Cars!

I feel a little bewildered at the pressure I’ve been subjected to at work, to buy a new car. Ever since my promotion (in fact, even before then), I’ve been told that my darling Max is not good enough.

“It’s not fit for someone of your status to be seen driving a Corsa, Ant”, they say. It has got to the point where I think they don’t care as much about the quality of my work as they do about the car I drive.

Sheesh.

Well, partly bowing to the pressure, and partly acknowledging that Max really is on his last legs, I’m going to start looking at a new car (but my current inclination is to go for the long-term leasing option rather than outright purchase).

If I were to spite my employer, I’d go out and buy a brand-spanking new Uno, to see the reaction. Instead, I’m going to view this as an opportunity to drive a posh car for a while. My leanings are:

Alfa 147 – truly, not a car I’d ever buy. As beautiful as this machine is, and as proud an Italian-South African as I am, I cannot deny the mechanical faults of this sexy machine. The real Alfa I’d want is the hot hot hot Brera, but I’m guessing even on rental the price is prohibitively expensive. Colour: undecided. Although terribly common, that cherry/fire-engine red is a winner, but then, being partial as I am toward green, that metallic light green looks damn fine too.

Ford Focus ST – yes, a man’s car, so what is a girl doing wanting to drive this? I can’t explain the attraction, but there’s definitely a connection between this machine and me. And while I’ll up the ante in my racy driving, I’ll never proclaim to live up to the driving antics of the men who own one. If I decided to go the buying route, this would definitely be a winner – think of all the guys who’d want to buy a second-hand one from a female driver rather than a male driver (a stereotype, but it’s true). Colour: metallic blue or the release colour, that metallic rusty orange.

Mini Cooper / 1 series BMW – okay, this might come as a shock to some, given that I always rip off beemer drivers. I’m a lot more forgiving of 1 series drivers though, because… probably because I actually like the look of this vehicle, and my friend N who drives one seems to have a great time in hers. That’s something I’ll have to run by her though – can I have the same flashy car that my good friend drives? As for the Cooper, this is a cautious choice, because I’m not sure it really suits my personality. Bold, yes, hippy retro wannabe, no. Plus, it’ll look naff parked in the basement next to Peas’ retro revival machine, Ludwig the Beetle. Mini colour: cream with dark leather interior. Beemer: no idea yet.