Articles by Andrew Chesterton

Andrew Chesterton
Contributing Journalist

Andrew Chesterton should probably hate cars. From his hail-damaged Camira that looked like it had spent a hard life parked at the end of Tiger Woods' personal driving range, to the Nissan Pulsar Reebok that shook like it was possessed by a particularly mean-spirited demon every time he dared push past 40km/h, his personal car history isn't exactly littered with gold.

But that seemingly endless procession of rust-savaged hate machines taught him something even more important; that cars are more than a collection of nuts, bolts and petrol. They're your ticket to freedom, a way to unlock incredible experiences, rolling invitations to incredible adventures. They have soul.

And so, somehow, the car bug still bit. And it bit hard.

When "Chesto" started his journalism career with News Ltd's Sunday and Daily Telegraph newspapers, he covered just about everything, from business to real estate, courts to crime, before settling into state political reporting at NSW Parliament House.

But the automotive world's siren song soon sounded again, and he begged anyone who would listen for the opportunity to write about cars. Eventually they listened, and his career since has seen him filing car news, reviews and features for TopGear, Wheels, Motor and, of course, CarsGuide, as well as many, many others.

More than a decade later, and the car bug is yet to relinquish its toothy grip. And if you ask Chesto, he thinks it never will.

Note: The author, Andrew Chesterton, is a co-owner of Smart As Media, a content agency and media distribution service with a number automotive brands among its clients. When producing content for CarsGuide, he does so in accordance with the CarsGuide Editorial Guidelines and Code of Ethics, and the views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author.

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By Andrew Chesterton · 01 Aug 2021
Toyota is celebrating the LandCruiser 70 Series' big b'day with style, unveiling a new special edition designed to commemorate the iconic off-roader's 70th birthday.While it can sometime feel like the 70 Series we drive today is around 70 years old, the m
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Toyota Australia's strange silence on brutal LC300 "pledge": Strict re-sale ban still not ruled out for Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series
By Andrew Chesterton · 01 Aug 2021
Toyota in Australia is yet to rule out attempting to enforce a similar LC300 pledge to then one currently being rolled out in Japan, with the unique "pledge" designed to stop you reselling your LandCruiser 300 Series, and threatening a brand-wide ban if y
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Toyota confirms bizarre LC300 pledge! And strict agreement banning resale hasn't been ruled out for Australia
By Andrew Chesterton · 28 Jul 2021
Toyota has confirmed the bizarre pledge it will ask its customers to sign is in effect in Japan, while the brand's Australian arm is yet to rule out attempting to establish a similar agreement with its local customers.
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LC300 bush-bashed in Australia: The first Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series spotted in Australia looks like it's been in a war
By Andrew Chesterton · 28 Jul 2021
The Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series has been spotted in Melbourne, with the new off-road icon looking like it’s been put through its paces in Australia’s unforgiving outback.
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Forget the GR HiLux - this Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series ute would be the ultimate off-road workhorse
By Andrew Chesterton · 27 Jul 2021
The incoming Toyota LandCruiser 300 series has been imagined as a tough-as-nails ute in a new render that makes us pine for the Japanese giant to deliver a tray-backed version of its 200 Series replacement.Now, it must be pointed out that this is pulled s
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Can China take down the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado? New V6-powered Great Wall Tank 600 snapped ahead of offical reveal
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The first images of the Great Wall Tank 600 have emerged, ahead of the Chinese answer to the Toyota LandCruiser Prado's official reveal at the Chengdu motor show in August.
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Toyota RAV4 Hybrid not tough enough for you? New SsangYong KR10 SUV will be "powered by toughness" with eco-friendly engines
By Andrew Chesterton · 26 Jul 2021
First Great Wall fired a warning shot across the bow of the Toyota LandCruiser Prado with a new sketch detailing the beefed up Tank 600 which is expected to be powered by a new V6 engine.And now SsangYong has joined the Toyota-hunting party, with Korea's
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Will the Nissan 400Z be the last of its kind?
By Andrew Chesterton · 26 Jul 2021
We know that the Nissan 400Z (rumoured to now be simply called the 'Z') is the first new Zed car in years, but fresh reports out of Japan suggest it might also be the last - at least with this style of powertrain.The full suite of details surrounding the
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Toyota's brutal LC300 "pledge": Land Cruiser 300 Series buyers forced to sign strict contract before taking delivery - and they'll ban you from future cars if you break it
By Andrew Chesterton · 23 Jul 2021
Toyota in Japan is asking its customers to sign a LC300 contract that bans the export and resale of the new LandCruiser 300 Series, as the brand reportedly tries to stop the vehicle falling into the wrong hands.It's no secret that the LandCruiser 200 Seri
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Cheap thrills! 2022 Subaru BRZ set to be CHEAPER than outgoing model?
By Andrew Chesterton · 23 Jul 2021
The Subaru BRZ could be cheaper than the model it replaces in Australia, if the Toyota GR 86's international price lists are any guide.The BRZ's pricing was announced in the USA overnight, and it's good news for buyers of the two-seat sports car based in
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