Yes, the Xantia was a weird step back from the BX, which combined an excellent ride with almost-Peugeot handling.

Not to mention the stupid headlights and driving position.

I wish I'd got hold of an Activa - active anti-roll should have been the ultimate development of hydropneumatic. And really, no luxury car an do without hydropneumatic.

So there's your answer, then; a W116 6,9 SEL. Good luck finding one!

 

Lexus a fair shout. Certainly comfortable but pretty anodyne in terms of the drive.

OP needs a modern.

 

Jag XJ - the new one. Cavernous and luxurious in equal measure.

 

BMW e38 V12.

 

Nice cars but extremely complex and absolute money pits. They were good value a couple of years back but people now ask over £5K for ratty ones. Less painful to pour money down a drain. One of the main reasons I prefer old Jags of similar vintage is that they aren't as complex and parts are easy to source and fit. If the OP is worried about having to fix a Jag, this should give him nightmares.

 

I wouldn't disagree - but I might once have had a punt if one could be had at the right price!

The e38 is such a lovely, understated looking car; with a sensible, risk-averse head on, a 728i would make a great deal of sense, if not a lot of speed...

I do like the Series 1 and Series 3 XJ, but I'm still too young (at heart) for a pipe-and-slippers, wing-back chair Jag. And the new XJ, whilst a looker, is a modern interpretation of a Ford Granada hatchback IMHO.

 

There are only three modern Jags that interest me - XKR, XFR and F-type. The XFR will be at £10K before long and I may swap for my STR if one with the right mileage and spec comes up. STR prices have risen along with everything else so the cost to change should be minimal.

I don't think they ever made a Granada hatch but the Grandad wasn't a bad car.

 

Haha

i'm someone who forms quite strong opinions and when I was a hot hatch type my best buddy had an Escort RS turbo

basically they'd strapped a turbo onto a cooking 1.6 which wasn't up to the job. The ride and handling were superb compared to my Astra GTE but the engine was a piece of shit.

that and ford imteriors really grate with me

i honestly think we'll find another crossover with more grunt instead.

the question then is whether to keep the M3. It has a truly awesome soundtrack, maybe one of the best in its price bracket if you discount Tivs which will just break comstantly. Took it 3 up to the NEC at the weekend and it just eats journeys like that. I'd never track it though like some do which is where the SC S comes in.

I've hankered after a lotus for a while so maybe that's the 2017 project. Surely I can keep one of the 3 cars running , even if 2 are closing in on 20 years old

 

I suppose a lot depends on how happy you'll be to watch the M3's value go under £10K. Might be better to put the present value into something that won't drop in value - but you are fussy!

 

This generation Granada was a hatch, before it evolved into a Scorpio. From what I recall, the petrol versions were nice cars.