h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Roy went with a friend to a car auction today to buy a car for me. The friend buys cars regularly and does them up, so he knows a good car when he sees one. Because of the nature of an auction (I've never been to one), it's not possible to say what you're going to get, and I know that you need to be level headed and to stick to your top price. We'd discussed several options, including a Vauxhall Vectra, a Toyota Avensis and a VW Golf.

I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but when I had a phone call this afternoon to tell me I had a 1999 mauve Toyota Corolla, that wasn't it. Probably something about not knowing what it looked like and it being outside the range of things we'd discussed. I felt flat. It was an automatic (dad told me, 'Don't get an automatic!'). I looked on a website where the featured car had 3 doors. I panicked. I wanted at least four doors and five for preference. I phoned back. It had five doors. I felt better. It's an automatic - and it's top of the range and looks stunning. Oh!

Apparently he could have had a Saab (his friend thought it was a bit expensive) and a BMW Series 7 . Probably a good job I wasn't there! I got the sensible option.

No card or flowers, but I think that going to the trouble of getting me a car is rather better.

Traveller in Time still translating the survey
"Is it pink ? "

Hi,

No card or flowers - me neither but then I never have had any so I'm used to it.

What a cracker of a present - well they did the donkey work for you, didn't they? Let us know what colour, what it is like, and whether you are pleased with it. It sounds good.

I am so glad you will be mobile and not paying rental fees. I expect little will be pleased too.




Websailor

It's not a present as such - I'm paying for it, but the gift was his getting his friend to take him to the auction and find a reliable economic car in my price range.

Apparently, his friend was *really* pleased with the bargain he got. Pink? No, it's mauve - OK,it's a cross between pink and purple. I think it's light metallic mauve. Someone who used to work in my team has one that colour, and apparently it looks good.

I almost wish he hadn't told me about the Saab and the BMW Series 7 he could have bought for me. (When he asked what I would have thought if he'd got one of them for me, I said I would have been over the moon.) He said he found it difficult to choose for me - he must have been under quite some pressure.

Toyotas certainly have a reputation for being very reliable cars, although their suspension is a bit bouncy. It should last you many years.

My Cavalier lasted me over 13 years and would have lasted longer were it not for the (failed) thief. I'm just hoping it's not terminally boring.

The Toyota Corolla is a nice vehicle. I had a choice between that and an Accord - the Toyotas were a bit pricier.

Actually I meant that "getting" the car for you was a lovely present. I knew he hadn't paid for it, that would have been something

Finding someone you can trust to buy a car for you is brilliant, and it must have been very difficult making a choice for someone else, especially a woman - we are so particular

Let us know what you think of it when you have it, and have driven it, 'cus that will be what matters.


Websailor

PS,

Found this on the web. Thought it might give you a bit of confidence:

Whatcar says this about Toyota Corolla models in general:

"The latest Corolla maintainsToyota's reputation for providing basic cars that are well equipped"

"Reliability used to be the main reason for buying a Corolla, and you can expect this model to live up to that reputation"

There is also a UK Toyota Owners Club on the web.



Websailor

Thanks Lentilla and Websailor

I had a bit of a wobble today about the car - it's a couple of years older than I would have liked, however I'm probably being silly and when I can see and drive it, it may well be a different story. It was so good of Roy and his friend to spend their time getting it for me - I feel rather ungrateful, but the feeling of it not being what I expected doesn't want to go away. Although I hadn't known what to expect, I knew the age and size of vehicle I wanted - and the budget was there for that. This is older and smaller and automatic, although it is well specified. It's also insurance group 9, I gather.

I suspect you would rather have chosen one yourself - typical woman

I haven't had a car for over 30 years and I miss it now more than I ever have, so please just be happy you have wheels. Enjoy!!

Educate me -- Obviously I am not up with car insurance - is Group 9 good news or bad news? And why did your Dad say not to have an automatic? A friend of mine has one and she loves it as she has arthritis and it is easier to drive.

Give us a *virtual* ride when you have become accustomed to it. A nice trip round the country lanes would suit

Websailor

Websailor - the Vauxhall Cavalier is a group 3/4 - the highest insurance bracket I have owned, so a group 9 will be much more expensive, I believe.

Dad thinks that automatics are unreliable and more costly to service, plus I knew of someone worked for my authority who was killed when her automatic slipped from 'park' to 'drive'. I don't know, but I've always driven manuals.

I'm expecting to pick up the car at the end of next week, so I'll let you know how it is once I can see and feel it.

Traveller in Time driving a manual switching bicycle
"Well, ok also an automatic car.

It seems automatic transmission is on long distance travel less efficient, up to ten percent morefuel consumption . In city however, where you would work hard to keep it in the right gear, the automatics will always switch on the best moment, reducing fuel and emission.

Oh yes tie you left hand if you first drive in it. They make all not very funny noises if you kick it into reverse gear by hand. "

Yes, I can imagine that this could be very embarassing!

?? ??t and learn. Sounds as if it is swings and roundabouts with an automatic.

I know my friend rang the garage when she first had the car. She had parked outside my house, and when she returned to the car she forgot to change from Park to Ride and it wouldn't start! I am sure you will soon get the hang of it, as I have no doubt you are a very good driver.

Websailor

Automatic cars are very easy to drive. But they do use more fuel. Around town, they're a god send if you're stuck in traffic which is crawling along, as your "clutch foot" can just sit back and relax.

Websailor I'm an OK driver - passed my RoSPA advanced test a many years ago and my Institute of Advanced Motoring test a few years ago and I'm generally a safe driver. It's been interesting getting to know this hire car - I'm still allowing the tolerances of the bigger car, so I tend to park fairly close to the one in front with oodles of room behind. I tend to find myself farther out from the kerb, too, then find I want to re-do it so that I'm the usual 4-6 inches away.

Gnomon,

When crawling along uphill, I assume I'll still need to keep applying the handbrake from time to time? I can see that it could be very useful in slow-moving traffic.

The handbrake in an automatic car is called the parking brake. You _never_ use it when driving. Even on the steepest hill, the car will never slip backwards, so the technique for hillstarts is very different: you just put your foot on the accelerator.

Oh, thanks, Gnomon! I can see this is going to involve a learning curve. Do you have an automatic?

There now, , how did I know that you were an above average driver must be psychic!! I know it has never been mentioned since I have been on HooToo.

Sounds like you are getting some good advice so I will butt out till you tell us how you are getting on.

Websailor