A black Countryman on simple steel wheels is about as good as I've seen that car looking.

And here's four reasons to go for the base model:

1) It's constructed to exactly the same standards, and from largely the same materials, as the one someone might be paying $10k-$20k more for.

2) It's lighter.

3) There's less stuff to go wrong.

4) Because there's more to life than worrying about a blanked-off switch you…

I nearly crashed a bright green Skoda Rapid on the car's UK press launch. Into a VW New Beetle. That would have been quite embarrassing. Turns out it didn't have quite as much front-end grip as I thought it might, and as the front end started to push I noticed the Beetle coming towards me. It went past, and I cleared…

While journalists are human beings and have their own preferences for things, it's also their job to look at things critically.

Torch is a journalist. You aren't - you're an advocate. And it's okay being an advocate, but an advocate's role is very different from that of a journalist. They tend to be overwhelmingly…

Ask Gawker for a pay rise. Promise to write them lots more Baja Bug articles. Then slowly fix all the things that need fixing, and do it properly rather than just bodging stuff together.

When I was in the States last year I kept catching the back of Chrysler 200s from a distance and thinking "ooh, a Tesla Model S!"

I have the complete opposite problem.

Japanese manufacturers used to put the indicator stalk on the right hand side (in a right hand drive car) and the wipers on the left. My old Miata had it like this, and I never realised what I was missing until I drove it. Essentially, it has the same benefits of them being the…

For comparison, I've averaged about 61mpg (US gallons - 73mpg imperial) in the six months I've owned my Insight.

My best tank was about 68mpg (81mpg imperial), which was assisted by slow traffic (frequently traveling around 50mph). Typically I travel 65-70 mph on motorway trips, so about 60 mpg US is realistic for…

The Jag is definitely right up there, but the Alfa Romeo 156 has always been a favourite of mine.

It is an actual GTI, as they were sold in Europe - albeit a later one with those wheels (I believe 'Campaign' editions featured them).

Yeah, agreed, the 406 is much more usable for four people. I'd not necessarily say it's as sporty though - the cabin of the RCZ feels much more exotic and Peugeot has come a long way in terms of interior design since the 406 too. I also like the effect the RCZ's roof has - from the outside it looks great, but it feels…

Disagree that the CR-Z wasn't fun. It isn't fast, but it handles great and provided you don't get kicks solely from going quickly, it's good to throw down a twisty road. Great steering, snappy gearshift, responsive engine.

Would be even better if it was a couple of hundred pounds lighter, but it's still a fun little…

Is the RCZ not a suitable substitute? I've always liked the 406 Coupe, but I have to say I find the RCZ a much more worthy replacement than the 407 Coupe ever was.

Great to drive too. The diesel version makes for an excellent GT, and the R is a proper sports car. As in, forget that it's front-drive, this thing feels…

Great choice. This one is mine:

It makes me sad that cars like this are never built. Sure, it's an acquired taste, but the world would be a richer place with hundreds of these running about.

The "deathtrap" thing always amuses me. I've had it with loads of cars I've driven - my old Beetle, my old Miata, a Smart Fortwo etc.

I like them too. They seem to have a much worse rep in the States than they do in Europe. Brand image doesn't seem to be affected here as much when companies like BMW or Mercedes go producing 3-Series Compacts/1-Series/Sport Coupes/A-Classes etc.

I've seen a few about still. May depend where you live - they're not "stylish" enough for urbanites now, but I live in what you might consider a country area and there are definitely new-ish Shoguns about. Most the LWB ones though - can't recall the last time I saw a SWB one.

Car safety is one of those things I don't really think about. Maybe I would if I had a family, but in terms of just getting from place to place I try and mitigate potentially dangerous scenarios by being careful.

My first car was safe in its day (crumple zones, airbag - just the one - side-impact beams) but horrific by…

The recalls are dated and in chronological order, so most recent is at the bottom. There's also two little visual easter eggs hidden in there!