Post by Boxer6 on Apr 28, 2018 22:18:14 GMT
Spent the afternoon looking at gas fires and estate cars; the two things aren't linked, thankfully!
The fires due to ours, at some 12 years old, having finally given up the ghost.Probably definitely getting a new fireplace/surround too, as the one we have at present is an old wood one neither of us like very much. So much for that.
Cars. Herself has decided that once she and her pal have gone on this years' weekend horsey trek in June, there will be no more due to her horse's ongoing lameness. Not sure about his expected lifespan (he may not see Christmas, in one scenario) but she's hoping to sell her trailer next week and the Td5 after the trip away.
So, as is her wont, she's been researching what she will replace the Landy with. Spec will be:- used, no more than 5 years old but preferred to be younger than that, decent-sized estate to allow the dogs maximum comfort in the back; no SUV's or the like, has to be a 'car' car. Has to be a decent-sized/powered engine, auto, sunroof (preferably panoramic) and probably petrol; not fully decided about that yet. She's been advised away from Hyundai's i40, which we both like, due to high parts and service pricing, and the chocolate engine parts on Insignia engines. (She's not keen on Vauxhalls anyway). Absolutely refuses to even consider a BMW, though given her proposed budget max of c.£18K that won't be an issue anyway!
Given the time restraints today, we visited a Skoda dealer (Henry's, in Port Dundas) and the nearest non-Arnold Ford dealer, Evans Halshaw on Cumbernauld Road (both in Glasgow, in case you wondered!) Sat in and had a good look around a Superb Sportline, which is a fair amount of kit for the money, very comfortable to sit in, plus had the required gearbox and roof. Just a pity it's £38K OTR!!
I took the opportunity of having a poke around a manual Octavia vRS; really liked it, but no estate available at the moment. It's pretty big enough to manage to carry my planes and kit but not to get the dogs in. Damn. Anyway.
Next up was the Ford garage where, as with the other one she visited during the week, there was not a single Mondeo estate to be seen - her vehicle of choice from the blue oval. They were more than willing to fetch one up from "down south" for her to see and have a test drive of, with no strings and no hassle if she decided she didn't want it. Quite surprised about that, not to mention impressed, especially as she'd made it plain she isn't interested in buying new. She said to me already she felt the Mondeo interior she'd sat in last week had been "tacky and low-rent", but the ST-line model I sat in today seemed pretty nice, if a little dark in the spec. Must say though, I personally preferred the Octavia's layout and ambience over the Ford.
Anyway, firm favourite for Herself, and by a long way, is the Superb; I have to say that given what a badge snob she's been in the past, for her even to consider a Skoda, never mind have one in pole position, really has blown my mind a little. The other, big, problem for me is, wandering around shiny new cars has lit a little fuse in my own mind, not helped by the fact the Legacy is off the road again until I can get the rumbling CV joint (I think!), 120K service and intermittent overheating issue all looked at. Of note, we visited all the places noted above in yet another of Enterprise's finest Mokkas. (Insert yawn here -> )
So there we have it. BTW, if anyone has a yearning for a 15-year old, slightly knackered Td5 auto in Monte Carlo blue, gimme a shout. Avaialable after the first weekend in June!
The fires due to ours, at some 12 years old, having finally given up the ghost.
Cars. Herself has decided that once she and her pal have gone on this years' weekend horsey trek in June, there will be no more due to her horse's ongoing lameness. Not sure about his expected lifespan (he may not see Christmas, in one scenario) but she's hoping to sell her trailer next week and the Td5 after the trip away.
So, as is her wont, she's been researching what she will replace the Landy with. Spec will be:- used, no more than 5 years old but preferred to be younger than that, decent-sized estate to allow the dogs maximum comfort in the back; no SUV's or the like, has to be a 'car' car. Has to be a decent-sized/powered engine, auto, sunroof (preferably panoramic) and probably petrol; not fully decided about that yet. She's been advised away from Hyundai's i40, which we both like, due to high parts and service pricing, and the chocolate engine parts on Insignia engines. (She's not keen on Vauxhalls anyway). Absolutely refuses to even consider a BMW, though given her proposed budget max of c.£18K that won't be an issue anyway!
Given the time restraints today, we visited a Skoda dealer (Henry's, in Port Dundas) and the nearest non-Arnold Ford dealer, Evans Halshaw on Cumbernauld Road (both in Glasgow, in case you wondered!) Sat in and had a good look around a Superb Sportline, which is a fair amount of kit for the money, very comfortable to sit in, plus had the required gearbox and roof. Just a pity it's £38K OTR!!
I took the opportunity of having a poke around a manual Octavia vRS; really liked it, but no estate available at the moment. It's pretty big enough to manage to carry my planes and kit but not to get the dogs in. Damn. Anyway.
Next up was the Ford garage where, as with the other one she visited during the week, there was not a single Mondeo estate to be seen - her vehicle of choice from the blue oval. They were more than willing to fetch one up from "down south" for her to see and have a test drive of, with no strings and no hassle if she decided she didn't want it. Quite surprised about that, not to mention impressed, especially as she'd made it plain she isn't interested in buying new. She said to me already she felt the Mondeo interior she'd sat in last week had been "tacky and low-rent", but the ST-line model I sat in today seemed pretty nice, if a little dark in the spec. Must say though, I personally preferred the Octavia's layout and ambience over the Ford.
Anyway, firm favourite for Herself, and by a long way, is the Superb; I have to say that given what a badge snob she's been in the past, for her even to consider a Skoda, never mind have one in pole position, really has blown my mind a little. The other, big, problem for me is, wandering around shiny new cars has lit a little fuse in my own mind, not helped by the fact the Legacy is off the road again until I can get the rumbling CV joint (I think!), 120K service and intermittent overheating issue all looked at. Of note, we visited all the places noted above in yet another of Enterprise's finest Mokkas. (Insert yawn here -> )
So there we have it. BTW, if anyone has a yearning for a 15-year old, slightly knackered Td5 auto in Monte Carlo blue, gimme a shout. Avaialable after the first weekend in June!
