Charlie Martin
@charliejamesmartin.bsky.social
Staff Writer for Autocar and general motoring nut. Opinions all my own.
Weeks after buying my MX-5, Wales, convoying with a bunch of mates. Got to a particularly twisty bit of road and hit my first ever (successful) heel-toe downshift without even thinking about it. Not sure I’ve been so immersed in a drive before – just goes to show what a great car can do!
August 5, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Weeks after buying my MX-5, Wales, convoying with a bunch of mates. Got to a particularly twisty bit of road and hit my first ever (successful) heel-toe downshift without even thinking about it. Not sure I’ve been so immersed in a drive before – just goes to show what a great car can do!
I love this car.
May 24, 2025 at 3:19 PM
I love this car.
I’ve now had my MX-5 for a couple of weeks. Can quite comfortably say I’m over the moon with it. Does everything well: inner London commutes, motorways, country lanes, tight car parks… it goes on. Absolutely addicted to the noise it makes around 3k revs. Love it.
April 11, 2025 at 9:41 PM
I’ve now had my MX-5 for a couple of weeks. Can quite comfortably say I’m over the moon with it. Does everything well: inner London commutes, motorways, country lanes, tight car parks… it goes on. Absolutely addicted to the noise it makes around 3k revs. Love it.
Completely forgot to post on here – my new wheels!! It is by far the silliest purchase I’ve ever made, but I’m already head over heels for it. Looks especially good with gratuitous Instagram filters 😅
April 1, 2025 at 11:24 AM
Completely forgot to post on here – my new wheels!! It is by far the silliest purchase I’ve ever made, but I’m already head over heels for it. Looks especially good with gratuitous Instagram filters 😅
Panda goes off to its new home in a couple of hours. I’ll miss its joyful (and sometimes temperamental) character, but it’s time to call it quits. I at least get the excitement of a new car tomorrow!
March 28, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Panda goes off to its new home in a couple of hours. I’ll miss its joyful (and sometimes temperamental) character, but it’s time to call it quits. I at least get the excitement of a new car tomorrow!
The Panda’s been at a specialist for an inspection. Report is, err, not good. Basically the whole underside is rotten (subframes, rear axle, almost the full exhaust) and there are various other fun issues, like the total absence of bump stops. I sense a mahoosive bill coming
March 12, 2025 at 1:20 AM
The Panda’s been at a specialist for an inspection. Report is, err, not good. Basically the whole underside is rotten (subframes, rear axle, almost the full exhaust) and there are various other fun issues, like the total absence of bump stops. I sense a mahoosive bill coming
Sat on some more bikes. Quite like this Enfield Himalayan 450 – looks great and handily tall, but still low enough for a shortarse like me. Seems quite cheap too, at £5k new
February 16, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Sat on some more bikes. Quite like this Enfield Himalayan 450 – looks great and handily tall, but still low enough for a shortarse like me. Seems quite cheap too, at £5k new
A tiny selection of Retromobile highlights
February 5, 2025 at 1:17 PM
A tiny selection of Retromobile highlights
Thinking about moving on from the Panda this year. Thinking something more refined on a long motorway run but still a sensible size, and plenty quick for the odd track day. Budget (most likely to be) around £8k. These Meganes have caught my eye, but am I missing anything obvious?
January 28, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Thinking about moving on from the Panda this year. Thinking something more refined on a long motorway run but still a sensible size, and plenty quick for the odd track day. Budget (most likely to be) around £8k. These Meganes have caught my eye, but am I missing anything obvious?
An incredibly cheap (for these...) Megane R26 for sale temptingly close to me. Always liked this shape Megane and it'd be nice to have something a bit more refined for long runs. Hmm.
January 22, 2025 at 10:29 PM
An incredibly cheap (for these...) Megane R26 for sale temptingly close to me. Always liked this shape Megane and it'd be nice to have something a bit more refined for long runs. Hmm.
Having very nearly sold the Panda this weekend, its starter motor has decided to return to working completely normally. Perhaps it knows?
January 19, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Having very nearly sold the Panda this weekend, its starter motor has decided to return to working completely normally. Perhaps it knows?
Could always look for one with the RS Cup wheel?
I'm hoping they work for the... wider gentleman. Driving position's a key reason I'm most likely getting rid of the Panda (left knee cramps up after about 45min) and these aren't meant to be much better 😬
I'm hoping they work for the... wider gentleman. Driving position's a key reason I'm most likely getting rid of the Panda (left knee cramps up after about 45min) and these aren't meant to be much better 😬
January 16, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Could always look for one with the RS Cup wheel?
I'm hoping they work for the... wider gentleman. Driving position's a key reason I'm most likely getting rid of the Panda (left knee cramps up after about 45min) and these aren't meant to be much better 😬
I'm hoping they work for the... wider gentleman. Driving position's a key reason I'm most likely getting rid of the Panda (left knee cramps up after about 45min) and these aren't meant to be much better 😬
Didn’t think I’d even consider getting rid of the Panda any time soon, but this very nice 182 has come up for sale in budget, and they’ll take the Panda in part ex (solving many, many logistical issues). I’ve already asked about a deposit!
January 16, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Didn’t think I’d even consider getting rid of the Panda any time soon, but this very nice 182 has come up for sale in budget, and they’ll take the Panda in part ex (solving many, many logistical issues). I’ve already asked about a deposit!
Really proud to have been trusted with producing our annual New Cars feature this year. If you see it out in the wild, why not have a look?
January 8, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Really proud to have been trusted with producing our annual New Cars feature this year. If you see it out in the wild, why not have a look?
There were some incredibly nice special editions. I'm quite partial to the Z-Sport (BBS wheels, aubergine-ish paint and cream leather) and the Niseko (frosty blue with brown!! leather). Not sure I'll have the budget to be too picky though, haha
December 27, 2024 at 11:40 PM
There were some incredibly nice special editions. I'm quite partial to the Z-Sport (BBS wheels, aubergine-ish paint and cream leather) and the Niseko (frosty blue with brown!! leather). Not sure I'll have the budget to be too picky though, haha
Trying to figure out how I can buy something roadster-flavoured without getting rid of the Panda. Still really, really want an MX-5
December 27, 2024 at 11:07 PM
Trying to figure out how I can buy something roadster-flavoured without getting rid of the Panda. Still really, really want an MX-5
Still very desperately want a motorbike but, given it’ll be about £10,000 to get my licence, gear and a bike, I’m erring on to shelving those plans.
Maybe it’s time to revisit my original plan of a light resto on the Panda (because I’m a fool)
Maybe it’s time to revisit my original plan of a light resto on the Panda (because I’m a fool)
December 17, 2024 at 10:23 PM
Still very desperately want a motorbike but, given it’ll be about £10,000 to get my licence, gear and a bike, I’m erring on to shelving those plans.
Maybe it’s time to revisit my original plan of a light resto on the Panda (because I’m a fool)
Maybe it’s time to revisit my original plan of a light resto on the Panda (because I’m a fool)
The motorcycle industry wonders why it’s on its arse. Might I suggest that insurance quotes of £7000 for a new rider are the reason why?
(Yes, I’m in London, yes, theft and accident rates, but crikey. Now having to rethink my want for a bike.)
(Yes, I’m in London, yes, theft and accident rates, but crikey. Now having to rethink my want for a bike.)
December 10, 2024 at 7:57 PM
The motorcycle industry wonders why it’s on its arse. Might I suggest that insurance quotes of £7000 for a new rider are the reason why?
(Yes, I’m in London, yes, theft and accident rates, but crikey. Now having to rethink my want for a bike.)
(Yes, I’m in London, yes, theft and accident rates, but crikey. Now having to rethink my want for a bike.)
Cracking day out at Motorcycle Live trying some bikes on for size. Heart says the Kawasaki, head says a much cheaper Honda. Time to book my CBT, I think
November 17, 2024 at 2:27 PM
Cracking day out at Motorcycle Live trying some bikes on for size. Heart says the Kawasaki, head says a much cheaper Honda. Time to book my CBT, I think
Every week I wonder what I’d buy if I were to move on from my Panda, then realise there hasn’t been much like it since. Maybe a VW Up GTI, but one of those is three times what I paid for this nugget. Hmm…
November 14, 2024 at 10:59 PM
Every week I wonder what I’d buy if I were to move on from my Panda, then realise there hasn’t been much like it since. Maybe a VW Up GTI, but one of those is three times what I paid for this nugget. Hmm…