What car would James Bond drive in real life?

Maherj1 · September 2009

One for the car nuts.....What would the real modern James Bond drive?

Assuming a civil servant could'nt afford an Aston....and a pre-war Bentley with Amherst-Villiers supercharger would stand out a bit

...what do you think he would drive?

It would have to be fast, obviously, preferably British, sleek and stylish whilst also being low key and affordable.

My choice would be the Jag XkR (pre 2006 so the 100 version):

4.2 litre V8 too...only deal breaker is its an automatic, but I still reckon it would be a pretty good choice.

So what are peoples thoughts?

thesecretagent · September 2009

TVR Cerbera gets my vote. The 4.5L V8 packs 420 - 460 BHP (TVR are unreliable with true performance figures as well!) but it equates to around 3.6 secs to 60mph and 205mph top speed. Civil servant salary should easily find £18k for a decent one around six years old. And TVR's unreliabilty shouldn't be too much of a problem, as Bond doesn't spend much time at home! And no, they never made an automatic either...

Maherj1 · September 2009

I like it.....definitely a good choice, but could he plump for a Tuscan?

EDIT: Or what that be a little to flash. B-)

thesecretagent · September 2009

The Tuscan is pretty full on, isn't it. Although they are pretty affordable now. I've never taken the plunge and actually owned a TVR, but a friend has had a few and admits you need to be able to afford one twice. Once to buy, and once to keep it going!

Sir Miles · September 2009

thesecretagent wrote:

TVR Cerbera gets my vote. The 4.5L V8 packs 420 - 460 BHP (TVR are unreliable with true performance figures as well!) but it equates to around 3.6 secs to 60mph and 205mph top speed. Civil servant salary should easily find £18k for a decent one around six years old. And TVR's unreliabilty shouldn't be too much of a problem, as Bond doesn't spend much time at home! And no, they never made an automatic either...

They should have made an automatic because the clutch is a b*tch !!

No way would Bond use this car, he would have a groin strain in no time - and THAT just would not do

)

Danjaq · September 2009

I think the real James Bond (i.e. a spy working on a government salary) would drive something basic rather than something extrtavagant. As H. Keith Melton (and narrator Sir Roger Moore) said on the video series Spy Tek, real spies try to stay under the radar and do all they can to avoid attracting any attention. Flamboyance and glamour could blow Bond's cover if he's on a mission abroad.

thesecretagent · September 2009

Let's face it, if it were real life Bond would use a five-year-old hatchback or even a van, dress down and probably be balding and wear glasses. But this is Bond, and flash cars, suits, watches and extravagant behaviour is what we want and have become to expect.

j.blades · September 2009

also if you recall there was a succsesful french spy who was known to drive his rolls royce around, he is said to be one of ian fleming's inspirations.

Dangerman009 · September 2009

Maherj1, that Jag XkR is beautful!

I submit for everyone's consideration the Tesla Roadster.

I think the only downside would be it's 600 mile range. I'm not sure, but I don't think Bond usually drives that far in a sports car anyway.

Dangerman

Higgins · September 2009

The Tesla roadster is actually based on the Lotus Elise. Lotus.... sounds familiar.

However I agree with most people, that the real Bond would drive a more discrete car, my guess would go to a well-powered Saab 9-3 sedan or similar. And there we see, that Gardner was not too wrong.

DaltonFan1 · September 2009

Bond would never drive a Tesla as it takes a week or something to recharge the battery. A Saab would be a good idea, but my choice would be a Lotus Esprit(as seen in TSWLM and FYEO) because it's a beautiful car, not too pricey, and I'm told it handles very well.

The Viking · September 2009

Hi all,

I have decided finally to make my first post on this excellent site, after reading for a long time.

Personally, I think the Jaguar XK8 (and XKR) would be excellent choices for James Bond. In fact as most of you probably know, Raymond Benson's novels "Facts of Death" and "High Time to Kill" feature the XK8 with Q branch modifications. If Bond was looking for something less flashy for an assignment a Jaguar XJ6 from the 1990s would be affordable, yet elegant. I own both and have been in the business (government secrets and intelligence) for many years. Great topic and excellent forum by the way.

Dangerman009 · September 2009

What about a Mini?

Seriously though, after looking at more images of the XK8, etc., I like it and think that would be a good choice. Just not this one.
http://www.seriouswheels.com/jkl/Jaguar-XK8-Convertible-Austin-Powers-1024x768.htm

thesecretagent · September 2009

Saabs today are nothing more than re-badged Vauxhalls that only appeal to people making a conscious decision to be different - but they are thinking too hard. If Bond was going down the saloon route, then he just as well look at BMW, Audi or Mercedes. At least they are either rear or four wheel drive and have some power, the M, RS or AMG versions are awesome. Saabs are front wheel drive, low on power and a waste of time to try tuning because as any car enthusiast knows, you put more than 250 BHP through front wheel drive, and there is no handling.

JADE66 · September 2009

Bond would want something classic. I think a 1960 Jaguar XK150 Roadster would be the ideal choice. It's sleek, elegant, very British. The long, low, cat-like stance, the purr of the twin OHC in-line six cylinder engine, and 210 bhp (in the SE) would all suit Bond very well. In the novel Goldfinger he chose the Aston Martin from the car pool over the Jag but that was before the 1960 XK150. In my opinion that particular Jag is one of the most beautiful cars ever built. I think Bond would agree.
-{

Higgins · September 2009

thesecretagent wrote:

Saabs today are nothing more than re-badged Vauxhalls that only appeal to people making a conscious decision to be different - but they are thinking too hard.

Well, an Audi is more of a Volkswagen than the Saab 9-3 is an Opel (infact Vauxhall is a rebadged Opel). The 4 cyl. models are pretty easy to be tuned and there is a 4-wheel-drive platform available for it as well. The 6-cylinder model with 4 wheel-drive can be easily brought up to 350 HP which should be enough in most situations.

And Bond driving a Merc, BMW or Audi ?:)
It would be similarly thinkable as he would be wearing Hugo Boss suits

thesecretagent · September 2009

Bondtoys wrote:

thesecretagent wrote:

Saabs today are nothing more than re-badged Vauxhalls that only appeal to people making a conscious decision to be different - but they are thinking too hard.

Well, an Audi is more of a Volkswagen than the Saab 9-3 is an Opel (infact Vauxhall is a rebadged Opel). The 4 cyl. models are pretty easy to be tuned and there is a 4-wheel-drive platform available for it as well. The 6-cylinder model with 4 wheel-drive can be easily brought up to 350 HP which should be enough in most situations.

And Bond driving a Merc, BMW or Audi ?:)
It would be similarly thinkable as he would be wearing Hugo Boss suits

So the Saab 9-5 doesn't share its platform with the Vauxhall Vectra? I must stop watching Top Gear and cancel my subscription to Performance Car Magazine...
I wasn't saying Bond should drive a BMW/Audi/Mercedes - just that if he were going down the saloon route, then a car leaving the factory with 500 - 600 horsepower might be what he could choose over a Saab. You don't tend to mention the latter in the same breath, and having at certain times owned all four makes, I have a little insight into the build and feel of each. But this is hypothetical, and only what "our" Bond would drive. Mine merely has better taste. :v

Higgins · September 2009

Well an A4 shares its platform with a VW Golf along with a lot more interior components than Saab do with Opel. That's the message of my comment, nothing else.

By the way, a Bentley shares the platform with a VW Phaeton, so the platform does not necessarily say too much about the qualities of a car.

thesecretagent · September 2009

Bondtoys wrote:

Well an A4 shares its platform with a VW Golf along with a lot more interior components than Saab do with Opel. That's the message of my comment, nothing else.

By the way, a Bentley shares the platform with a VW Phaeton, so the platform does not necessarily say too much about the qualities of a car.

Well, having driven a Phaeton I don't need any convincing that VW is the best thing to happen to Bentley since old WO walked into Rolls Royce and said, "I want that Rolls... But faster please!"

Higgins · September 2009

But it's still on the platform of a less exclusive car. Something which sounded to be bad in your initial comment....

thesecretagent · September 2009

Bondtoys wrote:

But it's still on the platform of a less exclusive car. Something which sounded to be bad in your initial comment....

No. There is nothing wrong with using the platform of a lesser car to build on and make a better car. Without the Jaguar XJS (rubbish) there would have been no Aston DB7 (good) for instance, and then no Jaguar XK8 (great). What I originally said was that Saabs are based on Vauxhall, and I didn't want to say it in my original post, and sorry to hurt anyone's feelings here, but Vauxhalls are crap and I would hope Bond could do better...

Higgins · September 2009

So you would agree that a Saab is not a rebadged Opel just because it shares the same platform?

thesecretagent · September 2009

Bondtoys wrote:

So you would agree that a Saab is not a rebadged Opel just because it shares the same platform?

I didn't mean to be taken so literally. Obviously the Saab isn't really a re-badged Vauxhall/Opel, I was merely drawing a parallel, but for the sake of pedanticism, I will agree that it is not. It shares many parts, platform dexterity and design with GM products. Saab were great cars once and stood alone in the field - not up there with BMW or Mercedes (and to be honest I don't see Audi standing shoulder to shoulder with the other two either), but they were certainly a hell of a lot better than Ford and GM. Now, however, Saab are both cheap to purchase, and cheap in feel and design. If you need further convincing then go to a local showroom and sit in the best Saab on offer, then sit in a mid-priced 3 series BMW and the lack of quality of the Saab will shock you...

But I'll draw a line under this - you have your views and I have mine. -{

I'd rather see Bond in the Cerbera anyway.

dr. evan-gelist · September 2009

Bond would drive a Lada (with a radiator fitted).

thesecretagent · September 2009

Another idea, and the most exclusive so far....

The Marcos TSO. 0-60mph in 4 secs, 185mph. 420 - 460 bhp (depending on performance package originally purchased with the car) and some second hand examples out there at £30,000. And oh, yes... British!

Fast, exclusive and, did I already say fast?

Higgins · September 2009

If we are talking about sports cars:
download-file?item_file_id=2365&item_file_code=cd0c47280b&file_key=0

http://www.wiesmann.com/de/modelle/gt_mf4

but I'm sure that a real James Bond today would choose a low-profile car like a sedan

thesecretagent · September 2009

Weismann appears to be Germany's answer to Morgan (though probably reliable and well made). Germany has a huge Morgan following, I've spoken to many German's at classic and sports car shows over here.

Higgins · September 2009

Indeed, there is a huge Morgan community in Germany. However, I'd not compare it with Morgan in any perspective. In nature, the Wiesmann is a very contemporary car (and has been introduced long before the Morgan Aero existed) and yes, much better made and better BMW engines.

Number24 · September 2009

In real life? A fast car that is also (fairly) inconspicous. I know very little about cars, but perhaps one of the Ford Cosworth Models? Maybe a Ford Sierra Cosworth.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D226Dx4pWD8

thesecretagent · September 2009

Ah, I can see it now - Bond downs a can of Stella on the street corner, pulls up his hoody and gets into his Sierra Cosworth, spins the wheels and powers right into his council estate...

Number24 · September 2009

thesecretagent wrote:

Ah, I can see it now - Bond downs a can of Stella on the street corner, pulls up his hoody and gets into his Sierra Cosworth, spins the wheels and powers right into his council estate...

I think you are missing the meaning of three words; "real life" and "Cosworth".
The question was: what car would Bond use in real life. I think he would use a very fast car, but not one that stood out a mile away as being a luxury sportscar. In real life spies need a car that's inconspicious - that is, until you press the accelerator to the floor!
This is where the word "Cosworth" is important. Cosworth customizes stock cars like the Sierra into racing car standard. The Ford Sierra Cosworth has an engine that delivers 224 hp.
Could it be that I have found a man who knows less about cars than I do? :v

What car would James Bond drive in real life?

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