Rob's Favourite Cars
For me, more than anything else, a car must be fun to drive. An ordinary car can, if engineered correctly, provide this - look to the 1959 Mini for the best and first example of this. Cars with interesting technology and which advance things interest me. I'm not particularly interested in super expensive luxury or supercars.
What I don't like - Stuck on bits that don't do anything - fake vents and exhaust pipes, styling that obscures visibility, SUVs!
What I don't like - Stuck on bits that don't do anything - fake vents and exhaust pipes, styling that obscures visibility, SUVs!
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BMW Z4 Coupe (E86)
This beautiful car sort of passed me by until 2019. The Coupe is extremely rare, as most people wanted a convertible Z4, however it is many ways the superior car. To my mind its one of the most beautiful modern cars, and the roof increases the structural stiffness dramatically, which also improves the handling. It also has adequate luggage space for a long weekend away to enjoy the car, which is important. Most car enthusiasts only talk about the M model, however its fairly "hard core". The standard car still has a 3.0 straight-6 engine developing 265bhp, and achieving 0-60 in 5.6 seconds. |
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Toyota GT86 and Subaru BRZ
These two between them (essentially the same car) gave home for car enthusiasts that there was still a modern, fun, reliable car available to them, that was a bit more serious than the renowned MX-5. This is a back-to-basics, naturally-aspirated, rear-driven sports car built for fun - not lap times. If I had needed to buy a new car during the years when this was made, this would have been it. |
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The Morgan 3 Wheeler
Characterful, evocative, fun, exciting, simple and not terribly expensive. Oh, and its British. What's not to love? If someone from Morgan reads this, can I borrow one please??! http://www.morgan3wheeler.co.uk/ |
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Volkswagen Golf GTi - Mark 1, 2, 6, 7 and 7.5
I've admired the Golf GTi for many years, but it was only in 2011 that I got into VW ownership, with a 2004 diesel Bora (a mk4 Golf). It was a tremendous car - my best ever by sensible measures - however not remotely sporty. It was replaced by a 2012 Golf GT 160 Twincharger in 2016, which I loved and owned until 2020. It was a sort of junior GTi - good performance, and economy but not truly "hot". I like the way the Golf looks - its not got daft bits stuck onto it, and has good visibility - and its fun, but safe to drive. |
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Renault Twingo (2014)
With a clever rear-engine, rear-drive setup, the Twingo is able to have a cute, short front that other 'euro ncap' Euro-boxes can only dream of. A proper return to a small car. I'd love a shot of one. |
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Volkswagon Up!
The Up! Looked completely different to anything else on the roads when it was launched, and for me ticked lots of boxes for a city car. |
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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 showed 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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Land Rover Defender
Tough. Chunky. British. Ancient (1940s). Great! I want a 90 County Station Wagon. Please. A 90s one with 7 seats - the 4 seats in the back facing each other. I think I'd prefer one from before the admittedly sympathetic 2007 facelift/update - I want the rear sets that face each other! |
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Audi A2
This was a car well ahead of its time. 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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Fiat Panda (especially the 4x4 and basic models)
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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Ford Ka
Ford got it bang on first time with the original KA. Stylish, fun to drive, cheap, classless - its reminiscent of the original Mini. A true people's car. No wonder it didn't have 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! http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/mmc/carrange/44/44morgan.html |
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