Name:
Anthony McCarthy
Previously owned:
Rover 216 (x2), BMW E36 328i Touring (x2), BMW E46 330Ci
Currently owned:
Dacia Duster 4x4
On the shortlist:
BMW E36 or E46 M3, Alpina B10, Jaguar XKR, BMW E34 5 Series
The shed
Mitsubishi Pajero
Cost: £1,495
Remaining balance: £98,505
Why I chose it: “A good question, given the advert makes Kimi Raikkonen sound garrulous and the drug-dealer spec tinted windows look odd. (Though admittedly, it’d only be a rural, small-time drug-dealer who’d be seen in one of these.) But, as you’ll see below, when picking cars practicality isn’t my strong suit, so I like the idea of something which isn’t RWD and can be used in poor weather, and indeed as an actual shed, without caring at all about superficial damage inside or out. As an added note of nostalgia, my first ever driving was done around a field in a friend’s one of these (well, her parents’ one of these. I think they knew though…) Lastly, were any further reason needed, for those who know, the ‘Pajero’ label will always give rise to sniggering.”
The Brave Pill
TVR Cerbera 4.5
Cost: £19,500
Remaining balance: £79,005
Why I chose it: “Two strong memories of this car, the first being sitting in a new one as a 10-year-old at a motor show and being fascinated by the looks, both inside and out. Secondly, being reminded of that fascination years later when hearing (then eventually seeing) one crackling and popping its way down a steep hill in Clifton, interrupting conversations and generally making itself known. So I’d have to have one just for the noise - the looks are a bonus. Any TVR surely is a Brave Pill, but I’ve always loved them…money no object I might have a Sagaris, but this has the right noise and the memories. This is one of the cheaper Cerberas on PH, despite the desirable engine, but then you did ask for bravery…”
The one still on sale
Ford Mustang 5.0 GT
Cost: £25,999
Remaining balance: £53,006
Why I chose it: “American cars don’t often appeal to me, but every time I see one of these Mustangs I take a second glance. The fact that you can still buy a car with an N/A 5.0 V8 is also a wonderful thing, particularly as American engines now offer more than 50bhp per litre, unlike in times past. Ideally, I’d have an orange one of these, but this one keeps enough in the bank for one more unwise purchase, as below.”
Jaguar XJS V12 HE
Cost: £24,950
Remaining balance: £28,056
Why I chose it: “I think that owning something with 12 cylinders is a must while such things are still around, and the XJS has always held a fascination. I prefer the pre-facelift shape which emphasises the buttresses (not flying buttresses, as is often said) via the black surround on the rear window. This one is very strong money for an XJS, and I was also tempted by an XJRS on PH currently – not only more powerful but cheaper – but the bodykit on the XJRS really ruins the elegance of this shape and looks a bit home-made somehow. If I owned one of these I’d be tempted to do some saving up and send it to Knowles Wilkins for tasteful updating (and a little more power), so it’s worth getting a good one to start with - I’ve been very tempted (in actuality) by £6k examples but worry that they’ll be rotten underneath.”
BMW M5 (E34)
Cost: £17,995
Remaining balance: £10,061
Why I chose it: “For a committed BMW nerd I’ve had a lot of British stuff so far; I’d happily have a whole collection of M cars (at least, up to the dubiously-styled and turbocharged era) but if I had to have just one of them this would it. It’s another one of those shapes that’s always looked good to me, and somehow gets better with age (much like the XJS above). I also love a straight six and feel that there’s no more natural home for one than an M car. I’d never get bored of looking back at that shape when walking away, and (again like the XJS) where do you find an engine like this now?”
BMW 5 Series Touring (E61)
Cost: £9,570
Remaining balance: £491
Why I chose it: “I’ve always liked a fast estate, but Audi have never appealed to me so much despite the clean styling, and as the M240i/M2 lost out to the Mustang for ‘the one still on sale’, I had to get another BMW onto the list. I was tempted to leave more budget and go for an E60 M5 Touring – in my imaginary 100k garage world, I’d be prepared to risk the V10 issues – but I think the gearbox would be a deal-breaker in terms of everyday use. Reckon the money left should get an AA membership (or could be put towards my first bulk delivery of engine oil…)”
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