‘Are modern performance cars better value than their predecessors?'
‘Are modern performance cars better value than their predecessors?'
It’s easy to moan about the seemingly extortionate prices of new performance cars, but is that actually the case? Meaden investigates.
'2018 might see a road-legal production car hit 300mph. Pointless? In every practical sense, yes'
'2018 might see a road-legal production car hit 300mph. Pointless? In every practical sense, yes'
Dickie ponders the pointless, but seductive objective of road cars reaching the 300mph milestone
'The ritual of looking at cars was one of the great spectator sports of my childhood'
'The ritual of looking at cars was one of the great spectator sports of my childhood'
Dickie harks back to a time when hunting down second hand cars was a Sunday ritual rather than an open tab on your browser
'Nowadays Lamborghinis flatter their drivers, rather than frighten the bejesus out of them'
'Nowadays Lamborghinis flatter their drivers, rather than frighten the bejesus out of them'
Worried that Lamborghini might be losing its hardcore edge, Meaden appraises the future of the raging bull
Ford Escort Mexico review – all the power you'll ever need
Ford Escort Mexico review – all the power you'll ever need
If there's ever a car to demonstrate that power and speed aren't necessary for a thrilling drive, it has to be the Ford Escort Mexico.
"Car technology is turning the colourful tapestry of European driving styles into a miserable morass of badly driven metal"
"Car technology is turning the colourful tapestry of European driving styles into a miserable morass of badly driven metal"
Could recent changes to cars and roads be causing driving standards to decline? Dickie has noticed some worrying initial signs.
'The speed at which electric hypercars are appearing is turning me off'
'The speed at which electric hypercars are appearing is turning me off'
Not only is the way in which hypercars are built rapidly changing, but so is their raison d’être.
‘The elusive thrill of driving is more readily accessed with the roof down’
‘The elusive thrill of driving is more readily accessed with the roof down’
Perhaps more evidence of his advancing years, Meaden confesses to a growing passion for convertible motoring
‘When it comes to car ownership I reckon we all fall into one of three categories’
‘When it comes to car ownership I reckon we all fall into one of three categories’
Dickie Meaden discusses the three different personality types that exist among car owners.
'It’s the battle of risk versus reward that’s catnip for car nuts like us'
'It’s the battle of risk versus reward that’s catnip for car nuts like us'
When the alarm bells (and suspension failure warnings) are ringing, should you still buy that well-used dream car? Meaden did.
‘Ring records once meant something, now I feel completely immune to their impact’
‘Ring records once meant something, now I feel completely immune to their impact’
Nürburgring lap records have become mighty but meaningless, says Meaden, who reckons we can bring back the awe of the olden days
'The roads are a treasure trove of memorable turns if you’re on the lookout'
'The roads are a treasure trove of memorable turns if you’re on the lookout'
We’ve all got our favourite corners. Meaden wants to hear yours in the hope that it could become part of something rather special
'The critical ingredient isn’t the car or the driver. The road brings the magic'
'The critical ingredient isn’t the car or the driver. The road brings the magic'
Car, driver, road: they’re all important, but which holds most sway when it comes to a rewarding drive?
'The notion of dropping an unlikely motor into an equally unlikely recipient is almost as old as the car itself'
'The notion of dropping an unlikely motor into an equally unlikely recipient is almost as old as the car itself'
Some of the most deranged automotive one-offs are the result of engine swaps. Meaden identifies his favourites.
‘What would you commission as your one-off supercar?’
‘What would you commission as your one-off supercar?’
Money no object. Three words, endless possibilities for the imaginative petrolhead. Meaden gets the ball rolling with his own fantasy car
New v used – which car should you choose? - Porsche 911 Carrera GTS v Aston Martin V12 Vantage S - New v Used
New v used – which car should you choose? - Porsche 911 Carrera GTS v Aston Martin V12 Vantage S - New v Used
The 911 is hard to beat, and the latest GTS is a real gem. But perhaps a special used alternative in the V12 Vantage S might sway you...
Ferrari LaFerrari review, price and video
Ferrari LaFerrari review, price and video
The LaFerrari is finally here - we review Ferrari flagship on road and track
'You don't need to take a far-flung vacation to acquaint your car with a great road'
'You don't need to take a far-flung vacation to acquaint your car with a great road'
"Just get up early, drink coffee, grab the keys and drive" says Dickie Meaden
'It takes a special kind of person to take the plunge with a bold car colour scheme'
'It takes a special kind of person to take the plunge with a bold car colour scheme'
So you think the motorsport-inspired livery on your car is cool? It might be, says Meaden, as he plays arbiter of automotive taste
"It's a shame that our relationship with the performance car industry has become that of junkies and pushers"
"It's a shame that our relationship with the performance car industry has become that of junkies and pushers"
The so-called 'power wars' that manufacturers have engaged in are no longer relevant, amusing or helpful.
"Dukes of Hazzard probably played as important a part in influencing my future as any maths or English lesson"
"Dukes of Hazzard probably played as important a part in influencing my future as any maths or English lesson"
Car makers are missing out on the incredible power of the silver screen and should try harder to engage with car culture, says Meaden
Aston Martin Vulcan review - track-only Aston reviewed at Blyton Park
Aston Martin Vulcan review - track-only Aston reviewed at Blyton Park
Aston Martin's Vulcan delivers an intoxicating blend of the best bits of driving a race car and an exotic supercar
McLaren 570S Spider 2017 review - has the roadster got the Sports Series sparkle? (video)
McLaren 570S Spider 2017 review - has the roadster got the Sports Series sparkle? (video)
Every bit as good as McLaren 570S with the roof up, with roof down the Spider delivers more fun and a greater sense of occasion
"If you really want to get to know a car, you have to take the time to run a sponge over it"
"If you really want to get to know a car, you have to take the time to run a sponge over it"
It's easy to get sentimental about cars, but to romanticise washing them? No problem for Meaden (who hasn't held a sponge in years)
"I'm reluctantly wondering whether I've actually become a power-sliding parody of myself"
"I'm reluctantly wondering whether I've actually become a power-sliding parody of myself"
The cornering shot used to be a source of education and inspiration, but its currency has been devalued in recent times, reckons Meaden
"The car industry is slowly but surely engineering me out of the process of driving"
"The car industry is slowly but surely engineering me out of the process of driving"
Engineers and scientists are falling over themselves to create the autonomous car, but who actually wants one, asks Meaden
"We're conditioned to want the next big thing, whatever that may be"
"We're conditioned to want the next big thing, whatever that may be"
Afraid of change, overly sentimental or just uninspired by modern machinery? You may well be a Hoarder, says Meaden
"It's long been the case that brutally unsocial hours are the best for driving"
"It's long been the case that brutally unsocial hours are the best for driving"
You don’t need to take a far-flung vacation to acquaint your car with a great road. Just get up early, grab the keys and drive
"Engine swaps embrace the spirit of anything-goes engineering to incredible effect"
"Engine swaps embrace the spirit of anything-goes engineering to incredible effect"
Some of the most deranged automotive one-offs are the result of engine swaps. Meaden identifies his favourites
"Time will tell whether these electric hypercars are hollow, fatuous publicity stunts"
"Time will tell whether these electric hypercars are hollow, fatuous publicity stunts"
Not only is the way in which hypercars are built rapidly changing, but so is their raison d'etre. Meaden thinks he's identified a new trend.
Nissan GT-R vs Lotus Evora Sport 410
Nissan GT-R vs Lotus Evora Sport 410
The Lotus Evora Sport 410 and Nissan GT-R cost similar money and have a shared purpose. So how do they compare?
A-Z Supercars: Hennessey Venom GT
A-Z Supercars: Hennessey Venom GT
Veyron power and speed in a mutant Lotus bodyshell, that’s the venom GT
Fiat 124 Spider v Mazda MX-5 - Platform Souls
Fiat 124 Spider v Mazda MX-5 - Platform Souls
Which is the more rewarding roadster, Mazda's MX-5 or the new Fiat 124 Spider?
Fiat 124 Spider v Mazda MX-5 - Platform Souls
Fiat 124 Spider v Mazda MX-5 - Platform Souls
Which is the more rewarding roadster, Mazda's MX-5 or the new Fiat 124 Spider?