Cars I've Owned, Driven, Rented

Inspired by Jack Yan's much more exciting list...but with comments & memories. Like my own version of CAR Magazines:The Good, The Bad and The Ugly (GBU). Explore the map (below) by expanding/collapsing the branches, clicking the link icons will show the wikipedia post for that model/series. The

icon is cars I’ve owned.Note: The map embedded in this post requires the free IE Mindjet MindManager Viewer Control from http://www.mindjet.com/viewer_blog/  For those without i.e. the text export follows;

BMWhttp://www.bmw.comBMW 318ihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_E21A couple, courtesy cars from my mechanic mainlyBMW 320ihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_E30A old courtesy car from my mechanic, long past being the ultimate driving machine...

FiatI own a Fiat because I love Italian vehicles and can't afford a Ferrari!http://www.fiat.comFiat 127 903http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_127My first car, the 903 cc Ferrari.Memories:Driving to work thinking it was running a little strange to find the distributor had self destructed. The auto electrician next door could not believe it had run at all!Selling it at a car fair to someone who worked only a few buildings from where I worked. We'd never met, on the test drive he said I want it as a second car, that's my Alfa there. We passed a Alfasud Sprint that looked familiar, I drove past it parked on the roadside everyday!Fiat 128 Bello 1300http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_128My second car, did many Km's in the bright orange 128. It went well and was great fun to drive, then the rust got it...Memories:A trip to the Hokianga, playing rally drivers on km's of empty gravel roads, covered in dry summer dust. I got pulled for speeding on the way home near Ruakaka:"Do you know how fast you were going Sir?""The speedo needle was just below 120 but I doubt it's very accurate, maybe 110" (in a 100km/h area)After checking the warrant, rego, tyres, lights - I'm sure he thought he'd get me for those as the car looked like a wreck thanks to all the dust - which were fine he said;"118, it’s more accurate than you’d think, I'll let you off but take it easy"I remember a Primary School teacher who had a 128 and replaced it with a 131 sedan (base model). Later he sold that and went back to a 128 as preferred it. As a kid seemed odd to trade down to a smaller car but then, years later, I drove the 128 and knew whyFiat 132 1600http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_132This was the second car I ever drove. Far from being the best Fiat ever made but compared to the Morris Marina I learnt to drive in it was like a Ferrari!MemoriesIt really was Fiat's Marina but had a Lampredi Twin Cam engine so went and sounded a lot betterFiat 850 Coupehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_850My auntie had one of these, and before that a 124 Coupe - the Fiat thing might be genetic.I'd not been driving long when she decided it was time for a new car and we went to try the, then brand new, Mitsubishi Mirage (the twin stick mk1).On the way there & back drove the 850 for the first time and even though old preferred it. It was better than the new Mitsi!Fiat Punto (Mk1) 75s http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_PuntoGot this for my mumhttp://rcd.typepad.com/personal/2006/01/rosso_replaces_.htmlAfter pranging her Uno....http://rcd.typepad.com/personal/2006/01/a_tale_of_two_f.htmlFiat Uno 45shttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fiat_UnoThe mighty Uno is my current car...Should be thinking bout a new one but it's worth less than nothing, costs bugger all to run and I still like driving it.Memories:Two Weeks touring the South Island of New Zealand in the mighty Fiat Uno, 5600km driving!http://rcd.typepad.com/photos/travel/cnv00099.html

Fordhttp://www.ford.comFord Falcon (EA 6 of some type)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_FalconWhat a tub after driving a little car.I was supposed to get a rental Ka but they'd all gone. The lady said "good news you can have a Falcon for the same cost" but I'd have preferred the Ka.Ford Laser Sedan 1100http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_LaserMazda 323 clone, ok but boring transportFord Telstar Sedan 1800http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_TelstarMazda 626 clone, work car, see Laser comments...

Holdenhttp://www.holden.com.auHolden Astra Hatchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holden_AstraI thought better than a CorollaToyota CorollaHolden Commodore 4 Station Wagonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holden_CommodoreHow pathetic the old GM Holden 4 looked in an engine bay designed for 6's and V8'sSlooooooooow, Thirsty.They did this in response to the last "fuel crisis", lets hope they remember how bad they were and don't do it to the Commodore VE

Hondahttp://www.honda.comHonda Cityhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_CityCompany Cars, cheap tiny, tinny and funHonda Civic 2005http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_CivicIt's a hatch, but it's not. The MPV you have when you are not having an MPV?Honda Civic Mk1http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_CivicI drove an immaculate 1 owner 1973 model in the 80's, reminded me of the Fiat 127 only more refined.Honda CRVhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honda_CR-VHaven't driven it far. Hardly a Jeep but good for the school run where most are seen

Mazdahttp://www.mazda.comMazda 121 "Noddy" Sedanhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autozam_RevueTest drove this for my Aunty, nearly ran out of brakes coming down from The Scenic Drive.Can't drive Noddy Mazda's as hard as humble FiatsMazda 121 Hatchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_DemioThe only car I've lapped the Australian Grand Prix Track in!This was my vehicle for the Great Ocean Highway - bit tragic to waste that great road with this car but hey it was ok.http://rcd.typepad.com/photos/travel_2001_melbourne_gp_/melbourne_2001_disk_02_11.htmlMazda 323 Hatchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_FamiliaMk1 FWD version sold in NZ as a Mazda or a Ford Laser. Both were competent and dullMazda 323 RWD Hatchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_FamiliaStrange, still they had to do it while they figured out FWD. It took the Japanese a long time to copy the Fiat 128.If they stuck with this they could be competing with the BMW 1 Series!Mazda 626 Sporthatch (80's version)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_626Dull Transport with lots of tacky toys

Morrishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_Motor_CompanyMorris Marina 1800 Station Wagonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_MarinaThis is very possibly the worst car I've ever driven. The sort of product that made the British motor industry what it is today...MemoriesI learnt to drive it in and it was a worry. I'd only ridden bikes, or little motor bikes but feared I'd never get the hang of driving.The steering didn't seem to control the car, half a turn before anything happened and no feedback as to what the tyres were doingThe gearbox (manual) seemed to have gears loosely arranged. Moving the stick sometimes found a gear, occasionally the one you wanted, while the clutch did something, not sure what, as it had no feel either.The Brakes hardly impeded the motion of the car, not that there was much of that. Why fit a rev counter to monitor this engine, you could hear it's struggles plain enough...Then I drove another car (the, not that great as far as Fiats go, 132) and realised the problems were the car not me!Fiat 132 1600Morris was just a brand, part of the British Leyland Empire at the time they made this rubbish. Now gone, No wonder.

Nissanhttp://www.nissan-global.comNissan Pulsar Hatchhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_PulsarBoring Transport

Porschehttp://www.porsche.comPorsche 911 GT Le Mans Turbo RacecarSpecial mention even though not owned, rented or drivenhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_911A few laps of Pukekohe with NZ Land speed record Holder Owen Evans at the wheel deserves a special mentionhttp://www.motorsport.org.nz/Awards/records.htm

Toyotahttp://www.toyota.comToyota Camryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_CamryEven DullerToyota Corollahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_CorollaDull, last time I drove a Corolla it was a rental in Queenstown. Went from there to Wanaka, Clyde and back on some awesome roads I'd enjoyed thrashing the Uno on in 2004. The Corolla managed to make them dull.

Volvohttp://www.volvo.comVolvo 164http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volvo_164Had a retracting handbrake between the driver seat & door. Didn't notice it was on for the first few metres and thought rather gutless for a big six, then the penny droppedTank with super-light, precise steering and great turning circle!