NumberoftheBeast Posted July 8, 2009 Posted July 8, 2009 Hi chaps Due to the "new arrival," I haven't been getting out in the Westy as much as I would have liked. I have therefore, after much deliberation, decided to put the car up for sale on PH etc. I'll be gutted to see it go (as will my missus who urges me to keep it) but I am just not using it as intended. If it sells, it sells but if it doesn't, it isn't the end of the world. I love the car... I was wondering what car I should go for next... Ultimately, it has to have more than two seats but it also has to be fairly quick, fairly unique and fairly cheap to insure (classic car insurance seems a plus point). I am after a bit of a drivers' car that I can still take the family out in on nice days. At present, I have a couple of ideas and these are: 1) TVR Cerbera (just worried about reliability) 2) Escort Cosworth (as above) I did have a few other ideas but the insurance wouldn't touch me for another few years. I'm just finding it hard to find something that ticks all the boxes... Quote
combatsapph Posted July 8, 2009 Posted July 8, 2009 If you're worried about reliability, walk away from the Escort. Plus you say you want it to be cheap to insure? Escos must be one of the most expensive cars to insure out there! Plus your RS6 is way quicker than the Escos and you mention it must be two seats - Escos is 4/5 seats? And then you say you want to take the family out in it - how is that going to happen in a two seater? What's the issue with not getting out because of the new arrival? I have a 2 yr son and a 1 yr old son. They'e both in bed and asleep by 18:30 giving me plenty of time to enjoy the Westy. I have a Scorpio Cosworth for me to use to get to work and the wifes MKIII Mondeo 2.0 Ghia X for the "family car", leaving the Westy for the fun stuff and the odd commute. Quote
Porkie Posted July 8, 2009 Posted July 8, 2009 Escos you will just HATE!!!! very very very dated and most are dogs now... the ones that aren't are too much money for what they are. TVR you will pull your hair out with the reliability (even though the Cerb can be one of the best of them for that) BUT its not somewhere I would ever put children in! I think you have a nicely balanced garage right now... either use your Westy more (which you will if you tune the engine or update the looks slightly I bet) or get something like an Elise or Exige or even a Boxster. Same kinda fun as Westy (not as extreme or raw obviously) but more usable and bit more practical. I'd think about a BMW E46 M3. w****r image... but a VERY fine car. The SMG convertable is one of the best all round cars I have ever owned. It just does everything! Also consider a Porsche 996... sports car but the kids can get in the back. Early ones cheap now and good value. I've owned all the above cars apart from the Cerb (mates have had them and hated them! and had traumas!) so if you need any more advice let me know. Quote
combatsapph Posted July 8, 2009 Posted July 8, 2009 Personally, I don't think you want to sell the Westy, hence creating a list of "needs" that you can't meet :-) Quote
stephenh Posted July 8, 2009 Posted July 8, 2009 Plus your RS6 is way quicker than the Escos and you mention it must be two seats - Escos is 4/5 seats? And then you say you want to take the family out in it - how is that going to happen in a two seater? Question actually said it must have MORE THAN 2 seats........that said, I am inclined to agree with the answers; why not keep it as a fun weekend/summer evening car? Quote
FW500 Posted July 8, 2009 Posted July 8, 2009 Couldn't have put it any differently to Porkie. You have a very nice set of cars - a solid tintop that is both desireable and rapid and a very nicely put together Westfield. Not making the most of it is exactly what this sort of toy is about - you pull it out of the toy chest once in a while to put a smile on your face. Quote
Porkie Posted July 8, 2009 Posted July 8, 2009 why not get a new set of wheels for your Westy. Will really 'update' the looks of the car.... your 1990's TSW blades are just not doing for me! maybe some other bits... Carbon arches etc etc... change the looks a bit. THEN give it 300bhp+.... which is VERY easy and cheap to do! You will either fall in love some more with your Westy... (bet you do!) or make it easier to sell Quote
NumberoftheBeast Posted July 8, 2009 Author Posted July 8, 2009 Cheers for the replies. @ CombatSaph, remarkably, I have been quoted a shade over £400 fully comp (with a £100 excess) on an Escort Cossie, on classic insurance and limited to 4,000 miles a year. I am aware they are costly to insure and was shocked at this figure! I had a quote on one a couple of years back and it was a LOT more than they quoted me on RS6 (which is why I bought the RS6). I am currently paying just over a grand on the Audi as my daily drive. not bad considering my age and postcode etc @ Porkie, on the topic of insurance, I like your M3 idea, but the insurance won't touch me on one. It's pretty strange really as they will on the Audi. I rang about an older one (like a 1996 M3 EVO) but again, they won't touch me on one... Thanks for the advice about Cossies. I know what you mean about them being fairly dated but that's some of the charm for me. I did have a Focus RS before I had my RS6 and I did some of the RSOC shows and therefore have a bit of a thing for them. that said, like you say, it might be difficult getting a good one. Some good ones still command over 20K which i can't afford to pay for a toy car. I do like the idea of a middle ground car like an Exige or the like, but again, they have two seats... It's sometimes frustrating with the weather and so something like this could bridge the gap. re: the wheels, I don't like them myself and it was/is on my to do list. I'd opt for black wheels to suit the carbon fibre bits. I also intended to modify the performance, but it's alreaddy pretty scary hahaha. I appreciate the advice and know what you mean about using it now and then as an escape. It's just that with a brand new baby (well, i say brand new, he is 11 weeks, time flies!) when the weather has been nice, the last thing I have wanted to do is gallavant off on my own in the Westy on some country roads. A toy with more seats would mean that I could do this but without feeling guilty of leaving my family. Once my baby boy (Charlie) is old enough, if I still have the car, I suppose it will be easy as we can go out and Mummy can stay at home hahaha Quote
combatsapph Posted July 8, 2009 Posted July 8, 2009 Ahh, I didn't read the "more than two seats thing". On that subject, if you want more seats to take your wife and kid out for a Sunday drive, you might as well get an average car to do it - are you really going to hoon around with your kid in the back (would your wife even let you?) QUOTE Thanks for the advice about Cossies. I know what you mean about them being fairly dated but that's some of the charm for me. Well, Cosworth still generate an amazing reaction from alot of people - it's a name lots of people recognise - if your into the Ford scene then that's pretty much the top of the pecking order. I appreciate old Fords myself, which is why I own the last Ford Cosworth ever made :-) RS owners can be b**chy though which sometimes spoils a few shows. Quote
NumberoftheBeast Posted July 8, 2009 Author Posted July 8, 2009 Yeah, I know what you mean, some of the RSOC lads are d*cks. Once I sold my FRS, some of them were b***hy. Long story, but I agree with you. Regarding hammering the car with them in it, I wouldn't be doing that. I don't really hammer the Westfield (much) when she is in it (or mcuh at all to be honest) but at least we can go out for a nice drive at leisurely speeds, maybe a pub lunch etc. and I have scope to be naughty at my leisure. Quote
Porkie Posted July 8, 2009 Posted July 8, 2009 I have a set of the same black wheels as alot of people have. The 1.2 things. (Same as combatsaph's) for sale actually. Will be very very cheap I reckon. Get some carbon bits and another 100bhp (which is easy) and you will feel like you have a whole new toy to play with Quote
Porkie Posted July 8, 2009 Posted July 8, 2009 Or loose the westy and the rs6 and get a 997 or 996 turbo... Had both of those (still have the turbo) very cool and usable 4 seaters that still make you smile and feel special to drive. Why is insurance such a problem? Or you just don't like to pay big premiums? Can't imagine your Audi is that cheap. Might be worth looking at a traders policy. Quote
Barry Ashcroft Posted July 8, 2009 Posted July 8, 2009 TVR you will pull your hair out with the reliability (even though the Cerb can be one of the best of them for that) BUT its not somewhere I would ever put children in! Yep all because illinformed comments are posted all over the web Yep f**king unreliably TVR don't know why I ever bought one (can you hear me laughing) Oh yes cause it just did 2800 hard miles in 10days and never missed a beat. So that makes 8000+ trouble free miles in 8months what a dog I bought Quote
Porkie Posted July 8, 2009 Posted July 8, 2009 And I can tell you lots and lots of horror stories from friends who have owned them... I personally broke down in one of tvrs own tuscans. Was press car. 3 friends have owned them.... And never would again. How's tvr doing now? Oh yes.... Quote
Porkie Posted July 8, 2009 Posted July 8, 2009 P.s glad you have had all those trouble free miles. Great looking cars and thrilling to drive. Bet every mile was a smiley one! Quote
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