Here’s what the carsales Content Team have in their garages
Ever wondered what professional motoring journalists have as their daily drivers?The world of motoring journalism is a relatively compact one but is simultaneously one of the most sought-after and desirable careers on the planet.
Much of the attraction has to do with driving and testing all manner of different cars in all manner of different places and being paid to do so – it’s a pretty sweet gig.
It doesn’t take too much effort to workout which vehicles are worth your time and/or money these days thanks to our abundantly rich catalogue of news, reviews and comparisons and advice here on carsales.
But have you ever wondered what vehicles motoring journalists actually own and drive on a daily basis? Or how your own vehicle purchases compare with our professional recommendations?
Well, here is a rundown of what each carsales team member has sitting in their garage at home and a brief explanation as to how and why they’re there.
Feann Torr – Senior Editor
What’s in your garage?
2024 Hyundai Santa Fe Hybrid Calligraphy
Why is it there?
A seven-seat vehicle was required (after a drunk driver wrote off our 2017 Hyundai Tucson Elite, while parked out the front of our house!) and the short list was whittled down to include the Kia Sorento, Hyundai Santa Fe and Mitsubishi Outlander. Following discussions with my wife about which vehicles I thought were best, she ignored all advice and chose one which looked the coolest. And here we are.
Callum Hunter – News Editor
What’s in your garage?
2023 Hyundai i20 N
2022 Mazda BT-50 GT
1988 Saab 900 T16 Aero
Why are they there?
You drive a hell of a lot of cars as a motoring journalist and so when a car comes along that you can’t get out of your head for weeks after the loan, you know it’s something special. That was the case with the Hyundai i20 N – it was so feisty, capable and practical I couldn’t not have one. Subtle enhancements I’ve made include an air scoop, performance filter and strut brace for an extra bit of spice.
The Mazda BT-50 meantime is my fiancée’s car. She wanted to upgrade from her previous-gen Hyundai Tucson to a 4x4 and had her heart set on a ute. We’re big fans of the Isuzu D-MAX but at the time there was a 10-month wait, so I pointed out the BT-50 is the same car with a much shorter wait time and here we are. It now wears a TJM bull bar, Goodyear all-terrains and an EGR Rolltrac on the back.
As for the Saab, that was my dad’s before he ran into some major health issues and couldn’t drive a manual anymore. We’d always had Saabs in the family, and this was quite the follow-on from my own 900i I wrote off as a 17-year-old.
Alexandra Lawrence – Staff Journalist
What’s in your garage?
1992 Nissan Pulsar N14
Why is it there?
This was a fun little farm find and is the base for my next race car – plenty has been done since this photo was snapped the day we dragged it out of a paddock! ‘Nana’ (Japanese for seven) is the latest (seventh) Pulsar Dad and I have acquired over the years to race in the Australia Pulsar Racing Association (APRA) series. It’s admittedly been years in the making, still needs an engine and a few more bits but the bones and importantly, roll cage, are there.
Bruce Newton – Contributing Journalist
What’s in your garage?
2022 Kia Sportage SX
Why is it there?
I’ve never been much of a car collector – kids, mortgages and life have stopped such pursuits – and our cars have always been necessities of life. We jumped into the Kia Sportage during COVID because it was the medium SUV we could get the soonest, it was the right price and right size for what we wanted: plenty of room for us, our dogs and our bikes. Yep, it’s 2.0-litre engine would struggle to pull the skin off a rice custard but it’s still nice to drive and ride in. A lovely testament to Kia’s local dynamics program.
Toby Hagon – Contributing Journalist
What’s in your garage?
1999 Toyota LandCruiser 105 Series
2024 Tesla Model 3 Rear-Wheel Drive
Why are they there?
My Toyota LandCruiser is a 105-Series, which kept live axles front and rear (the 100-Series had an independent front-end). So it’s the off-roady version and had done its fair share of adventuring with its former owner, but it’s now getting a cruisier life as my project car. Its six-cylinder petrol engine makes a modern V8 look economical, but it gives the impression it’ll go forever. I’ve added a few mod-cons like a reversing camera and a decent sound system, plus a bull bar, driving lights and roof platform to get it ready for the big adventure that will happen… one day.
The Tesla Model 3 meantime was a way to learn about one of the most influential and mysterious car companies of the modern era. Living with it has been enlightening, as have the low running costs and generally excellent credentials. Teslas are a long way from perfect, but they also do a lot right, starting with tech. It’s been a great addition and one that gets a big tick from everyone who goes in it and gets behind the wheel.
Anthony Madaffari – Content Strategist
What’s in your garage?
2022 Volvo XC40 B4 Plus
Why is it there?
After years of both me and my partner zipping around in hatchbacks, we finally decided to level-up and go big… but not too big. A sleek Euro SUV was calling our name. We ended up falling for the Volvo XC40, and honestly, who wouldn’t? It’s got that perfect blend of playful style, minimalist Swedish vibes and an interior that feels like a cozy Scandi lounge. Plus, sitting up higher is a total game-changer. Mods? A tiny Swedish flag I bought off eBay that’s now proudly perched on the driver’s side of the bonnet. Simple, but it adds a bit of personality!
Dylan Ruddy – bikesales Editor
What’s in your garage?
2016 Toyota HiLux SR5
Why is it there?
When I was on the hunt for a new car, there were two main prerequisites: 4x4 and room for a dirt bike. Many people told me to test drive a Ford Ranger, but I come from a one-eyed Toyota family, so the HiLux was really my only option. The only real modifications have been a set of all-terrain tyres and some duct tape on the bumper (don’t ask). I’m a big advocate for its off-road abilities, ruggedness and durability (despite my best efforts to break it), and the practicality of having a ute. It’s getting a bit long in the tooth compared to many whiz-bang modern cars, but I still love it.
Carene Chong – Industry Editor
What’s in your garage?
2015 Mazda2 NEO
Why is it there?
My family are all fans of Japanese cars and having driven some of them growing up, it was the familiarity and reliability of them that spurred my purchase of a used Mazda2 NEO back in 2017. Mazdas are great value and even though mine’s the bare bones version, it has been utterly reliable since day one. With just hubby and I in the household, the little 2 is perfect for our mainly metropolitan commutes, and so handy for navigating traffic and cramped city parking lots. For a nine-year-old car, it still looks sleek and modern, a testament to Mazda’s excellent reputation in automotive design.
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