2006 Bentley Continental GT review from UK and Ireland

Battery went flat and the car would not start. Dealer talked me through the problem over the phone and I found out it was my fault entirely. They promptly arrived to take the warning lights off the dashboard and supplied me with a battery conditioner as a courtesy item, very nice of them too!

Otherwise no faults.

Decided to go for the Conti GT, as although the DB9 is a great looking car, it spent more time in the dealer's garage than it did in mine.

Love the car's performance, it accelerates rapidly right from word go and pulls like a rocket. The sound is quite unique and really hits you in the chest when motoring on down the road.

Gear changes are very smooth and I like the way the auto box holds the gears so that you reap the benefits of engine braking.

The brakes themselves are fantastic, but the parking brake is a little noisy when applied and released.

The car has variable damping and adjustable ride height, and although the ride is usually excellent, it can get a little bumpy on very rough roads.

Very easy to drive both around town slowly and along country roads quickly, although it is quite wide and oncoming motorists don't take too kindly to you hogging the road in a 'Toad of Toad Hall' manner! Fantastic on the motorways and wide sweeping roads. It has a speed warning facility that has proved invaluable to my license as three figure numbers approach all too quickly with no sense of speed when cruising.

The interior is a really nice place to be. I like the chrome detailing and the bullseye air vents, and I take my decision to go with contrasting white cross stitching on black leather as spot on, as it looks superb. The seats are very comfy and the optional massage is relaxing during a long journey.

Road noise on some surfaces can creep into the car though, unlike my brother's Arnage, which is very quiet.

Fairly surprised when I first peeped inside the luggage compartment on these cars, it really is quite large and swallows my clubs with ease.

Overall I am very pleased with my purchase and only wish I had put my name down for the convertible version earlier, as the waiting list is well over a year. Planning a tour of Europe next year, and if all goes well and I still have her, she will be my choice companion... Oh and I suppose the good Lady can come along too.