Driven

This page is all about the cars that Wayne has either driven and/or owned. He's no "What Car" expert and neither is he claiming to be a contender for presenting Top Gear but nonetheless, opinions and star qualities for each car is listed.

Lamborghini Gallardo

Second time around and it's no different with possibly an exception to the comfort. It's even more uncomfortable than the first time around. But if I have to endure lower back pain for a week after having the chance to drive this around my home town, then so be it! Still Awesome!

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Toyota Avensis

It's the comfort, smoothness, dash similarity and grip to the road that makes this car feel like you're driving a baby version of the Lexus IS200. And to confirm it further, the speed is not too dissimilar either. But it's so comfortable I think a 200mile drive wouldn't be a problem on the back!

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The BMW 760i

I drove this car first Christmas Eve 2005 when Nick let me have a go. I drove it from Carew Manor, Wallington to Purley Tesco's petrol station and back home. I adore this car. It's luxury to the limit.

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Mercedes SL500

To date, my most favourite car to drive. The acceleration and power behind this car is totally awesome. I love it and with the roof down, it's a total first class pose factor car.

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Chrysler Horizon

This car was a joke from day one. One of the more interesting stories about Pete and I owning this car was that one day, along Ross Road, Wallington, the windscreen started falling out and leaning towards the bonnet. Pete grabbed for the rear view mirror and held it in place until we arrived home.

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Bentley Arnage

This is the most expensive car I've driven, the Bentley Arnage at £286,000. Forgetting about the disappointing interior with its lack of gadgets and expected trimmings, the drive is amazing. The car is glued to the road and considering its weight, it just strolls past everything. The amazing part of this car is how you feel like you're doing 50mph and when you look at the clock, it's actually 90mph.

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Ford Cortina Mk. III

Back in the days of driving without insurance, an old partner of mine had this car in this colour, complete with vinyl roof. But despite that, it was nippy and considered a fab car at the time.

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Lexus LS430

It's L for Lexus and L for luxury. This car excels itself with sheer luxury and comfort. By far, the most comfortable car and compares along nicely alongside the Mercedes S Class.

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Datsun 120Y

No.1 joke car of the decade, but strangely enough totally reliable. Back in the days of rust buckets and jalopy corner bargain junk mobiles, came this little gem. It survived total abuse including having its driver door ripped off by a passing fellow motorist. Hahaha!

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Mercedes S Class 500

Here's the beauty! In my days as a chauffeur I compared driving a Rolls Royce stretched Silver Spur to this, and it wasn't as comfortable. This for me, left the biggest impression of comfort and luxury and I can't decide what's nicer, this or the Lexus 430.

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Ford Escort Popular

We'd love this car in its day. Reliable and trustworthy... if cars could be your best mate, then this would be it! We had a white version with the same vinyl roof, as illustrated.

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Mercedes SLK

This was the Kompressor and I didn't actually drive it any distance. I was just asked to move it but I've added it to the list 'cos I got a photo of me in it!

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Renault Clio (Mk 1)

My first decent car. All leather interior, this was my pride and joy, 1.4L. I adored this car with its power steering (my first owned car with pas) and its leather seats, automatic door mirrors and alloy wheels. If there's a car I miss, it's this one!

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Mercedes SLK AMG

In black, the SLK just looks the business! This is one of Nick's car and it goes. It's not so impressive to see me driving it but when Nick's behind the wheel of this little beast, it's like a rocket that almost takes flight. Don't get any ideas of racing this from the lights if you're alongside one (unless you're in the SL500 aye Nick?) hehehe

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Lexus LS400 (New shape)

This is Nick's car, the Lexus LS400. It's gorgeous in British racing green with cream leather interior. This model is complete with Sat Nav and drives so beautifully. It's one of the quietest cars I've ever driven. It's also the best and the most luxurious Lexus I've driven.

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Lexus LS400

I can't believe the comfort and silence of this car running. The one I've driven is a 1991 4 litre 32V model. It's clean and powerful and considering its age, has everything working apart from a couple of bulbs. The most outstanding feature is just how smooth it is.

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Renault Clio (Mk 2)

A lovely car and bought as used from Renault... it was reliable for a full 3 years. Nothing special about this car other than it was affordable to buy and to run.

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Ford Granada Scorpio Cosworth 2.9L 24V

What a lovely old car. Loadsa gadgets inside. The drive did confirm that the car was elderly.

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Citroen BX19 GTi

I only test drove this car a short journey but I do remember it being very comfortable.

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Range Rover

This is our Timmy's Range Rover... where it's not particularly fast, it makes up for it with all the extras that Tim has put it in. It has SatNav, a DVD player, a fabulous sound system, Bluetooth with radio interrupt... it's very impressive. And the best part about driving this car, apart from the compelling feeling of tranquillity, is how high up you are and the way you look down on to the road and the traffic.

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Rover 2600

Pete bought this car from Stuart in 1998. At the time, it was huge and powerful and had lots of gadgets for its day.

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Mitsibushi Sapporo

A single journey from Caterham. It's a shame this car was so old cos I got a feeling through all of the ageing interior, that this car was once probably a very cool car to drive.

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Renault Megane Sport Hatch

My first vehicle from new. My first choice at Renault was to upgrade my last Clio with a new one but I had to get the Megane because it was the smallest and only affordable car that had the keyless ignition card. Also, at the time, the Megane was the only car with all electric panoramic sunroof, so I chose to pay for the optional extras, 6 auto changer CD player, folding door mirrors and 17" alloy wheels.

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Volkswagen Scirocco

I actually forgot we had one of these, Pete and I. It was fast and lethal. By lethal I mean it actually died in flames one summer's afternoon.

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Peugeot 407

Drove this huge thing from Sutton to Mitcham (about 4 miles). If it drove like it looks, it would be worth writing about!

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Opel Ascona

Another car from mine and Pete's history. Most historic feature was the petrol tank leak that meant not only was the boot always full of petrol, but it cost a fiver to go literally anywhere! Haha.

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Nissan Micra

And another car in the Pete and my era. Reliable little 1.0litre manual thing.

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Lincoln limo

This is the 6 seater version of the American Lincoln stretched limousine. It's left hand drive, naturally, and was quite powerful. Very comfortable in all seats. My inexperience of driving cars this length was made worse when I had to go down small streets in Central London and then find a way of reversing out of them again.

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Rolls Royce Silver Spur II

As a kid, I wanted to be able to say I've driven a Rolls Royce when I'm older. Well that happened with the Silver Spur II but all the expectations from all those years ago weren't exactly met. That aside, I love the idea I've driven one!

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Audi A4 3.0 V6 TDi S-Line

I'm told this car was a diesel, but there was no evidence of it all the way home. It's so fast... acceleration has to be seen to be believed, it's comfortable like a Mercedes, and the interior is somewhat reminiscent of the Lamborghini... well slightly!

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Mitsubishi Evolution 5

This is my mate's Tim's car and he let me have a go of it. He said it wasn't fast but then told me to put my foot down... he should've chosen a longer stretch of road and maybe I wouldn't have been so scared when suddenly a Renault Scenic's tailgate was nearly a part of Tim's interior. I'm used to that kind of power surrounded by a huge BMW 7 series but in this car... it's a rocket! Very hairy!

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Renault Modus

Well I honestly thought I'd laugh along with everyone else but behind the wheel of this cheeky little car, it's actually quite a comfortable drive. OK, I know now that I'd have been furious had I have chosen to buy one, but I didn't! It's a fun car and gives me the impression the designers were thinking of 'keep it cheap' and so I assume they did!

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Lexus IS250

I've driven the IS200 and the LS430 and I have to say, I didn't get the same excitement of power. But it does, however, have the usual extremely high standard expected inside of any Lexus.

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Mazda 626

I drove this ancient car for a little while and it reminded me of a Nissan Bluebird. I have to say that I only drove it up the road and then got in a Lexus IS250.

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Volkswagen Touareg

Now the fourth car I've driven belonging to me mate Tim, this is 'king of the road' stuff. It's comfortable, sufficient luxury inside to make you feel more well off than the average 4x4 road user and considering it's a 2.5 diesel - it moves. And now he's changed it to the V10 5 litre version and the power and the weight is quite unbelievable.

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Suzuki Jimny JX

Nippy little thing and all inside a 1.3litre. This is me Julie's latest car. It's comfortable in so far the windscreen is massive and when you get over feeling like you're in a gold fish bowl, you realise just how fantastic the safety factor is with the panoramic view. Despite its basic interior, it's comfortable both as driver and passenger with enough leg room in the back for two. But the outside is a fun and sporty look.

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Porsche Boxter S

I drove this car from Sutton to Chertsey using the A3 and M25 and the roof was down on both journeys. It belongs to Debbie, a friend.

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Vauxhall Tigra S 1.4i

I've decided, this is one the best looking cars, partly because it's driven by my handsome boy, Simon. Right, with that out of the way, this car is fun, sexy and great to look at. It seems to grip the road on corners and at speed. It's responsive and very quick.

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Mini Cooper

Test drove this car for a few hours. Everyone said it handles like no other car... well it does! And the road grip reminds me of the stability of a Lexus and the handling you expect from a BMW. I love it! It really is the most fun car I've driven and it's a high contender now for my next car.

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Toyota Auris

Test drove this car with Toyota salesman Richard and it was fun, safe but above all else... as the advert suggests, an extremely quiet car. I don't know if Toyota have installed super sophisticated noise reduction technology but you really can't hear much at all of the outside world. By far, its most impressive feature. It's in the running also because the T-Spirit top of the range model had keyless ignition and entry.

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Nissan Qashqai

I was fortunate enough to drive this fab car for several hours. This was the Teckna model and it's loaded with everything, climate control, 6 speed auto, 4WD, all leather interior with heated front seats.

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Honda Civic Type S

Well, very disappointing. The drive of the Honda Civic is confusing for me because of the i-shift gearbox. It has no park and will roll on an incline. It feels like it wants to stay in high gear for far too long!

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Renault Megane 2.0 CC

It feels twice as heavy driving than my car but it's compensated well with a 2.0 engine. Just a shame that don't do an automatic turbo version... nonetheless, I think it's going to be my next car.

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Audi A3 2.0T

Oh dear... new league and a whole new class of car than that of what I'm used to. This is just stunning. The looks, the drive, the comfort and the speed are just perfect... I feel someone found out at Audi all that I love and quickly built a spec designed just for me!

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Renault Clio 2.0

Having had the 1.6 Clio before, this 2.0litre is fabulous. Very quick! The smart new design of the Clio makes this car a contender (if only for a moment) for my next car.

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Volvo C70 D5 2.4i

It's a beautiful ride. It's comfortable and chunky and yet feels refined. It didn't have the nippy-ness I expected but it was gorgeous and it does have pose factor with head turns!

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Suzuki Swift 1.5l

Like the Mini, the Swift is smart little car and unlike the Mini, it's very roomy and spacious really. But then you see, it's missing everything the Mini has and it's probably that gives it a spacious feel.

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Suzuki SX4 1.6l

A little bit more room than the Swift, the SX4 has these unusual but interesting quarter lights in the front and rear and I believe the idea is to reduce those awkward blind spots. But, like the Swift, it's comfortable and quite a nippy car. The driving height grabs me most as I feel I'm in a Jimny or even a Vitara. It's nice!

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Škoda Octavia 2.0l

Well now, we're back on track with a nicer build, solid and non-rattling drive. Similar to the Audi for feel, and not a million miles from looking like a Volvo S40. But if the Octavia is to impress, it falls short on exterior looks... but then there's the Superb to take off where the Octavia left you pondering. Whichever, comfort is Skoda's ace card for me!

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Ford Focus Titanium 2.0l

This car drives almost identically to the Renault Megane and it is very comfortable in the driver's seat. It's also brilliantly affordable. Apart from the obvious familiarity I had with the Megane, the only other reason for not choosing the Focus as my next car was the fact that the keyless entry and ignition wasn't so keyless.

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Toyota Yaris

This is an amazing fun little car that packs quite a punch (in acceleration terms). Dazzled by the comfort and ease of drive, this was a like posh bumper car with a lot more comfort. Plenty of room all round - a lot better than the Auris.

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Renault Megane Scenic

I thought it was enormous at first but soon got used to the idea. And it's really quick. This 7-seater is compact, all seats very adjustable and the dashboard is pretty good looking too.

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I would love to drive a Bentley GT Continental, the Aston Martin Vanquish, Rolls Royce Phantom, Mercedes SL65 AMG.