Mad About Cars

The new Mercedes SLS has seen a lot of attention and hype about its recent release. A few weeks ago I saw a picture of Manchester United defender Patrice Evra getting into one. If anyone has the money to buy one it would be a Premier League footballer, and it seems that the Frenchman likes to travel in style. In and around his Cheshire home he will be zipping around the corners, bends and straights at speeds of over 150mph (unless it isn’t safe to do so of course)…

It is only a couple of years since Ronaldo crashed his Ferrari near his home in Alderley Edge.

Right before I say anything else I appreciate the brilliance in design, build, comfort, drive, handling and everything else that comes with the Range Rover. It serves a purpose and does a job. I also get why people buy them – safety being one of the main reasons. They are extremely thirsty however, huge ugly things out there on the roads that just annoy me. When I’m behind one I can’t see a thing infront and when one is behind me I can’t see a thing behind. They are just a nightmare, a hate people who drive them and I hate them on the roads. People who drive them think they make you better and more important on the road, well I am sorry but you are not.

I sat in a Mini Cooper S the other week and I have to say it wasn’t what I was expecting. Maybe I am used to better quality and comfort in a car as an Audi driver but I was really disappointed by the Mini. I could understand the Mini One being a bit flimsy but when I opened the boot for instance everything felt so plasticy and flimsy. It all felt very fake – and this all tries to make the car lighter for racing and speed. For me though I’d prefer a better built quality car that is a little heavier but doesn’t feel like you’ve put it together yourself from an Ikea flatpack.

I don’t think there is another range where I would love any of the cars a manufacturer has to offer. This is of course for non-sports cars manufacturers. Let’s just think for a minute what Italian car makers Alfa Romeo have on offer. There is the smallest but nippy Mito, the hatchback 147, the saloon 159, the Brera, the GT and the Spider and all of them are fantastic cars in their own way. All cars can be upgraded into luxury versions and they have lots of perks just as standard. The only other car manufacturer where I like all of their models is Audi – the A3 (S3), A4 (S4 & RS4), A5 (S5), A6 (S6, RS6), A8 (S8), TT (TTS) and the RS8.

Recently my beloved Audi A6 broke down on me while camping in Anglesey. I got recovered home and then took a look into what was wrong with the car. So in the meantime while the car is being fixed I am using a Y reg Ford Fiesta that is great. It’s better on economy than my 1.8 turbo Audi and is handy for getting in any tight parking spaces. It’s a much more practical car. But the one thing I miss is the thrust and pace of the Audi. I also miss having a quiet cabin that doesn’t rattle when you go over 70.