Automobiles
I must first explain that I am not updating this section directly, when a new promising car come out - mainly because you get normally the best value, from a car that is one to three years old and is in a "practically new" condition... So you should not buy a brand new car, anyhow. And I use that fact, to collect more deep reviews and check out new cars more carefully, before I recommend them.
Then do I recommend the finest choice, of each type and in each price segment, plus any really good alternatives - that has some clear advantage, normally are very good looking and also has been tested with fine to excellent results... Plus sometimes a very promising new model, that not yet are tested... The lengths and other measurements, is in the metric system, that is the most common in Europe... And I write in first hand about the extra good qualities / advantages, that make it the Best Buy and if there are any bad points... So the other aspects are normally average, for that class and you can easy find more specifications in other sites!
One strange problem since 2001 is that most new models had a "new strange design" with several ugly details, as very strange headlights and crazy lines and I almost only recommend good looking models (with max one really ugly part, according to common taste) which are rather hard to find... But cars with extra fine design, use to be extra fine in almost every other aspect too and we have not yet seen any ugly car, that is a better alternative technically... I suspect that this "new strange design" with ugly details, is a sad result of limited imagination (creativity) and the natural fact, that some very fine looking models, can only become worse - if they absolutely want to change the design, to get a "new" result!!
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Mini Cars  Strangely enough can I not find any fine two seats mini car, except Smart (that you can read about just below) and that interesting machine cost almost the same as the next class of cars, that is dramatically more roomy...  The cute Smart ForTwo which is the result of an unique project between Mercedes and Swatch, that was expected to be a cheap micro with a superior "clock work" engine, but it became too expensive, very slow (first from 18.3sec) and not really revolutionary... The second generation ForTwo model cost from 110tsek (slow 15.5sec 0-100 61hp just 4.7litre/100km) 116tsek (ok 13.3sec 71hp 4.7litre/100km) to expensive 141tkr (speedy 10.9sec 85hp 4.9litre/100km) so the "old" Seat Ibiza below, is a better alternative - even if this car is a bit more fancy... Yes, this is still a very sexy micro, great for two and take 150-550 litre luggage!
  
The fine Mitsubishi Colt, from 2009 version...Click any thumb, to see the big pix!
Small Cars The finest brand new option, seem to be Mitsubishi Colt that offer modern aggressive exterior lines (from the 2009 version) four roomy seats, almost sporty performance and a nice clever drivers place, at 123tsek (10.4sec 95hp 5.1 litre/100km) and other small cars, use to offer clearly worse performance and a very boring (or rather ugly) drivers place, even at a much higher price...
Then is the best new alternative, that offer some advantages Mini Cooper that especially is a bit more luxurious and fun, with excellent road handling "like a go cart" and really sporty performance, at 175tsek (truly sporty 9.1sec 122hp 5.4 litre/100km) and it has also four seats, but a tiny 160 litre boot, so you may normally use the back seats instead... Then is the first version (with smaller speed meter) made until 2006 almost as fine.
 And the "old" Seat Ibiza (from spring 2002 to 2008) is still a true masterpiece in this class, with every quality of the last versions... But it's now both very sporty and very elegant, at the same time (click the picture to see two BIG ones) and it has also a nice driving place... And it still roomy, so I can adjust the driver seat for my 188cm and then fit in behind "myself" in the back seat, with several leg positions... And it got also good result in EuroNCAP crash test with 26 points... At only 114tsek 2008 (fine 11.9sec 85hp 6.4litre/100km) or 155tsek 2008 (truly sporty 8.4sec 1.8FR 150hp) and this model of Ibiza is actually a sporty Volkswagen Polo / Skoda Fabia (almost every technical part is made in German) with more equipment and a stronger engine, at a clearly lower price... This smart sporty car, got also "Best car of the year" from British What Car, even if we recommend it first... And the cute "micro" Fiat 500 is a lot more expensive and not more potent... But the last Seat Ibiza version that came 2009 has strange exterior lines and an even worse instrument panel, so if you want a brand new small car, is following alternative a bit better...
 The fine "old" Rover 214 that was made until 1998 is possibly the most delicious and sporty small car ever built (sporty 9.8sec 109hp 6.7litre/100km) but it has a smaller back seat, than most... And Rover did close it's factory 2005 because of incredible incompetent new owners, so it can be problem to get service for this model... And the last version Rover 25 that came 1999 has a clearly less elegant drivers place and front design.
  
  
The elegant and sporty Volvo S40 sedan... Click any pix, for the big pictures!
Midsize Cars The finest choice today is Volvo S40 sedan from 216tsek (truly sporty 9.5sec 2 litre 145hp 7.7 litre/100km) mainly because it's elegant and sporty, with a very nice drivers place and many clever solutions, as folding rear seats, that make the 404 litres big boot even bigger - even if it has a slightly less roomy back seat, than most midsize cars... But I got anyhow "any position" leg space, behind the drivers seat adjusted for my 188cm... And this excellent car is also available as the more roomy and rather elegant station Volvo V50 at just 10tkr more...
Then is Honda Accord (of the 7 generation, from 2003 in Europe) still the best alternative in the "big midsize" class, with rather elegant aggressive lines, a fine drivers place (that was almost perfect before) with some strange decor, good leg room in the back seat (some space in front of my knees, as Jaguar X type) very sophisticated road handling according to several reviews, famous engine and gear box qualities, a generous 459 litres boot and more equipment like advanced climate control, as standard... From 231tsek (2.0 litre, truly sporty 9.3sec 156hp, CD radio, air condition, VSA, ABS and 7.8 litre/100km) to 316tsek (2.4 excutive 8.1sec 201hp and 9.0 litre/100km) with everything above plus satellite navigation, and you can also get this version with leather and even more luxury... And this excellent car is also available as a very elegant "slim line" station, at about 12tkr more... I just don't like the extra chrome wings in the front and the last versions head light, give it a clearly less elegant look than before...
So Accord is the clever alternative to BMW 320i (9sec and 280tsek with basic equipment) and you can also compare this masterpiece with the partly ugly Mercedes C 180 CGI (9.0sec at 320tsek with some equippment) that not is superiour in any way... But this was about the Eropean version of Honda Accord, the USA version look different outside.
Then was the 2007 to 2010 version of VW Passat (truly sporty 9.4sec 2.0 litre 150hp) at 250tsek 2010 a very good looking alternative, that is exceptional big inside with 6cm in front of my knees in the back seat... But the instrument panel are boring and partly ugly... And this car was also available as a roomy station, at only 8tkr more...
Click any thumb, to see the really big pictures...
 
  
 
The finest pictures I could find anywhere (!) of the elegant and sporty Jaguar X-type
Exclusive Cars Begin with the glorious Jaguar X-type which is an excellent machine, made until 2009 with lovely design and truly superior road handling (better than BMW with very exact steering and fine 4w drive, which drive 60% at rear) according to several reviews... And even the sport model, is very comfortable on the road... This dream car, has in addition a sexy engine sound, superb manual gearbox, 452 litres big boot, the back seat is rather roomy with some space in front of my knees (even when I set the driver seat for my 188cm) and it offer also excellent value, from 345tsek 2009 (8.3sec 4wd 194hp 2.5 V6) to 413tsek 2009 (7.0sec 4wd 231hp 3.0 V6) and it was also available as a roomy and very elegant station, at just 17tkr more... Compare that with the ugly BMW 523i (same room 8.5sec 2wd) at 341tsek 2009 with just basic equipment, or the partly ugly Mercedes C 350 (6.4sec 4wd) at 489tsek 2009 with some basic equippment... And the very good looking "replacement" Jaguar XF has no 4w drive, too much aluminium in the instrument panel (according to my taste) and cost from 437tkr with 3 litre V6 so that model is no great alternative!
Click any thumb, to see the really big pictures...
  
  
  
The last and first version of the delicious "retro style" Jaguar S-type
Then is Jaguar S-type (made 1999 to 2007) slightly bigger, even in the very comfortable back seat and has a delicious retro design, that was updated in many ways for the 2002 model, from 466tsek 2007 (7.6sec 243hp 3.0 V6) to 544tsek 2007 (5.6sec 395hp 4.2 V8) and this is my favourite four doors saloon, together with X-type...
And finally was the finest version of Jaguar XJ a great evolution, made 2002 to 2009 with aluminium body and even more generous leg space in the back seat (almost as Bentley below) from 626tsek 2009 (8.1sec 243hp 3.0 V6) to 727tsek (5.3sec 395hp 4.2 V8) and you could also get this model 12.5cm longer and totally 522cm, at 1034tsek... The perfect choice for a discreet and successful businessman, who prefer a driver... And the very different version of XJ that came 2010 could look even better - if it not was for the amazingly ugly rear lights and the strange windshield, that disqualify that version!
 Jaguar has also higher quality (with less problems, according to the owners) than both BMW and Mercedes!
Click a picture, to see the really BIG one..
  
Bentley Continental Flying Spur - Photos by Linus Pröjtz / Teknikens Värld
Then has Bentley Continental Flying Spur a few more qualities, like the most impressive centre console I ever seen and state of the art brakes... This magnificent four doors saloon, that is 531cm long and has very generous leg room in the back seat, offer also performance like a super sport car and excellent road handling, even in very difficult conditions, with help of a sophisticated four wheels drive and air suspension... Then does the fastest sedan in the world (at least 2005-2007) include almost every possible luxury as standard equipment - as seven choices of wood veneer, memory for three drivers and four climate zones... And even if I prefer the clearly more elegant Jaguar's above, mainly because the head and tail lights look rather strange, has Flying Spur a bit finer lines than Rolls Royce Phantom and especially the mighty Maybach (0-100 in only 5.2sec, top speed 312 to 325km/h, 560hp 6 litre V12 twin turbo) at 1871tsek...
Which is amazingly low, if you compare with about the double for Rolls Royce Phantom or Maybach 57 that both are relatively ugly (especially inside) and slower!
Midsize Family Vans Volkswagen Touran TSI 140 look nice, has a rather nice instrument panel, offer fine road handling and truly sporty performance, at 22tsek (9.6sec 140hp 5.6litre100km) so it seem to be the best alternative...
Then look Ford Focus C-Max 1.6T also nice, offers fine road handling and truly sporty performance (9.4sec 150hp 6.6litre100km) at only 201tsek - but the last versions instrument panel look rather silly and that make this car a bit hard to recommend, even if it otherwise may be great in this class...
Big Family Vans Ford Galaxy Cost little more, than S-Max below - but are even bigger and offer a very impressive instrument panel and the same main design elements, as the latest Mercedes S class... Yes, the same style of headlights and very similar sculptured wheel arches, that fit the big Galaxy perfect and look slightly vulgar on Mercedes... What Car and other magazines grade this new model, as clearly the best in it's class... And it cost "only" 275tsek (speedy 11.2sec 145hp) with AC and captains chairs!
Then is Ford S-Max 2.5T a more sporty (7.9sec 220hp) version of Galaxy, made until 2010 with that powerful engine and it's only 5cm shorter and 6cm lower, at 278tsek 2010...
Then is the "old" Citroen Evasion (that was replaced with the C8 model, with a strange space inspired instrument panel) smart, elegant, with truly sporty performance (10.1sec 150hp) and more roomy inside than the bigger alternatives, at only 180tsek for the last 2002 model... My friend bought two, on my recommendation and he was completely satisfied... Especially with the elegant modern style, fine quality and delicate road handling... You could also buy the sister model Peugeot 806 which is more expensive, or the slower Fiat Elysse...
  
The very elegant Suzuki Grand Vitara 5 door... Click any pix, for more and bigger pictures!
Sporty Luxury SUV of midsize The latest Suzuki Grand Vitara 5 door made since 2006 offer a delicious design, including the elegant drivers place, has an excellent 4w drive system (in USA can you get 2w drive, or simple to advanced 4w drive) and get top results, by many fine car magazines... The back seat (with a convenient 60/40 split) give you also very generous leg room, it take 398 to 1386 litre luggage and the car is 430cm long (only 51cm shorter with 5 seats, than Volvo XC90 with 7 seats) from only 200tsek (fine 12.5sec 2.0 litre 140hp 9.1mix/litre/100km) to 220tkr (11.7sec 2.4 litre 169hp 9.0mix/litre/100km) with CD radio, speed and ACC climate control, plus more... Then has this masterpiece extra rigid structural components, formed and welded directly to the body, which give the same strength as a classic "truck frame" at a much lower weight... It has also independent suspension, for comfortable handling and is built to handle the 185hp V6 you get in USA - but the other engines are more raw and noisy than avarage, according to one reviewer and the bigger Volvo XC90 is even more luxurious inside, at a dramatically higher price...
  
The elegant and sporty Suzuki Grand Vitara 3 door... Click any pix, for bigger pictures!
Then is the sporty Suzuki Grand Vitara 3 door a 43cm shorter alternative, with mainly the same design and ok leg room in the back seat (that fold with 50/50 split) plus 184 to 964 litre storage, from only 170tsek (ok 14.4sec 1,6 litre 106hp 8.2mix/litre/100km) to 200tkr (speedy 11.2sec 2.4 litre 166hp 8.8mix/litre/100km) with CD radio and ACC climate control.
  
The big, smart and luxurious Volvo XC90 Click any pix, for more and bigger pictures!
Big Sporty Luxury SUV The big and luxurious Volvo XC90 from 590tsek (very sporty 7.3sec 4.4litre 315hp V8 sophistication from Yamaha) is completely superior, in almost every aspect and especially the excellent road handling... You can also get 2 more and totally 7 comfortable seats, for 15tsek more... Then is the driving place both smart and very elegant... And XC90 is the safest alternative, with many unique advantages, both when you drive and if you have an accident... But some other, has even better off road qualities and this masterpiece is rather expensive, even if it's smarter!
Then is VW Touareg a rather fine alternative... It's was originally based on the same chassis as Porsche Cayenne and did look really fine until 2010 - but the new model look also rather fine, even if I don't like the leaning head lights and has a very good looking instrument panel, from 475tsek (very sporty 7.8sec 240hp V6 diesel) But the first version handle many off road situations much worse than the competition (according to a deep Swedish test) and has a less elegant instrument panel than Volvo...
  
The cute Mini Cabrio / Convertible... The last pix is the first "old" version... Click any pix bigger!
Sport Cars The finest low cost alternative is the cute Mini Cabrio / Convertible that is very luxurious, offer 4 real seats, excellent road handling "like a go-kart" and has many delicious design details, from the "One" model at only 199tsek (speedy 11.3sec 98hp 5.7 litre/100km) and the "Cooper" model cost 217tkr (truly sporty 9.8sec 122hp 5.7 litre/100km) then is the fabric hood / roof with rear glass window, very well made and especially the second version that came 2009 - so it's practically free from extra wind noise (we recommend anyhow a good test drive before you buy) look also very good closed (just as before) fold down electro-hydraulic and fully automatic, after a smart open "sunroof" pause and just reduce the 160 litre boot to 125 litre... According to many very positive reviews... And you can normally use the tight back seats (they are anyhow better than in most sport cars) instead of the tiny luggage compartment...
Then is Mazda MX5 Miata a real sport car in every way, with 2 seats and very fine design, at 277tsek for the 2.0 Cabriolet (very sporty 7.6sec 160hp 7.4 litre/100km)
 The slim line Honda S2000 give you open modern elegance, excellent road handling and performance (6.2sec 241hp) at "only" 348tsek 2009 and you can even fit a pair of golf bags in the trunk... Standard features include air conditioning, cruise control, leather seats and more comfy equipment... But they don't sell this car in Sweden anymore, you can only get S2000 with a 6 speed manual transmission, the power soft top with heated glass rear window is thin (a removable aluminium hardtop is available) you should not be much longer than 188cm and I don't love the instrument panels rather ugly control satellites, or the digital speed meter...
Click a picture, to see the really BIG one..
  
  
BMW Z3 * Plus five pictures of the fifth excellent version of Chevrolet Corvette
My "budget" favourite was the delicious retro style BMW Z3 made until 2002 at 299tsek (7.9sec 170hp) 358tsek (6.0sec 3.0 litre 231hp) or the brutal M roadster (5.4sec 321hp) at 523tsek...
Then is Chevrolet Corvette C6 dramatically improved, in many vital aspects and even more delicious, with perfect powerful lines... Even compared with the last excellent "C5" version that came 1997 with airplane technology, a fine drivers place and almost twice as big trunk... The amazing C6 offer a completely new engine (ultra sporty 4.3sec 437hp 6.2 litre V8) new smooth transmissions, new sophisticated suspension, huge new brakes, new interior and many extensive refinements, as clearly more "delicate" road handling and even more grip in tight curves... It's also very easy to control and more forgiving, when driven hard... The standard suspension is actually great for everything from cruising to racing, up to 0.92g in curves... The Z51 package handle up to 0.98g and is anyhow rather comfortable at bumpy roads... And the slightly more expensive F55 Magnetic Selective Ride Control, give you both options at your fingertip and offer simply the best of both worlds... Then comes C6 also with comfy things like six way power leather seats, a sporty but smooth automatic gear box (or a very fine exact six speed manual, if you prefer that) climate control with a pollen filter and cruise control, as standard equipment... So this masterpiece is now superior to most of the finest from Europe (including some of the following alternatives) at very low 622tsek for the targa roof cupe, 728tsek for the convertible or 1300tkr (3.6sec 647hp) for the awesome ZR1 cupe - with aluminum chassis, magnesium and carbon fiber parts...
And Jaguar XK coupe from the version that came 2006 give you sexy lines, great performance (5.5sec 385hp V8) and comfortable English luxury with delicate wood veneer, a body in aluminium and adaptive front lighting, that follow curves, at 889tsek...
Aston Martin DB9 coupe give you even more sexy elegant lines, even more force (4.8sec 470hp V12) comfortable English luxury with delicate wood veneer and two extra rather tiny rear seats, at 1600tsek...
Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 may be the finest sport car ever built, with wild elegant Italian design, aluminium body, amazing perfomance (3.7sec 560hp V10 4w drive) and German quality in every detail, at 1850tsek with E gear box... And this delicious masterpiece, manifest the initial goal for Lamborghini, to make finer sport cars than Ferrari... But this model has only room for a few small bags and you should not be longer than 195cm...
Then is Ferrari F430 both extremely popular, a classic Italian sport car and even faster (3.6sec 510hp) at 2050tsek with the smart F1 gear box, but I don't love the strange clumsy lines and it has no 4w drive... The amazing Corvette above, might actually be a better alternative and the ultra elegant Lamborghini Gallardo seem to be superiour...Ferrari 575 Maranello did combine exquisite elegance and wild performance (4.3sec 515hp) at 1880tsek 2005 with F1 gear box... This model was replaced with Ferrari 575 Superamerica who has the same main design, even wilder performance (4.2sec 540hp) and an ultra smart automatic glass roof, that not steal any space in the trunk, at 2450tsek 2006 with F1 gear box... But then came more strange designs...
And Lamborghini Diablo was the essence of brutal elegance and the most delicious sport car in history (4.1sec 492hp) at 1850tsek 2002 that got replaced with...
The very elegant Lamborghini Murciélago LP670-4 SuperVeloce which offer a clearly finer drivers place, even better road handling and ultra wild performance (3.2sec 670hp 660Nm V12, 4w drive) at 4000tsek...
Finally does I simply not like the design of most other models, even if some people love these cars... Especially the older Alfa spider, Lotus kit car style, some small Mercedes that look as toys, the even more silly looking Mercedes SLR with it's vulgar decor lines and Porsche 911 (or boxter) which is strange versions, of the first Volkswagen Beetle!
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