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Picking a brand new car can be exciting but also very stressful so how do you actually go about getting the car you want and crucially the car that’s right for you.
Do you have free choice to go for any car on the scheme no matter the size of the AP or is the AP the most important factor for you.
Are you restricted to certain types of vehicle due to health reasons like an SUV or a van.
Do you only want diesel or petrol or an EV?
What are your must haves, irrespective of cost, such as ACC, reversing camera, electrically adjustable seats, automatic etc?
What about power/engine size/ 0-60 figures are they important?
And then what about looks, would you pay extra for a car you really like the look of.
The chances are the car you end up with will be a compromise, especially now with the reduced numbers on the scheme, but getting to that choice can be a bit of a struggle.
The only person who got all his work done by Friday was Robinson Crusoe.
Anything i post over three lines long please assume it is an article lol.
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I love the whole ‘driving experience’ – accelerating, braking, reversing, gear changes, turning and sweeping through the bends – not just getting from ‘A’ to ‘B’. My sister drives an automatic because it’s just a means of getting around for her, and boy is it dull.
In answer to the original question and given the sharp downward movement in available cars the answer would be that I don’t have to choose for to be able to choose means there must be a choice in the first instance.
So do I Georgie. I have an old MX5 for that. But I also drive automatics with paddle shifters that can change gear faster than I ever can should the mood take me. Automatics aren’t all dull.
Yes, the Alfa had the ‘flappy paddles’ and so, I believe, did our first TT. But there’s just an indefinable ‘something’ about shifting the stick by hand. Auto’s do have the advantage in traffic jams, of course.
I do enjoy a bit of double de-clutching in the Mazda. Quite the neccessity in old cars with worn out synchromesh if you wanted to make progress..
First and foremost, can I actually get in/out of it without too much pain? Being 6′ 5-1/2″ with mobility problems that has to be my first and biggest criteria. Room around the drivers seat, I have long legs and v.painful knees, some cars have centre consoles that are just the wrong size/shape and hit me there.
After that, preferably a manual diesel, personal choice, however, my current and last 3 cars were all petrol!.
Enough space to carry stuff, a decent mid to large-size SUV does the trick.
Not bothered about the badge on the front but there are a couple of manufacturers I’ll only look at as a last resort.
Toys, bottom of the list but they are nice!, I love heated windsrcreens!, heated seats help in the winter (or when the pain plays up), remote boot opening – closing I’m currently finding very useful 🙂
Please excuse spelling/typos. Apart from being a clot it turns out I had one on my cerebellum that's now causing various problems!
Wigwam your mx5 has it got the pop ups headlights..
It has or yes great.
Thanks for the reply.I remember a mate having one years ago, we went miles from home some malfunction of the pop up as daylight faded, he said not to worry, disconnected the headlight manually wound it to rise via a secret twisty thing behind the light..
Im finding leg room and height for a scheme car these days (on topic again)..
@wigwam People usually drive a manual because they cant afford an auto or are afraid of change. A manual gear box and clutch is good if you want to be in full control over the car and also benefits the brain more by keeping it more active.
ste this is my first auto car and i can say i prefer a manual, no real interaction with the speed of the car and not the same overall control.
The benefits to the brain i can go along with also.
Eventually all cars will be auto so its something we all need to get used to.
The only person who got all his work done by Friday was Robinson Crusoe.
Anything i post over three lines long please assume it is an article lol.I preferred manual, however I’m finding auto less strain, slightly boring when you decide to give it, well let’s just say a bit extra ..(non flappy)..
However much easier on the back pain & left leg so auto is a must now..
First criteria of choice is power-to-weight ratio. Cannot bear an underpowered vehicle; would like 200bhp per tonne but that’s really fantasy today.
Equally important to above is entry/exit factor. Can I get in and out without buggering up my back and being unable to walk for a few days? Seat comfort also fairly crucial.
Has to be an auto, sadly. Really enjoy all the gear changing, double de-clutching etc but clutch leg is seriously knackered and goes where it thinks it should go, not where I tell it. Also have to have enough room for a wheelchair in the back, preferably without taking it to bits.
Ride and handling are important too, for the same back-related issue. I want the machine to be able to go round corners properly but also to handle our crap road surfaces. Usually opt for adjustable suspension, if it is not too pricey.
Couldn’t care less about colour, looks, badge etc. Would even consider BMWs which in the current crop of models look hideous. I am inside the car and can’t see it, so why worry.
Similarly, don’t care about power source. Would like electric as it is environmentally appropriate and the right engineering for transport but do not think makers have got it right yet. Will consider any type of power source.
Love the idea of keeping an MX5 for fun. Mrs T would love it but might break the budget and it would be so indulgent. @Wigwam, roughly how much do they cost to insure? And can one get the 2.0L with poppy-uppy headlights? Or is the smaller capacity one OK?
Tharg, classic car insurance £95 full comp agreed value. Mk1 MX5s are 1.6 (pre 1994) or 1.8 litres. Mines 1.8. 2 litre jobs came much later.
@Wigwam Oooooh! That is so tempting! Thanks for the info.
Auto – Height (SUV) – Comfort – Cost of AP – Gadgets – Badge (I’m not a snob but do like certain brands)
@Wigwam Soooooo tempting!
Way off topic wigwam/Tharg unless it comes onto the scheme of course ??
The only person who got all his work done by Friday was Robinson Crusoe.
Anything i post over three lines long please assume it is an article lol.I’d be able to get into it (fall into it to be more exact) but I wouldn’t have a hope of getting out of it again! More’s the pity, lovely looking car.
In my youth, I always wanted a TR7, as it turned out, none of my cars bore any relation to a TR7 as kiddies arrived and large boots for buggies were needed.
Youngest is after an Alfa, he currently has a Punto called Caesar.
Great looking car, love it Ww..
Falling into the passenger seat wasn’t the issue with the TT’s, it was the ‘Having to by hauled out again at the other end’ that was the problem. Sitting in a low-slung car and looking all ‘cool’ is all very well until DH brings the wheelchair around (yes it did fit in the boot) and it’s “Heave! Heave! Heave!”
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