December Newsletter

Mazda’s MX5 has been with us for 37 years now, and the current generation, the ND, is still in production after 11 years. But we don’t get bored of it because it’s so good. It is still nearly as small and light as the first generation NA, but with more safety and a bit more tech. And crucially, it’s pretty good on petrol too. This one owner, NZ new RF LTD edition could be yours today. Read on...

Every dog has its day, which is usually preceded by a spell in the wilderness. At its lowest point in the 80s the Valiant, along with many other big Aussie cars of the 70s, was on the skids. They were a relic of the past, driven only by young mulleted bogans who bought them cheap and drove them hard. Needless to say good ones, like this one, are now highly sought after. Read on...

The late 90s and early 2000s was a hotbed for automotive nostalgic design in new cars. We had the Mini, the Beetle, PT Cruiser, Mustang, Fiat 500 and many more. But one that maybe didn’t catch on was the Ford Thunderbird. They got the exterior look right but didn’t nail the interior, which was kind of bland, grey and plastic. The engine was a V8 Jaguar unit and the performance was OK at best. But they are rare and maybe just a bit cooler today than they were on release. Read on...

Even the most ardent anti-EV foamer must have a breaking point, surely? The online commenter that fumes about not being seen dead in an EV; you know the type. But might the thin end of the wedge be the work vehicle? With fuel getting expensive and possibly hard to get, will the committed petrol/diesel disciple start having impure thoughts about an EV work vehicle? This LDV van is practical, has decent range and a tempting price tag after all. Read on...

How long will this latest war last? How long will the Strait of Hormuz be effectively closed? How high will fuel prices rise before we see an end to this situation? We just don’t know. So while looking at switching to an EV right now might seem extreme to some, to others it’ll be a sensible choice given the uncertainty. And for those on a moderate budget there are good choices, like the 2nd generation Nissan Leaf. Read on...

With a war pushing fuel prices to heights not seen for a while, suddenly the prospect of filling up your car or van carries higher levels of dread than it already did. Maybe it’s the final straw to taking the plunge into an EV? Or if an EV is not your thing, just something that’s a little easier on the dinosaur juice? Well this Honda Vamos is tiny but roomy and sips petrol rather than chugging it. Read on...

The Porsche Cayman gets its name from a small alligator that will bite your face off given half a chance. It’s also the name of rubber clog style footwear made by Crocs. Don’t get them mixed up. One is functional, comfortable and fun and the other is footwear. Slip your feet into this one. Read on...

The Jaguar F-Type was meant to be Jaguar’s spiritual successor to the E-Type, one of the greatest looking cars in history. And I think it’s fair to say they succeeded in creating the best looking Jag since the E-Type. But this car, like the E-Type, is more than just a pretty face, and at this sort of money ($34500-$35500) it’s a very tempting proposition. Read on...

Honda may have a reputation for middle of the road cars for retirees but they also have a fast side and some of these fast models are destined for greatness. There’s the NSX, the S2000 and, of course, the Civic and Integra Type Rs. This Civic Type R FN2 was a bit unloved in its day, but it was the last normally aspirated Type R and it’s still the cheapest to buy today. Read on...