Name: Martin Joyce (PH - martin12345)
Previously owned: Ford Cortina, Cavalier SRi 1.8l & 2.0l, Astra GTE, Metro GTi, More Escorts, Sierras, Fiestas and Mondeos than I can list, Sapphire Cosworth 4x4, Escort Cosworth, Racing Puma, XJ8 x 2, X Type (numerous), MkV GTi, Honda Accord, Seat Leon FR x 2 , SSS, Ford Ranger, Mazda B2500, Fiesta ST Mk7, Suzuki Swift. SS50, CB125T, XL100, XL250, CD200, CM200, CG125, CBX250, CB400, RG500, GPz500, GPz550 x 2 , CBX550, GSX750, CBX750, VFR750 x 5, VFR800, VFR800 VTEC, ZZR100, CB1100R
Currently owned: SEAT Leon Cupra 300, Jaguar XJR, Toyota Hilux, Honda VFR800, Honda Fireblade
On the shortlist: BMW M3 (any of the atmospheric straight-sixes or V8), Audi RS4, Honda RC30
The Shed
Ford Puma
Cost: £1,290
Remaining balance: £98,710
Why I chose it: "Nearly owned one of these twice in my life but never actually done it. Had a Racing Puma for six months as a company car, but never a standard one. Drove a few and they are just lovely to drive. Yes, we all know they rust in various places. And yes, in theory it can suffer from Nikasil problems like the AJ26 Jag's (and a bunch of BMWs) but at the end of the day, these are basically a pretty Fiesta, which handles a bit better and goes a bit better. Lovely little thing for what it is and deserving of a bit of love and attention."
The Brave Pill
X308 Jaguar XJR
Cost: £7,995
Remaining balance: £90,715
Why I chose it: "The sentimental one and Brave Pill #1. This is the second of my current cars and one that is very special to me. I joined Jaguar from University and worked there for 20 years in the Engineering Department. Included in the projects I worked on was the AJ26 engine that powers this lovely XJR. Many (including me) regard the X308 XJR as one of the pinnacles of Jaguar's work. It has the low elegance of the Sir William Lyon's era cars, yet is new enough to use on a daily basis. The car is so effortless, quiet, comfortable and reasonably quick even by modern standards. The only downside is the 18-22mpg but, as it doesn't depreciate, it shouldn't really cost that much to run.
"My actual car is a re-import from Japan which I bought two years ago when I decided I'd really like to own a car I helped engineer. I chose a Japanese car in order to avoid the dreaded rust as I plan to own and run the car all year round for many years to come. I get a deep sense of satisfaction both from owning and driving the car, not just because there is a chunk of my professional life in its engine, but also because it is just a lovely car."
The one still on sale
SEAT Leon Cupra 300
Cost: £17,800
Remaining balance: £72,915
Why I chose it: "The all-rounder. I like hot hatches and for most of my driving life that's what I've had. I recently owned a Mk 7 Fiesta ST which was a stunning car to drive, but after it got nicked I switched to a Suzuki Swift for a couple of years. I've just bought a 2017 Cupra 300 and it is the first of my three current cars that I own which is going in my £100k Garage; I really like them all and wouldn't want to get rid of any of them!
"When getting a hot hatch again, I had 99 per cent decided I wanted a Golf R. It ticked a lot of boxes as the sober, sensible car (I can't take the looks of the Civic Type R) which I could use for commuting, long weekends visiting karting tracks, shopping and soon while still being fun "pocket rocket". All was going to plan until I test drove one at Christmas and found it really boring. No drama, no excitement, just fast. I left the dealership somewhat disappointed wondering what to buy instead. Then I thought, "a FWD Golf R in a different set of clothes is what I need" and went a drove a Cupra - bingo!
"Wheelspin, axle tramp, involvement and a car that needed properly driving to get the best out of it and could provide some excitement below the speed limit. A month of searching the country to find the one at the right price and I now have a Mystery Blue Leon Cupra 300 on the drive like the one in the advert. I love it; it does exactly what I want as my modern, sensible, do everything hot hatch."
Toyota Hilux
Cost: £13,495
Remaining balance: £59,415
Why I chose it: "The useful one. This is the third (and last!) of my current cars. It deserves a place in a £100,000 garage because it is just so bloody useful. It does so many things that a normal car can't do and it just works. I bought it five years ago, as a three-year-old car with 68,000 miles on the clock. Now at 82,000 and eight years old; nothing has broken or gone wrong, every MOT passed first time with no advisories. No work at all except for servicing in line with the Toyota schedule (mostly by me).
"It can tow a horse trailer with two large horses, tow a grader to flatten all-season horse-riding surface, transport go-kart and assorted equipment to racetracks, take rubble from extension to dump, go shopping when the village is cut off with floods up to 50cm deep on every road and much more besides. It isn't fun, it isn't quiet and it's only just about comfy enough. But the Hilux is useful, flexible and hugely reliable - that's why it's here."
E39 BMW M5
Cost: £14,990
Remaining balance: £44,425
Why I chose it: "Brave Pill #2! Onto the cars I would add to my garage to get to £100k. The first is the E39 M5. Not a radical choice, I realise, but when this came out as a competitor to the XJR we knew we had a fight on our hands. A 5.0-litre V8, port throttles for magic response and a chassis to die for... plus, it's an E39, arguably still the best BMW 5 Series ever. If I hadn't worked at Jaguar and helped develop the AJ26, I would probably own one of these today in my real garage".
Porsche 944 Turbo Cabriolet
Cost: £27,995
Remaining balance: £16,420
Why I chose it: "This one scratches a couple of itches. I remember driving a 944 turbo whilst at Jaguar and being blown away at how much fun it was. Excellent RWD handling combined with power delivery best described as 'exciting' made for a lot of fun. Proper turbo lag would have been horrible in a less competent chassis, but given the ability of the car it wasn't a problem here. I chose a convertible because I enjoy a drop-top on the right day. There is something about being able to hear the countryside as you drive along that enhances any drive, as long as it's a nice day, and being a Porsche it won't be destroyed by cutting the roof off. Many will say that a 911 is the purist's choice, but a 944 is a properly nice car for its age and in many ways nicer than a 90's 911 in my (humble) opinion."
Vauxhall VX220 Turbo
Cost: £16,500
Remaining balance: £-80 (sorry!)
Why I chose it: "The track day car. If you want to do a track day, you need a light car, otherwise you mash your tyres and cook your brakes and spend most of the day in the pit lane letting things cool down. The sensible options are a Caterham or an Elise, or variations on a theme of either. I chose a VX220 as it is in many ways the best engineered of the lot and a nicer car to drive to and from the track. A well-engineered GM engine, under-stressed in a light body and great handling from what is in essence an Elise chassis. Plenty of performance, lovely balanced handling and the joy of the inverse snobbery of the Vauxhall badge."
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