August

Some people will never get their heads around Alfas and they’ll be sure to let you know about it at every opportunity. Some of the criticism is fair but much of it has been gleaned from Dave at the pub who’s brother’s mate’s dad had one in the 70s and it went rusty. And whilst many of the gripes about Alfa’s relate to cars from decades ago, and will have no bearing on the this 2015 Giulietta QV it’s probably best not to ask Dave for buying advice on this one. Read on...

The cheapest way into a Porsche sports car with the engine behind you has long been the Boxster. And these days, as 911s get further from reach for most of us, it makes even more sense to give the Boxster a go. Despite the deriding comments from those that see them as a poseurs car, it’s very hard to find a bad review from anyone who’s owned or driven one. Turners’ Otahuhu branch has two NZ new examples in the same auction next week – one manual, one auto – and both are pretty tempting. Read on...

Cars are often used as status symbols, or a “personality” extension. Maybe they have to be some-what practical but, above all, they must look good, be comfortable and, according to the ads, take you places that no other car can. Or there’s the Toyota Probox, a car that will take you to the places you need to go with no admiring glances, minimal comfort and zero fanfare. It’s whiteware on wheels. It says “I need to carry stuff and my personality requires no extension”. Sound like you? Read on...

Putting a big engine in a little car is not a new trick but it is a good trick. The 135i dispensed with the 4 pot engines usually found in the 1 series and squeezed in a 300hp twin turbo straight six and sent all the grunt to the rear wheels. It’s a trick that never gets old and it’s not all that expensive either. This low mileage example at Turners Christchurch provides plenty of bang for buck. Read on...

It’s imposing, luxurious and has a boot big enough to carry several bodies. The Lincoln Continental was a big statement, whether you were a mob boss or a US President, and the swankiest of all was the Town Car. The crime spec black paint certainly conjures images of well dressed men eating spaghetti and fitting concrete boots to once loyal soldiers, but these days an annual visit to Beach Hop is probably more likely. Turners Hamilton are auctioning this sinister example. Read on...

The Mitsubishi Celeste is one of those cars that today looks really pretty from any angle, and yet its brief period in the sun when new was followed by years of indifference. Few cared about the Celeste, it was just something the lady down the street drove when you were a kid. And like most cars from this era, rust took an abysmal toll. Luckily, some owners really loved their Celestes and that’s why this stunning example survives today. And you can bid to buy it. Read on...

The fourth generation Ford Mustang is perhaps not the prettiest or sought after of the famous pony car’s iterations. And this one is plunged further down the pecking order by being the base model with a V6 and auto box. But all of this is reflected in the price, and Mustang prices are seldom as attractive as the auction estimate of this one at Turners Hamilton. Read on...

It may seem obvious now but the Ford Capri was indeed designed to be the European Mustang and was designed by Mustang designer Phillip T Clark. It’s a fact that only surfaced in recent years and, like the famous American Pony car, it was a big success. This Mk2 model has a later 2.8 injected Cologne V6 with 5 speed manual gearbox. So if you fancy the car favoured by seventies cop shows, then check this one out at Turners Christchurch. Read on...

The Mercedes 190E, or baby Benz, has aged well and makes for a great entry level modern classic. They are comfortable, superbly built and reliable (if properly serviced). They also project just a little bit of old school class – an understated elegance that has improved with age. But the wee Merc still seems overlooked, and as such, good ones remain affordable. Like this 1992 model with the excellent 2.3L 4 cylinder engine that is being auctioned with a $1 reserve. Read on...