And because it doesn’t do solely to come on here to shamelessly self-promote, here’s another piece of news: I have bought rather a nice Volvo. So. That’s exciting.

Hello. Me again. Just popping back on here to tell you that I’ve started a new car-buying service. The idea is that if you’re not sure which car you want to buy, you can tell me exactly what you want and need from your next car, and then I’ll give you three great options for your budget. ⬇️

Been using the Buzz for Buzzy stuff this weekend. Chairs coming soon to a podcast near you (in all their hideousness).

There are good reasons why I’ll always take my cars to Rich for any kind of serious fabrication or rust repair work. (Subtitle to these pics: Why You Shouldn’t Take A Punt On A Cheap Citroen D Special)

FYI, photo/videographer/creator friends. Buried in the replies is a rec for www.swisstransfer.com/en-us as an alternative. Might be worth a try?

Only an idiot would go out and take pictures of his new black car at nighttime, right?

Hey everybody, did you know the bonnet on an ID.Buzz is hinged at the bottom with a check strap at the top, so it opens like this? I didn’t, but TIL! 😃

Hoooooly wowzers.

A big day in the Robbins household today. After four years and 43,000 miles in our possession, Svetlana the Superb has left us. I have loved this car and I genuinely had a bit of a cry as we left it behind at the dealer. So many memories. But the news isn’t all sad…

There really is nothing quite like a post-vehicle purchase MaccyD’s, is there?

Hey so I heard there’s a really unrealistic film out about F1 in which an older driver comes back and brings unexpected success for a backmarker team…

Look, I know motoring journalists are really bad for posting smug pics of jammy stuff we get up to, and I’m sorry. But come on. You’d want to tell people about a day like this one, wouldn’t you?

In Spain, where it’s hotter than it is at home somehow, to drive old Audis around. Spent two hours in this. Vague column shift, slow steering, sticky throttle and an occasional fondness for dying rather than idling made roundabouts a challenge. Emerged a sweat-drenched heap. Isn’t it pretty, though?

Fascinating to see the similarities between that red and the X351 Jaguar XJ.

“It’s like a Duster, but bigger. I was thinking we could call it the Dustigger?” “Great idea, Steve - but I’ve got a better one…”

I could be wrong, but I can’t think of many other magazine covers on which you’d find these four cars. @denialvibes.bsky.social - this looks ace. Looking forward to diving into it with glee as though it were a pool filled with modified car flavoured milkshake. Buy yours at copaceticmagazine.co.uk

Iwan Thomas came to my school sports day to give out the prizes and every kid got to shake his hand as we left. When it was my turn he told me I had pen on my head. (Turned out he wasn’t wrong.)

It’s here. I can’t believe it’s here. I am SO excited. A few short months ago, none of this existed. Built from scratch, no investors, no-one to answer to, I just dreamt it and then I made it. I hope you love it as much as I do. You can buy it here ➡️ copaceticmagazine.co.uk

This week I’ve had the immeasurable pleasure of having Skoda’s Superb ‘Sleeper Edition’ in to muck around with. 470bhp, AP brakes, KW coilovers, top-spec Laurin & Klement trim, and Royal Green over Cognac. What a deliciously barmy device. I loved it.

The milk selection in our house this morning is Out Of Touch.

Oof. A loud, orange, attention-grabbing thing you actually want.

On test this week. Handsome bugger, and a big old smoothie on the motorway, but the diesel engine and electric motor are surprisingly vocal, which spoils it somewhat. I do love a big, cruise-y estate, though. With a creamy V6 diesel it’d be a joy.

Well here’s a thing. I bought this exact Kia Picanto for my wife six years ago. She then learned to drive in it, and kept it as her first car for a year and a half. Current owner is keeping it running for her daughter, who adores it. It has continued to be endlessly reliable. Lovely to see it again.

I know nobody really cares about pics people have taken from a plane, but this sunset on the way into LHR tonight was really rather lovely. (Photographed from a Canberra.)

Afeela Shmafeela? Really?

Today’s hotel room is boxy, roomy, and there are many almost identical versions of it. Doesn’t have an XUD in it though. Boo.

This is exactly what it’s like driving some modern cars. Makes me want to bang my head against a wall with frustration.

Camping again tonight. Note the attitude of the tree. It’s a bit breezy up in the loft apartment.

I don’t think it’s possible to overstate just how hard it is to launch a car magazine. Especially right now. Yet my friend Dan has done it. And because I know Dan, and I know he’s really good at magazines, I know it will be awesome. Go and order a copy. I just did. I’ve no doubt you’ll love it.

Yesterday in headlights.

Probably a good sign a car’s getting under my skin when I stop on the way home from a long trip to take pictures of it and then spam Bluesky with it.

I feel like we need a cartoon series in which a Renault 5 is the hero, constantly foiling the plans of its scheming evil twin.

Two Saabs in the same airport hotel car park, three years apart. Seems I can’t keep away from the things.

And so our first series comes to an end. We’re taking a few weeks’ break, but we’ll be back soon. In the meantime, we’ve decided which was the best facelift ever. (The answer won’t shock you, but go and listen anyway.)

Out with Robbins Jr in the Saab to visit a friend this morning. It’s been a costly month - it’s needed a clutch, spark plugs and a set of coils to get it running right. But now it is, and it’s pretty sweet to drive. Pulled 41mpg on a motorway run yesterday, too.

What’s the best-sounding engine? Kitch reckons a soaring V10, or a thrummy five-pot. Scrof’s a sucker for an old-school V8. What do you think?

Slightly odd question, but does anyone have access to a Zafira Tourer, like this?

This week’s episode comes to you from this rather lovely Volvo V60. Kitch judged it ‘not bad’ - praise indeed - and said it was the first new car Scrof’s brought in that he could see himself owning. (Scrof quite likes it too.) But was Volvo right to reincarnate its estates?

Just listened back to this and now I’m craving Chinese food and chips. Stupid pod.

If you’re wondering where this week’s Overbore is, well, it’s coming. Just not today. Sorry. What with a family funeral this week, we’ve had to push things back a little, but we’re hoping to get the latest ep out to you tomorrow or on Monday. Hang tight - it’s coming!

Yes I am playing with my cupholder while I wait to pick up my daughter. What of it?

I think I’d have to have the Xantia. Or the Laguna. Mind you, the Mondeo was brilliant too. Or maybe the Primera…

Tried not to talk about the Citroën Xantia. Talked about the Citroën Xantia a lot.

See a BBJ, snap a BBJ. Them’s the rules. This one was departing Farnborough yesterday, on its way to Abu Dhabi.

WE’RE BACK! After our brief hiatus we’ve moved to publishing our new episodes on Friday mornings, because it felt right. (It has absolutely nothing to do with the fact we couldn’t get our act together in time to record for Thursday…) OB9 drops at 10am this morning. See you then!

Peekaboo.

TIL the collective noun for woodlice is a quabble. A quabble of woodlice. You’re welcome.

It’s true! And look how happy we both were doing business. Now imagine yourself doing this kind of business. With me. For money. That you give me.

I bought a Volvo from this man and it was good. Bodes well, doesn’t it? I’ve always loved this car and always wanted to buy it. Sadly I can’t right now. But you should.