Reviews

Glance back at some of the classics, the collectables, and the once forgotten gems.

Retro Road Test

1989 Ford Fiesta XR2 review: Retro Road Test

Andrew Brady - 0
The Ford Fiesta XR2 isn't as poised or polished as a Peugeot 205 GTI, but we still want one. Read our review of this classic hot hatchback.
Retro Road Test

1989 Mercedes-Benz SL R107 review: Retro Road Test

Tim Pitt - 0
Produced from 1971 until 1989, the 'R107' Mercedes-Benz SL is an elegant and very laid-back classic convertible. Should you buy one?
Retro Road Test

1989 Seat Ibiza Mk1 review: Retro Road Test

Andrew Brady - 0
With crisp Giugiaro styling and low running costs, the original Seat Ibiza is a great starter classic. If you can find one.
Retro Road Test

1990 BMW Z1 review: Retro Road Test

Richard Aucock - 3
The BMW Z1 is famous for its drop-down doors. But there is plenty more to recommend this retro roadster, as Richard Aucock discovers.
Retro Road Test

1990 Renault 5 GT Turbo review: Retro Road Test

Tim Pitt - 1
Fragile, fast and fun, the Renault 5 GT Turbo lives up every cliché about French hot hatches. We drive one – and offer up some buying advice.
Retro Road Test

1990 Renault Clio review: Retro Road Test

Andrew Brady - 0
The original Renault Clio is fast-approaching modern classic status, and possessed of a charm many superminis of its era lack. We drive one.
Retro Road Test

1990 Vauxhall Nova review: Retro Road Test

Andrew Brady - 0
We time-travel back to 1990 with a basic Vauxhall Nova 1.2 Merit. How does it drive and what should you know about buying one?
Retro Road Test

1991 Mercedes-Benz 190E review: Retro Road Test

Andrew Brady - 3
Look up 'practical classic' in the dictionary and you'll likely find a photo of a Mercedes-Benz 190E. We put one through our Retro Road Test.
Retro Road Test

1991 Peugeot 205 GTI review: Retro Road Test special

Retro Motor team - 1
Driving two very different versions of Peugeot's hot hatch icon: one a standard 1.6 GTI in concours condition, the other an Mi16 conversion.
Retro Road Test

1992 Porsche 964 Carrera RS review: Retro Road Test

Tim Pitt - 4
The 964 Carrera RS was the first Porsche 911 with ‘RS’ on its rump since the legendary Carrera 2.7 RS of 1973. We drive it.
Retro Road Test

1992 Skoda Favorit review: Retro Road Test

Gavin Braithwaite-Smith - 2
The Favorit represented the dawn of a new era for Skoda. With Bertone styling and an amenable character, it's an interesting modern classic.
Retro Road Test

1993 Vauxhall Lotus Carlton review: Retro Road Test

Andrew Brady - 2
We drive the 176mph super saloon that outraged the Daily Mail. How does the legendary Vauxhall Lotus Carlton stack up today?

News

Race and rally Ford icons head to auction this month

The Iconic Auctioneers NEC Classic sale features an array of legendary Ford performance cars, including a Sierra RS500 and a road-spec RS200.

Classic Jaguar bought by Madonna heads to auction

Pop icon Madonna has been photographed at the wheel of this Jaguar Mark X, which she purchased for her son, Rocco, to use in London.

First new Group A-spec Ford Sierra RS500 is ready to race

CNC Motorsport has delivered the very first reborn Andy Rouse Engineering Ford Sierra RS500 to its lucky owner.

Features

The greatest Japanese sports cars ever made

Japan has produced many of the world’s best sports cars, from the evergreen Mazda MX-5 to the mighty Nissan GT-R. These are our favourites.

Land Rover Discovery: meet the ancestors

We drive four generations of Land Rover Discovery. Which would you buy today?

Fast Fords that could break auction records

A feast of fast Fords at the Practical Classics Classic Car & Restoration Show including a £50k Sierra RS Cosworth

Reviews

Toyota MR2 Mk1 and Mk3 review: Retro Road Test

We compare the first and third generations of Toyota's affordable mid-engined sports car. What are they like to drive and should you buy one?

MR archive: Audi RS4 B7 review

We rewind the clock by 11 years for a drive in the new-at-the-time B7 Audi RS4

2001 Porsche 996 Turbo review: Retro Road Test

The 996 Turbo combines serious performance with modern manners. It's also one of the best value used Porsche 911s you can buy.