I have no idea where to start. Lots of shit has been happening. I can’t just throw it all into one post, however. Do I go with most fun? Most typical for my posts? Most weird? Most recent, or look at older pictures I wanted to share so I can keep a timeline in my head for what I’ve talked about here?
Insert a Charlie Brown ‘Aaaaauuuugggh!’ here.
I guess I have to go with most fun. Because… I mentioned it first? And I’m really happy about something for a change? Eh. Seems fair.
We did this last weekend:
Our new Shiny! We were in such shock that this actually happened, that this is the ONLY photo we took. It’s been since 1996 since I’ve had a brand-new vehicle. I will admit this is not an inexpensive car here (our ridiculous tax, or VAT, literally doubles the price of a car). But I love it.
This car has more computers in it than the entirety of 1980. It does things that I can’t imagine the need for, like telling you when the oil change is due. It has a wee Mini graphic that winks at you when you get in! It ‘bongs’ when the temperature goes near freezing, or when the engine is running and a passenger takes off their seat belt. Thankfully none of that constant noise if you just don’t buckle up for moving it a few metres in the driveway.
It has CRAZY lights. We apparently got these as part of a package himself wanted for other reasons – but I’m having so damn much fun with the lights! First of all, there are exterior lights I never expected.
When you unlock the car, there are lights inside the door handles – on the outside of the car! That’s just mad. Day two of having the car I walked outside in the dark, hit the button, and immediately thought I had ringed planets on my car. Little saturns waiting for me.
There are also lights under the doors when you open them, so you can clearly see the puddle you are about to step into! It is Ireland, after all.
It gets better with the crazy lights – inside lighting is all LED and has what seems to be ten different colour choices, at the touch of a toggle above the rear-view mirror. I can’t even name all these colours, but so far I’ve really liked the bright red, green, and purple. I keep changing it! I realised yesterday that the interior lights cycle through every colour right after you unlock the car, and then stay on the one I had chosen. Mad.
There is more – turning up the heat or the volume on the ‘entertainment system’ makes lights race around the main dash computer display. Said display shows anything you want about the car – but since I’m all about my music, it shows the artist, song and, FFS, the album cover in colour. This fucker is smarter than I am!
It seems we won’t break the bank, as the old car was d e a d dead from a financial standpoint. It cost us more in the last four months in repairs than a regular car payment for this beauty does. And I’m safe on the road again, which – I have to say – I was not feeling safe in the old Mini any more. I do miss it, and I did tear up as I patted her goodbye. So many good memories, and family and friends that I rarely see were in that car. The last photo of our Good Dog Shade was taken in that car. So yes, I miss the old one.
But I believe we did the right thing, and the lights are starring my eyes into loving the new Mini.
Not to mention how damn quick and fast she is! Phowar!
Best of all? It has a sunroof, baby! I love love love it. Even in a country with rare sun I’ve been popping it open nearly every day. It’s a good thing for a former Florida gal to get the sun and fresh air whenever possible.
heretherebespiders 
How cool is that? I would love one of these but the road I drive on would tear it up in no time… Love that you’ve got all those Saturns to gaze at too. Enjoy, you deserve it. 😉
Thank you – when we were looking at NEW I really didn’t feel we deserved it, one bit. We are broke as hell. But the old car was costing us emergency money at the price of a payment since October, so… had to give in, or give up, as it was. It is such a load off of our minds not to worry any more. Our roads here are terrible! But I’ve almost forgotten about the potholes I always avoided and whatnot, because this baby handles the road so well.
Oh, you’re in luuuuurrrrrvvve, no doubt about that. Who knew a few LEDs could get you so excited…? The Husband would be driven insane by what you’re enjoying so much; he likes pretty much total darkness in his truck cab except for the absolutely necessary. I’m with you, though, I like twinkly lights, especially if they run around 🙂
Totally in lurve 🙂 I adored the previous Mini – despite not wanting it to begin with or driving it for many years (didn’t have to, I have a Harley that got me to work which was a whopping 1.5 miles from home at the time). The lights ARE distracting, but not so much really as I am sure I haven’t seen half of what it going on, yet!
Well, this is fun. If you are anything like me — and in this sense I think you are — you wring the last dregs out of a major investment like a car before moving on. Which means that all sorts of gorgeous gizmos will have become “standard” in the meantime. I am still marvelling at the dash indicator that alerts me to decreases in tire pressure, which looks like a little butt.
We have that! But I don’t think it looks like a butt. Dammit, it has rain-sensors, and light sensors – I don’t have to turn on the wipers or the lights anymore. Which is sort of annoying, really.
You did it! Bet you don’t work out more than 10% of what that dash can show – just like all computers 😉 Enjoy 😀
I’m good with them – and hubby is an IT manager so between the pair of us, we should be able to defrost the windscreen!
Just got a new oven/micro/grill combo and we’ve managed to use the microwave to defrost some bread so far… 😉
Easy there! Slow it down, no need to go all crazy 🙂
YAY FOR YOU!!! I love the sun also and have a sunroof!!
Linda
It was my main request – if I can’t have a convertible, can I have a sunroof? We just squeaked by to get it, and stay in our payment range.
I hope the new car works well for you – enjoy and stay safe. Sounds like you will with all those lights!
You might see me one day! Or hubby who also has long blonde hair 🙂
awesome!
So I’m getting the feeling you like the car then maybe? lol
I’m jealous! I just love it! Good for you – enjoy!
Don’t be jealous! It makes me feel guilty… I wish everyone could have one!
Yea! new car! We were in your shoes – driving one that was costing more to repair than a new car payment, so did the sensible thing and purchased a new shiny. So many computers though – is this really a good idea?
I am with you on that – I had a couple 1970’s cars that wouldn’t know a computer if they rolled over one. And my mom’s first car with power door locks… Well, one broke while she was on a 600mi trip and she had to have her passenger hold it shut the whole time! So – I hope they have that sort of thing better sorted these days. Means that I can’t do anything but fuel it and put in screen wash, though! Good thing I’ve the Harley to play with… Ha!
We LOVE these cars! (If only we didn’t drive roads with so much port traffic and 18 wheelers…not to mention the elevated pickups. During commutes I saw too many small cars crushed and mangled, so the old 4 runner was eventually traded in for a new 4 runner)
New is good – you’ll care for it and it will last for ever and longer. Sunroof! (All the extras will be figured out eventually) Well done!