2008 Ford XR5 Turbo

Image Copyright Car & SUV
2.5L, Orange, Reg: DYW116

Driven: December 2007
Place: Auckland, New Zealand
Context: Press Car

Memory byte:
It has an orange interior which is a bit intense - this should be called the Tango'mobile. Bit of turbo lag and not quite enough noise but you can definately hear the warble of the 5 pot. Not bad :-)

See full Ford XR5 Turbo review at Car and SUV website

2007 Suzuki SX4 Ltd

Image Copyright Car & SUV
2.0L, Silver, Reg: ECG749

Driven: December 2007
Place: Auckland, New Zealand
Context: Press Car

Memory byte:
The Suzuki Swifts older brother clearly exhibits some of the younger siblings DNA, but its really a car for old people or women - which is why I didnt drive it much.

See full Suzuki SX4 Ltd review at Car and SUV website

2007 HSV GTS

Image Copyright Car & SUV
6.0L, Orange, Reg: DNM514

Driven: September 2007
Place: Auckland, New Zealand
Context: Press Car

Memory byte:
In addition to watching Darren light up the back tyres, I had a small opportunity to drive it around town. From the outside it sounds quite muted but its better inside, including the interior. Rather odd handbrake though, and oh yes the clutch had been given a bit of stick so wasnt as sharp as you'd normally expect.

See full HSV GTS review at Car and SUV website

2007 FPV Force 8

5.4L, Metallic Green, Reg: DNU329

Driven: September 2007
Place: Meremere, Auckland & Red Beach, New Zealand
Context: Press Car

Memory byte:
Two main ones persist :-)

1. Getting the big hairy V8 out of a junction sideways, courtesy of wet roads and on account of me turning the traction control off!!

2. Full bore start against Darren in the HSV GTS on the Meremere drag strip, hitting a patch of water on the right hand side, still under full acceleration and getting a strange drifting sensation towards the barrier. Should have gotta Purple Heart for that!

See full FPV Force 8 review at Car and SUV website

2007 Jeep Wrangler CRDi Unlimited Sahara

2.8L, Diesel, Silver, Reg: DZQ531

Driven: September 2007
Place: Auckland & Red Beach, New Zealand
Context: Press Car

Memory byte:
This vehicle had one of the highest novelty factors I've ever driven (apart from the Hummer - but it was close). Its just so different to everything else inside and out. Apart from the multi-purpose roof arrangement, the interior was sparse, utalitarian and quirky, and the exterior was more of the same recipe. Not much to write home about driving it (on road at least), but now I know that I would never own one, given the choice.

See full Jeep Wrangler CRDi Unlimited Sahara review at Car and SUV website

2007 Ford Territory Turbo Ghia

Image Copyright Car & SUV
4.0L, Gold, Reg: DJR126

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

Memory byte:
At the time I thought it was an indecent combination of SUV and turbo-charged fun. I'm guessing it's a tiny bit like the Porsche Cayenne Turbos baby baby brother - twice removed.

See full Ford Territory Turbo Ghia review at Car and SUV website

2007 Kia Magentis 2.0 EX CRDi

2.0L, Diesel, Burgundy, Reg: DZZ286

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

Memory byte:
Hmmm a Common Rail Diesel...I've never been a fan of diesels, ever. Cheap and cheerful number with interior upholstery that resembled those nasty seat covers you can buy from Halfords, Repco or wherever. Ultimately something for the beige trousers brigade!

See full Kia Magentis review at Car and SUV website

2007 Holden Captiva MaXX

3.2L, Burgundy, Reg: DQL943

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

Memory byte:
Not much to shout about from a drivers point of view, V6 engine just manages to haul it along at a respectable pace. Could be a lot sharper on the steering and ride front. Great for people who dont like to feel they have actually travelled at all. Take one sleeping pill and wake up there :-p

See full Holden Captiva MaXX review at Car and SUV website

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.

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.