Mundane News

[tyred]

I've never really been a fan of Japanese cars, always feeling they're bland, overrated and uninteresting, but on a whim, I took a test drive in a locally advertised base model Yaris this evening.

All I can say is that I was wrong. The car in front really is a Toyota. I'm amazed by how lively it is for a 1litre, how quiet it is, even at 100km/hr, how smooth the ride quality is and the go kart like steering and handling reminds me of my Peugeot. Also very spacious for its size. Makes mincemeat of a Fabia in all areas.

The digital instruments aren't as weird as I thought they'd be either.

A lot of surface rust underneath is a bit off-putting though. It would need to be undersealed before winter if I buy it.

Even so, I think I know what car I want now. Today's was a three-door. I've arranged to go to look at a five-door tomorrow, which I would prefer as it's easier to put things in the back. Today's was a very genuine, well cared for example though. Rare at this end of the market. I'll see what tomorrow's looks like.

 

[Hebe]

I can’t believe it’s not bedtime 💤

 

[pawl]

I see that they are going to use a special oil for King Charles ceremony that has been consecrated. I have some black currant juice like that !

Should stop his chain going rusty

 

[Andy in Germany]

I've never really been a fan of Japanese cars, always feeling they're bland, overrated and uninteresting, but on a whim, I took a test drive in a locally advertised base model Yaris this evening.

All I can say is that I was wrong. The car in front really is a Toyota. I'm amazed by how lively it is for a 1litre, how quiet it is, even at 100km/hr, how smooth the ride quality is and the go kart like steering and handling reminds me of my Peugeot. Also very spacious for its size. Makes mincemeat of a Fabia in all areas.

The digital instruments aren't as weird as I thought they'd be either.

A lot of surface rust underneath is a bit off-putting though. It would need to be undersealed before winter if I buy it.

Even so, I think I know what car I want now. Today's was a three-door. I've arranged to go to look at a five-door tomorrow, which I would prefer as it's easier to put things in the back. Today's was a very genuine, well cared for example though. Rare at this end of the market. I'll see what tomorrow's looks like.

When I was with the Inlaws I was asked to drive a Diahatsu Copen* for legal reasons connected the Japanese insurance system which are too boring to go into here. This is a 'Kei car', which means it is tiny and has an equally tiny engine, but my goodness you wouldn't know it to drive one.

*The Irony of this isn't lost on me: until recently I'd driven more in Japan than in Europe.

 

[oldwheels]

Here, too. A short lead and 'under control', but I've never seen it being enforced.

I may have written about this before.
My wildlife pal is an expert on all sorts of outdoor things and local history. He was invited by a TV company to meet a celeb in “ Walking my dog” and to bring his own dogs.
They got the location wrong for a start and so the prog was delayed while that was sorted out. He had two dogs, a peaceable working collie and a working spaniel with as he put it an attitude problem. He tied the two dogs together using a bit of old rope and set off to meet the celeb and terrier type dog.
They met and the spaniel made a lunge to disembowel the celebs effete terrier. His knot was not very good and slipped letting the spaniel loose. Mayhem as the whole crew tried to separate the dogs while still filming.
The filmed rather terse conversation with the celeb consisted of two words. .” Hello “through gritted teeth followed by “goodby.”

 

[oldwheels]

I've never really been a fan of Japanese cars, always feeling they're bland, overrated and uninteresting, but on a whim, I took a test drive in a locally advertised base model Yaris this evening.

All I can say is that I was wrong. The car in front really is a Toyota. I'm amazed by how lively it is for a 1litre, how quiet it is, even at 100km/hr, how smooth the ride quality is and the go kart like steering and handling reminds me of my Peugeot. Also very spacious for its size. Makes mincemeat of a Fabia in all areas.

The digital instruments aren't as weird as I thought they'd be either.

A lot of surface rust underneath is a bit off-putting though. It would need to be undersealed before winter if I buy it.

Even so, I think I know what car I want now. Today's was a three-door. I've arranged to go to look at a five-door tomorrow, which I would prefer as it's easier to put things in the back. Today's was a very genuine, well cared for example though. Rare at this end of the market. I'll see what tomorrow's looks like.

What may look like surface rust in fact may not stand the impact of a hammer or screwdriver. Best check such bits very, very carefully.
My bank account still stings from the impact of such implements on the underside of my Fiat Ducato

 

[Andy in Germany]

I may have written about this before.
My wildlife pal is an expert on all sorts of outdoor things and local history. He was invited by a TV company to meet a celeb in “ Walking my dog” and to bring his own dogs.
They got the location wrong for a start and so the prog was delayed while that was sorted out. He had two dogs, a peaceable working collie and a working spaniel with as he put it an attitude problem. He tied the two dogs together using a bit of old rope and set off to meet the celeb and terrier type dog.
They met and the spaniel made a lunge to disembowel the celebs effete terrier. His knot was not very good and slipped letting the spaniel loose. Mayhem as the whole crew tried to separate the dogs while still filming.
The filmed rather terse conversation with the celeb consisted of two words. .” Hello “through gritted teeth followed by “goodby.”

When I grew up we had a West Highland Terrier which was occasionally attacked by ill-controlled larger dogs including at least one Rottweiler. People forget that terriers were bred for one job: hunting. Westies are strong, and have powerful jaws.

Several times I saw much larger dogs which attacked ours run away bleeding.

 

[tom73]

I've never really been a fan of Japanese cars, always feeling they're bland, overrated and uninteresting, but on a whim, I took a test drive in a locally advertised base model Yaris this evening.

All I can say is that I was wrong. The car in front really is a Toyota. I'm amazed by how lively it is for a 1litre, how quiet it is, even at 100km/hr, how smooth the ride quality is and the go kart like steering and handling reminds me of my Peugeot. Also very spacious for its size. Makes mincemeat of a Fabia in all areas.

The digital instruments aren't as weird as I thought they'd be either.

A lot of surface rust underneath is a bit off-putting though. It would need to be undersealed before winter if I buy it.

Even so, I think I know what car I want now. Today's was a three-door. I've arranged to go to look at a five-door tomorrow, which I would prefer as it's easier to put things in the back. Today's was a very genuine, well cared for example though. Rare at this end of the market. I'll see what tomorrow's looks like.

We had 2 and loved them easy to drive and never put a foot wrong. More than enough room for us two and the dog , plenty of boot space too. Don't know how big a car you need but you cant go wrong with an Aygo if you want a small, cheep and fun to drive car.

 

[tyred]

What may look like surface rust in fact may not stand the impact of a hammer or screwdriver. Best check such bits very, very carefully.
My bank account still stings from the impact of such implements on the underside of my Fiat Ducato

Definitely. I tried my very best to poke holes in things but it does need checking very carefully.

 

[tom73]

When I grew up we had a West Highland Terrier which was occasionally attacked by ill-controlled larger dogs including at least one Rottweiler. People forget that terriers were bred for one job: hunting. Westies are strong, and have powerful jaws.

Several times I saw much larger dogs which attacked ours run away bleeding.

Yep they may be small but no one told them that.

 

[tyred]

We had 2 and loved them easy to drive and never put a foot wrong. More than enough room for us two and the dog , plenty of boot space too. Don't know how big a car you need but you cant go wrong with an Aygo if you want a small, cheep and fun to drive car.

I'm definitely open to an Aygo. I always liked them ever since I first saw them. They really do have a tiny boot though.

It would probably do fine for me but the Yaris is a good bit bigger. I could comfortably put my touring bike in the 205 with the wheel off. The Yaris seems similar sized inside. For some reason, I've found it awkward getting my bike into the Fabia.

Otherwise I don't need much space. No kids, no dogs, just me and my bike.

 

[tom73]

I'm definitely open to an Aygo. I always liked them ever since I first saw them. They really do have a tiny boot though.

It would probably do fine for me but the Yaris is a good bit bigger. I could comfortably put my touring bike in the 205 with the wheel off. The Yaris seems similar sized inside. For some reason, I've found it awkward getting my bike into the Fabia.

Otherwise I don't need much space. No kids, no dogs, just me and my bike.

Since we handed back the yaris when finance finished we only have my Aygo and never really had a problem with space.
The boot is small yes but the with seats down i've had my bike fit just fine. The 3 of us have managed to fit every thing when we've been away. I don't drive much these day post covid but it's so easy and fun to drive reminds me of our old micra.

 

[biggs682]

Otherwise I don't need much space. No kids, no dogs, just me and my bike.

Almost sounds idyllic

 

[tyred]

Apparently it's it the 8th anniversary of me opening my WordPress account and starting my blog.

 

[Speicher]

I am watching "Sixth Sense" ... again for the third or fourth time.

Busy day today, I managed to clear a path from the garage door to the back of the garage.