Cars go retro

In recalling the good times, these five cars take full marketing advantage of motoring history by expunging the bad points that the originals had, writes DAVE MOORE.

It's amazing how readily we accepted the mediocre in the old days, and when an out-of-the-ordinary model came along, it became even easier to forget the car's shortcomings.

Obviously, recognising the niches vacated by the cars that created them, and wondering why nothing had replaced them in the meantime, it appears that Mazda, Volkswagen, Chrysler, Mini and Fiat put two and two together and decided to first remove the weak points, polish everything else and, most importantly, make their modern take on these historic milestones comparable day-to-day with contemporary motor cars.

The new Fiat 500

Bambino con brio

It looks so close to the original that you can taste it, and those who committed to the new 500 sight unseen and stuck with it, are evidence that it not only delivers for style, but also from the way it drives.

Even when compared with the previous small-car quality queen, the New Mini, the new 500 displays a level of detail and finish inside and out that's a million miles from the thin-skinned and decidedly rattly original.

In the old days, all Fiats would dissolve like an Alka-Seltzer at the suggestion of rain, and a warranty was not normally part of the equation.

Now, the 500 is a darling to own as well as look at, and as a way into enjoying some driving history and using it reliably day to day, it's hard to go past.

MODELS: Turbo diesel, petrol, turbo petrol engines, manual or two-pedal semi- automatic, choice of three-door or cabriolet, with a wagon or "Giardiniera" due later this year.

NEW: Starting at $29,990, the 500 doesn't ask for much outlay, but if you tick all the boxes in the model's brilliant brochure, it could cost an arm and a leg.

USED: There aren't many pre-loved 500s around yet, and when they do arrive, they hardly touch the showroom floor, so ask your Fiat dealer to look out for one.

BEST PICK: 1.4-litre Cabriolet at $35,490. You can't buy sexier for less, anywhere!

The new BMW Mini

Not so little wonder

It's a sure compliment to the original that the new Mini, despite being so much bigger and heavier, keeps to exactly the same level of boot and rear seat space as the tiny Alec Issigonis original - unless you buy the Clubman, that is. The new Mini's driving environment is excellent, however, with room for big bodies up front - they love them in the United States - and it displays a lovely mix of old- fashioned toggle switches, quirky sound- system controls and a gorgeous crepe-pan- sized speedometer.

Although the turbocharged and normally aspirated Cooper S and Cooper are the most fun, the diesels and base Mini One models are almost as pleasing from behind the wheel. They are also much cleaner emissions wise, and economical with it.

The stretched Mini Clubman has a curious extra side door on the wrong side for right-hand-drive countries and barn doors at the rear, but it's the best-looking and most practical of the Mini lineup.

MODELS: Turbo diesel, petrol, turbo petrol engines, manual or six-speed automatic choice of three-door, cabriolet, or Clubman wagon.

NEW: From $29,990 to $58,000, the Mini fits most budgets, although if you want it as a sole car for the family, the longer and more spacious Clubman, from $41,900, would have to be it.

USED: Pre-owned Minis are fairly common, with New Zealand-new models costing more than used imports, but they are worth it, and if it comes from a franchise, it will have an approved rating that does give some peace of mind.

BEST PICK: Mini One at $29,900 - 95 per cent of the fun of a Cooper for a whole lot less.

The Mazda MX-5

The MG that should've been

By aiming at the MGB's saturation and looking like a Lotus Elan Series 1, the MX- 5 was an instant success when it topped off the automotive 1980s by being the sports car the British always promised but never produced.

Unlike the MGs, Triumphs and Healeys, the MX-5's hood was quick, snug and watertight, and able to be repaired for not much outlay. I helped a friend replace his MX-5's hood with one from the US and it took us only four hours, and we we're not handy at all.

Reliable, the MX-5 is often written off as a hairdresser's car, but ask any seasoned driver who has driven one and he or she will agree that it's in the top three driver's cars of all time.

I would love a new one for day-to-day commuting. It's brilliant to park, cheap to run, comes with a three-year, all-things- covered service and warranty scheme and, in latest form, rides exceptionally well. But I would also like to buy an old model with a roll cage and some decent performance tyres for track days, as the only way to really put the lie of hairdresser quips is to exercise it on the local circuit.

MODELS: Ragtop or power folding tintop, both with 2.0 litres and 118kW.

NEW: From $49,900 to $55,900 for the tintop automatic, the MX-5 is still as light, nimble, responsive as the 1.6-litre 1989 original was, but it's getting pricey now.

USED: Pre-owned MX-5s are easy to find, and the very best are the earliest you can find. For as little as $5000, you can get a useful car, but the more you pay, the better it gets. Don't touch any with add-on aerodynamics, or non-factory alloy wheels, since they each detract from the car's looks. A red 1.6-litre non-power- steering original is the most desirable.

BEST PICK: The new, folding tin-top is a honey, and it should be from $53,900.

The new Beetle

Wrong-way German

By using the Golf platform, the new iteration of the iconic Hitler's people's car found itself with an engine in the front instead of the rear, cooled by the wrong stuff - water instead of air - and driving the wrong wheels.

But the car was all the better for it, and although some had reservations about its Mexican sourcing, the car has proven reliable and well made throughout its 10-year career.

With a huge screen-to-dash area up front and raked glasses front and rear, the New Beetle has never been as practical as the Golf on which it was based, but style drove the car's sales much more strongly than any practicality in the segment for which it was designed - early non-thinking adopters.

The later turbo and cabriolet models gave initial buyers another reason to go back to the showroom, and among those with more free time than others - men and women of a certain age - the New Beetle Cabriolet is a top choice.

MODELS: Ragtop or coupe, both with four-cylinder 2.0-litre petrol power.

NEW: From $41,490 to $51,490 and automatic only, the New Beetle still has a following, even after more than 10 years.

USED: Pre-owned Beetles offer a better choice of drivetrains than new models do with turbos and manual versions available. Based on Mk IV Golf hard points, the Beetle is not great dynamically, but it is well made and fairly tough, and a good one, which may be ex-Japan, can be bought for less than $15,000.

BEST PICK: Cabriolet in a neutral pastel shade with automatic is a surprisingly restful and pleasant drive.

The PT Cruiser

Chrysler's not rod

It's obvious from the PT Cruiser's looks what Chrysler was trying to do here: mimic America's, and Chrysler's in particular, six-window sedans of the 1930s and 1940s.

To an extent, it worked. The stance and detailing were right, as were the thick- framed windows and the ribbed grille treatment. However, with a four-cylinder engine under its relatively empty hood, it never sounded or performed the way its styling suggested it should.

But there's room for a family, it doesn't use much fuel and for some, the PT Cruiser is still an object of desire, engine notwithstanding.

The solid-roofed sedan version of the front-drive car is no longer available in New Zealand, although if you search, you will find one or two used ones.

Like the Beetle cabriolet, the PT Cruiser Touring may have been originally designed for the young, adventurous, upwardly mobile of the US, but in our market, there's usually a more mature face behind the wheel, and I have not seen any young things of either gender or any persuasion in the driver's seat.

It shouldn't put you off, however. The Touring is a cosy way to cruise, top down in the summer, and I know several are being used as a shore-based tender and supply runner for a holiday lodge and yacht in Washington state's Puget Sound.

MODELS: The 2.4-litre Ragtop automatic only now, but it's cheap and well equipped.

NEW: At $35,990, the PT Cruiser cabriolet or Touring as they call it, is a genuine four-seat ragtop, although it looks like a shower accessory.

USED: Over-priced and only used by radio stations in their early career, PT Cruisers are practical. Neon sedan mechanicals are tough and reliable, and although the cabin can be a tad brash, it stands up quite well to wear and tear.

For once, this is a car that looks good with aftermarket goodies and some level of personalisation. You won't pay much over $15,000 for a good five-door.

BEST PICK: Topless Touring is nice and cheap, but a used five-door would be more practical.

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