Just got my tax reminder through for this year, gonna cost me £145 for this year for the Megane. Can’t complain really as my old Mondeo would have cost £185 so I’ve already saved £40. Although had I had the Megane last year that would have been £135 I think, and next year with the scandalous new rates it’ll shoot up to £175.

I should be really thankful I didn’t update my Mondeo to a newer one otherwise I could have easily been looking at paying up to £260! Wouldn’t mind so much but with petrol soon to hit one million pence per litre there’ll be no money left. Paying £145 to keep Jemima running is OK I guess! She’s worth it.

Yes the time has come to say bye bye to my little Mondeo. A new thermostat fixed the earlier problems at christmas, and now it’s working, but just about. Something isn’t right with the engine, possibly head gasket or something similarly nasty (prob caused by the earlier overheating I reckon), which alongside all the other problems and niggles, it’s not worth the effort fixing it up as I need something better.

Went for a look round Motor Nation in Coventry yesterday, found something I like, had a test drive, put a deposit down, did the paperwork and I should be able to collect it tomorrow!

It’s a Renault Megane 1.6i 16v Privilege, dark metallic blue, lots of goodies, 31k on the clock, great condition, 54 reg plate. I’m all exited now! Will post again after I’ve picked it up.

My purple Mondeo has been playing up a bit lately. Now there is a water leak or something somewhere and don’t fancy driving it down the motorway every day this week at silly o’clock and with the usual holiday non-existant public transport (which is rubbish at the best of times).

So decided to play safe and hired a car for a few days, seeing as everywhere is shut so difficult to get it in anywhere. Not that I want to pay anything much to fix it anyway as I think the car is on it’s last legs and want to replace it soon anyway.

With a half price offer at Enterprise and the cheapest car group, they gave me a Chevrolet, nothing fancy mind you, it’s just a little Matiz (yeah an update on the old Daewoooo model). In a bluey greeny turquoisey colour.

Wasn’t expecting much from one of these little box cars. But I’m actually quite surprised. Very nippy on he town streets, bit slower pulling away at higher speeds but easily cruises at over 80. Bit noisy at that speed, engine is actually really quiet just the wind and road noise, but nothing too bad, just need to turn the radio up a bit that’s all.

Nice funky instrument cluster, right in the centre of the dashboard, odd at first but get used to it. Interior is quite nice and airy, there’s air con too.

Not a car I’d buy for my self for everyday use, although I do want something small. Maybe something along the lines of 206, Ka, Smart, Yaris etc. Cheap, comfy, fun and different is what I like. I’ll have a look round, when everywhere is open after christmas.