It all started with an internship in London, about eight years ago, at an automotive magazine. What I didn’t expect was that I would be given a test car to take home after only my second day of the internship!
Was I excited to take my first car home as a motoring journalist to be? Definitely, even though it was a Kia Picanto. To be honest, I was so excited about driving a test car that I phoned a female friend of mine and told her that I would pick her up at the tube station. Don’t laugh, I was on quite a high, until she said: “Oh, what a cute little car”.
Even in the two weeks as an intern, things progressed. I got to drive my first roadster, the Mazda MX5. What a joy that was. It was 11 degrees Celsius and about a two hour drive back to London from the test facility, but I layered up and thought I was having the time of my life heading home on the highway, top down.
Since I drove my first test car, I have been keeping a list and eight years later, after working for a newspaper and another automotive magazine, I have driven more than 500 cars. It isn’t actually a lot, since I know a number of motoring journalists that have driven over 1 500! Still, you quickly learn, and realise, not only what the true highlights are, but what kind of car person you are. Yes, I will admit, after several years you do realise which ones your favourites are.
One of the first performance cars that stood out for me was the Audi RS4. Not only was it fast, but it handled well (even in the wet), the sound from the exhaust pipes were addictive, it was manual (important for driver interaction) and it looked the part.
Then there was the day you get to drive your first 4×4. In my case it was the Hyundai Terracan – probably not the most hardcore 4×4, but it proofed to be better than most people take it for. Also, there are few things as exciting as getting into a 4×4 and going out searching for some proper 4×4 roads or tracks.
Then there are the hot hatches plus some more sports cars. Here I think of the impressive original Ford Focus ST, the Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera and the high-revving Honda S2000. They were, mostly, all impressive, but then a beast arrived on two wheels. This changed my perception of speed and performance forever, but this experience is filed under another blog on the site.
So what were the first cars that I thought were not so good, or rubbish? That award must go to the Tata Indigo. Tata went on about the fact that it had a DVD system in the back for the kids. I think they should have installed a screen in the front as well, just to focus the driver’s attention on the movie rather than the driving experience. Unfortunately that is illegal. Having said that, Tata’s products are clearly improving (and better than most Chinese cars), but that experience I will never forget. Apart from that single occasion, it is the American cars that I dislike the most. Of all those that I have driven, which I have to admit isn’t a lot, the Cadillac CTS was probably the best.
What about supercars then? Before we get there, I have to say there are several cars for under R300K that will probably give you the same level of driving satisfaction than a supercar. It may sound odd, but it really is the case. The first one that comes to mind is the Fiat Panda 100 HP. Maybe it is only because I had a good run in it on an early weekday morning on one of the best roads in the country but, as with any Renault Clio RS, you will more than keep yourself busy behind the steering wheel.
Although the mark two 997 Turbo from Porsche is the fastest car I have driven to date, the previous Lamborghini Superleggera, as I mentioned earlier, was by far the more exciting one. With loads of carbon fibre, hard but supportive seats and covered in bright orange paint it didn’t only stand out, but it had the performance to match the looks.
I have been talking about new cars up to now, but, and it is a big but, it is not always the new cars that make you tingle inside. Driving an entry-level Morgan through Wales in the UK was possibly one of my best experiences ever. It is times like those when a motorcar, the country and its environment – including the road – just come together perfectly.
Another old timer, although the mid-nineties aren’t that long ago, was driving a friend’s 993 Porsche Carrera RS. If you have read about certain cars for years, seeing them more than triple in value and then finally getting behind the steering wheel of an original clubsport spec model is almost surreal. Another reason this car stood out for me is that you realise why most car enthusiasts are going on and on about the purity of the old cars. This was exactly the case with Carrera RS. If I must highlight one point it will be the steering feel and feedback. Precise doesn’t even half begin to describe it.
So, here's to the next 500… I am eagerly waiting for a new car that will make me feel the same way the Carrera RS did.