[Drivingforfun]

Happy new year all.

Just wondering if anyone else has goals for the coming year?

My main one is weight which I am working on. Already down 4 stone now. Started around Jul-Aug 2023. Need to lose 4 more to be eligible for some health care. To be my "ideal" weight I'd need to lose 6 more.

Would like to do some sort of track day (with instructor) or even on-road driver training, I enjoyed all the others I did, haven't done one since Covid and missed it. If anyone wants to recommend anything/anyone I am all ears.👍

Others revolve around healthcare/operations which more likely will happen in 2025. Finally am saving for a nice watch (Rolex Explorer 2) but I would quite like to tie that in with getting "better" as a sort of gift to myself so that may wait till 2025.

[Marc]

Lovely new thread idea @Drivingforfun 😀 And also that is amazing work on the weight loss. Good for you and keep going!

My 2024 goals are:
- Get a car (finally! A year on from the 'Suzuki incident' I've got £5k or £6k to pick up a cheap 'n cheerful car, and stop having to use my other half's.
- Exercise twice a day (simple stretches that I currently do once a day so shouldn't be too much faff to stick to this)
- Read more, inc novels just for the sheer pleasure of it
- Don't let people down when I agree/commit to something

I'd also v much like to get a nice watch some day like you. An analogue one. But that might be way off in the future.

[Drivingforfun]

Great goals Marc, I wish you best of luck with them all.

But obviously am most interested in the car. What sorts of things are you considering? £5-6k is a decent budget, could get something basic and reliable like an Aygo that is still in warranty or something older but more fun...

[Rolebama]

HappyNew Year everybody.
I have no absolutes for 2024. Would be nice to remain as healthy and active as I am, although, I think like most people, I could do with losing a few pounds.
As for a car, I have to recommend mine. Quick enough for the Traffic Light Grand Prix, fast enough to cope with miles of motorways, 40+mpg, cheap road tax, (the cheapest 2litre I could find), insurance less than either my 306 or 406, and great fun on the lanes. Has enough bells and whistles to keep me happy, with more than enough cheap but decent spare parts available. The only thing I changed about it were the alloys with run-flats. They gave quite a noticeable harsh ride.

[Marc]

Originally Posted by Drivingforfun

But obviously am most interested in the car. What sorts of things are you considering? £5-6k is a decent budget, could get something basic and reliable like an Aygo that is still in warranty or something older but more fun...

Basic and reliable is exactly right @Drivingforfun
The Aygo would be good if it was just for driving around town. But I do a fair bit of A road driving, plus some motorway driving at least once a month to London and back, so something a little bigger I think.
I'm looking at used Fiestas and Polos, that sort of thing. There seem to be quite a few within my budget with a mileage of less than 50k, but are quite old (circa 2009-13).
My local garage has a Polo 1.4 for £6k which has only done 18,000 miles but is a 2007 registration, so I'm pondering that one.
There also seem to be a lot of Fiat 500 cars for sale. They look really small but I'm told that inside they're quite roomy (for front seats, not back seat passengers)

[Drivingforfun]

@Rolebama I am not sure if I am being stupid or missed it but you don't mention what the car is! Does indeed sound like the ideal car, though.

@Marc the same can be said for the Aygo! A very simple little car, no turbo, no superfluous electronics. Also, plenty of room in the front. The front seats literally go back to touch the back seats if you have no one in the back. 55mpg mixed driving and 65mpg on the motorway. The one thing is doesn't have is power. 0-60 in something like 17 seconds. You really have to plan your entry on slip roads. I like being able to see a gap and give a quick squirt of power to slot in - the the Aygo requires more advanced driving in many ways because of the planning needed.

[Drivingforfun]

To add @Marc I have driven an Abarth 595, which is based on the Fiat. The right hand drive models have nowhere to rest your left foot when cruising, you have to keep it on the clutch pedal at all times. Whether that is an issue for you or not I am not sure but you mention you do a lot of long distance cruising.

[Marc]

Originally Posted by Drivingforfun

@Marc the same can be said for the Aygo! A very simple little car, no turbo, no superfluous electronics. Also, plenty of room in the front. The front seats literally go back to touch the back seats if you have no one in the back. 55mpg mixed driving and 65mpg on the motorway. The one thing is doesn't have is power. 0-60 in something like 17 seconds. You really have to plan your entry on slip roads. I like being able to see a gap and give a quick squirt of power to slot in - the the Aygo requires more advanced driving in many ways because of the planning needed.

Not sure I like the sound of the lack of power @Drivingforfun I'm possibly not organised enough to plan ahead for slip roads 🤣

[Marc]

Originally Posted by Drivingforfun

To add @Marc I have driven an Abarth 595, which is based on the Fiat. The right hand drive models have nowhere to rest your left foot when cruising, you have to keep it on the clutch pedal at all times. Whether that is an issue for you or not I am not sure but you mention you do a lot of long distance cruising.

Yikes! That sounds like someone in the design team messed up there @Drivingforfun
I do love the way that the Fiat 500s look though. From the outside. I'll try and test drive one at least, even if I don't end up getting one. At the moment it does look like it'll be a Fiesta/Corsa/Polo type purchase.

[Rolebama]

Drivingforfun: Sorry about that. It's a BMW 318i.

[Drivingforfun]

Nice car @Rolebama.

I am a fan of BMWs after having a poke round some when I have had my MINIs in for servicing. They seem well built and decent quality.

I think I liked the 8 series, though far too big for me. I like the sleek look of the 4 series but if I have understood correctly the 4 series is just a less practical 3 series?

[Rolebama]

The only 4sries I have seen in the flesh was an eco model of some sort. It was a few years ago and I immediately switched off to it.

[Marc]

I'm checking out a VW Polo and a Hyundai i20 tomorrow @Drivingforfun
My heart tells me former, my head the latter!

[Drivingforfun]

@Rolebama I thought the even numbers were all coupe variants of the odd numbered saloons? i.e. 2 series is a coupe 1 series. Though I am aware they have complicated things recently by having things like a 2 series saloon, they seem to be trying to fill every niche.

Good luck @Marc, I think my head and heart would be telling me the same. Never experienced an i20 but my brother has a 2017 Polo, the old generation just before the new one came out. It's a nice car, economical, quick enough, handles well and comfortable. It's also cheap on tyres having small wheels but obviously depends on the model you choose. :)

[NMNeil]

Sorry guys, but this is now just a "What car will you be buying next" thread.

[Drivingforfun]

@NMNeil why not post something constructive to steer the conversation the way you think it should be going? 🤔

Not meant to sound snarky but I realise it does a bit.

[NMNeil]

My point is the forum section is "'off topic; Let's talk about everything and anything else" and the thread was 2024 goals.
So discussing what car you want next is not exactly off the topic of cars.
But to try and steer away from cars;
My goals are to make my vegetable garden more productive, brew better beer and to add more solar panels to my house.

[Marc]

Originally Posted by NMNeil

Sorry guys, but this is now just a "What car will you be buying next" thread.

Good point @NMNeil
Ah well, I guess @Drivingforfun will never know which one I picked 🤣

My goals are to make my vegetable garden more productive, brew better beer and to add more solar panels to my house.

These all sound great! Food, fluid and energy. What else would anyone need?!!