The Dog & Lemon Guide Book

[EJK]

Whos got a copy? It's a Christchurch-Yellow-Pages-thick guide book for most cars ever produced (Also has brief history of brands, details, specs, faults, safety info, reliability info et cetera). I got mine today and I'm so amazed about how much info it has.

Put it this way. With a copy, you might be able to get a Ph.D on Automobile...... twice. If you try.


It's a must have book for any hardcore car enthusiasts or people whom dream job is to become a car dealer.

[MikeL]

I bought one a few months ago when I had to replace my car (not a process I ever take any pleasure in). Lots of informative detail, well worth the price. You have to accept the fact that the authors dislike almost every car on the road for one reason or another, so it comes down to avoiding the worst. The car I eventually bought was rated "Okay" - high praise indeed.

[James Deuce]

Written by a guy who owns a Hindustan Ambassador.

[EJK]

I bought one a few months ago when I had to replace my car (not a process I ever take any pleasure in). Lots of informative detail, well worth the price. You have to accept the fact that the authors dislike almost every car on the road for one reason or another, so it comes down to avoiding the worst. The car I eventually bought was rated "Okay" - high praise indeed.

Just like that. I thought it was written by Simon Cowell or Gordon Ramsey.

[slowpoke]

Written by a guy who owns a Hindustan Ambassador.

The GT version no less.

[Motu]

Written by a guy who owns a Hindustan Ambassador.

If he owned an Aston Martin or Ferarri I wouldn't believe a thing he wrote.Fortunately he lives in the real world and know his cars.

[SMOKEU]

I wouldn't believe half the shit that book says. It's a very entertaining read though (I have my own copy).

[James Deuce]

If he owned an Aston Martin or Ferarri I wouldn't believe a thing he wrote.Fortunately he lives in the real world and know his cars.

If'n he owned a Toyota Corolla I'd be quoting it like the Bible and having D&L Mass on a hilltop every Sunday.

[Motu]

If'n he owned a Toyota Corolla I'd be quoting it like the Bible and having D&L Mass on a hilltop every Sunday.

Well,after having a KE20,and a Series II Oxford....they are both never say die cars.The Corolla refused to die from neglect and learner drivers...the Oxford refused to buckle under abuse and just doing what it was never intended to attempt.However,one of them had a much longer production span....something that is just normal for a Sir Alex design.

[warewolf]

Yeah got one myself, a few years ago. Well worth the read if you are in to cars, history and social repercussions of the automobile, or wanting to buy used.

Fairly honest and objective reviews. Our last car had almost all the faults he listed. His focus is $$$ and safety. And virtually always says, "buy a late model Toyota". Can be quite depressing reading, as he slags off virtually every other car on the market - including the one you own!!

Beware that the information is incomplete, and there are quite a few errors. eg conversion errors between mpg and L/100km are obvious to spot - they don't always match which makes you question the reliability of the data. Some sub-models are incorrectly listed with the wrong main model. And I think they should publish the major safety standards when they are known, eg new domestic Jap ones came in to force in 1/1/1996, for new models, but existing vehicles were allowed to be phased out, this was for passenger cars only (4wd/suv came later). So eg, a Toyota Ipsum started production in 1996 so complies with the new standard; the 1998 Isuzu Mu/Wizard doesn't, because it's a suv; the current Toyota Caldina in 1996 doesn't because it was already in production prior so didn't have to be changed immediately. For a book that is so keen on safety, you'd think they'd publish that information.

[IdunBrokdItAgin]

In the 2007 copy I bought, the author seemed to have a hard on for mazdas.

Boring as hell cars to me but he liked them . They nearly all got "Recommended", when most decent cars (imo) ended up with "avoid like the plague" or suchlike.

I just presume it is written by a very conservative old guy.
Good info in there if you are buying a totally new (to yourself) type of car though.

[scissorhands]

I know of the author and some of his book production mates.

I'm very familiar with Citroen AX and BX, and the Dog and Lemon Guide is in no way accurate against my extensive experience of these 2 models.

Hes a hustler. I wouldn't pay too much attention to the model recommendations, though the general first bit is well written

[Taz]

I have found it to inacurate in a number of areas and to be one mans opinion at best.

[Conquiztador]

I can not se the value in a book rating dogs and lemons for us in a country where most of us have a lemon tree and dogs cost $20 at the RSPCA.

[Marmoot]

I've read it.

Written by retard who thinks he knows a lot about cars, when in fact he only knows so much about hyundai sonatas and toyota camrys and full with prejudices against anything non-conforming such as 2-door sports cars and big 4WDs.

Definitely a must-have guidebook for any AA, ACC and LTSA official position applicants and VTNZ WOF inspectors.