And now for something completely different... (hot hatches)
Discussion
Right, all change in the lightthefuse garage is go.
Mrs. lightthefuse decided she wanted to chop the '98 V70 we have for a newer V70. My Pug has failed its Swedish equivalent to the MoT on two silly things (one I knew about and should have fixed, the handbrake wasn't taking properly and needed tightening, the other was a surprise with a sticking caliper/pad on the rear-left wheel), easy fixes for those two I think, but got an advisory of the dreaded rot monster on the rear right link-arm. Sure, it can be welded too (and I'm sorry to the guy on PH whom I said bigger Pugs don't get tinworm so easily, but I think this one was an exception since my other '01 607 was fine, I'm blaming this on my current one being an early model), but do you know what, if the missus is getting that new car feeling, I might just treat myself whilst I'm at it.
I get the option of a company car or car allowance at work but taking the lease car would land me with a bargain basement Audi A3, A4 or Q3 (TT's out since I can't have a 2-door under the lease car policy, I can please myself taking the money), a decent Volvo V40, OK V60 or poverty-spec V70/S80. I could get a Volkswagen but think I'll pass before I pass out.
So, Mrs. lightthefuse is sweetened up with a newer used V70 that I'm planning to do a deal on, I'm thinking about going back to how we used to have our garage, big car/small car, only this time it's going to be me with the small car. It's going to be a hot-hatch if I don't get tempted by the likes of E90/91 325i/d Tourings or even a Coupé (330s appear to be out of budget for me). I've tried the going back thing with the Pug, so don't want a Saab again even in a hotter guise than the TiD.
Right now I'm thinking Civic Type R, and have for a long time. In budget is a 2010 FN2 GT, run-out model with the LSD I believe and Championship White (yeah, yeah, I think the same too about the colour, but Type Rs are one of a few motors that actually look good in white). I'm salivating as I look at the pictures and may mosey on down to the dealers tomorrow. If I could find a good'un I'd also consider an EP3 since I know they're reknowned as the better drive.
Also in budget in used, a Corsa OPC (read VXR), but not a big fan of Opels/Vauxhalls. A solitary Mk II Focus ST, a solitary Fiesta ST, a Hyundai Coupé 2.7 (stop sniggering at the back there!) with every extra, or another curveball in the shape of a Lexus IS250 (like the Inspector, I don't play golf).
There are a couple of "odds and sods" which caught my eye and these would be new cars, one is the latest generation Civic, but in 1.8 "Sport" guise (imagine it will be nowhere near a Type R), a Suzuki Swift Sport (in white, unfortunately in that car's case) or even an ecobox in the shape of a Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost Titanium with almost every extra put on.
All of this is speculation and I might end up keeping the Pug, but thinking about getting the mid-life crisis thing out of the way early... or should I just take my poverty-spec Audi and be done with it... not!
Mrs. lightthefuse decided she wanted to chop the '98 V70 we have for a newer V70. My Pug has failed its Swedish equivalent to the MoT on two silly things (one I knew about and should have fixed, the handbrake wasn't taking properly and needed tightening, the other was a surprise with a sticking caliper/pad on the rear-left wheel), easy fixes for those two I think, but got an advisory of the dreaded rot monster on the rear right link-arm. Sure, it can be welded too (and I'm sorry to the guy on PH whom I said bigger Pugs don't get tinworm so easily, but I think this one was an exception since my other '01 607 was fine, I'm blaming this on my current one being an early model), but do you know what, if the missus is getting that new car feeling, I might just treat myself whilst I'm at it.
I get the option of a company car or car allowance at work but taking the lease car would land me with a bargain basement Audi A3, A4 or Q3 (TT's out since I can't have a 2-door under the lease car policy, I can please myself taking the money), a decent Volvo V40, OK V60 or poverty-spec V70/S80. I could get a Volkswagen but think I'll pass before I pass out.
So, Mrs. lightthefuse is sweetened up with a newer used V70 that I'm planning to do a deal on, I'm thinking about going back to how we used to have our garage, big car/small car, only this time it's going to be me with the small car. It's going to be a hot-hatch if I don't get tempted by the likes of E90/91 325i/d Tourings or even a Coupé (330s appear to be out of budget for me). I've tried the going back thing with the Pug, so don't want a Saab again even in a hotter guise than the TiD.
Right now I'm thinking Civic Type R, and have for a long time. In budget is a 2010 FN2 GT, run-out model with the LSD I believe and Championship White (yeah, yeah, I think the same too about the colour, but Type Rs are one of a few motors that actually look good in white). I'm salivating as I look at the pictures and may mosey on down to the dealers tomorrow. If I could find a good'un I'd also consider an EP3 since I know they're reknowned as the better drive.
Also in budget in used, a Corsa OPC (read VXR), but not a big fan of Opels/Vauxhalls. A solitary Mk II Focus ST, a solitary Fiesta ST, a Hyundai Coupé 2.7 (stop sniggering at the back there!) with every extra, or another curveball in the shape of a Lexus IS250 (like the Inspector, I don't play golf).
There are a couple of "odds and sods" which caught my eye and these would be new cars, one is the latest generation Civic, but in 1.8 "Sport" guise (imagine it will be nowhere near a Type R), a Suzuki Swift Sport (in white, unfortunately in that car's case) or even an ecobox in the shape of a Fiesta 1.0 Ecoboost Titanium with almost every extra put on.
All of this is speculation and I might end up keeping the Pug, but thinking about getting the mid-life crisis thing out of the way early... or should I just take my poverty-spec Audi and be done with it... not!
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