20 October 2008

End of an Era ...

Exciting though it is, there's also a touch of sadness. My little Suzuki Wagon R is almost 3 years old and over the last xx years I've been very lucky to have been able to change my cars just prior to that first MOT and the expiration of roadside recovery and 3-year warranty.

So, the exciting part is that on Friday I get my new car. The sad part is that they no longer make Suzuki Wagon Rs and I have to say "Goodbye Suzuki, Hello Citroen"! I'm not sure how well I shall cope with this after having had Wagon Rs for 9 years, and knowing to the last square inch what I can load into them. The lovely square back (with the seats folded down) has been a godsend over the years of doing Fairs, but much as I've loved it I have to say that a tad more room would have been very useful at times. But finding another square rear (if you'll excuse the expression) hasn't been a simple task. No, I tell a lie ... it has. There is, in fact, only one possibility ... the Citroen Berlingo. Not the new version which is actually quite claustrophobic to sit in with a peculiar overhead storage-cum-air conditioning thing which goes down the middle from front to back, and a further silly overhead storage box thing which is designed to make things fall out onto your head ... (go to a Citroen garage and ask to look. You'll see what I mean). I am, apparently, having the last old model Citroen Berlingo Multispace Forté in existence in the UK (or so they say, and who am I to argue?).

As of Friday I shall be the proud owner of what is known in the trade (apparently) as "A van with windows". The upside is that the rear storage area with the seats up isn't much smaller than the space in the back of the Wagon R with the seats down, and with the seats down in the Berlingo I should be able to fit pieces of furniture in as well as the linen and textiles that are my normal stock in trade. Hmmmm ... exciting times ahead ... I hope! At least when I go to a Fair and buy more than I sell I should be able to get it all in the car when it's time to pack up and go home! (I have been known to load up the car and completely unload it again, just to fit in a basket which cost me £5 ... well, you wouldn't leave it behind, would you!!!!)

Only time will tell how the Berlingo and I get along. Let's hope it's a marriage made in Heaven!

10 comments:

Libbys Blog said...

Its always fun getting a new car!! Probably more fun for you as you used to know how to pack your old car down to the last inch, now you will have to relearn how it all fits, but I bet it does!!!!

Anonymous said...

Good luck with the new car, I'm sure you'll be very happy togethr.

Debbies-English-Treasures said...

I hope that you and your new car will get on nicely!
And go to many lovely and wonderful adventures together!
kisses
Debbie Moss

Niki Fretwell said...

Any excuse for more shopping!
;-))
Good luck with the new car (van) Sue - I'm sure you will be very pleased with your new square rear!

Niki x

sharie said...

A friend of mine had a Berlingo and she could fit a lot in it. I think you will be surprised how much it can carry.
Only thing I didn't like about it was the sliding back doors - I was sat in the back once and it slid open of its own accord on the motorway! I hadn't shut it properly but I was really scared.

bigbikerbob said...

Hi, Always nice to find all the little foibels of a new car, lets hope your happy together.

Bovey Belle said...

We have a Fiat Doblo, which is quite similar and is perfect for getting any amount of "stuff" in (think, stuff from auctions, daughters' belongings to and from University etc) and it drives like a sports car . . . Well, after our ancient clunking underpowered undergeared falling to bits red Renault Traffic van, ANYTHING drives like a sports car . . . My only complaint is that it too, has an overhead shelf and the maps attack you on roundabouts!

You will love your new car, I'm sure.

Anonymous said...

we recently had the same issue. We went from a volvo estate ( tons of shopping room) to a BMW estate. Surprisingly we can still fit ALOT in but Paul did have the tape measure out numerous times before buying it!

Country Cottage Chic said...

A new car is always nice but isn't it funny how we get attached to the old one?

The fabric of my life said...

Hehehe Love your logic Sue. That is the only reason I have a big car, to stuff treasures in. I couldn't bear to leave something behind simply because I couldn't fit it into my vehicle ;-)