It’s a long time since I’ve driven a Nissan Pulsar. It was a second hand version of the hot GTi-R, and it was a few years ago. In fact, the GTi-R is the only exciting Pulsar ever to have been produced. You’ll usually see them driven by the youth of the day, and sporting a big bore exhaust to get your attention.
Now we have a new one. It’s not really that exciting, but it does have a couple of tricks that will make you sit up and listen. A big bore exhaust isn’t one of them, but a big Read the full story »
It’s one of the regular features of having this writing gig that people ask me what car they should buy. I usually respond by telling them to buy one they can afford (you’d be surprised at how many don’t), and I try to avoid recommending specific makes and models because I don’t want to be responsible if they happen to buy one that was put together last thing on a Friday afternoon and has been subsequently used as a mobile P lab. 
However, because of Mazda’s SkyActiv technology and engineering philosophy, it’s lighter and more economical. The body is around 30% more rigid but because Mazda uses ultra-high strength steel, it can manufacture it more economically to weigh less.
Adding to the fuel economy benefits of it being lighter are the new two-litre, four-cylinder engines and their stop/start technology that turns the engine off when you’re stationary; finally, the Mazda6 has 
Let’s cut to the chase: the Forester is an extremely competent all-rounder. For light off-roading, towing (up to 1500kg), transporting people, road trips, supermarket runs and the morning commute the Forester isn’t necessarily the best-in-class for each one, but 
The instrument interface that encompasses the speedo and trip computer makes me happy. It’s part of the ten percent. It makes me happy much the same as the sound of a TVR, the taste of blueberries and the curve of an ample