Cars
All about the cars I’ve owned and the cars I have now and the cars I want!
Also car shows, events and experiences that I’ve attended.
Currently Owned
MINI Cooper S
| Date Owned: | |
| Make: | MINI |
| Model: | Cooper S |
| Engine Size: | 1.6 litre, supercharged |
| Registered: | 2004 |
| Country of Manufacturer: | England |
| Number of Doors: | 3 |
Rebecca wanted a fast, fun car. We tried to get a Mazda 3 Sport – in fact we REALLY tried (and met a lot of nasty, lying, useless car salesmen) but we couldn’t get our hands on a decent one. In the end, we found this MINI and it’s great!
Alfa Romeo Giulietta Veloce TDs 170
| Date Owned: | October 2013 – Current |
| Make: | Alfa Romeo |
| Model: | Giulietta Veloce TDs 170 |
| Engine Size: | 2 litre |
| Registered: | 2010 |
| Country of Manufacturer: | Italy |
| Number of Doors: | 5 |
The Nissan was an estate car (not the sort of car I wanted), so I decided to get something else.
I chose the Alfa Romeo Giuletta because it looked nice (on the inside as well as the outside), drives well and is has a good level of equipment.
Previously Owned
Nissan Primera
| Date Owned: | January 2013 – October 2013 |
| Make: | Nissan |
| Model: | Primera |
| Engine Size: | 1.9 litre |
| Registered: | 2002, 02 registration |
| Registration: | tbc |
| Country of Manufacturer: | Japan |
| Number of Doors: | 5 |
I ‘parked’ my Alfa Romeo 156 JTS Turismo in a ditch, so needed a new car fast. My dad was buying a new car, so I bought this car off of him!
Alfa Romeo 156 JTS Turismo
| Date Owned: | May 2006 – January 2013 |
| Make: | Alfa Romeo |
| Model: | 156 JTS Turismo |
| Engine Size: | 2 litre |
| Registered: | 2002, 02 registration |
| Registration: | FA02 AOJ |
| Country of Manufacturer: | Italy |
| Number of Doors: | 5 |
Reason for buying – After changing jobs, now working in Milton Keynes and doing very low mileage, I decided to sell the VX220 (which was an excellent car but not suited to short trips or being parked in a public car park). So I wanted a cheap car which would still stand out in the car park but wouldn’t need to be garaged every night.
The Alfa is everything that the VX wasn’t – the VX was basically go-kart with a big engine and no gadgets. The Alfa is very highly specced, with split cabin climate control, full leather interior, trip computer, loads of airbags (10!), lots of enhanced safety features (e.g. emergency assisted braking). Plus it looks good in the car park and has a good badge.
Vauxhall VX220
| Date Owned: | April 2004 – March 2006 |
| Make: | Vauxhall (built by Lotus) |
| Model: | NA |
| Engine Size: | 2.2 litre (Normally Aspirated) |
| Registered: | 2002, 51 registration |
| Registration: | HT51 ZNS |
| Country of Manufacturer: | England |
| Number of Doors: | 3 |
Reason for buying – Wanted something fast, sporty, different and would stand out in the car park.
Porsche Boxters are too common and the VX is what the Lotus Else should have been.
It’s fantastic to drive – and even better out on a race track.
Paul at Anglesey Race Track 27/09/2004
Anglesey Race Circuit is in Wales – official website (the track they use on the Fifth Gear TV program).
This was a VX220 club run event and 43 VX220’s an Exige and an Esprit attended! I went with my brother Kevin.
I also had driver tuition, which was well worth it. The car felt like it transformed from being a road car to a track car. It was a lot of fun!
VW Golf
| Date Owned: | 2000 – May 2006 |
| Make: | Volkswagen |
| Model: | Golf, Driver Mark III |
| Engine Size: | 1.8 litre |
| Registered: | 1995, L registration |
| Registration: | L118 VBD |
| Country of Manufacturer: | Germany |
| Number of Doors: | 3 |
Reason for buying – natural progression from the Polo!
Looks great, excellent build quality, very practical – and I always wanted a Golf. Cost of insurance wasn’t too high (good spec without falling into the GTI insurance category).
VW Polo
| Date Owned: | 1995 – 2000 |
| Make: | Volkswagen |
| Model: | VW Polo, Mark II |
| Engine Size: | 1.0 litre |
| Registered: | 1985, C registration |
| Registration: | C386 UAY |
| Country of Manufacturer: | Germany |
| Number of Doors: | 3 |
Reason for buying – it was my first car, cheaper than most to insure, VW build quality and reliability.
It was a good car – very reliable
Top speed achieved: Indicated 104mph (downhill) – speedo only went up to 100mph!