Next came two Sierra Sapphires in quick succession. The first one was nearly new, in shining red, and arrived with a change of job. The 1.8 engine in that one would never melt tarmac, but having someone else pick up the garage bills was ample compensation.
I bought the second off a brother-in-law for 4 pints and two dinners. It was worth it as a local-run, motorised wheelbarrow, even if it was a gutless 1600, a faded burgundy colour (which merged nicely with the rust) and more than a bit scruffy.
Car 56 had been our financial director’s car, specced up to the eyeballs with all the toys and gorgeous deep red pearlescent paint. I bought it off the leasing company for a good price.
The Mazda Xedos 6 was another grossly under-rated car. You could think of it as a 4-door MX6 with added quality – and far better and more dynamic than its bigger brother, the Xedos 9 – or you could see it as a premium family saloon with a bit of pep, yet few people had heard of it. It had a jewel of engine and could cruise all day at surprisingly high speeds. The steering was slightly over-servoed and the ABS slightly too keen, but they’re the only criticisms I had. All the toys worked, the full leather was spotless, and there were never any rattles. It was superbly well put together - perhaps the best-built car I’ve ever owned.
(PS: ours didn’t have that silly boot spoiler you can just about see, and had what looked like exotic BBS wheels, much nicer than the ones in this pic.)
