My car history

As much as I love cars, I haven’t really had that many since I passed my test in 1997…

1997 - Rover Metro 1.1 Rio Sport (L Reg)

There was nothing ‘sport’ about this luminous green car. 60HP if memory serves me correctly. However, for a 17yo, this little beast was amazing. That first taste of freedom. The banging sound system I installed. That awful hydrogas suspension and that legendary Longbridge ‘quality’. I fitted 7 of my mates in it once, 2 in the front, 3 in the back with 1 lying across them and 1 in the boot. Took me to school for my final year and around every nightclub in East Midlands on a Saturday night. To Uni….whist I bothered with that! Long since off the road now.

2000 - BMW 318i (E36) (P Reg)

A major step up. It felt like a rocketship in comparison. Girls loved it. Silky smooth engine. Lovely driving dynamics. That car was ace. No real power, but that was just fine for a 20yo… Sadly, long since off the road now.

2004 - BMW 525 tds (E46) (P Reg)

A major step up again. My brother’s car and it was about as mint a car could be. I think it had done about 130K when I got it. I felt properly grown up in it. I was working towards being a professional in the emerging online gambling sector. Bought a house and got married. A car I only had for under a year, but nice memories. Long since off the road now.

2005 - BMW Z4 3.0 (E89) (03 Reg)

Now this was my dream car. I’d looked at Boxster, but the ones I could afford were the 987.1 2.7. Also tried to look at a brand new S2000 but my local dealer wouldn’t give a 24 yo a test drive. The Z4 was best fit for me. Had that muscle car feel to it. Awesome silky 6 pot but rock hard suspension and rock hard run flats. I toured Europe several times. It had its flaws, but I loved that car. If I was a wiser man at the time, I should have kept it and modified with better suspension and better breathing…but all my z4 mates were getting ///Ms…Off the road for a few years now…

2008 - BMW Z4M (E89) (07 Reg)

This was the pinnacle of Z4. Crazy power - that high revving S54 engine was a masterpiece. Suspension and hydraulic steering a massive improvement over the 3.0L - I had to learn to drive a bit better. The Z4 turned up to 11. Should never have gotten rid. Been exported I think…goodness knows where…

2011 - Jaguar S-Type 4.2 V8 (53 Reg)

Whist the Z4 was amazing, I’d started doing a lot of miles and had an emerging family to think of. I wanted something to waft around in. My mate had just had a XKR but I was wasn’t in a position to buy something like that. I lumped for the S-Type Jaaaag, the regular 4.2 V8. Beautiful car, and coming out of recession, very cheap at the time. Fast enough (300hp), comfortable and I kid you not…very reliable (until it all went wrong at the end!). Apart from the brakes. I could chew through pads and disk in 15-20K. I used to do 140 Miles a day in that car. I got an awful lot of police points. Still on the road down in Devon.

2017 - BMW 118i (07 Reg)

My mum’s car. a quick stop gap. Nothing much to say about this BMW. Quality wise, a poor car in comparison the 3er and 5er from late 90s. Still on the road after I sorted out all the engine niggles which were numerous!

2018 Merc C320 Cdi (58 Reg)

The family car. I really fancied a change from BMW. This had a lovely powerful engine. Semi-sporty feel, great gearbox. Motor dealer owned. But shocking component quality. It had some very big bills to keep on the road. I like to think I fixed it up good and proper for the next custodian, a lovely teacher. It’s still going strong near me.

2018 - Panda 1.1 (57 Reg)

The station/tip car…I’d have one again in a heartbeat. Bought off e-bay for a grand. Used a hammer to fix it once….not sure what i did, but fixed a rough engine idle. Absolutely easy to work on. Started getting interested in mechanics on this thing. Still on the road. A young irish jockey bought it (He looked about 14). Don’t think a horse would fit in it. Fond memories of my little lad who was 2 during covid lockdown using it as a soft play everyday and pretending to drive.

2020 - Volvo XC90 (07 Reg)

With more kids (2 going on 3) we got rid of the Merc and on a whim, got an old Volvo XC90 a Mclaren F1 tech was selling in my village. Perfect for the staycations camping trips covid was forcing us to have. Perfect for 5 and 7 at a push if they're little. Still going strong somewhere. Another car I absolutely sorted out for the next owner.

2021 - Porsche 911 997 Carrera 3.6 (06 Reg)

I rather like this one. My lockdown treat. I was initially after a 987.2 Black Edition but sat and watched the prices skyrocket. As good Boxster were on the market for a few days getting £25-30K (up from 16-20K the previous year); I decided I may as well get the 911. Best decision I made as I’ve shoehorned my 2 little boys in the back and had many a 4up adventure I wouldn’t have had in a 2 seater. I think Porsche were onto something special with the 997. It’s my daily. It does at least 10K miles a year. School run. Camping trips. Sprint day. It can work in every scenario. I’ve gone through it once already with nearly every typical component replaced. It’s on 120K miles, but I’ll keep this one for a few more years.

You’ll be seeing a lot more of this car in the coming weeks. It’s my test/demo mule. I’m going to be examining every inch of it and recording it for my social channels.

2023 - Volvo XC90 (69 Reg)

Newer XC90…so new I hate to drive it compared to the old banger 90. Great family cars. Safe, comfortable and huge. Gets properly used as family car!

What’s next

If finances allow it…I’d love a convertible back in my life. A manual 987.2 or 997.2. The 987 and 997 will be the future hero cars and I have no doubt, will be in that 964/993 status one day. I want to Safari/Dakar up a 996 4S and do some North-African rallies. I’d love an old Rangey or Land Cruiser and do some green laning. Oh, and a mini car collection…a classic Mini, a 500, and Isetta.