Logo
Prev
search
Print
addthis
Rotate
Help
Next
Contents
All Pages
Browse Issues
Home
'
The Road Ahead : June July 2007
Contents
WHITING'S TALES News in Brief asking for log books, whereas I'm largely basing my decision on whether or not I like the salesperson. John says this is ridiculous, and has now banned me from entering dealerships and embarrassing him. "How do I embarrass you, John?", I said, just last week as he frogmarched me out of yet another car yard. "Well, first of all, when a salesperson asks what sor t of car you're looking for, you don't say 'a blue one' and then demand to see the pictures of his family on his desk." The other problem is that we both have ver y different ideas of what sor t of car we'd like. John, for example, wants something that is practical, fuel efficient and handles well. Can you imagine? I just want a car that I can look really good in. For example, I'd like one of those environmentally friendly, hybrid cars, so I can slide behind the wheel and look down my nose at other drivers who may or may not mistake me for Cameron Diaz. She drives a Toyota Prius, you know. I like the look of them, and not just because you can gaze smugly at other drivers with a look that says that while they're wantonly destroying the planet, some of globally aware. It's the same look I give p supermarket checkouts when are using plastic bags and I've remembered to bring my reusa green ones in from the car. Anyway, the good news is that w have plenty of time to find exactly the car we are looking for. Judging by how long it took us to sell the Falcon, I figure we have until about 2023, by which time we'll all probably be flying around using wind-propelled backpacks anyway. In blue. Decisions, decisions WITH FRANCES WHITING "I'd like one of those environmentally friendly, hybrid cars..." Regular readers of these columns may recall that some months ago we sold our beloved 1965 XP Spanish Red Falcon. Now the sale took some time -- we are not what you'd call speedy decision makers. In fact, I believe the period from when one of us said, "I think we should sell the Falcon" to actually handing it over to someone was about five years, and even then I thought we were rushing it. This sor t of decisiveness is also the reason why, a few months after having sold the XP, we are yet to replace it. Mind you, this is largely due to my husband John's extreme pickiness when it comes to buying a car. He's always banging on and on about safety cer tificates, mileage and fuel consumption, looking under bonnets and GETTING TYRED A new sur vey of motorists has revealed that most Australian women are not confident they can handle a roadside problem like a flat tyre. The sur vey of more than 2000 people for carsguide.com.au found 62 percent of women lacked the skills to change a car tyre, with just 28 percent of female drivers willing to regularly check their oil.By comparison, 94 percent of men backed their ability to change a tyre and 58 percent said they regularly lifted the dipstick. As well as revealing a reluctance by women to check their tyre pressures, the sur vey showed just over half of all respondents did not shop around for quotes before taking their car to a mechanic. FINE WORK The Queensland Government has expanded the powers of the State Penalties Enforcement Registr y (SPER) so that it can collect debts more readily and streamline the way fines are paid. As well as combining a person's outstanding fines and allowing phone and internet applications, SPER will also be able to obtain more information about debtors and, for the first time, will be able to write off unpaid fines from debtors who have died and fines which lack sufficient information. PARK A FERRARI Ferrari has announced it will collaborate with proper ty company Aldar for a 250,000 sq m theme park based on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The Ferrari park will have 24 attractions, Prancing Horse merchandising areas, a driving school and vir tual simulation rides. It will adjoin the Abu Dhabi circuit due to hold a Formula 1 Grand Prix race in 2009. JUN/JLY 07 25
Links
Archive
April May 2007
August September 2007
Navigation
Previous Page
Next Page
