Being Middle-Aged

I have before in this blog advertised my predilection for automotive pornography, most particularly The Jaguar XK8 (which relationship I have consummated), any Aston Martin and the Honda Goldwing. But I have to confess that I have most recently fallen for the siren call of the sensible purchase.

Big Fat Pig's Big Fat Car

Actually 'sensible' is probably not the wholly apposite word since no suburbanite whose children have grown-up and flown the nest needs a large four wheel drive. The category of car is determined by another  foible of my taste - I remember with affection the Land Rover Discoveries we used to have as Sharon's company cars. But once I had convinced myself that what I wanted was a f*** off Chelsea Tractor, my middle-aged sensibilities took over.  And so there stands on the gravel a great grey slab of Kia Sorento.

The thought processes were these - I want an SUV; the Kia has a seven year warranty; a big Range Rover is too expensive to buy and maintain (I spoke to people); the Kia has a seven year warranty; the Evoque is beautiful but not at heart a man's car; the Kia has a seven year warranty; Discoveries remain unreliable and we don't have the luxury of it being a company car; the Kia has a seven year warranty. And, of course, there is the seven year warranty. I find this one of the more compelling commercial offerings. The cars are either bomb-proof or the warranty is not worth the paper it's written on, and being a lawyer I've read the small-print.

So it was off to Sutton Park Kia (their proximity another selling point) for a test drive. I was prepared to be underwhelmed but the Sorento behaves impeccably enough. And there is the seven year warranty. The sales pitch from the dealer was neither neglectful nor overbearing. And there is ... well you get the picture.

So ten days into ownership what do we think? The high driving position is great and I look forward once again to being able to see the Menai Straits as I drive over the Britannia bridge. Fuel consumption isn't too damaging when you consider the size of the car. The interior is plain but acceptable. It has that new car smell. The reversing camera is much more useful than I had somehow imagined it might be. I would like an automatic boot release and close. The digital radio (an upgrade - the lack signifying that this car is really aimed at the American market) is fiddly but I'm getting there. For now I'm a happy camper but will keep you posted.