Common sense or midlife crisis?

[PeeBee]

For the last couple of years I have had the least sensible dive wagon in the shape of a 2.5 v6 Ford Cougar a coupe with an inaccesible boot but drove well and went pretty fast, previously I had a big Toyota 4x4 and a TVR Chimaera 9running both at the same time cost a fortune although the boot on the Chim was enormous . So the Ford was getting a bit old and tired, I don't have a dog anymore and maybe it was time for something more practical and dive kit friendly. So I drew up a list of sensible machines that would do long runs economically, could carry plenty of kit, would not encourage me to lose my licence and so on.

Armed with my list I went out and test drove Mondeo, laguna and Octavia diesel estates, I tried Golf, Leon and Megane hatchbacks (all diesels) and they all did what I wanted them to do, more or less. But Christ they were boring. 2 days ago I walked round a dealers looking at 4 year old lagunas and so on and there it was, it looked very pretty and had soul and just for the hell of it I took it for a test drive. I now have an Alfa 147 parked outside... I know, I have already heard it all... but it's a lot nicer to drive and who cares about being practical, it's better than the Cougar so it's a step in the right direction isn't it.

[troc]

It's a damn sight more practical than the new car I am saving for at the moment. I'm most likely going to be the proud owner of a Porsche cayman S next year. Impractical, yes - but it has a bigger boot(s) than my Mini Cooper.....

I should buy something with a large boot and a diesel but I can't persuade myself to be sensible or practical. Scarily, the wife doesn't mind.

T.

[Digger]

Welcome to the expensive repair bill car club

In fairness, me and Amy have been diving out of the Ford Ka for weeks now, and if you're careful with packing you can get loads of gear in there.

Digs.

[Diving Dude]

In fairness, me and Amy have been diving out of the Ford Ka for weeks now,

What's happened to the Dell-boy Capri?

[Prometheus]

'Kin ell mate you're a bit old for a mid life crisis, you planning to live 'till you're 120!!

[yazzyfooty]

Armed with my list I went out and test drove Leon and they all did what I wanted them to do, more or less. But Christ they were boring.

LEON BORING? BORING? I bought my Leon Cupra Turbo in May of this year and I havent had so much fun in a car since I had my xr2!

Next week its getting cruise control fitted before I end up losing my license as it runs so damn good its like a wild horse wanting to run, and run it does It likes empty motorways very late at night where it release its energy

[weazelz]

you could have done worse. you could have bought a Fireblade. I mean, what sort of tosser would do that?

[the goat]

LEON BORING? BORING? I bought my Leon Cupra Turbo in May of this year and I havent had so much fun in a car since I had my xr2!

Next week its getting cruise control fitted before I end up losing my license as it runs so damn good its like a wild horse wanting to run, and run it does It likes empty motorways very late at night where it release its energy

To be fair he did say the Leon diesel.The Cupra is a completely different animal.

And the 147 is a cracking little drive too

[hogen-deifar]

LEON BORING? BORING? I bought my Leon Cupra Turbo in May of this year and I havent had so much fun in a car since I had my xr2!

I have to agree with Yazzy here, Pete. How can you call the Leon boring? The 1.8 litre 20V Turbo engine is like poop off a shovel. It's got 6 gears and is a truly funtastic drive. You floor that and you know it! My brother's got one and I borrowed it for a week. What a fab car!

[PeeBee]

Hey I was talking about diesel estates and hatches... I didn't go out to buy a sports or hot hatch but I am really impressed with how the Alfa runs/handles it's actually a little less powerful than the Cougar but it's far more nimble and not too practical. Yazzy you go and play with your Cupra by all means. I am happy with my little rollerskate for the moment.