Pokecars for the aspiring Pokemon master

Perhaps the most recognisable Pokemon of them all, Pikachu is Ash's yellow sidekick that's always prone to emitting electric shocks. It technically evolves into a Raichu, but Ash's companion refuses to ever do so. The fire-type Charmander will also be familiar to many, evolving into a Charmeleon, before taking on its final and mighty Charizard form. 

The peculiar little Opel Adam speaks to a soft, personal spot in Desmond's heart

Looking at kids these days play with their high-definition iPads, iPhone 6s and Samsung Note 6s, I feel incredibly archaic when thinking back on my own childhood - my gaming console of choice was a clear-coloured Gameboy Pocket (not even a Gameboy Colour).

And my go-to game? Pokemon Yellow. Having spent endless hours playing Pokemon Yellow, Pikachu will always have a special place in my heart. It's annoying, frustrating, difficult, but personable, lovable, and endlessly special.

When deciding on a 'starter' car, I am immediately drawn to the Opel Adam and its Pikachu characteristics. It's not a car most new drivers will consider. It comes from a brand that lacks popularity in Singapore, is not the easiest car to drive, and will certainly draw curious looks.

But that's what I love about it. It's incredibly unique, and forces you to really learn the intricacies of the car to fully appreciate it. Its adorable looks and cute demeanour puts a smile on my face every time I look at it.

Are there better 'starter' cars out there? Most definitely. I wouldn't even deny that the Adam might objectively be the least accomplished car among the four. But that's what draws me to it. The Adam, just like Pikachu, is incredibly personal. It won't be just another car you see on the road. I know that when I am driving the Adam, this car is uniquely mine.

Just like how Pikachu is a adorable but frustrating little bugger that Ash eventually forged an unbreakable bond with, the Adam is the sort of car you will absolutely refuse to let go, once you give it enough time.

Evolution not revolution is the key to the success of the Honda Jazz, says Sabrina

Like the mild-mannered Charmander, mild character lines adorned the bottom of the first generation of this five-door hatchback.

Though not particularly large, the Charmander has more than a few tricks. Its claws on its hands and feet for instance are razor sharp, allowing it to easily cut through many substances. Like its Pokemon spirit animal, the Honda Jazz may be small on the outside but is practical and spacious on the inside.

The Jazz's 1.5-litre engine may also have a small displacement, but is more than able to go up against higher-powered rivals like the Hyundai Veloster Turbo - much like the Charmander, who is known to fight off characters many times its size when backed into a corner.

In its third iteration, the Honda Jazz is one of the few small cars in the Singaporean market that's still being built in Japan. Larger and more powerful than the model it replaces, the Honda Jazz plays a tune of evolution rather than revolution.

With a stronger stance, emphasised by more pronounced crease lines, a stretched overall length and a longer wheelbase, bigger windscreen for greater visibility, the little Charmander is on its way to becoming a Charizard.

This compact family hatchback has won the hearts of many with its stylish and fun-to-drive characteristic and has even bagged sgCarMart's Car of the Year award back in 2014. Like its Pokemon spirit, the Honda Jazz may be a common sight on the roads but remains much loved by people around the world.
Bulbasaur's Japanese name, 'Fushiginade', literally means bulb and dinosaur, which is a pun on 'Fushiginade' - mysterious bulb. It's the only dual-type starter Pokemon; being both grass and poison type. The Squirtle, on the other hand, has a different proposition. Its Japanese name is 'Zenigame' and its shell isn't just for protection. It allows the Squirtle to swim at high speeds, thanks to its shape that minimises water resistance. It was named 'Zeni' - an old-fashioned word for money - because its shell looks like an old coin.

The undeniably cool-looking MINI Convertible makes Anthony feel like Mark Wahlberg in The Italian Job

Charmander and Squirtle have been popular choices for Pokemon trainers since Pokemon Red and Blue (the ones we used to play on the Gameboy), and for good reason. They had more potential to help a player progress much further in-game than the walking vegetable.

The game creators designed three difficulty modes into their starter Pokemon. Bulbasaur, which was strong against the first two gyms, was easy mode.

But I digress. Games aside, the MINI Convertible is a great car for zipping around the crowded streets of Singapore, thanks to its compact size and low-slung body shape. Just like the Bulbasaur, the MINI has the matching coolness to go with its unperturbed ferocity when the time calls for it.

The car's cabin, reminiscent of the bulb on Bulbasaur, gives it a funky vibe. The character is no dork either. It's not as cute as the other three mentioned here but it definitely looks more badass. The MINI 'evolves' once its soft-top opens up, upping its game even further in the 'swag' department.

The MINI Convertible isn't exactly the most affordable or easiest car to drive among the four. But it does make up for with cool aesthetics and feel-good quotient that's lacking in the other three rides. Driving a car that appeared in The Italian Job and was driven by Stirling Moss himself definitely deserves some credit. 

Nigel finds the blue squirting turtle's lovable and playful character reminiscent of the Suzuki Swift

This may sound completely absurd but Squirtle is a half turtle, half squirrel pocket creature, which shoots jets of water from his mouth.

I find him particularly interesting because before he met Ash in the series, he was the head of the Squirtle Squad - a gang of rogue pranksters who ran wild and played tricks on everyone in town.

This short, blue Pokemon knows how to have fun, is ridiculously cute, easy-to-love and to the surprise of many, was in fact Ash's first choice; not Pikachu.

And just like the Suzuki Swift, Squirtle is cute and packs a fun side - it's easy to drive, responds to driver input precisely, has enough pep and is the car of choice for many first-time buyers such as myself.

The Swift is available in chirpy colours like blue, so you can have it match your style and you can also personalise the car thanks to the many aftermarket components available.

When evolved in his highest form, Squirtle becomes a water canon-firing Blastoise. He's strong, underestimated and able to take on many stronger than himself - just as the Swift Sport is the Swift's final form, capable of holding it's own against more powerful cars on a race track.