#BrownCarGuy – News, Views & Reviews!
If you’re planning to buy a car in 2025, whether new or used, you’re stepping into one of the most complex and confusing car markets we’ve ever seen. With skyrocketing prices, a flood of new brands, and an increasingly aggressive push toward electric vehicles (EVs), the choices are overwhelming. But what’s causing this chaos, and how can you navigate it? Let’s break it down based on the latest data from Auto Trader.
Jaguar has taken what many might call a… er… extraordinary decision – and that’s putting it politely! The once-proud purring cat of British motoring has decided to slink away into the shadows for a while, taking a ‘sabbatical’ until at least 2026. While doing so, it’s exploring its sexuality, applying makeup, dressing in a tutu, and practising pouting for selfies.
Some people dream of driving exotic cars. Others dream of writing about them. And then there’s Shafiq Abidin, who’s managed to land one of the coolest jobs, In The World – Top Gear staff writer. But the journey from a student interviewing me during Covid to being a year-in to one of the most coveted car jobs out there, has not been without challenges and disappointments. It almost never happened, but this young talent fought for his goals, pushing past cultural expectations, imposter syndrome, and countless rejections to make it happen. His story? It’s as inspiring as it is relatable.
I remember driving the Škoda Octavia vRS when it first came out. It was brilliant and delightful, because it was completely unexpected. If you think back to the history of the brand, it was never really taken seriously in the UK at that time, despite the success of its compact rear-engined saloons in rallying. Then Volkswagen bought it, and customers warmed to the solid and sensible, quality cars it started offering.
Can you believe it’s been nearly 25 years since Škoda surprised drivers with a solid and sensible saloon that gave hot hatches a fright? (Actually, it might have looked like a saloon, but it featured a “liftback” hatch rather than a boot lid.)
In a bold move, Jaguar has ceased all new car sales in the UK as of November 2024, marking the first time since World War II that the storied marque’s vehicles are unavailable in their home market. This decision is part of Jaguar’s strategy to transition to an all-electric lineup by 2026, aiming to reposition itself as a luxury electric brand.
Continue reading “Jaguar Halts New Car Sales”
As a motoring journalist and avid tech enthusiast, I’ve find myself fascinated and captivated by the evolution of AI and robotic technology and, of course, its impact on our lives. Chiefly in the context of being a car guy, it raises an additional concern for me – where does it leave the now relatively humble automobile if we have a super-intelligent all-singing, all-dancing robot to do all our bidding, and essentially eliminate our need to even leave the house?
This year marked a monumental occasion for West London Classics as the club made its debut at the NEC Classic Motor Show 2024. I had the chance to catch up with club founder Kirpal Singh Randhawa and long-time member Dave – two passionate petrolheads who brought with them not only stunning classic cars but also a true enthusiasm for sharing the classic car lifestyle.
At the 2024 NEC Classic Motor Show, I had the pleasure of chatting with Ben Marshall, the man behind DadCars, a YouTube channel with a mission to show that family life doesn’t have to mean giving up on exciting cars. With four kids in tow, Ben’s out to prove that petrolhead parents don’t have to trade passion for practicality.
If you’re a muscle car enthusiast or a Mustang aficionado, you’re going to love this one! I recently caught up with Peter Cavallo, the man behind Classic American Car Sales in Essex. He is well-known for importing and selling beautifully restored 1965-1968 Mustangs and other iconic American classics. His experience and insight into the classic car market, particularly the Mustang, are second to none.
