Matteo Sandrin

Cars

A list of every car I've ever driven

I created this page as a place to collect every car I've ever driven, along with the stories, trips, and little quirks that made each one memorable. Every entry pins a moment in time (where I went, who I was with, what broke, what surprised me) while also documenting how different kinds of cars feel to drive. Over time, it becomes a way to trace my travels, my tastes, and the evolution of automobiles.

(last update june 2025)

Citroën Mehari

Date Jun 20, 2025
Model 1969
Tags vintage manual

This car is an orange bathtub on wheels. No doors, no windows, no seat belts. Perfect for an italian summer, because there's always a breeze! The transmission is manual and temperamental, the steering wheel as large as a truck's. It's a surprisingly fun car to drive, and scary one to be a passenger in.

Peugeot 2008

Date Jun 6, 2025
Model 2024
Tags rental suv manual

I rented this car at Bilbao airport in Spain, and drove it for five days along the coast of the Basque country. The manual transmission was smooth, even when contending with cramped parking structures.

When I returned this vehicle, I foolishly forgot to take any pictures. A few days later, I got a letter from the rental agency alleging I had caused damage to the car, and asking me to pay €1000+ in damages. Fortunately Google Maps reviews showed this was a common scam for this location. I contacted my credit card issuer, which resolved the issue in my favor three weeks later.

Toyota Prius

Date Mar 20, 2025
Model 2024
Tags rental hatchback hybrid

I am positively surprised by the glow up that the Prius has received with the the latest generation. It looks sleek as hell, which I never thought I would say about a Prius.

DR 4.0

Date Dec 30, 2024
Model 2023
Tags rental suv GPL manual

This is a peculiar car. The DR brand is Italian, but the car itself is a rebadged version of a chinese car. It looks like a normal SUV, but shrunken down by 20%. It can run on either gasoline or GPL, and will get incredibly high mileage on GPL. The GPL system seems like an aftermarket modification, since it's not integrated with the car's dashboard.

Ford Ka

Date Dec 17, 2024
Model 2000
Tags hatchback manual

I learned how to drive on this six-speed manual transmission car. It's my mom's old car. The acceleration is surprisingly good, considering it's a quarter decade old.

However the passenger window doesn't work, the central locking system doesn't work, the power steering is long gone, it overheats going over 80km/h, and the rearview mirror is missing. Despite its inherent danger (or because of it), I love this vehicle.

Toyota Camry

Date Dec 13, 2024
Model 2025
Tags rental hybrid sedan

I'm amazed at the level of efficiency hybrid cars can achieve. They also provide a more fun driving experience at low speed, thanks to the electric motor.

Mini Countryman

Date Dec 6, 2024
Model 2024
Tags hatchback

This is my cousin's car, which she drives in Miami. She let me drive it for the weekend.

I was surprised by the responsiveness of the accelerator on this car. I was delighted by the aircraft style switches on the console of this car. They are fun to use!

Mitsubishi Outlander

Date Nov 25, 2024
Model 2023
Tags rental SUV

I drove this car to thanksgiving in Westchester, New York. I was impressed by the quality of the interiors, for a non-luxury car.

Chevrolet Equinox

Date Nov 10, 2024
Model 2024
Tags rental SUV

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Date Oct 26, 2024
Model 2023
Tags rental SUV

Chevrolet Malibu

Date Oct 17, 2024
Model 2023
Tags rental sedan

I drove this car two hours west of Boston to go see the Tsuchinshan-ATLAS comet, which was visible in areas with low light pollution.

Chevrolet Malibu

Date Sep 23, 2024
Model 2022
Tags rental sedan

I drove this car to Hawley, PA to join some friends for a week in a cabin in nature. This was a thoroughly unimpressive vehicle.

Kia Carnival

Date Sep 14, 2024
Model 2024
Tags rental minivan

Cadillac XT4

Date Aug 31, 2024
Model 2023
Tags rental SUV

I drove this car to go hike Mt. Monadnock in New Hampshire (again!).

Citroën C3

Date Aug 13, 2024
Model 2023
Tags rental SUV

I drove this car around Provence in France. It is a fun yet spartan vehicle. It feels much smaller than American SUVs. I even drove someone to the hospital in this car.

Genesis G80

Date Jul 13, 2024
Model 2023
Tags rental sedan

I drove this car to the beach, which is not its natural habitat.

I suspect that I was upgraded to a luxury car because it was my birthday.

Toyota Landcruiser

Date Jul 4, 2024
Model 1999
Tags vintage SUV

This car is a beauty to drive. The V8 engine sounds incredible and it's surprisingly comfortable for a vintage car.

Shortly after I drove this car, the brakes completely failed, fortunately while driving at low speed.

Kia Sportage

Date Jul 1, 2024
Model 2023
Tags rental SUV

I drove this car to Connecticut to celebrate July 4th

Ford Explorer

Date Jun 22, 2024
Model 2023
Tags rental SUV

I drove this car to pick up and drop off my cousins who were visiting. I was stopped by state troopers at the airport, because I accidentally drove the wrong way (there was construction and the signage was unclear). Fortunately the officer was understanding of my mistake.

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Date Jun 15, 2024
Model 2024
Tags rental SUV hybrid

I drove this car to Crane Beach, just an hour north of Boston.

Chrysler Pacifica

Date Apr 8, 2024
Model 2024
Tags rental minivan hybrid

I drove five hours up to Vermont to see the total Eclipse. This minivan was comfortable and spacious even with seven passengers. It makes you feel like the king of the road.

Hyundai Santa Fe

Date Feb 24, 2024
Model 2023
Tags rental SUV

Mitsubishi Outlander

Date Jan 29, 2024
Model 2023
Tags rental SUV hybrid

This is the first plug-in hybrid I've driven.

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Date Jan 13, 2024
Model 2023
Tags rental SUV

I drove this car to go skiing at Attitash mountain in New Hampshire.

Genesis G80E

Date Dec 17, 2023
Model 2023
Tags rental sedan electric

This is the first electric car I've driven.

I had never heard of Genesis before, it is a sub-brand of Hyundai that makes their line of luxury cars. I was impressed with its acceleration and responsiveness. The interior felt luxurious and well made.

The car was only partly charged when I picked it up, but showed more than enough range for my trip. As I was driving back however, the range estimate dropped significantly. I almost didn't make it back to the rental counter.

Chevrolet Equinox

Date Nov 20, 2023
Model 2023
Tags rental SUV

I drove this car to thanksgiving in Westchester, New York.

Hyundai Santa Fe

Date Oct 13, 2023
Model 2023
Tags rental SUV

I drove this car to go hike Mt. Lafyette in New Hampshire. It was a 2-day hike with an overnight stop at Greenleaf hut on the mountain top.

When I arrived back at the car, the keyfob had stopped working because of the cold. I had to open the car manually with the emergency key, and the alarm went off. The alarm would not stop until the keyfob got warm enough to work again.

Ford Escape

Date Sep 8, 2023
Model 2023
Tags rental SUV

Toyota Highlander

Date Sep 6, 2023
Model 2023
Tags rental SUV

Kia K5

Date Aug 20, 2023
Model 2023
Tags rental sedan

I drove this car to go hike Mt. Monadnock in New Hampshire.

Nissan Rogue

Date Aug 11, 2023
Model 2023
Tags rental SUV

I drove this car to drive up to Jeremy's cabin in Maine. The car was white, and it handled well the dirt road leading up to the cabin.

like what you see? follow me!