For me, more than anything else, a car MUST be thrilling to drive. An ordinary car can,
if engineered correctly, provide this - look to the 1959 Mini
for the best and first example of this.
I don't like bad cars - if we're going to use precious, finite resources
to build a car - might as well make it a good one!!
Mitsubishi i-Car
Genius little car! Sir Alec Issigonis, The famous engineer
behind the 1959 Mini, would approve. Function over form.
Its also very similar to the Mini Spiritual concept from Rover as
a Mini replacement in the mid 90s. |
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Mazda 2
In a Euro-NCAP world of blobbier and blobbier and bigger and bigger
'small' cars the Mazda 2 shows the way by being smaller and lighter than
its predecessor, and fun to drive... like small cars used to be!
Way to go Mazda. Zoom Zoom! |
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Fiat 500
Absolutely Superb. Absolutely correct first time.
Retaining the charm of the original, without being too overblown.
Go FIAT. I also like the Punto, especially in metallic orange!,
but not quite enough to make it onto this list.
www.fiat500.com
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Land Rover Defender
Tough. Chunky. British. Ancient (1940s). Great!
I want a
90 County Station Wagon. Please.
I think I'd prefer one from before the admittedly
sympathetic 2007 facelift/update.
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Audi A2
Aluminium so its light and therefore can be superbly
economical. The only snag is its a bit expensive for a small car so
people look elsewhere... shame!!
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Caterham Seven / Westfield
Minimalist, exciting, traditional, raw motoring thrills.
I really want one of these, always have done.
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Daihatsu Copen
A Japanese micro car showing just what you can do with
640cc and a tiny car! What more do most people need?
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Fiat Panda 4x4
Fiat returns to what it does best - small cars - and gets
it spot-on. The whole panda range is cracking, but the 4x4 is
unique.
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Fiat Barchetta
A sweet wee traditional roadster convertible along the
lines of the MX-5 but with more character. Shame they never did a
left hand drive one for the UK!
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Ford Ka
Ford got it bang on first time with this wee car.
Stylish, fun to drive, cheap, classless - its reminiscent of the original
Mini. A true people's car. No wonder its not had a significant
facelift during its 10 year life - no need!
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Lotus Elise
Like a more civilised, modern version of the Lotus Seven
but still raw enough for superb excitement... you could almost live
with it every day...
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Morgan 4/4 Roadster
Its got a wooden chassis... its fast... its traditional...
its British... nuff said!
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Nissan 350Z
Just a superb car and a fantastic shape. They got it
right first time.
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