Many if us are used to disagreeing with the opinions if a certain Honest john, but this time he seems to have got it right. Asked by a reader whether they should buy an Evoque his answer was:

"The Evoque is a fashion statement and that accounts for about £10,000 of the price. If a Dacia Duster is value for money, an Evoque represents the other extreme."

Comparing Evoque prices with Freelander prices you've got to say he's right! Unfortunately he didn't take the next logical step and tell them to buy a Freelander instead... (Perhaps more surprisingly, he did'nt tell them to buy a Kia or Hyundai either.)

I read the HJ column but find him disagreeably negative about Land Rover and seems to be stuck in the past with regards to reliability, always looking to allude to dreadfulness awaiting for LR buyers. It annoys me. The damning comment on Evoque, I think, is just an extension of that negativity.
This weekend he seemed to be particularly grumpy in his answers and I gave up reading the bloody column. ...

Be true to yourself. That way happiness lies...

My father-in-law used to preach Honest John to me like it was gospel. Damn infuriating.

I remember once that he said Honest John had said the only correct way to drive an automatic is with both feet. i.e. right foot for acceleration, and left foot for brake.

I didn't see the article in question, so cannot comment as to whether it did say that or not. In any event, I said to my father-in-law that Honest John was a bit of a tool and his answers vary wildly in accuracy and quality.

But no - Honest John said it, so it was absolutely 100% true.

Something he continued to maintain as the fire service extricated him from his automatic Honda Jazz after he drove it through the back of his garage wall......

Really depends who HJ is, If he is a motoring journalist, then it is an opinion and not worth any more than any other opinion. If an east London dealer or ex dealer, then possibly the Honest may well be a trade name and not a description either of his opinion or his actions.  my PC is slightly to the right of Genghis
2012 HSE SD4 In Orkney Grey now gone, best car ever.

My understanding is that "Honest John" isn't a person, and is simply a collective name referring to a panel of people sorting, sifting and answering various questions from the mailbag.

I guess that "Honest John" might have been an individual once upon a time, but not any longer.

He's right about driving automatics too - right to go, left to stop. Seemples.

Unless you're on my motorbike where it's right to stop, left to change gear!

Or on my scooter where you don't need either foot 'cos there aren't any pedals! Ours - 2008 Stornoway Grey HSE Auto
Tricia's - 2006 Royal Blue Beetle Cabriolet Auto
Mine - 2014 Vespa GTS 300 Super Sport Matt Black
Ours - 2007 White Bailey Pageant Champagne

Quote:

He's right about driving automatics too - right to go, left to stop.

Agreed!  10MY (Sept 09) TD4 HSE Auto in Stornoway Grey (Now Gone)

08 FL2 TD4 SE Manual in Rimini Red (Now Gone)

rjc1944 wrote:

He's right about driving automatics too - right to go, left to stop. Seemples.

choccymonster wrote:

My understanding is that "Honest John" isn't a person, and is simply a collective name referring to a panel of people sorting, sifting and answering various questions from the mailbag.

I guess that "Honest John" might have been an individual once upon a time, but not any longer.

His real name is Peter Lorimer and he's a bit of a tool. I used to be moderator on the HJ forum many years ago  Current driveway contents:
2021 V60 Cross Country B5
2009 FL2 dog bus and shooting wagon

On Order: 2023 Fisker Ocean Ultra - deposit paid.