Magazine Road Tests

[Arragonis]

After being away for a few long 24-hour days with work I got a "work free" afternoon to recover but not being one of those people who can sleep in the afternoon I instead cruised the internet - yeah - ok...

But being a sad loser interested only in cars I browsed some old car tests and wondered if these would be of interest to ecomodders - even if only for entertainment value.

So post 1 is what UK magazines thought of the original Honda CRX

Link 1

Link 2

Link 3

I'll post some more later, anyone else got some public tests available ?

[Arragonis]

Test 2 - Suzuki "Whizzkid"

1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.

5 is a good summary of the "state of the art" for economy motoring in 1979 UK.

[Old Tele man]

Arragonis - you raise an interesting question: what are the most popular/useful (might be mutually exclusive, however) automotive magazines in Europe? Are they segragated into sportscar, racing, economy, etc. like some USA magazines?

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

Arragonis - you raise an interesting question: what are the most popular/useful (might be mutually exclusive, however) automotive magazines in Europe? Are they segragated into sportscar, racing, economy, etc. like some USA magazines?

There are seperate types of magazines and quite a few cross-over titles - ones for normal car buyers (What Car, Auto Express, Car, Autocar), ones for 17 year old "Ricers" (Banzai, Max Power etc.), some for motor sports (Motor Sport, F1) and some for tuners (Fast Ford / French / BMW etc., Practical Performance Car). There are a few magazines dedicated to Diesel and Alternative Fuel cars (ie. Hybrids) but their coverage is mainly Diesel - little is given to Electric vehicles for example.

I'm not too interested in moderns so I tend to go for the classics and the occasional Practical Performance Car depending on what is on the cover or in the contents.

I love these old tests though.

EDIT - Retro Rides and Auto****e are good places to goggle too

[Arragonis]

Penny a mile motoring - which 1100 cars can do over 50 MPG (hypermiling not involved)...

Part 1,2,3,4,5 and 6.

Article from just after the 1973 fuel crisis.

[Arragonis]

For the oil burner fans, some tests and comparisons

Group test of "Executive Saloons" - Peugeot 604, Audi 100, Citroen CX (Yum!) and the Volvo 760 Turbo Diesels. 1984.

Twin test of a Peugeot 205 vs a Daihatsu Charade. Also another group test of small Diesels (Charade, Peugeot 205 again, plus Citroen Visa and a Ford Fiesta - yep, honest - in 1985).

The Charade is very interesting from an FE point of view - 3 cyl, 1.0 Diesel Turbo.

VW Jetta vs FIAT Regatta, 1986. Another twin test between a Mercedes 190D and a Peugeot 505 non turbo.

And a straightforward comparison of Petrol vs Diesel - Volvo 740 Estates.

[Arragonis]

Last ones from these collections from me.

Cheap Car test, includes a three wheeler - Skoda 136, 2CV and Reliant Robin.

Another cheap car test - 2CV, Mini and FIAT Panda - all of which are now classics.

Yugo meets it's younger cousin - FIAT Uno.

Small Japanese car test - what we were being offered by the Japanese during the mid-80s - spot any US market cousins here ? Mitsubshi Colt, Nissan Cherry & FWD Toyota Corolla.

And the story of a project to build a Turbo 2CV, includes worrying pictures of burning car but with a happy ending.

[RH77]

I have a basement full of old car mags inherited from family (mostly 70's and 80's performance mags like "Hot Rod", etc. -- plus my collection of "Sport Compact Car" from the late 90's / early 00's , but I think there may be some really old "Motor Trend" mags down there. I'll have to pick and scan...

In the interim, for those who visit the 'States and are looking for what has been sold here in the last 5 years or so, "Intellichoice" magazine features an annual car buyer's issue, complete with used vehicle depreciation values, cost of ownership, FE, pics, and all sorts of stats.

RH77

[Rusty Marina]

Thanks for the links.

[Arragonis]

Originally Posted by Rusty Marina

Thanks for the links.

I forgot this one, just for you