Dino – Under the Bonnet | Cars, Deals & Opportunities

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Looking under the bonnet of cars, deals, investments and opportunities. Join Dino as he uncovers classic cars, modern classics, auction finds, hidden bargains, smart buys, business ideas and money-saving opportunities. Featuring Dino’s Deals of the Week, market insights, buying advice, car investment trends and real-world experience helping enthusiasts, collectors and everyday buyers spot genuine value before everyone else.

  1. 5d ago

    Lease an EV or Own a Classic? The £35,000 Question!

    Are we being taken for a ride by the modern motor industry? Would you rather spend £35,000 leasing a brand-new electric car and hand it back after four years, or borrow £20,000 to buy a modern classic that could still be worth much of what you paid for it? This week on Dino Under the Bonnet, we're asking whether cars have become disposable commodities and whether the motor industry has turned us all into permanent monthly-paying customers. I've driven electric cars for five years, and I genuinely think they're brilliant. But are they actually the smartest financial choice? We investigate the real costs of electric versus petrol motoring, eye-watering depreciation, expensive batteries and the question nobody seems to ask: what happens to an electric car when it's 12 or 15 years old? Then we look at three very different alternatives for around £20,000: Porsche 911 (997) – a proper driver's car with modern-classic appeal. Toyota Land Cruiser Amazon – legendary 4×4 capability and longevity. Subaru Impreza WRX STI – rally heritage, four doors and serious enthusiast appeal. Plus, in Dino's Newsdesk, we tackle the new Freelander, the rise of Chinese manufacturers and whether modern cars have lost their looks. And in Dino's Deal of the Week, we've found something completely different from motoring! This isn't about hating electric cars. It's about asking a much bigger question: Are we better off owning something we love, or paying every month for something we'll never own? Join the debate, tell me which you'd choose, and enjoy another episode of Dino Under the Bonnet. Case closed!

    Lease an EV or Own a Classic? The £35,000 Question!

  2. Oct 16

    13 Sleeper Cars I'd Buy NOW – Before Prices Rise! | Dino Under the Bonnet

    Could today's overlooked cars become tomorrow's valuable classics? Some of the best motoring opportunities aren't necessarily the obvious Ferraris, Porsches or Aston Martins. They're the unusual cars that most buyers are still overlooking. In this episode of Dino Under the Bonnet, I share 13 cars I'd seriously consider buying today, before they become more desirable and potentially more expensive. From the extraordinary Renault Clio V6 and the rare Citroën C6 to the Volvo 850 T5, BMW Z4 M Coupé, Porsche 928 and even my own Aston Martin Lagonda, there's something for almost every budget. I've spent years buying, selling and restoring cars, and I've learnt that finding a bargain is only half the battle. Knowing what to avoid is just as important. Also in this episode: Dino's News Desk: The controversial new electric Jaguar and the extraordinary price of diesel. Dino's Steals: A Yorkshire house going to auction for just £46,000. Could restoring it turn into a profitable investment? The financial pitfalls: Why some apparently cheap classics can cost an absolute fortune to own. And, of course, Eddy is never far away! Cars are there to be enjoyed, but buy wisely and you might just have something worth considerably more in years to come. There's no guarantee of appreciation, of course. Which overlooked car would you put your own money into? Join me for a little motoring, money, bargains and the occasional bit of mischief. Dino Under the Bonnet — looking beneath the surface for the things others overlook. #DinoUnderTheBonnet #FutureClassics #ClassicCars #CarInvestment #SleeperCars #DinosSteals#DUB

    13 Sleeper Cars I'd Buy NOW – Before Prices Rise! | Dino Under the Bonnet

  3. Oct 3

    The Day We Lost Eddy — 20 Hours Missing and 1,000 People Searching

    Eddy disappeared from Morrison’s car park in Ripon at around 3pm. For the next 20 hours, Amanda and I, the people of Ripon, police, North Yorkshire Council, vets, specialist lost-dog groups, farmers, businesses and complete strangers became part of an extraordinary search. Within around 90 minutes, roughly 150 people were involved. By the following morning, more than 1,000 people had helped in one way or another. This episode is the full story of what happened — but also a practical guide to what we learned. I share the 009 ten-point plan for the first 24 hours after a dog goes missing: how to establish the facts, use social media, manage sightings, avoid misinformation, contact the right organisations, and why chasing a frightened dog can make things worse. It’s also a story about technology, community, kindness — and what ordinary people can achieve when they come together. Technology spread the message. People brought Eddy home.

  4. Sep 27

    What Happened to a Bargain? How to Spot One, Where to Find One & 3 Cars I’d Buy

    Where have all the bargains gone — and can you still find one? In this episode of Under the Bonnet with Dino, I look at how to spot a genuine bargain, where I still go looking for them, and why the best deals may now be hiding in the places everybody else has forgotten. I also pick three cars I genuinely think represent a huge amount of enjoyment for the money: Mazda MX-5 — around £1,500 Mercedes SLK — around £5,000 Bentley Continental GTC — around £15,000 But this episode goes much further than cars. We talk about the difference between cheap and genuine value, why old-fashioned classified ads and places like Classic Car Weekly can still uncover opportunities, and whether our increasingly digital, subscription-based world has changed the way we think about ownership. There’s also the question of analogue versus digital life, why repairing and keeping older cars matters, whether luxury electric cars will become classics or simply old technology — and, on the News Desk, some wonderfully ridiculous insurance claims inspired by Jasper Carrott. So, have bargains really disappeared? Or are they still out there — if you know where to look and are persistent enough to find them? Under the Bonnet with Dino — cars, deals, opportunities and a few thoughts on life along the way.

  5. Sep 16

    Cars I’d Buy NOW — Investment or Financial Disaster?

    If you’ve got a lump of money and you’ve always promised yourself something special, what should you buy without watching that money disappear? In this episode of Under the Bonnet with Dino, I look at some of the cars I’d genuinely consider buying now — not because I think they’re guaranteed to make a fortune, but because I believe the right example could give you years of enjoyment while hopefully holding a sensible amount of its value. I talk from real experience about cars I’ve owned and cars we’ve seen through the workshop, including the Aston Martin DB9, Bentley Continental GT, Porsche 997, Mercedes SLK55 AMG, Audi R8 V8 manual and one completely ridiculous American wildcard — the Hummer. I also cover the expensive traps, why ultra-low mileage isn’t always a good thing, what can go wrong when these cars sit unused, and why buying the cheapest example is often the most expensive decision. Plus: News Desk — should classic cars have age-appropriate MOT-style testing? Dino’s Deal of the Week — branded prescription glasses for £27 and free Grand Designs Live tickets at the NEC Birmingham. This isn’t about getting rich from cars. It’s about buying something you’ve always wanted, enjoying it, and hopefully not losing your shirt in the process. Under the Bonnet with Dino — good cars, better stories. Case closed.

    Cars I’d Buy NOW — Investment or Financial Disaster?

  6. Sep 6

    10 Future Classics I’d Buy Now Before Everyone Else Does | Car Investment Picks 2026

    Which cars could become the next big collector favourites? In this episode of Under the Bonnet with Dino, I reveal 10 future classics I’d seriously consider buying now before everyone else catches on — from affordable modern classics to serious performance cars. We look at cars including the Porsche 997, Ferrari F430, BMW Z4 Coupé, Mercedes SLK55 AMG, Toyota Supra, Mk2 Golf GTI, Ford Transit Mk1, Vauxhall Viva, Jaguar XKR and Audi R8 V8 Manual. I also explain what I personally look for when buying a future classic: condition, originality, history, specification and whether the car has genuine long-term collector appeal. Plus, on the News Desk, we look at the new electric Range Rover, its claimed range, charging times, performance and whether traditional Range Rover buyers will really make the switch to electric. And Dino’s Deal of the Week is a little different this time: Lasting Power of Attorney — something that could be far more important than any bargain car part or gadget. If you enjoy classic cars, future classics, car investment, buying advice, auction trends and honest motoring opinions, subscribe to Under the Bonnet with Dino. Cars. Stories. Advice. Deals. Case Closed.

  7. Aug 27

    10 Cars Under £10,000 I’d Buy Before Prices Rise

    Dino picks 10 cars under £10,000 that he’d genuinely consider buying now — from Porsche and Mercedes to Japanese modern classics, Minis and Jaguars. Plus the Ferrari he missed, a quick emissions update, highlights from Mathewsons Live, and Dino’s Deal of the Week.

  8. Aug 15

    Bargain or Disaster? 13 Things to Know Before You Buy a Car | Under the Bonnet with Dino Ep.15

    Is that car really a bargain — or is it a financial disaster waiting to happen? In Episode 15 of Under the Bonnet with Dino, Dino shares 13 essential things to know before buying a car, whether you’re looking at a classic car, modern classic, performance car, prestige car, restoration project or potential barn find. Drawing on decades of experience buying, owning, inspecting and restoring cars, Dino talks about the mistakes that can turn an apparently cheap car into a very expensive one. We cover: Hidden rust and corrosion Microblistering and what it can reveal about paintwork Overspray and suspiciously fresh resprays Why an honest unrestored car can sometimes be the better buy Welding and hidden bodywork costs Why a £40,000 car can be cheaper than a £30,000 car Originality and the hidden cost of a proper restoration Buying cars at auction and avoiding auction fever Barn finds — treasure or expensive trouble? What to check when starting an engine from cold Buying for investment versus buying with your heart The cars Dino wishes he had bought — and the ones he got wrong And perhaps most importantly: Everyone Needs a Don One of the biggest lessons Dino has learned is to take an experienced technician with you when viewing a car. Dino’s man was Don. A knowledgeable technician or classic-car specialist can often spot corrosion, accident repairs, mechanical faults, poor restoration work and expensive problems that enthusiasm can make a buyer overlook. Spending money on a proper inspection before buying could potentially save you thousands afterwards. A Ferrari Dino Barn Find? There’s also something rather special lurking behind this episode. Dino has found a Ferrari Dino 246 that has been sitting for years. He has never owned a Ferrari. He has always wanted one. So is this finally the opportunity — or could it prove everything he has just warned everyone about? Bargain or disaster? Watch this space. Dino’s Deal of the Week – Porsche 944 This week’s Dino’s Deal of the Week is a 1983 Porsche 944 manual, currently advertised at £3,600. It’s a right-hand-drive, 5-speed manual 944 and, at this price, it raises exactly the question at the heart of this episode: Is it a bargain — or what will it need once you get it home? View Dino’s Deal of the Week here: https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C2094943 Advert availability and price may change. Always inspect a vehicle properly and carry out your own checks before purchasing. Classic Car Lab This podcast is brought to you by Classic Car Lab, specialists in classic car restoration, bodywork, paintwork, mechanical restoration, repairs and the care of classic, sports, cherished and luxury cars. Visit Classic Car Lab: https://classiccarlab.com/ Under the Bonnet with Dino Real cars. Real stories. Restoration advice, buying tips, classic cars, modern classics, performance cars, auctions, barn finds and the lessons learned from a lifetime around interesting machinery. If you enjoy classic cars, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Porsche, restoration projects, modern classics, car auctions or simply finding a great car, follow Under the Bonnet with Dino so you don’t miss the next episode.

    Bargain or Disaster? 13 Things to Know Before You Buy a Car | Under the Bonnet with Dino Ep.15
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Looking under the bonnet of cars, deals, investments and opportunities. Join Dino as he uncovers classic cars, modern classics, auction finds, hidden bargains, smart buys, business ideas and money-saving opportunities. Featuring Dino’s Deals of the Week, market insights, buying advice, car investment trends and real-world experience helping enthusiasts, collectors and everyday buyers spot genuine value before everyone else.

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