First Drive: Toyota Prius
Toyota’s new generation Prius promises improved economy, an appealing look and a fun-to-drive spirit writes Geraldine Herbert What is it? It was Toyota’s Prius almost 20 years ago that spawned the hybrid revolution and since then these hybrid pioneers have been continuously rewriting the rulebook. Endorsed by celebrity A-listers, the Prius gained an army of devotees keen to save the planet and became the world’s best-selling...
Mazda MX-5 1.5 Roadster GT
Roadsters always conjure up visions of freedom and fresh air and the Mazda MX-5 is no exception, writes Geraldine Herbert What is it? Deemed the most popular two-seat sports car in the world, it’s hard to disagree. Who is it aimed at? It’s now more than 25 years since the original Mazda MX-5 went on sale and the appeal is simple -it has always been eye-catching, a blast to drive and comes in at an affordable cost. So can...
The Ford Fiesta turns 40
Ford’s starter car has grown up and is celebrating its 40th birthday this year Scarily enough for those of us old enough to remember the Mk1 Ford Fiesta is 40 years old this year. Four decades ago one of the biggest car manufacturers in the world rolled its sleeves up and aimed to build a supermini to take on the Fiat 127, VW Polo and Renault 5. The four-year development programme culminating with the launch of Ford’s second...
Mitsubishi Outlander Business
Suzanne Keane checks out the latest commercial offering from Mitsubishi, the Outlander Business What is it? The new Mitsubishi Outlander was given a facelift late in 2015 and this new “Business” model offers all that the passenger version does albeit with just 2 seats and plenty of space in the back. Who is it aimed at? The Outlander Business is set to take on the competitive commercial 4×4 market with proven...
How to get the best price for your car
Restoring your car for sale can pay off but don’t go overboard, writes Geraldine Herbert There is good news if you are planning to sell your car Motorcheck says prices for second-hand cars have risen sharply since 2010. On average, it costs about 18% more for a three-year-old car today than it did in 2010. This is most likely due to two factors: the shortage of stock has meant used car prices are higher, and the recovery in the...
