An Air of Couture

Fiat 500C

Me thinks , this is one of the prettiest cars out there. Ever .

So, although cars like the VW Scirocco, Peugeot 208CC, Merc CLS, Mazda RX8, Renault Laguna Coupe, Audi S5 coupe , Porche Panamera and everything Lamborghini is sexier, this car here ,the Fiat 500C ('C' for Convertible, getit? ) is simply charming.

Kinda like an Old World charm to it . Not unlike the VW New Beetle and the MINI Clubman.

Sadly, something this desirable costs an arm and a leg. And very likely, half your torso as well.

Throw in your head, for good measure. You don't need it when the top is down anyway.

Q... hopeless romantic.

One more for the Club

Introducing the Mini One Clubman

I always loved to lay my hands on a Mini Clubman. ^^

Despite what the general perception of it being a total blaspheme to the old British motoring traditions (but look where it landed almost all of them carmakers), I do see the appeal of the new-fangled Clubman with its unique perspective to the winning formula that is the Mini. With more space, more doors and more tongues wagging (and probably more middle-finger pointing as well) .

But the standard Clubman is too expensive.

And needless to say , the turbo S-version is beyond the GDP of a small third world Nation.

So when I heard recently , that the entry level One version is about to be launched anytime now,

albeit , I 'm sure , an even larger legion of angry protesters, I see it as a possible route to Sensible Mini Clubman ownership.

Q ...

A nu 3hird Dimension

I'm still scouring around for a desirable premium hatch because , erm, I just want one?

They are desirable aren't they not? Great to drive. Great to revel in.

Who wouldn't want one if they could?

Anyway, while I'm still head-over-heels from my recent test drive of the Peugeot 308 Turbo and still confused over the MINI Clubman and BMW 1-Series,I'm also checking out the up coming Audi A3 Sportback 2009 model.



The current is wonderful. If a little short on equipment levels and snatchy in the brakes department.

But is otherwise a hoot to dart around in premium comfort and style.

So this new one is going to be a bomb. For sure.

Can hardly wait. Anticipation arising.

Q


>> Check this out: It's a three-door version but hey, the front is fresher and edgier and different. So which is it???

Pug it !

Wise decisions are made after running through a list of reality checks.

The type of check list which is hardest to do up and harder to run through.

But 'less you want to fall flat on your face, it's wise to wise up a bit.

> It spacious.
> It stylish inside and out. (fierce and swoonsome)
> It's practical to live with. (Space)
> Great quality. Great design.
> Amazing engine (It's the same BMW's as the MINI Cooper S!).
> Great handling(It's French remember?).
> Very high equipment levels. (A full length panoramic glass roof how about that?)
> Great badge; brand prestige.
> It's 20k cheaper than the equivalent competition.

Any more and you'll have to trek up the price scale again.

It's that good a choice.

It's that hard a choice.

The Peugeot 308 Turbo.

Q

> Did a test drive and loved it to bits. But it is more desirable than say , the BMW 1 Series or the MINI Clubman? Hmmm.

Colt Following

When it comes to cars, I want them fast and furious but more importantly, agile, fun and easy to drive and live with.

In a metropolitan country like mine, life's stressful and the roads are crowded. So I hate to have a car that is physically large (cumbersome!) and , worse, having a manual transmission (to have to wrestle with a clutch and go 1-2-3-4-5-6 and back again in 10 seconds, is NOT FUN at all.Period. ) .

So yes, I've my premium European cars like the BMW , VW , Peugeot and MINI to contend with.

But surely I wanna consider a Japanese car too .

And this is it. The Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart Type R.


A turbo-charged monster with the pace , face and space to match.

Woo.

Sure, I won't arrive at the Clubs looking fly but at least , I'm not a poseur either.


No compromises. And I'm the one left smiling. :)

Q

> Months down the line to make my call... who knows..? ^^

Hot Chocolate

The 'Hot Chocolate' color is lustrous. And exclusive to the Clubman.(But will it get too common? Soon?)



Ok, by now you'd have realized that I'm head-over-heels for the MINI Cooper Clubman.

I have to admit that I am a MINI-Convert.

I used to think : " What's the Big deal with a Car so Small?" " Why would any one want to pay so much of their hard-earned money on a tiny car like this?" " Am I the only one who thinks that the MINI is hella expensive?" " Is an Icon worth that much (I mean a VW New Beetle; arguably the only other real market-equivalent, cost only half as much to put on the drive way)? "


And then you swallow your ego and take it out for a spin at a dealership near you.

And you'd be smitten.

The MINI has probably the most engaging drive you'd ever experienced this side of an ultimate sports car.

Magnifique!!!

The go-cart like grip and feel is impossible to fathom in dramatic adjectives.

This car fits like a glove.

But of course, the size part was still an issue.

I've nothing against small cars. But to pay THAT MUCH for SO LITTLE is still asking too much me thinks.

Until the Clubman came along, that is.

The extra length makes sense. And Cents.

The boot and rear seat space are now way more usable.

I personally prefer its looks more so too.

And best of all, the gimmicky doors do their best to make the extra space more special to access.

And yes, the car still handles like a dream; fits like glove.

Only more comfortable. Wee !!!

There, I said it. ^^

Q

Hard (Candy) Decision

The Mind says : The BMW 1-Series

The Heart says : 'Mini Clubman'

What you Want may not be what you Need.

What you need may not be what you Like.

What you like may not be what you Get.

As Madonna's '4 Minutes' goes, " If you want it,
you already got it.
If you got it, it better be what you want.
If you feel it , it must be real ..."

Q

>>> (Thank goodness I have more than '4 minutes' to think it through. I've got half a year to make my mind! :P)

Expensive Taste: You're Worth it

I like my cars Premium.

It's the best money can buy. It shows that One's arrived.

It's a gift for someone who's worked hard and earned it.

Mini Clubman? VW Beetle? Audi A3 Sportback? BMW 1-Series?

Indulgent is the Luxury for those who Can.

Q