Busy Day With My Rolla E11 + Saw My Next Car Too!

[DaShowstoppa]

My wife and I went to a Toyota dealer this morning to look at a 2002 Celica, I've been toying with the idea of getting one in a years time because while my Corolla 1.3 GS is a great car, and has served me well - I have always wanted to upgrade to something a bit sleeker and with a bit more oomph!

I fell in love with the 2002 1.8 Celica , we sat inside it and looked all around, and both my wife and I were impressed - even the storage space is better than we imagined - In fact she want's me to insure her on it too!

Anyway, I suddenly felt like giving the Corolla a nice clean out, and attend to the scuffs (including where a nice person decided to run their key down the drivers side quarter panel) and various bits that I've been meaning to do. So we did, with my father in law's help. It's amazing what a bit of a tidy up can do. I suddenly remembered what a fine car I have, and I should perhaps take more care with her.

I say this as I am awaiting word from the dealer's garage regarding taking it away for insurance repairs. It got a bit intimate with a neighbour's Vauxhall Vectra whilst I was reversing out of a parking space. Luckily I'm fully comp and protected as regards the no claims!

While the Vectra sustained a paint scratch to it's plastic bumper and a few scuff marks, my Corolla wasn't so lucky. The (left) front wing is dented, the front panel has been bent as a result and the valance has been deeply scarred too, however this is all to be replaced by Toyota so she'll soon be as good as new - and I fully intend to keep her that way! I.e I will pay more attention to reversing out of parking spaces - in fact I'll reverse into them from now on!

Sorry for rambling, but I thought I'd share it with you all.

[Colrolla]

I find the same sort of thing with my car. I've got the G6 E11 and absolutely love her to bits (yes it's a she, 'Tina' haha). Always dreaming about owning different cars, almost always high powered turbo motors... even looked at my finances once, but just can't bear to get rid of my Corolla. 3 yrs of ownership and apart from a new CV joint due to a rubber boot going, she's given me no trouble at all. Not many people can say that thesedays can they!

[DaShowstoppa]

Yeah the Corolla's been fairly well behaved, barring an incident in the first month I had her when the drivers window decided to part company with the door (previous owner had auto window conversion) Other than that the biggest expenditure was on the replacement of the cambelt and brakes.

She's only done about 77.7K and after Saturday, she's in more or less the condition I got her in (all be it with a much better ICE than the Toyota tapedeck she came with) The interior is more or less immaculate and after the dent is fixed the exterior (barring a couple of stone chips to the paint) will be too.

As I said she's a fine car, but I've always wanted to upgrade to something a bit more sleeker and powerful - and I want to do it now so I can get some years enjoyment before needing a family car when me and my wife have kids in a few years. Then I'll have to wait for a mid life crisis - and I don't want to!!

Mike