Mazda RX8
Many people say this car is a hairdresser’s car, I should
know, I own one. Critics have said the RX8 styling is too fussy and the forums
are rife with complaints about petrol and oil consumption. The fact of the
matter is this, front engine, rear wheel drive, 230bhp and a very low price makes
for an appealing formula. It is a very unique car; at its demise in 2011, the
RX8 was the only production car built with a Wankel rotary engine, which revs
to a heady 9,000rpm and delivers 0-60 in 6.2sec. While it is rather thirsty on
fuel, I paid a pittance for mine and I have only had to top up my oil three
times in 10 months. It fits two
suitcases in the boot, four people in the cabin and numerous horses under the
bonnet. A job well done I’d say.
Aston Martin MKIII
(DB Mark III)
In the novel ‘Goldfinger’ Ian Fleming referred to James Bond
driving a MK III, however, when it came to making the film adaptation, the
newer, better looking and more powerful DB5 was used. It is easy to feel sorry
for the MK III, it was written into stardom, destined to become a hero, only to
be replaced by its better looking younger brother. Arguably it did create an
icon, it was the first Aston to feature the fantastic grille shape that has
come to define the brand and besides it’s hardly a minger is it? As a result of
its lack of fame, MK III’s can be picked up for considerably less than the
extortionate DB5, despite production of around half the latter. The MK III
deserves respect because it is the plucky, unassuming underdog, and supporting
the underdog is what being British is about.
Audi A2
The A2 is horrendous to look at. That bulbous, hunchback brings to mind Quasimodo. While it may look
like an ugly, lumbering mess, the A2 was actually a very advanced car in terms
of the way it was manufactured. The hunchback, as I like to call it, was a
pioneer as it was the first mass-volume car to use an all-aluminium body, an
expensive construction process only previously used in the flagship A8. It was
fantastically light, weighing in at well under 1,000kg and with very little
drag over that rounded body it was extremely economical. However, due to the
Susan Boyle looks and the hefty price tag sales were poor. The A2 sacrificed
itself in the name of progress; Audi could have made it cheaply for mass sales,
but chose to make a progressive car instead, which is rather noble.
Skoda Superb
In fairness, you can replace ‘Superb’ with any other car in
the Skoda range; despite years of being nestled under the wing of the VW group,
Skoda still struggles to shake off the air of cheapness. While this may have
had some substance years ago, today if you can put brand snobbery aside the
Superb and the rest of the range really start to make sense. Skoda is to VW
what Danni Minogue is to Kylie; they both share the same DNA but one is that
little bit cheaper. When you buy a Skoda you are essentially buying a more
expensive car without the bragging rights of a premium badge. The Superb is great because it means that the
phrase ‘luxury Skoda’ is no longer an oxymoron. It is reliable, comfortable,
safe and great to drive and can now be picked up for as little as £1400. You
used to be stupid if you bought one, now you are stupid if you don’t.
Hyundai Coupe
If someone who had never seen a car before was shown a
Hyundai Coupe and a Ferrari 456, you’d have a tough time of it explaining why
the Italian offering was nearly ten times the price of the Korean car.
Actually, you wouldn’t, I have been in a 456 and it is much, much better than a
Hyundai Coupe. However, there’s no denying the coupe is a thing of beauty. For
the money it’s very difficult to think of a car that is so well-proportioned.
Cheap cars are normally presumed to forfeit good looks and personality but
Hyundai have blessed the Coupe with truckloads of both. What it lacks in badge,
the Hyundai makes up for by being the attainable alternative to the car that
you really want.
The Hummer brand has been tarnished somewhat by the uptake
from Austrian musclemen and rappers alike. You get the impression that someone
with a Hummer on their drive is overcompensating for what’s in their pants.
Don’t forget though that the H1 is a hard-core vehicle of military origin and
has some seriously impressive off-road capabilities. With 16 inches of ground
clearance, approach and departure angles like nothing else on the road and a
track wide enough to span a gorge, the H1 can tackle vertical slopes and
formidable terrain with ease. This is an absurdly over the top car which
unapologetically forfeits everything which could make it bearable on the road in
order to cling on to its die-hard roots and be an off road animal. Large, brash
and stupid but very talented.
Lexus IS-F
The IS-F was always up against tough competition, in a
market sector where the BMW M3 rules the roost most of us with a brain cell or
two would choose the German car. While this choice may be a valid one, there is
no denying the Lexus is a lot of car. To the untrained eye this looks like a
normal dull Lexus but underneath a five litre V8 firing its power at the back
wheels means you are not in for a dull drive. The great thing about this car is
that it’s so unassuming; it’s like knowing a dreary accountant only to find out
he’s a football hooligan at the weekends. Totally unexpected. So, a handsome,
powerful and remarkably well built car which will astonish people at the lights.
What’s not to like?
Bentley Arnage T
As a sales exercise, the Arnage was never going to fill
Bentley’s pockets quite as readily as the Continental. While it may depreciate
hand over fist and be seen as outdated, the Arnage is without doubt a ‘proper’
Bentley. Nowadays, Bentley has the Mulsanne but the Arnage looks more
clean-cut, more defined. To drive, a Continental is a more rounded car, but as
a Bentley the Arnage knocks the Conti’s socks off. Encompassed in your own county
of leather and wood, a 6.75 litre V8 provides 450bhp and 645lb ft of torque for
hooligan antics with lashings of luxury. The old school charm of the Arnage
lies in its excess; it is too big, too impractical and has too much power but
you know you want one.
Ferrari 575 Maranello
The 575M was never the star of the Ferrari line up, this
muscle car of sorts always took a back seat next to the super nimble coupes
like the 360 and F430. Despite this, the 575M was no slouch; it could hit 60mph
in 4.2 seconds and surge onto the dark side of 200mph. The best thing about the
575M though, is that it is utterly gorgeous. While the headlights haven’t aged
well, the side profile is timeless; a long sweeping bonnet met by a stubby,
abrupt rear is a recipe that always works. Pininfarina gave a helping hand with
the design of the 575M and it shows. The low and sleek bodywork is complemented
by tasteful round brake lights, simple side vents and wondrously wide hips. As
a result, it looks slicker than a bullet and should be made more of a fuss of.
Gumpert Apollo
The Apollo is a ghastly car, there is no doubt about that.
If you dismiss it because of its looks though, then you are missing the point
entirely. This is a car that puts function over form; those messy looks are a
result of time in the wind tunnel which Gumpert claim allows the Apollo to drive
upside down. Although, they are yet to find a suitable tunnel and a suicidal
driver to test this theory. You get the impression that the Apollo doesn’t care
if you like its looks or would prefer more luxuries because it only really
cares about hurling itself around a track as fast as possible. Remember, this
ugly duckling has humiliated the big boys on many occasion, the Top Gear test
track being one of them. No mean feat for a company with just 45 employees.
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