2004 Subaru Impreza WRX

2.0L, Red, [Similar car shown]

Driven: 2004
Place: Auckland, New Zealand
Context: Mates Car

Memory byte:
A mate at one of the Agencies I was using at Vodafone lived not far from me, and one day he chucked me the keys for the drive north out of Auckland. Even though this wasnt the STi, the bonnet scoop and rear spoiler were bigger than I expected. It had the nice burble and felt pretty well sorted.

2004 Nissan 350Z

3.5L, Black, [Similar car shown]

Driven: 2004
Place: Auckland, New Zealand
Context: Press Car

Memory byte:
The second opportunity at the AA came in the form of a choice of 3 cars, and seeing the 350Z I immediately grabbed the keys and was off. Although not really getting to put it to any really serious corner work, on the motorway it was well behaved. The driver centric cabin was so cool, and the huge rear strut brace just behind your head was something you would never forget. I did find the V6 a bit lumpy and un-responsive at low revs, which could have been the fact that this one hadnt got many kms on it yet.

2004 Audi A3 3.2 Quattro

3.2L, Yellow, [Similar car shown]

Driven: 2004
Place: Auckland, New Zealand
Context: Press Car

Memory byte:
Whilst working at the Automobile Association (AA), there were a couple of occasions where I got to drive cars. This was the first, and boy did the Audi pack 'heat'. Cramming a 3.2 V6 engine into the small A3 body was quite a feat, and combined with the Quattro four-wheel drive system and DSG gearbox it was amazingly quick off the mark. The DSG gearbox is a marvel of technology, making changing gear a pleasure rather than the pain it could be in some 'tiptronic-esque' cars.

Unfortunately it was Yellow, but I couldnt hold that against it. I think the steering was a little on the dull side but everything else made up for it.

1994 Ford Fiesta 1.1L

1.1L, Red, [Similar car shown]

Driven: 2003
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Borrowed

Memory byte:
We got back to the UK one Christmas and ended up staying with my mother in law, which was always a pleasure. We borrowed her car a few times to go and visit peoplem, and I recall it was hard going back to a car without power steering. It seems such an alien concept now. It was not very good at much apart from delivering fuel economy.

1995 Honda CR-V

2.0L, Metallic Green, Reg: BMM640 then MY SB

Driven: 2003-2007
Place: Orewa, Hibiscus Coast, New Zealand
Context: Owned

Memory byte:
We had existed on just one car, and the plan was to buy something more 'multi-purpose' for off-roading etc, then sell my Legnum. Anyway, we got a good deal at Turners auctions and BMM640 became my wifes car, although the Legnum stuck around and we ended up keeping it too. The thing about the CRV was its capacious interior into which you could fit an inordinate amount of gear, plus it had a picnic table in the boot.

We loaded it up and went camping many times, complete with roofbox and sometimes a surf board or kayak. It delivered good fuel economy too, whilst the ride was smooth and it was good on gravel roads and beaches.

1997 Mitsubishi Legnum VR-4

2.5L, Metallic Blue, Reg: APQ786

Driven: 2002-2006
Place: Orewa, Hibiscus Coast, New Zealand
Context: Owned

Memory byte:
Having come back to the first garage we had stopped at in Albany, we noticed they had a Legnum VR-4 in the corner. Wow, I remember thinking, it would be awesome to have one of those. During the test drive it felt much quicker than the GTB, but some of that would have been down to the V6 and the torque. Well, we bought it and over the years it was a great family car. It was tiptronic too which meant that you could do a bit of manual work if you wanted.

Fitted a big bore muffler, new stereo, Ralliart lower strut brace, Evo 4 lightweight mags and had it de-catted too. Best memory comes from punting it around Pukekohe Race Circuit, reaching 180km/h on the back straight.

1997 Subaru Legacy GTB

2.0L, Silver, [Similar car shown]

Driven: 2002
Place: Albany, North Shore, New Zealand
Context: Test Drive

Memory byte:
Having arrived in NZ I'd always wanted to drive one of these twin turbo motors. Sadly it needed to be Auto so I think from memory it was down about 20bhp on the manual version. It certainly handled well and was quick, but I thought it would be faster. Loved the flat-four engine and 4wd, plus it even had two sunroofs. Sadly the guy was asking too much and was a bit of a 'dodgey dealer', so we left that one well alone.

1994 Vauxhall Corsa 1.4L

1.4L, Metallic Blue, Reg: LXXX XXX, [Similar car shown]

Driven: 2002
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Mums Car

Memory byte:
Borrowed Mums car after we sold our cars, ready for our move to NZ. Not a bad little runner, although no power steering is quite hard to go back to. You almost have to stand up to turn the wheel when parking. Phew!

1997 Vauxhall Corsa 1.4L

1.4L, Red, Reg: RXXX XXX, [Similar car shown]

Driven: 1999-2002
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Owned

Memory byte:
My wifes car, her first automatic was a great little family runner. My endearing memory of this little car was how well it performed against the GIANT task that was getting us all the way to the south of France one year on holiday. Five up, boot full , roofbox full and every nook and cranny stuffed with whatever we could, it got us there and back without a whiff of trouble. It would struggle (as one would expect) with the long climbs up the mountain roads en route. The Little Car That Could!

1997 Toyota RAV4 SWB

2.0L, Black, Reg: R661 CAU

Driven: 2000
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Bought to Sell

Memory byte:
Our second and final foray into the murky underworld that is car dealing, my brother and I decide to call it quits. This was quite a nippy little number with its rev happy toyota engine. Sucked petrol though when you hammered it. Due to the rear seats being located between the rear wheel arches it only had two rear seats.

1994 Toyota Celica GT4 (ST205)

2.0L, Black, Reg: M75 VNN

Driven: 2000
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Bought to Sell

Memory byte:
This car was a MONSTER! My brother and I did our brief stint as car traders, buying this grey import at auction up north somewhere near Donington. Not that we were that good at it, but it was fun driving around in this. Had a huge big bore exhaust, dump valve and must have put out around 250bhp.

You certainly had to watch when the boost cut in as it would literally take off. I loved it and wanted to keep it.

1990 Toyota Celica GT4 (ST185)

2.0L, Black, Reg: XBZ2900

Driven: 1999-2002
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Owned

Memory byte:
My first turbocharged 4wd car was awesome. Had it lowered at one point (as per the photo) providing lots of tyre squeeling on the twisty stuff to work (ala Newick Lane), but with all the family on board it would scrape its bum over speed humps (plus my fillings were working loose).

Loved the pop up lights and the exclusivity of owning something a little different. Needed more power though, as the 220bhp didnt seem to like the 1500kg weight it was fighting against, and if you used the air-con you would loose even more power. Also, this car had an 'invisible target' painted on it, as it attracted quite a few bumps and blemishes over the years.

1998 Mercedes Benz C220 CDi

2.2L, Light Metallic Blue, Reg: IIL XXXX, [Similar Car Shown]

Driven: 1998
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Dads Car

Memory byte:
Drove it down to Dawlish Warren (In Devon) one year on holiday with the family. Certainly was torquey and accelerated well. Handling wasnt really up to the same levels though. Was a great motorway cruiser and we got huge fuel economy as you would expect. Well built, quality car, but lived over on the slightly boring part of town.

1993 Ford Fiesta 1.1L

1.1L, Maroon, Reg: NXXX XXX, [Similar Car Shown]

Driven: 1998-1999
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Owned

Memory byte:
My wifes car. Don't think it even had power steering, it certainly didnt have power either. Hard to park and really annoying without central locking. Economical little runner though.

1996 Volvo 850 T5

2.3L, Green, N164 RCD

Driven: 1998-1999
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Owned

Memory byte:
This was what I ended up using my car allowance on, and boy was it a great car. My Dad had had Volvos before, but this redefined the marque for me. The 850 T5s had been used in the BTCC too, so if its good enough for them its good enough for me.

Good for 150mph they reckoned, and 0-60 in under 7 seconds. I loved the warble from the 5 cylinder engine and the way it handled too. 225bhp through the front wheels could be tricky on wet drain covers etc.

Best memory, 1200 mile road trip through France with my mate Mike. Awesome memories!

1997 MGF Abingdon

1.8L, Green, R713 BKK then IIL XXXX

Driven: 1997
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Dads Car

Memory byte:
Dads second car for a while. He, my brother and I took turns to drive it. Even though it wasnt the vtec version it was quite revvy and the short-shift gearbox was a delight, as was the mid engined handling. Go-kart springs to mind. Great with the roof down too, although slightly 'hair-dresser-esque' it was good fun.

1990 Subaru Legacy RS Turbo

2.0L, Dark Blue, [Similar car shown]

Driven: 1998
Place: East Sussex, UK
Context: Test drive

Memory byte:
My first flat-four experience was awesome. A bit rougher than I expected with the lumpy tickover. Had a car allowance and looked at this one which was going for about GBP10,000. Took for a test drive and think I got the garage a camera ticket :-)

1991 Vauxhall Carlton 1.8 Estate

1.8L, Dark Blue, [Similar car shown]

Driven: 1997-1999
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Owned

Memory byte:
My better halfs car, which might as well been an APC, given it could carry a crew of seven. We had two extra seats fitted in the boot to help cart all 5 of us around plus 2 kids on loan. Good family car, reliable and sensible. You wouldnt want to push it in any direction of performance for fear it might bite you.

1990 Vauxhall Carlton 2.0 CDXi

2.0L, Dark Blue, [Similar car shown]

Driven: 1997
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Owned

Memory byte:
Big car compared to the Renault 5, but it had lots of luxury items and wasnt too bad on the performance front. Remember collecting it from somewhere down near Chichester where I traded the gold Escort in. Great as a family car, took all of us down to Dawlish Warren. Rear wheel drive and no driver aids was fun.

1998 Volkswagen Golf VR6

2.8V6, Black, [Similar car shown]

Driven: 1998
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Bosses bosses car

Memory byte:
Wow, this was awesome. I got to drive a brand new grunty Golf all the way to Leeds and back. And boy did that car fly. With my co-pilot watching out for the Rozzers and cameras we blazed a trail there and back again. We were given the following instructions "Thrash it, but don't Bash it", and thats what we did. It was such a delight on the motorways and round the roundabouts, you could own nearly everything in sight. A great memory.

1997 Citroen XM diesel

1.8 Diesel, Dark Grey, [Similar car shown]

Driven: 1998
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Hire Car

Memory byte:
This thrash-mobile got the full treatment. Even though is was diesel it could still fly along. Drove all the way from Sussex to Northumberland, giving it a good caning. Viva la France for the air suspension - what a stupid invention! Sure its comfortable, but why would you want to have the back of your car go up and down every time you park???? I ask you.

1997 Audi A4 1.8L 20v

1.8L, Dark Blue, [Similar car shown]

Driven: 1998
Place: Tunbridge Wells, Kent, UK
Context: Bosses Car

Memory byte:
Again, being a bosses car you tend to drive with your buttocks clenched as you negotiate traffic. Once out of town and on the open road I remember thinking how well the 20v 5 cylinder engine went. Loved the red dash display too.

1997 BMW 316i Compact

1.6L, Black, [Similar car shown]

Driven: 1998
Place: Tunbridge Wells, Kent, UK
Context: Bosses Car

Memory byte:
Given that it was my bosses car, it was always going to be 'gently gently' now. Went to visit a supplier in TW, so only a short trip, but a bit nerve racking never the less. Not sure I even got it out of 3rd :-)

1997 Vauxhall Astra 1.6

1.6L, Green, [Similar car shown]

Driven: 1998
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Hire Car

Memory byte:
Another thrash-mobile hire car for my trip to Leeds. Mind you the gear change was downright nasty, the engine didnt like to rev much and the less said about the chassis the better!! Dog.

1998 Ford Focus 1.6LX

1.6L, Silver, [Similar car shown]

Driven: 1998
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Hire Car

Memory byte:
One of the many cars used to travel up to Leeds for work. Remember thinking the first time I drove it, that it felt a bit like a people carrier what with all that headroom. Chassis was pretty good, even if the engine and gearbox were less willing. Also, one of the first cars I have driven that didnt have the standard 'tick tick' noise for indicators. Soundly thrashed like all good hire cars!

1996 Mercedes Benz C180

1.8L, Silver, IIL XXXX [Similar car shown]

Driven: 1997
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Dads car

Memory byte:
Drove it once as far as I can recall. Nice and comfortable, very little road noise but too underpowered and what's with that weird handbrake mechanism?

1990 Ford Escort 1.4 GL

1.4L, Gold, GXXX SBM

Driven: 1997-98
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Owned

Memory byte:
Good family car, my wifes first one. Comfortable and economical, again with that 1.4L engine that was quite a gem. Had electric windows and sunroof, but I think it had a brown/tan coloured interior - bleugh. Went to the Isle of Wight on holiday one year.

Single Seater

Driven: 1993
Place: Brands Hatch, Kent, UK
Context: Track Day Car

Memory byte:
Can't remember much about what type of car it was, but being wedged into the cockpit and trying to get to grips with the controls etc was distraction enough. Then you had to watch the revs and no overtaking, which unfortunately I did. Pretty quick little thing but probably didnt get enough heat into the tyres at the time. Great cicruit to drive on, loved Druids Hairpin.

1991 Ford Fiesta XR2i - Track Car #15

1.6L,

Driven: 1993
Place: Brands Hatch, Kent, UK
Context: Track Day Car

Memory byte:
Awesome track day at Brands Hatch, courtesy of my better half. The transition from road to track could not have been more stark with the instructor shouting at you and grabbing the steering wheel. Nigel Mansell I wasn't. Mind you the instructors get let out of a local asylum for the day, as they drive 6.5mm from the bumper of the car in front. XR2i was great in stripped out form with good tyres.

1989 Renault 5 GT Turbo

1.4L, Silver, Reg: F109 RVL

Driven: 1996-97
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Owned

Memory byte:
Holy Moly - could this thing fly! Okay so it was a lemon and horribly unreliable, but when it was working it smoked everything in sight. Although I could never figure out what had been done, it was quicker than the normal GT Turbo and had bucket loads of torque steer. When the turbo cut in you would see your passengers grab for the nearest solid object - it was awesome fun.

1988 Toyota MR2 T-bar

1.6L, Red, Reg: E874 HAP

Driven: 1995
Place: Horam, East Sussex, UK
Context: Brothers Car

Memory byte:
Wow, pop-up headlights, that was so cool and Ferrari'esque. It was a neat little, rev happy car to drive. It was light and handled superbly, being mid engine and on such a small wheelbase. The cockpit cocooned you and the short shift gearbox meant the pace was always maintained. Awesome.

1990 Ford Sierra Sapphire 2.0i Ghia

2.0L, White, Reg: H514 YOU

Driven: 1995-96
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Owned

Memory byte:
Good all round family car, had all the Ghia goodies and was moderately powerful, although white is a hard colour to maintain. Rear wheel drive can be a bit of a handful again as I found out half way round a corner as I hit a puddle on the apex (no it wasnt a circuit), and I had a major tank-slapping moment to deal with. Thankfully collected it okay - phew!

1986 British Leyland Metro

1.1L, Handbrushed Matt Black, Reg: C [Similar car shown]

Driven: 1995
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Hired

Memory byte:
Had to hire this monstrosity from a local garage to go and pick up my next car, Ford Sierra from Worthing. My brother accompanied me on that trip, and he noted how beautiful the turqoise vinyl interior was and the joyful 4 speed gearbox. Quite possible the worst car I have ever driven!

1989 Ford Orion 1.6i Ghia

1.6L, Red, Reg: F [Similar car shown]

Driven: 1995
Place: Heathfield, East Sussex, UK
Context: Owned (very briefly)

Memory byte:
Always wanted one of these, but this particular one was a real let down. Didn't notice that the paint work was a bit too shiny and only found out afterwards that it had been crashed and repaired. The range computer must have been sniffing petrol as it had real difficulty deciding what was fact and what was fiction, hence I got caught out a few times. Ditched it quick.