What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Dogs buddy

I retire in 3 years time and after a motoring life of boring family cars and company Mondeos it’s time to buy myself something interesting for weekends, holidays and outings, which might become a bit of a classic. But it must be a hatchback because we’ve got a small dog who also likes a day out. It must be a bit classy (I’m OK for up to £20k) and it could be old – even 25 years old – so long as it will keep going with a bit of TLC. And if it’s a rocket too, so much the better. It’s a tall order. I’ve looked at older Porsches and Ferraris but I can’t find a 3-door among them? If it helps, the sort of thing I was thinking about was a BMW 840 - but that’s a saloon not a hatch. Similarly an S type would have been fine but Jags all seem to be saloons (I don’t count the X type Estate as a proper Jag). Did Mercedes ever make a sporty hatch? I’m not ruling out the likes of Ford or any ‘household’ make, but I can’t ever remember looking with envy at anything they made.

Asked on 17 October 2009 by

Answered by Honest John
The current shape Jag XK coupe is a hatch. Only front engine Porsches such as 924, 944, 960 and 928 were hatches. BMW did a Z3M hatch, and a Z4 and Z4M hatch. The Z4 hatches are beautiful
looking car, within budget, but the steering is a feel-free zone. Tested at www.honestjohn.co.uk Mercedes did a C Class Sport Coupe, now re-named the CLC. A Ford Focus ST looks relatively mundane, but is a quick car. I really liked the Volvo C30 2.5T, which is the same as a Focus ST under the skin but better looking and with better ride quality on standard 17" wheels. Your money also buys an Alfa Brera or GT.
Dear Honest John,

Please help me choose my next car. I would like it to have:
    Select a few terms below
Similar questions
I shall be retiring at the beginning of September and, having had a company car for most of my working life, would now appreciate some advice as to what I should buy after I stop work (and stop driving...
I have read your column for some years to gain some insight into the motor world. I just thought that I might amuse you, and possibly your readers with my new car purchase. I am approaching the magic 60...
I am about to replace my Audi A3 TSI Sportback Quattro with one of above. Prices appear similar. Any recommendation, please?