2007 Mazda 6 2.3 Ltd

2.3L, Silver, Reg: DWD160

Driven: 2007
Place: Red Beach, Hibiscus Coast, New Zealand
Context: Press Car

Memory byte:
One of the easiest cars to drive in existence, was expecting more though but has a good chassis and doesnt do too bad for a front wheel driver.

See full Mazda 6 2.3 Ltd review at Car and SUV website

2007 Peugeot 407 SW HDi

Image Copyright Car & SUV
2.7L, Metallic Grey, Reg: 407SW

Driven: 2007
Place: Red Beach, Hibiscus Coast, New Zealand
Context: Press Car

Memory byte:
Another one Darren dropped by in. Man the French know how to make quirky cars!

Loved the moon roof, handbrake was nicely positioned for the passenger (obviously minimum of a two man crew) and you could take your eye out with the top of the window surround on the driver door. Nice looker though.

See full Peugeot 407 SW HDi review at Car and SUV website

2007 Subaru Legacy Outback 3.0R

3.0L, Metallic Blue, Reg: DLD651

Driven: 2007
Place: Red Beach, Hibiscus Coast, New Zealand
Context: Press Car

Memory byte:
My second car to review didnt happen long after the first, and the Outback was very capable too.

See full Subaru Legacy Outback review at Car and SUV website

2007 Hyundai Tiburon V6 Coupe

Image Copyright Car & SUV
2.7L, Silver, Reg: DWS61

Driven: 2007
Place: Red Beach, Hibiscus Coast, New Zealand
Context: Press Car

Memory byte:
My first ever proper car review - turned out to be a car that I really wanted to hate, but struggled to. Front wheel drive cars are getting better and better these days.

See full review at Car and SUV website

2007 Nissan Maxima Spec R

Image Copyright Car & SUV
3.0L, Black, Reg: DLD651

Driven: 2007
Place: Red Beach, Hibiscus Coast, New Zealand
Context: Press Car

Memory byte:
Darren (residing Editor at Car&SUV website) brought this round for a quick spin when he was in the area. With CVT transmission and front wheel drive it was never going to be a drivers car.

See full review at Car and SUV website

2007 Kia Sorrento Ltd

Image Copyright Car & SUV
2.5L diesel, Black, Reg: DYZ499

Driven: 2007
Place: Red Beach, Hibiscus Coast, New Zealand
Context: Press Car

Memory byte:
Darren (residing Editor at Car&SUV website) brought this round for a quick spin when he was in the area.

See full review at Car and SUV website

1995 Subaru Impreza WRX STi V2 Wagon

2.0L, Silver, Reg: DKG104 then STI9

Driven: 2007-
Place: Red Beach, Hibiscus Coast, New Zealand
Context: Current Owned

Memory byte:
When I changed jobs I wasnt sure what direction things would take me, so I needed to sell the bimmer, pocket some money and get another car. I wanted the quickest thing I could get for my money, and this was it.

The Tommykaira front makes it look more unusual and I've got some plans to do a few bits and pieces. Already done one meet with Club Sub and more planned for the summer ahead.

2006 Toyota Corolla GL

1.8L, Red, [Similar Car Shown]

Driven: 2007
Place: Hastings, New Zealand
Context: Hire Car

Memory byte:
In joining Heinz Watties, I flew down to Hastings to visit their plant there during my induction. Pleased to find this wasnt an auto (like so many hire cars are), it meant for some fun driving ahead.

Even though the plant wasnt that far from the airport, there were enough roundabouts and roads to get some idea as to how this would perform on a longer test. The gear lever action was fantastic and the engine a little bit peppy, took me back a little to the hot hatch days in the 90s, although this was clearly too heavy and needed some proper tweaking.

1994 BMW E36 M3

3.0L, Daytona Purple, Reg: 1HOTM3

Driven: 2006-2007
Place: Red Beach, Hibiscus Coast, New Zealand
Context: Owned

Memory byte:
Wow! What can I say, this car was awesome. I had always wanted a performance BMW, and having looked at and driven a few examples in Auckland I saw this one for sale in Taupo. After much research and talking to the current (then) and previous owners it was clear that this one had been looked after.

Driving it home from Taupo was a special trip, as the roads were fantastic and I was learning the car at the same time. The straight 6 engine is a real delight, with crisp steering feel and you can feel through the seat of your pants what the chassis is doing. Never felt so in touch with a car on the road.

Apart from being over-tyred at the rear, causing constant rubbing on speed compressions, the car was great to own. A quick blast down SH16 with the bimmersport club was the highlight of ownership and truly memorable. Still miss it now and want one again.

2003 Holden Commodore Calais

3.8L, Silver, [Similar car shown]

Driven: 2004
Place: Dunedin, New Zealand
Context: Hire Car

Memory byte:
Another thrashmobile and also one of the bigger capacity V6s ive driven. This car did well for its round trip hammering from Dunedin to Oamaru, then to Ranfurly and onto Alexandra, before heading home. Its a big car, but the 3.8 V6 had enough grunt to keep it shifting along at a decent pace. Even though it was Auto (again), there was good opportunity to get some wheelspin happening when pulling away. Handling was okay but nothing special.

Why Holden named their model after a crappy French coastal town I will never know ;-p

1990 Nissan NX Coupe

1.8L, Red, [Similar car shown]

Driven: 2004
Place: Orewa, New Zealand
Context: Courtesy Car

Memory byte:
Yes, my Legnum had to go in yet again and have some paintwork done. This is the car they gave us in the meantime. I was mildly excited by the prospect of driving this funky little coupe. Unfortunately the reality was something of a letdown. It wasnt the best example Ive seen, and also had a horrible auto gearbox which made the engine feel like it was half the capacity it actually was.