Musings

I was very sad when I’d to sell my SUV nearly 4 years ago. I like driving the car. It sat very high on the road, letting me see the road ahead. When it rained, water splashed from the other side of the road only reached the bonnet, not the wind screen. This is good because I could see the road.

But I decided to sell it because the high petrol prices was just getting too crazy. When I first bought the car, a full tank – 72 litres – cost about $80. By the time I sold it, a full tank was nearly $150. Plus every time I paid the road tax for the 3 litre car, my heart bled.

So for practical reasons, I switched to a 2 litre saloon car. It was smooth, quick pick-up, easy to part, drive etc. But I never fell in love with it. I still hankered after the SUV.

Three months ago, I decided to plunge in again. I put a downpayment for a SUV. This time it’s a 2 litre one. Hopefully, the petrol consumption would not be too bad.

Since my first car, over 20 years ago, I had bought Japanese. This time, I went for a continental car. Years ago, friends would tell me that continental cars would be just plain janes. It’s Japanese cars that would have nice trimmings. This has changed. Beemers, mercs and volkswagon have taken on new designs and looks. They are quite attractive on the road. When I was in Munich in February, I drooled over a BMX series 6 Tourer. Today, it’s called the X6 series and it’s really nice.

So I was sure that the Audi SUV would not disappoint. What I saw the showroom proved be right. Externally, the Q7 had always been attractive. But it was a monster of a SUV. Too big and too large a carbon footprint at 3.6litres. The Q5 on the other hand, was a good alternative. At 2 litre, it was smaller – and more affordable.

Audi sales was so good that I waited 3 months to get my car. Finally, last Friday I got my hands on the Q5. This time, it was a silver coloured car instead of my usual black. The most attractive about the car, the grill at the front of the car.

Of course, I love driving the car. But what features I like best …. read the next blog.

• Helluva car
• Good friend and PR person
• Listening to a book
• Car rally
• Forest adventure.