Yesterday I drove Jane’s Smart Car to the Mazda garage in Grimsby. It is part of the deal I’ve done for the new car. Like many of the decisions I’ve made over the last 8 months it is all about knowing when the time is right.
The Smart was Jane’s car and although it is quirky it wasn’t my choice and so it seemed sensible that it was time to part company. I am considering buying a Lotus Elise at some time in the future just for a bit of fun. The roads in Lincolnshire are not busy and therefore lend themselves to driving on the edge of safety and the law. As always I’ll keep you posted.
Lotus Elise eh? Well now I am jealous! Good man!
Lotus Elise?
I think you’ll find that’s spelt MX-5.
If you’re not convinced, all I have to say to you is: Sonos!
Regards,
Gary
Funny you mention the MX5 because while I was waiting around at the Mazda garage for them to process the Smart Car I took a look round a second hand MX5. You do get a lot for your money but how exciting is it to drive? Towards the end of my Cotswold Way walk you took me for a spin and I confess it was impressive. Who knows where this may take me?
How exciting is it to drive. Hmmm, what about Jeremy Clerkson’s review of the Mk 3.5 (Sunday Times, 20th December 2009)
‘The fact is that if you want a sports car, the MX5 is perfect. Nothing on the road will give you better value. Nothing will give you so much fun. The only reason I’m giving it five stars is because I can’t give it 14.’
Or his review of the latest Mk4 (Sunday Times 22nd May, and apologies for this particular quote):
‘This one looks as if it means business. It’s an attack rabbit. It’s a cure for depression, this car. You just can’t be in a bad mood when you’re driving it.’
Now as it happens we might be selling ours sometime soon to get a Mk 4; ours is the Mk 3.5 Roadster Sports Tech, so the sports version of the worlds best selling sports car!
OK, OK – you had me at the Sonos reference. So how much are you thinking of asking for you’re MX5, what mileage and should anyone sell a car to a friend no matter how good it is. 😉
I’ve been advised by a very good friend that I should trust my intuition on this and pursue the Lotus. I’ve got to try getting in and out of it first.
I agree with your friend. Try the Lotus…..then get in an MX5 and you’ll realise how superior it is.
(and that is of course an entirely unbiased view.)
09 plate, about 28,000 miles, immaculate condition, one careful driver plus Caroline (te he)….
I realised today that I should have labelled the post “This little piggie went to market”
This must be hard Steve but support u in this right decision.
Forget the Elise….I could really see u getting stuck in to a project…such as a self-build Caterham etc..you have the garage space and garden will be dorment soon…so more time.
NB…the lower the car….the more the backache!
Px
Hi Paul – the garden is never dormant these days. I don’t know whether you’ve noticed but our winters come much later and don’t last as long. The idea of greasy dirt under the fingernails has no appeal at all. I did all the car maintenance I ever want to do when I had dodgy cars that required me to spend weekends stuck underneath them in the cold and rain.
My recent experience of a ride in an Austin Healey Sprite was excellent but I agree getting in and out is a problem. It might help to keep me flexible, who knows? (http://pigyard.com/wordpress/archives/3428)