Dream On...

[ELFMAN]

While the MINI was in getting its new boots this afternoon I took a walk down to the McLaren Showroom in Bothwell Road in Hamilton. Stunning selection of cars. I'm not well-versed in the McLaren model line up, but there was a limited edition P2, and a good few others on show. I was lurking around the cars parked in the forecourt, trying to look like a (rather badly dressed) millionaire, failing miserably of course, but was invited in by one of the sales guys who was obviously worried about the amount of drool on his precious stock...

Had a decent blether with the nice lady on reception (whose sister has a MINI Coupe - needless to say I recommended NMS). She's driven a 'Big Mac' as part of their training programme and absolutely loved it. It was a bit of a pussycat apparently, but that was avoiding Race Mode... She said the passenger ride on track was mindblowing.

All in all a very pleasant experience - nobody seemed to mind that I obviously wasn't a potential customer, and the cars are well worth a closer look. They also have a 2004 GP car driven by our very own David Coulthard.

Sorry there's not much 'Tech' in this report, but I took a few camera photo snaps - see the rather haphazzard display below:

[MINI William]

Some lovely cars but so many others cars I would have first

[MrMischief]

A friend of mine had an MP4 but now has a 570S. Brakes & grip are phenomenal, as is the 570bhp! Glad to say his is used properly on track...

[CiderFex]

I do love a McLaren but I'd have to agree with William about other cars first.
Maybe if I could actually afford one my outlook would be a tad different though.....


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[EcosseGP]

They always look great but would I have one ? Probably not ... Always nice to look though ;)

[ELFMAN]

Well I'm never going to be in the position to buy any sort of "Supercar" (of course we all agree the MINI is a 'Super' car) so it's all academic. The McLarens are lovely motors and are no doubt an absolute blast to drive, but like the others have said, there are so many other fantastic cars, and I'd add - for so much less money.

I'm particularly interested in classic 60s sportscars, so if I had a few £££ going spare I'd be looking at a pristine Big Healey, an E-Type or something similar, maybe even a top-notch Cobra replica... but I'd probably spin that in 4th and wipe us both out! Realistically I'd have a mid to late 60s MGB Roadster or a BGT. I've been seriously looking into them over the last year or so and you can pick up a pristine rebuilt BGT for around £10k and the equivalent Roadster for maybe £14k. If you're not too fussy you can find decent ones for half that money. So the thought of spending £135k on a two year old McLaren does seem a bit mad, even if does look a bit fab.

If money were no object? 1959 Ferrari 250SWB (below, left) or 1962 250 GTO (below, right) thank you very much! I wonder what others would choose? There's your up to £20k category, £20 - £50+k, and "Sky's the Limit". Feel free to hijack the thread for your 'Fantasy Garage'!

[zimbo]

Very nice Euan, I believe that the McLaren you called P2 is actually the latest very limited edition 'McLaren 675LT' of which that particular one is chassis number #001. A VERY rare spot indeed mate.

Ok here we go:
Upto £20k: 2nd hand Porsche 997 911 Carrera in black
£20k-50k: 2nd hand F80 M3 in Yas Marina Blue, Silverstone II or Mineral White
Skys the limit: New-RS4 Avant in White
New-991 GT3RS In Ultra Violet
New-918 in Any colour
New-McLaren P1 in Any colour
+ many many more... lol

:thumbs up:

[CiderFex]

Up to £20K :
A really low mileage GP1 for best.
:)
£20-50K:
A 2nd hand Bowler Wildcat.
Sky's the limit:
RS4
GT-R Black Edition
Hennessy Venom GT
Aston Martin DBS
Aston Martin One-77
A 2017 Ford GT
Koenigsegg Agera R
1969 Mustang Boss 429 Cougar
Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse
:)

I've just been into the garage and realised all of the above pale into insignificance against the Wee Beasty that's having a rest in there.
:)



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[EcosseGP]

The first things that spring to mind ...

Up to 20k
GP1
MK1 Ford Escort (no more than £20k)

£20-50k
Audi R8
Audi RS4
MINI Countryman JCW

Sky's the limit
Porsche 911 GT3 RS


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[weefossy]

Up to 20k would have to be a JCW WC 50, but if it's over and above what we have already it would be

to 20k - - - - 2nd hand BMW335m sport tourer
20 to 50k - - Jaguar XF Tourer
Sky - - - - - Ian Callum's Mk 2 Jag see link
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/ian-callum-s-jaguar-mark-2-driven-picture-special

[ELFMAN]

Nice motors guys! :thumbs up: :cool:

Zimbo, you're right, I remember that's the numbers (675LT) that were on the side badging and the chap did say it was a rare beast, I just looked at the number plate! They started it up to manoeuvre it around a bit and it did sound the business...

I forgot to mention that in my Fantasy Garage I'd also have my original souped up 1982 1275 Mini, my 2001 Cooper and my 2003 JCW 210... And my current R56 - fantasy garages must have Tardis-like interiors!

[badwolf340]

Nice cars but .....better cars for me would be
Twin cam Lotus Escort
Twin Cam Lotus Cortina Mk1 (original A frame)
Lotus Sunbeam
Avenger Tiger Mk2 (twin headlights)
HS Chevette ....or HSR
Nissan Cherry Turbo
All much more fun

[weefossy]

Euan, an old broker friend of mine has his garage attached to his living room, with a glass wall and curtain separating them. It could take about 6 cars, At the time I new him he had a
Lotus Ellan
Lotus Elise.....which was his favourite car ???
Couple of classic Porsche's
Healey 3000
and at the time a brand new R8

he drove about to clients in a Volvo

[Eddie_JCW]

Up to 20k- 2000-2004 TVR Tuscan or E60 M5
20-50k- probably the best 911 turbo I could find or C63 AMG
Sky's the limit- F40, XJ220, Vanquish.

I could add so much to that list lol but I think that would be my dream choices.

[ELFMAN]

Euan, an old broker friend of mine has his garage attached to his living room, with a glass wall and curtain separating them. It could take about 6 cars, At the time I new him he had a
Lotus Ellan
Lotus Elise.....which was his favourite car ???
Couple of classic Porsche's
Healey 3000
and at the time a brand new R8

he drove about to clients in a Volvo

Cars in your house through the glass? That's class! :thumbs up:

Eddie, I had forgotten TVR! Visited the factory in Blackpool a couple of times, and saw many amazing machines including the absolutely bonkers Speed 12, but always loved the Griffith. Understated looks (for a TVR) but with that glorious V8 soundtrack. It was the automotive equivalent of Chuck Norris - not too big and showy, but it could kick your head in before you could say "Six time world karate champion"!