Ay-gone

I wouldn't like to call it, it depends on the things you can't see in the picture I think.

I think she probably would like a Renegade, and she does live somewhere where ground clearance is a benefit. Although they have no issues getting an MGB in and out, and next door (down the same track) have an MX-5. She likes a slightly elevated driving position these days, so if the car is a write off then something similar will be on the cards. I'm saying Yeti would be the best bet. She has had a few reliability issues with the 500L which might well put her off another.

I've offered the Corolla as an interim runabout for her if she thinks she needs it (will only get a courtesy car in the event it's fixed, for the duration of the repair), she doesn't really like driving her partner's Range Rover nor his Navara, and it's not really MGB Roadster season in West Wales.

The front wing 'shuts' with the bonnet and bumper look OK so maybe it's not too bad. If the underneath is fixable maybe worth buying the write off from the insurer and fixing yourself?? A £2,000 repair for a car that is worth £6,500 on the used car lot..

I think I'm with you Dubya. I don't know if anything structural needs straightening, but if that does turn out to be the case then yes, I'd rather it was written off. The only slight flaw with that plan is she hasn't got any more money than that which she'll get off the insurers to buy a replacement, and as we all know buying a car for about £5-6k is a minefield, and you never know what's happened to it in its lifetime. It might turn out to be an even less safe vehicle. This one is a known quantity as it was nearly new when she bought it.

Well I am going to try again to encourage my lad to get back behind the wheel. His application for University is going in today, and that's what has been his excuse - applying for medicine has been hard work even to get to this stage, in order to submit the best possible application. We've travelled to 9 open days, he's had to study hard all summer to take the UCAT test, there's some work experience he's had to do and also writing up a personal statement is a hell of a task. So, I've been cutting him the slack a bit. Maybe over the next 6 months he can spare some time for some lessons and take a test. I hope so. So, if the Corolla goes out west it'll be temporary until Mum's car is fixed or replaced. She wants something with that elevated driving position so she can get better visibility on the hedge-lined country lanes round her way, a Corolla won't do long term.

Just been browsing Dusters, there are some reasonable looking ones available under £6k.

I like the brown ones.

I’m fairly seriously thinking of getting one when I don’t need the load space of the Merc.
They remind me a bit of my plastic digital watch.
Everything you need with none of the BS.

True enough, but I’m thinking of a sub 10 grand beater. Something I won’t mind getting a bit of mud on/in when I break free from society and so on. Might get a tattoo as well.