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Britain's most ‘unexceptional cars' revealed from teeny Honda to  modest Toyota – does your motor make the cut?

Britain's most ‘unexceptional cars' revealed from teeny Honda to  modest Toyota – does your motor make the cut?

The Irish Sun2 days ago
BRITAIN's most unexceptional cars have been revealed from a teeny Honda to a modest Toyota.
The motors featured at a classic car show like no other where they celebrate the delightfully unremarkable.
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Britain's most unexceptional cars have been revealed from a teeny Honda to a modest Toyota
Credit: Cover Images
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The Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional 2025 celebrates once ordinary motors
Credit: Cover Images
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The festival took place on July 26 at Grimsthorpe Castle
Credit: Cover Images
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A 1992 Skoda (middle) was crowned the most unexceptional by judges
Credit: Cover Images
The Hagerty Festival of the Unexceptional 2025 pretty much does what it says on the tin.
It's a festival of classic cars that were once considered commonplace but are now quite rare.
The festival took place on July 26 at Grimsthorpe Castle, Lincolnshire, with motor enthusiasts flocking from all over to get a sight of the wonderfully ordinary.
This year saw eligible cars cross into the 21st century with motors from 1970 to 2000 making an appearance.
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Those on display included a 1996 Toyota Land Cruiser VX Auto, a popular model known for its ruggedness and reliability.
With a powerful 4500cc engine and four wheel drive, this classic SUV has been conquering different terrains with ease for decades.
The VX model is actually higher-trim model and often included more luxury features such as leather upholstery and heated seats.
From its beginnings in 1951, the Land Cruiser is the longest produced vehicle in Toyota's history.
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Also featuring was a teeny flame red 1994 Honda Jazz, or Honda City as it was known in other markets.
The small, nippy city car featured a 1251cc engine producing 55 brake horsepower.
Britain's best-selling car brand unveils EV camper van perfect for living off-grid with lounge seats & rooftop tent
It's thought that this specific motor is the oldest known example in the UK with just four licensed on the road.
It was sold in Europe between 1984 and 1985 and was positioned as a smaller alternative to the iconic Honda Civic.
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Classic car enthusiasts were also treated to the delightfully unremarkable 1988 Peugeot 205.
The popular and iconic motor was a small, lightweight hatchback known for its fun driving experience and sharp handling.
The GTi model, particularly the 1.9 litre version, is highly sought after by collectors today.
Also on show was a 1984 Ford Sierra with a 2.8 litre engine.
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It was a European mid-size car at the time known for its aerodynamic design and available in various body style configurations.
It replaced the Ford Cortina/Taunus and was later replaced by the much-loved Mondeo.
With hundreds of other motors on show, judges were looking for the quirkiest, most charming examples of everyday classics with extra points for the most basic specifications.
Coming out on top was a 1992 Skoda Favorit Forum, which not only took top prize but the People's Choice Award too.
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The 22-year-old owner rescued the car from scrapping and the car's super basic specification - with not even a radio fitted - won the judges over.
A 1999 Ford Mondeo came a close second with third place awarded to a bright yellow 1979 Citroen Visa Club - one of just three surviving in the UK.
And despite being relatively cheap cars, their owners lavished as much care over them as they would on something worth a lot more.
For many, the owners and their stories were just as interesting as the motors on display.
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Motor enthusiasts flocked from all over to get a sight of the wonderfully ordinary
Credit: Cover Images
7
This year saw eligible cars cross into the 21st century with motors from 1970 to 2000 making an appearance
Credit: Cover Images
7
For many, the owners and their stories were just as interesting as thee motors on display
Credit: Cover Images
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Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy to begin second leg of Secto Rally Finland in ninth place
Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy to begin second leg of Secto Rally Finland in ninth place

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  • Irish Examiner

Josh McErlean and Eoin Treacy to begin second leg of Secto Rally Finland in ninth place

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EVs accounted for 25% of new car sales in Wicklow in July but it was just 10% in Mayo
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EVs accounted for 25% of new car sales in Wicklow in July but it was just 10% in Mayo

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I'm a motors expert – here are the best used cars for under £2,000 which WON'T guzzle your fuel
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The Irish Sun

time2 days ago

  • The Irish Sun

I'm a motors expert – here are the best used cars for under £2,000 which WON'T guzzle your fuel

A MOTORS expert has revealed a list of the best cars you can buy for under £2,000 that won't guzzle all your fuel. JB, from CarswithJB on YouTube, posted a video running down a range of cheap and cheerful rides that you can enjoy on a budget. 11 A YouTuber ran down a top ten list of cheap and cheerful cars As the cost of living crisis bites and petrol prices soar with inflation, JB's advice couldn't come at a better time. Renault Clio 11 The Renault Clio will do 0=60 in 10.6 seconds Credit: Getty First up, he recommended the much-loved family classic The 1.2-litre inline-four is not as thirsty as many other JB said: "It's the joint-quickest car on the list but, despite that, it will still manage 51 miles per gallon (mpg) and costs £135 per year in road tax. READ MORE MOTORS NEWS "This is the perfect first car, but it can substitute as a family hatch instead, given it's not too small in size." 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However, in terms of running costs, it's a steal, with a tax bill of just £30 and a 57 mpg economy rate. JB said that the model's shared development with the Meanwhile, initial purchase costs are high, with a starting price right on the £2,000 line. Kia Picanto 11 The Picanto is the slowest car on the list Credit: supplied The slowest car on the list, with a 0-60 of just 14.6 seconds. However, again it is just £30 for the tax and its economy is a generous 58mpg. It was initially marketed by Basic models are available for around £1,000, with plenty of options under £2,000. Suzuki Alto 11 It was pipped to the top spot by its sister car, the Alto Credit: Autotrader A sister car of the Pixo, sharing the same frame and drivetrain, the Suzuki just edges it out as it's 0.5 of a second quicker, with the same excellent economy. JB revealed that it was originally designed for the Indian market but came over to Europe shortly after. 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It is also identical in its JB added: "One strange fact about these is that, on release, they had the highest level of safety when they were retested in 2012, they go zero stars." He suggested this was likely due to a lack of updates on the The Grande Punto is available for around £1,500, while high-mileage but more recent examples clock in at £2,000. However, JB warned that issues with "build quality" could lead to some dangerous flaws, including steering failure. Mini Hatch 11 The Mini Hatch brings its unique British heritage to the table Credit: Getty The Mini Hatch ties the Clio for pace and comes with its unique British heritage. Earlier models can be found online for as little as £1,000, though these are likely to be high-mileage. JB explained: "It's quoted as doing 53 mpg...I can attest to them being very solid little cars. "The only negative is them being four-seaters, rather than five, so slightly less practical. "But, I would consider it to be amongst the nicest of the cars on the list and if you find a first example it's even more economical." Peugeot 107 11 The 107 uses a Toyota engine despite its Peugeot badge Credit: Handout JB perhaps summed this model up best when he said: "I had to bring back the Peugeot 107 into this vide, given how incredible the running costs really are." And incredible they are, costing only £20 in tax and doing a whopping 61mpg. He added that the Toyota engine under the Peugeot shell is "renowned for its reliability", but did cite issues around boot space and water leakage. Still for just £1,000 at the bottom end, many will consider this a great deal. Hyundai I10 11 The Hyundai costs just £20 in road tax Back on the quicker side, with a 0-60 of 11.8 seconds, the Hyundai, like the Peugeot, is £20 for the year's worth of tax and manages 61 mpg. JB said: "This is the sister car to the Kia Picanto we mentioned before. 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