Sorry I haven't been around much over the past couple of weeks or so. Amongst other things, I had some bad news last month that's affected me more than I thought it would. It was something that I've known was coming for a while now, but I just thought I'd have another couple of years or so before it became real. Unfortunately, Car is seriously ill, and is not expected to make it beyond the end of 2022.
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| A frosty Car from back in January |
Alas, it was not to be. The less young, more serious mechanic bluntly told me that they could probably get Car through this year's test, but it almost certainly wouldn't be worth it next year as Car probably wouldn't have any undercarriage left. This was confirmed by the also less young, but so-cheerful-that-he-must-be-on-something mechanic (although, he did say that it was a shame as Car still looked fantastic as long as one didn't peer underneath...).
And then on Saturday, I saw Autocar's Best Cars From the 90s article, and look which car was at #12 - the Alfa Romeo 156. My car. My Best Car! Which has barely ever left me in the lurch over the almost 18 years I've had it - and never at the side of the road - and may, or may not be made of cheese underneath...
Anyway, I'm in a bit of a dilemma. I know I should get an electric car, but they're all so 'white goods' dull or hideously grotesque (except for the ones way out of my budget, of course - those ones are only just barely acceptable) that I just can't bring myself to subject myself, or any other road user, to the horror.
I'm trying to convince myself that petrol's still okay because the car I'm considering is more efficient than Car, much less polluting, and cheaper to run (Road Tax alone is £300 cheaper a year), and I'll barely use it. "Why do you need a car at all, then?" I hear you say. Well, try living up here on the way to nowhere without one. If public transport was cleaner, even remotely convenient, and not filled with dirty, smelly, germy people, then I might - might - consider it.
Anyway (again), this is my 'Car Successor Shortlist':
1. Mazda3 (E-Skyactiv X 2.0 GT Sport)
2. There is no 2. And no Plan B either (unless my Premium Bonds buck their ideas up and generate a win of significantly more than the 25 quid I normally get). I despise almost all affordable new/nearly new cars, and if I can't get a Mazda3 saloon, then I will just have a massive tantrum and implode.
~O~
So, that's it really, other than that I'd welcome your opinions on the 'electric vs petrol' thing just in case I can be swayed (but it's unlikely, to be honest), and I'd like to hear about the cars you drive - particularly if anyone has an electric car.
I'll be back at the weekend with the beginnings of a seasonal 'adventure', so I hope you can pop back then as you'll all be joining me!
Oh, my dear! A Jaguar XK-120 doesn't run on anything as tawdry as the “electric fluid”... Jx
ReplyDeleteJaguar XK-120 [the link broke in the previous post]. Jx
DeleteI shall need to invest in a beautiful headscarf too, to keep my 'do in place!
Delete(A very beautiful car, Jon)
The Mazda is very nice. They used to offer an automated vent setting on the HVAC fan control, called SWING. When you pressed SWING, the vanes inside the vent would automatically change the airflow direction from from left to right to left to right to left to etc. It was clever for about two minutes before the dealer said "It's most useful in cooling the interior down quickly. BTW, my neighbor has the four-door hatch version and LOVES it.
ReplyDeleteAnd you must name it after Magda Gabor.
DeleteIt sounds like I might need the XK-120-matching headscarf for the Mazda as well!
DeleteI must admit, I'm not sold on the hatch - there's an awful lot of metal going on in that rear end. I don't love big butts, and I cannot lie ;)
I understand. When Sherman (the ancient Toyota Camry that was our work horse for nearly 20 years ) led our mechanic to say we should look at ditching it as it was going to start costing "serious money." I now drive a Kia Picanto. sniff, sniff
ReplyDeleteSherman? Named after the tank, I presume? I'm sorry for your loss.
DeleteHowever do you fit all your garden waste (and bottles) in a Picanto?!?
Ouch!
ReplyDeleteIndeed. How long was Queen Victoria in mourning for Albert for? I think I may run her a close race.
DeleteWell dear...not to be bias, but I'm on my third Mazda, and absolutely love them! My advice would be to go for it. Nice styling, comfortable, excellent gas milage, and the latest tech shit. Roomy interior and nice trunk. I feel I got the best bang for my buck with Mazda. And I generally get excellent trade ins. The first two touring 3's were excellent. I only keep cars about 4 or 5 years. This year I got another new Mazda and went with the MX-5. LOVE IT! I wanted sexy and finally did it.
ReplyDeleteDrat! I meant to link to your posts which feature Demeter and Artemis, as I knew you're a Mazda fan, Maddie.
DeleteOh, dear... sorry for your loss. But do think of the planet. My next car will be electric... and I hope it is tiny and butt ugly. We are not our cars (and yes, I said tiny and butt ugly!) thank goodness... they are there to get us from A to B and back. Period. Do the environment a favor and go electric! Kizzes.
ReplyDeleteOhhh, Mr Tonking, I know I should go electric but, truly, almost all electric cars (that I can afford) are "tiny and butt ugly"! I just can't.
DeleteI was hoping that Car would last a few more years, as there're bound to be some better looking electric cars out in a year or two. In fact, Alfa Romeo is bringing one out in a year or two - it'll be a small SUV-style car (which I really don't want), but at least it should be a looker.
[Car is my only luxury. I don't have kids (thank gods!) or pets, barely ever buy new clothes or 'things', don't go on holidays/travel, don't eat meat (although I'm not a vegetarian) - I know. I'm sounding like a right catch, eh?]
Oh, the point of that last bit is that I'm practically carbon-neutral! Well, I'm not, but I did a test recently that showed I'm a below average carbon emitter - even with Car - which is how I'm [partly] justifying getting another ICE car. I know it's still not the right thing to do...
DeleteHave your tried fixing a bit of ply to your undercarriage? Or MDF? Sometimes you have to think outside the box. How about a bike? What's wrong with broom [broom-broom! Soz, it's almost still early].
ReplyDeleteThe Mazda is pretty, BUT, I agree with Mr Tonking.
Sx
Think of the splinters, Miss Scarlet.
DeleteI do mean to use my bike more. Perhaps this is the impetus I need? Although, I won't use it in bad weather/at dusk or dawn/when the roads are wet or muddy/if I have to transport or carry anything that won't fit in a satchel or rucksack/when it's too hot (which is anything above 15 degrees)/when my knee hurts/when my hair looks great (which is barely ever, to be honest) - so, twice a year, maybe?
DeleteOoh! I wonder if I could get parquet flooring installed in Car?
Car appears to be perspiring.
ReplyDeleteAh, yes. It's the time of life. Hot flushes even in the depths of winter.
DeleteI'm a little torn here, because I admire anyone who would choose a car simply because of liking it and ignore all the prophecies of certain doom resulting from owning an Alfa. Some family friends had an Alfasud, and one of the suspension thingies actually pulled out of the metal as they were going up a hill. It was dead sexy and like an erection on wheels though.
ReplyDeleteI can't really suggest sensible replacements since my favorite cars are the Cord 810 and the Reliant Scimitar GT. Besides, did I say I live near a railway station?
I do think though that the Mazda might be a mistake because it does look like Car but surely would never compare? Like a succession of lovers that look like your first boyf but don't compare to the moment.
Well, now that you mention it, I am drawn to the Mazda3 because it is the most Car-like car I can find. And I haven't actually test driven one yet - I might not even fit! Your 'first boyf' analogy is spot on!
DeleteWhen I was very young, one of my friends' grandparents had an Alfasud and I found it fascinating because it wasn't a Mini Metro or Austin Allegro like my other friends' families had. They even took us to Great Yarmouth in it!
I'm not going to make the obvious comment about not fitting into your boyf. Oh damnit, there I go again.
DeleteAh, yes. I did notice that, but I'd had three large gins by the time I wrote the comment and just couldn't be arsed to reword it!
DeleteThe neighbors down the street from me have had their two priuses for years. Have you looked at the 2022 model? Is it not similar enough? Are you sure your not just smitten with the color red? Because when I checked the Prius website the first thing it showed me was red one. (I think it's a sign.) Do more research so you can test drive 2 or 3 models. We have a Mazda 3S Hatchback that we love. We bought it in 2004 and it too has never left us stranded and still runs great. What if you buy a used Mazada and then set aside a budget to buy a nice electric in 2-5 years? Of course, I wish everyone was already reducing their trips and driving electric for the sake of the planet, but I'm also a realist. I don't know your finances or if you have the proper electrical requirements for an outlet in your garage to even charge an electric vehicle. More research is needed. Good luck! I'm holding out for a new 2022 Hybrid Ford Ranger because I haul a lot of rocks, soil and whatnot.
ReplyDeleteOh, Melanie, bless you! A Toyata Prius?? "Is it not similar enough?" Bwah hah hah hah haaaaaa!!
DeleteBut, really, I'm toying with the idea of buying a cheap second hand car when it's time to say goodbye to Car - something that will last a few years until I can get a beautiful electric car. You know, if I can sway myself from the nearly-new Mazda3 (I'd never buy a brand new car as they lose so much money almost instantaneously) that is.
Fortunately, I can afford a nearly-new car (I've been saving for a moment like this), and have off-street parking with outside electrical outlets that can easily be converted to charge points.
I'm curious about your soil and rock hauling - or is this something that I shouldn't ask about...?
It sounds like car will give you the time you need to find the next sweet ride. I will look forward to the pictures! :)
DeleteThe last six years I've been working on an ecological restoration project, aka, this homestead. Just shy of two acres. The people before us treated it like their personal dump. I've removed 3 full 1-ton trucks full of waste like rusted barbed wire, vehicle parts, broken glass etc. I bring back compost, rocks, and 80% native plants/20% non-colonizing nonnative plants that play well with others. I've thought of doing a whole other blog about it called "Fernmire" because its technically a wetland/wet meadow, hence my accreditation at being a bog witch. I just don't have the time and I want to aim higher at making a bigger impact.
Oh, yes! I remember now (I blame those three gins mentioned in my reply to Hound)! I hope we'll see some photos in next year's Garden Photos Event (perhaps some before-during-afters)?
Delete'But, really, I'm toying with the idea of buying a cheap second hand car when it's time to say goodbye to Car - something that will last a few years until I can get a beautiful electric car'
ReplyDeleteI was thinking that if I drove a car I would have a decent make a few years old with low mileage but I am afraid I didn't approach this with the mindset of providing sensible advice.
You know how good I am at ruining other people's lives. That's why I don't get invited to weddings. 'Jesus, (name), she looks just like your first. Has she got the same birthmark?'
I think there's enough sensible advice around to allow you to give your own inimitable version, Hound.
DeleteSpeaking of 'sensible' - or perhaps grasping for justification - I have decided that rather than run an older, less efficient/more polluting car while waiting for a good electric one to be launched, I should just get the very efficient/less polluting Mazda3 as it will be more beneficial to the environment.
Although, not as beneficial as getting a "tiny and butt ugly" electric car straight away...
I'm still lusting after a '56 MG TF, so any other car the MITM purchases is simply a means of transportation. xoxox
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you specified the 1956 model, Savvy. It's far more you than the 2002 version.
DeleteI say just resign yourself to buying whatever you can fit in. Seats don't go back far enough and the roof is always too low. Plenty of cars make me feel like I've been wearing them instead of riding in them.
ReplyDeleteThat is so true, Peenee. Loads of new cars seem to have these wacking great centre columns coming down from the dashboard that are so wide that there's no room for one's knees when forced to sit in a 'legs akimbo' stance to fit behind the wheel.
DeleteSorry to hear that the Alfa gives in to the rust, georgeous car.
ReplyDeleteIf I had the chance to buy a new used car, it could be an Avantime by Renault (if you do not mind driving a bathtub, but a very comfortable bathtub !) ; or something "E-class" with a three-point-star on the hood, good for aiming / the three.something v6 engines from twenty years ago gulp the juice, but the whole carriage is comfortable, maybe a bit large for your narrow streets over there ...). Just for comparison to your (excellent) Mazda, you could look at a FIAT Tipo, it should be available as limousine, looks not that bad. Also a small limousine is offered by Ford (usually reliable), and I think Audi has something in the A3 range (but I would not touch anything VAG with a flagpole, sorry).
Also a very comfortable car is the Citroen C4 with that new suspension system, I read only good things about it.
If all fails, get a Morgan with a trusty Ford engine. The car is (partly) made from wood, so all green etcblabla.
I found the idea of an electric car with its own generator not that bad, but I think with the exception of the GM "Volt" (if this was the name, I'm not sure) no such car was built. Should be possible to find a used one. Hyundai sells a fuel-cell-car for years now, but you need to be near a station that sells hydrogen, and the vehicle is a bit expensive. Ford does an electric Mustang, but I must say it is one of the ugliest large cars I ever saw.
If I win the lottery I'll have a Giulia Quadrifoglio or a Ghibli, ach ...
Oh, I LOVE the Aventime!!! If Car had carked it a few years ago I would have got one, but they're hardly the height of efficiency, so I can't justify one now. Even if I could find one!
DeleteLimousines/saloons/sedans are rarely offered/sold in the UK anymore - they're just not as popular here as on the continent, so a Tipo or Focus are out (I'd never drive something as hum-drum as a Ford anyway). The only 'small' saloons/limousines seem to come from the 'premium' German makers: BMW, Mercedes, Audi - and the Mazda3! But, like you, I wouldn't even contemplate anything from VAG. Nor BMW/Mercedes. Even if I could afford one...