Passed my test in a Peugeot 205 Style (yes, you can stop laughing now!)

After that most of my cars have been Vauxhall, owning pretty much the full range from Corsa through to the Omega.

Then decided on a change around 2001/02 and bought a Renault Scenic Fiji 1.6, for a "bus" of a car it actually handled really well and people we're often surprised when they saw how well it could be thrown into corners.

My Cars

A chronicle of every machine I've owned, loved, driven into the ground, or had unceremoniously destroyed.

⚠ 205 mention incoming — laughter strictly permitted

Peugeot 205 Style

Era: The Beginning | Type: Hatchback

The one that started it all — the car in which I passed my test. Yes, a Peugeot 205 Style. Go ahead and laugh. It's fine. I've heard it all before.

The Vauxhall Years

Era: Post-Test | Type: Various

After the 205, I embarked on what can only be described as a comprehensive Vauxhall ownership programme — working my way through pretty much the entire range. From the humble Corsa right up to the stately Omega, I covered the full spectrum of the Luton catalogue.

Renault Scénic Fiji 1.6

Era: ~2001–2002 | Type: MPV

Time for a change — enter the Renault Scénic Fiji 1.6. On paper, a bus. In practice, a quietly impressive machine. People were routinely surprised to see how well it could be thrown into corners, which is arguably the finest compliment any MPV can receive.

"For a bus of a car, it actually handled really well."

Vauxhall Omega CDX 2.5 V6

Era: Early 2000s | Type: Executive Saloon | Fate: Scrapped

Back to Vauxhall for the big one — the Omega CDX with the 2.5 V6. A proper, sonorous straight-six soundtrack and genuine executive presence. Sadly, a failed water pipe made repair costs exceed the car's value, and it went to the scrapper. A genuine shame — the sound of a V6 is a hard thing to give up.

⭐ Toyota MR2 T-Bar

Era: Dream Car | Type: Sports Coupé | Fate: Vandalism → Sold

The one I'd wanted since first clapping eyes on it in the 1980s. The MR2 T-Bar — mid-engined, targa-topped, and without question the most fun car I've owned to date.

The ending, unfortunately, is an ugly one: someone took a knife to all four tyres and damaged the rear spoiler. Rather than tempt fate further, the decision was made to sell. A bitter end to a car that thoroughly deserved better.

⭐ The one I'd dreamed of since the '80s — and it lived up to every bit of it.

Vauxhall Corsa Sport 1.4 16v

Era: Stop-Gap | Type: Hatchback | Fate: Sold

Needed a cheap runaround for a couple of Liverpool trips, so picked up a Corsa Sport 1.4 16v. The "Sport" badge turned out to be more optimistic than accurate — it didn't quite live up to the sporty billing. Sold on promptly.

Renault Scénic Dynam+ 2.0 16v

Era: Later | Type: MPV · Auto | Fate: Sold

Another Scénic — this time the Dynam+ 2.0 16v, chosen partly for its easier access. The 4-speed automatic gearbox, however, proved expensive to run as it began to show its age. Gearbox trouble being gearbox trouble, it was sold before the bills got any worse.