I finally got tired of not having a car, and since the house move is finalised and I knew my budget I could wait no longer. I wanted something fun, something quick but not ballistic, and something that would keep my attention for more than 5 mins. It had to have more than 4 cylinders, it had to be RWD, and it had to be FR. It also had to be comfy, as well as practical, but not dull. I definitely didn't want dull.
So what did I buy?
Well, it has one of these:
And one of these:
But most importantly, it has one of these:
Rare as hen's teeth, but I managed to find a 645Ci just round the corner from me with a manual 'box!
Sadly, it is in Resale Silver which is a colour I cannot stand. However, in the context of this car I don't mind it too much, as the rest of the package makes up for it nearly. 4.4L V8, 330bhp, 330ft/lb, 1700kg. Very basic spec which I actually prefer as it has less to go wrong, but still auto lights, wipers, cruise etc. Stereo is decent, interior looks hardly used even though the car is on 99K miles, and the bodywork in very good nick. Wheels aren't exactly an attractive shape but then no 6er wheels are apart from the M6 ones, and I've had them refurbed too.
It's got plenty of shove, and while I reckon that 0-60 would be slightly slower than a 350Z, once you're over 50mph it'll out pull one to silly speeds. It's quiet inside with just a woofle of the vee-eight, which will be getting changed in the next few weeks or so for something MUCH louder. The 'box is accurate and nicely weighted, if a little long in the throw but I've a shorter gearknob on order to rectify that. The chassis feels just as exploitable as the M6 I drove last year, and whilst the suspension is a little soft (again, something to be sorted out shortly) it rides so very well that it gives you total confidence in the car.
Currently I reckon I'm on course to get 400 miles out of a 70L tank, which gives me the range I wanted too. All in, I'm really happy with it and am looking forward to some longer road trips with the car this year.
And yes, I came very close to getting a 350Z again instead, as in I'd pretty much picked which exact car I was going to buy if I didn't like the 645, but ultimately I drove this and felt that it was something different that I hadn't experienced yet. Won't be everyone's cup of tea, but it does feel very nice to heel and toe in a proper V8 barge I have to say.
Oh, and the first mod has been done already:
Well, did you really expect anything else?!