price down a bit. Getting it delivered on Monday (meant to have day off to look after my kids as it’s half term- I have museums and meal booked…. I’m in trouble with the wife) but at least I’ll have a 40yo car, right?
Insurance £120. Obvs haven’t seen it in person nor have any relationship with the garage nor do I know any VW specialists - wish me luck !
Bought the golf this afternoon. Knocked the price down a bit. Getting it delivered on Monday (meant to have day off to look after my kids as it’s half term- I have museums and meal booked…. I’m in trouble with the wife) but at least I’ll have a 40yo car, right?
Insurance £120. Obvs haven’t seen it in person nor have any relationship with the garage nor do I know any VW specialists - wish me luck !
Why the hell not?! The wife is going to throttle you 
I'd love to feel what one's like these days-I remember being so disappointed with my Golf 16v as posted above after a couple of Ford RS Turbos-it just didn't feel fast.
It must have been built better-everyone told me they were but I missed the Turbo torque wallop of the RS'.
I bet it feels unbelievably light on it's feet these days now we're all used to modern machinery-it'll take some getting used to-good luck!
I'd love to feel what one's like these days-I remember being so disappointed with my Golf 16v as posted above after a couple of Ford RS Turbos-it just didn't feel fast.
It must have been built better-everyone told me they were but I missed the Turbo torque wallop of the RS'.
I bet it feels unbelievably light on it's feet these days now we're all used to modern machinery-it'll take some getting used to-good luck!
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