Automobiles
I simply recommend the finest choice, of each type and in each price segment, plus any great alternatives - that has some clear advantage, normally are very good looking and also has been tested with fine to excellent results... Plus sometimes a few very promising new models, 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 find more specifications in other sites!
One problem 2001 to 2005 was that many new models had a "new strange design" with several ugly details, type very strange headlights and crazy lines and we almost only recommend good looking models (with max one really ugly part, according to common taste) which was 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 (fantasy) and the natural fact, that some very fine looking models, can only become worse, if they absolutely want to change the design!!
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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 below) and that interesting machine, cost actually more the dramatically finer Seat ibiza...  The rather cute four doors "micro family van" Hyundai Atos is the best choice in this class, at 80tsek (15.1sec 58hp 6dl/10km) with a rather nice drivers place and even after I set the drivers seat for my 188cm, did I fit exactly in the backseat... Then is the much nicer Kia Picanto NOT an alternative, because the model with same (rather slow) performance as Atos, cost almost as much as the dramatically finer Seat Ibiza below... But you should anyhow look very carefully at Seat Ibiza, before you buy any cheaper car!
The finest alternative was the "old" version of Chevrolet Matiz that is a cute and rather elegant four doors "micro family van" made until 2005 (12.9sec 6.6dl/10km mix driving) by Daewoo, for only 79tsek 2004... But they did change the design 2005 with a nice front, but silly instrument panel... And got even worse test result in EuroNCAP crash test with 17 points, compared with the "old" versions 19 point... But the other micro cars Kia Picanto (17p and ) Ford Ka (17p) and Hyundai Atos (18p) are also bad!
The "old" and more elegant design was created by the famous Giugiaro at Italdesign team and if you look closer, will you find that this tiny 5 doors car (only 349.5 cm long) is amazingly elegant in every detail and actually offer the same fine leg space, as Seat Ibiza... You get also basic luxury as separated back seat (60/40) and central lock as standard... Even the 167 to 624 dm3 luggage capacity is generous... And it's clearly finer than Hyundai Atos or Ford Ka... But Matiz is not very sporty and only 149.5 cm wide...
And before that was Seat Arosa (made until 2004) a very nice and good looking micro (14.1sec and 6.1dl/10km) with room for four, at 93tsek... You could also buy this car 2004 with a slightly other design (but exactly the same drivers place) as VW Lupo at 111tsek, but that was more expensive than the much finer Seat Ibiza!
Finally have we 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 99tsek (15.5sec 0-100 61hp just 4.7dl/10km) or 108tsek (13.3sec 71hp 4.7dl/10km) so Seat Ibiza below, is a clearly better alternative... But it is still a very sexy micro, great for two and take 150-550 litre luggage!
 Small Cars Seat Ibiza (from spring 2002) is 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 (11.9sec 85hp 6.4dl/10km) or 154tsek (8.4sec 1.8FR 150hp) and 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... The shorter Volkswagen Fox cost little less, but is much slower (17.5sec) and has almost no basic equipment... 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, just as Mini One.
Then is the latest Ford Fiesta a smart alternative, with a very nice drivers place, nice "any position" leg room in the backseat (behind the drivers seat set for my 188cm) and not ugly design, at 118tsek (13.2sec 80hp 6.4dl/10km) or 153tsek (150hp)
 The fine "old" Rover 214 (not possible to buy new) is even more delicious and sporty (9.8sec 109hp 6.7dl/10km) but with a smaller back seat... But 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 driving place and front design.
Click a picture, to see the big one!
 
The "old" smart Rover 416 made to 1999 with the lovely interior, of the "S" saloon...
Midsize Cars Honda Accord (of the 7 generation, from 2003 in Europe) is a sensation, in the "big midsize" class, with very elegant aggressive lines (as Acura TSX in USA) a delicious drivers place (as Accord in USA) 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 225tsek (2.0 sport 8.9sec 155hp, CD radio, air condition, VSA, ABS and 7.8dl/10km) and 270tsek (2.4 excutive 8.0sec 190hp and 9.0dl/10km) with everything above plus satellite navigation, to about 295tsek with leather and even more luxury... And this excellent car is also available as a very elegant "slim line" station, at just 11tkr more... I just don't like the extra chrome wings in the new 2006 front, but you can replace it with the "Type-S" sport front and next version, seem to get a clearly less elegant (strange and silly brutal) look...
So the latest Accord is the clever alternative to BMW 320i (9sec and 259tsek with basic equipment) and it have a more refined interior design, than VW Phaeton... You can also compare this masterpiece with the partly ugly Mercedes C 180 K (9.7sec at 308tsek equipped) that not is superiour in any way... But this version of Honda is not available in USA, even if Acura TSX have the same lines outside and the American Accord, have almost the same drivers place...
Then is Volvo S40 from 210tsek (10.9sec 1.8 litre 125hp) slightly more elegant and a fine alternative, with a slightly less roomy back seat... I got "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 was Ford Mondeo even bigger inside than Honda, with 5cm in front of my knees in the backseat and look good (from 9.8sec and 204tsek 2007) but it was not excellent in any way and the 2008 version of Mondeo has an ugly cheap looking drivers place, so Honda Accord is a clearly finer alternative...
Just as the latest VW Passat (f9.4sec 2.0 litre 150hp at 230tsek) that is exceptional big inside with 6cm in front of my knees in the backseat and look very good (except a slightly boring drivers place) with a very nice front... And this car is also available as a roomy station, at only 8tkr more...
Then was Rover 45 a luxurious budget alternative, that combine Japanese technology from Honda, with very cosy English luxury (9.9sec) from just 160tsek 2005 which made it superior to VW golf and even many models in the BMW 3 series... But Rover did just close it's factory (because of incredible incompetent new owners) it have "just fine" leg room in the back seat and the first Rover 416 version from 1999, have a more elegant front design... This model have also an excellent repair record and might be possible to buy extra cheap, now when the factory is closed and the technology is 90% from Honda, so you can probably get service trough Honda - so it should be an excellent used car buy!
The "old" elegant Citroen Xantia (12 to 8sec and 145 to 220tsek 2001) have otherwise a bigger back seat (with even more leg room than Jaguar S-type) an unique comfortable road handling and Xantia was also possible to buy, as an excellent station... Citroen Xantia, have also very satisfied owners... But the instrument panel, is not elegant...
Citroen C5 (that replace Xantia) have a lovely drivers place and the same qualities, except a rather ugly front design and only the very roomy station look fine, from incredible 193tsek...
 
The new lovely Jaguar X-type
Exclusive Cars Begin with the glorious Jaguar X-type which is an excellent machine 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, have 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 8.3sec 325tsek (4wd 194hp 2.5 V6) or amazingly 7.0sec at only 393tsek, with 4wd 231hp 3.0 V6... And this dream car is also available as a roomy and very elegant station, at just 17tkr more... Compare that with ugly BMW 523i (same room 8.5sec 2wd 334tsek) the partly ugly Mercedes C 350 (6.4sec 4wd at 483tsek equipped) partly elegant and partly strange Mercedes CLS 350 CGI (6.7sec 619tsek equipped) the rather simple Volvo S80 2.5T (more roomy 7.7sec 2wd 285tsek) Audi A6 2.4 Quattro (also very roomy 9.2sec 4wd 314tsek) and even the cheaper midsize models, above... But beware - There are strong rumours that Jaguar will stop making X-type and never replace it with a new model (in this class) so this might be the last year, to buy a Jaguar at bargain price!!
Click any picture, to see three big..
 
  
The first version, of the retro style Jaguar S-type... The drivers place look now as X-type and XJ
Then was Jaguar S-type (made until 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 7.6sec (243hp 3.0 V6) 466tsek 2007 to 5.6sec (395hp 4.2 V8) 544tsek 2007... Yes, this was my favourite four doors saloon...
And finally is Jaguar XJ a great evolution, with aluminium body and even more generous leg space in the backseat (almost as Bentley below) from 8.1sec (243hp 3.0 V6) at 623tsek to 5.3sec (395hp 4.2 V8) at 723tsek and you can also get this model 12.5cm longer (totally 522cm) at 1031tsek... The perfect choice for a discreet and successful businessman, who prefer a driver...
 Jaguar have 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 the Flying Spur has clearly more elegant lines than Rolls Royce Phantom and the mighty Maybach, even if the head and tail lights look slightly strange (0-100 in 5.2sec, top speed 312 to 325km/h, 560hp 6 litre V12 twin turbo) at 1785tsek...
Which is amazingly low, if you compare with almost the double for Rolls Royce or even more for Maybach 57 that both are relatively ugly (especially inside) and slower!
Midsize Family Vans Ford Focus C-Max 1.8 seem to be the best alternative with a nice drivers place, fine road handling and good performance (10.5sec) at 182tsek... But it has "only" the same good leg space in the backseat, as the very roomy Ford Fiesta!
Big Family Vans Ford Galaxy Cost little more, than X-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" 268tsek (11.2sec 145hp) with AC and captains chairs!
Then is Ford S-Max 2.5T a more sporty (7.4sec 220hp) version of Galaxy, that is only 5cm shorter and 6cm lower, at 277tsek...
Then was the "old" Citroen Evasion (that now is replaced with the C8 model, with a strange space inspired instrument panel) smart, elegant, quick (ca11sec) 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 is 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...
 Obs: Chrysler Voyager II may also be good looking, but is not as modern (it's have an old truck chassis) roomy or smart!
Sporty Luxury Jeeps, of midsize The latest Suzuki Grand Vitara 5 door (from 2005/2006) offer a delicious design, including the elegant drivers place, has an excellent 4w drive system (2w drive, or simple to advanced 4w drive in USA) and get top results, by many fine car magazines... The backseat (with a convenient 60/40 split) give you also very generous leg room, it take 398 to 1386 litre luggage and the car is 447cm long (just 33cm shorter with 5 seats, than Volvo XC90 with 7 seats) from only 210tsek (fine 12.5sec 2.0 litre 140hp 9.1mix/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 noisy than avarage, according to one reviewer and the bigger Volvo XC90 is even more luxurious inside, at a much higher price... Then is the sporty Suzuki Grand Vitara 3 door a 47cm shorter alternative, with the same design and same nice leg room as Ford Fiesta (but 50/50 split backseat) plus 184 to 964 litre storage, from only 170tsek (ok 14.4sec 1,6 litre 106hp 8.7mix/litre/100km) with CD radio and ACC climate control...
Then is the latest Hyundai Santa Fe a slightly longer (468cm) alternative, from 258tsek (fast 10.3sec 189hp V6) with a nice "rounded" design, drivers place and comfort...
  
The smart Volvo XC90 Click any Volvo pix, for more and bigger pictures!
Big Sporty Luxury Jeeps The big and luxurious Volvo XC90 from 423tsek (9.9sec 3.2 litre 238hp R6, 2060 kilo) or 569 (V8 - 7.3sec 4.4litre 315hp sophistication from Yamaha) is completely superior, in almost every aspect and especially the excellent road handling... You can also get max 7 very 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 you get slightly less performance and some other, have 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 based on the same chassis as Porsche Cayenne, from 450tsek (under 9.5sec 260hp V6, 2340 kilo) or 579tsek (7.8sec 310hp V8) with finer lines... But it's heavy, 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...
Click a picture, to see the really BIG one..
  
  
BMW z3 * Plus five pictures of the fifth excellent version of Chevrolet Corvette
Sport Cars First was Mazda MX5 Miata rather delicious and the completely new 2005 version (7sec 2.0 160hp at 236tsek) is even finer and more roomy, according to several reviews... But you should not be much longer than 188cm... Then is the cute Peugeot 206cc 1.6 a very nice budget alternative, with a fold down hardtop of steel and very nice drivers place (but slightly slow 11.2sec) at only 176tsek!
 The slim line Honda S2000 give you open modern elegance, excellent road handling and performance (6.2sec 241hp) at "only" 347tsek 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 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... My "budget" favourite was the delicious BMW Z3 made until 2002 at (7.9sec 170hp) 299tsek (3.0 litre 6.0sec 231hp) 358tsek or the brutal M roadster (5.4sec 321hp) at 523tsek...
Then is Chevrolet Corvette C6 (4.5sec 405hp 6 litre V8) dramatically improved, in many vital aspects and even more delicious, with perfect powerful lines... Even compared with the last excellent "C5" version that came 97 with airplane technology, a fine drivers place and almost twice as big trunk... The amazing C6 offer a completely new engine, 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 623tsek for the targa roof cupe, 723tsek (4.3sec) for the convertible or 824tkr (3.9sec 512hp 7 litre V8) for the awesome Z06 cupe - with aluminum chassis, magnesium and carbon fiber parts... Jaguar XK coupe (6.7sec 298hp V8 from 2006) give you sexy lines, great performance and comfortable English luxury with delicate wood veneer, a body in aluminium and adaptive front lighting (that follow curves) at 834tsek... Aston Martin DB9 coupe (5.1sec 450hp V12) give you even more sexy lines, even more force and comfortable English luxury with delicate wood veneer, at 1590tsek...
Lamborghini Gallardo may be the finest sport car ever built (4sec 500hp V10, 4w drive, aluminium body) with wild elegant Italian design and German quality in every detail, at 1610tsek with E gear box... And this amazing masterpiece, manifest the initial goal for Lamborghini, to make finer sport cars than Ferrari... But this model have only room for a few small bags and you should not be longer than 195cm... Then is Ferrari F430 both extremely popular and a classic Italian sport car (4.0sec 490hp) at 1654tsek 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 an better alternative and the ultra elegant Lamborghini Gallardo seem to be superiour...Ferrari 575 Maranello (4.3sec 515hp) did combine exquisite elegance and wild performance, at 1880tsek 2005 with F1 gear box... This model was replaced with Ferrari 575 Superamerica who has the same main design (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 (4.1sec 492hp) was the essence of brutal elegance (the most delicious sport car in history) at 1850tsek 2002... That got replaced with the very elegant Lamborghini Murciélago LP640 (3.4sec 640hp 660Nm V12, 4w drive) which offer a clearly finer drivers place and even better road handling, at 2650tsek...
Then does I simply not like the design of most other models, even if some people love these cars... Especially Alfa spider, Jaguar XK8 2002 with rather ugly windows and lights, Lotus kit car style, the small Mercedes that look as toys, the even more silly looking Mercedes SLR and Porsche 911 (or boxter) which is strange versions, of the first Volkswagen Beetle!
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