Car Talk

Hubby and I took a quick trip to visit the Mazda showroom while the twins were having their morning nap, and Aidan and Ammi went to a funfair with their grandparents.

My other half wanted to check out the new Mazda8 (right). Ever since the people around us knew that our family was going to expand, there's been the joke of us upgrading (or downgrading, depending on how you see it) to a bus or a mini-van. We would love to, actually but we have to make trips back to K.L. and it won't be too comfy to sit in a mini-van which Hubby can't speed in.

He was all excited about Mazda8, because it is a 8 seater, and one of the most spacious and largest MPVs around; and more affordable than our other choice - the Chrysler Grand Voyager.

I think Hubby was impressed by what he saw. I still like the Chrysler better in terms of space and height and features inside. Anyway, we wandered off to the rest of the showroom and I walked immediately to one of my dream cars - the Mazda RX8.

It's a good car, with 2 rows of seats and to me, it looks as cool as its sibling, the Mazda X5, which is a 2 seater.

Just as we were checking out the car, the same saleslady came up close and shot us a question: "What car are you looking for actually?", with a slight frown and a puzzled look.

O.K, I forgive her for being so direct. She made us sound like 'Browsers' (i.e. the type that comes here only to see-see-look-look and enjoy some air-con) and not potential buyers who can afford the car.

"It's the Mazda8," we replied. Then instinctively, both of us added that we are considering the RX8 for a second car. Hmmm.... I swore her look softened a little after she heard that. But of course, we cannot afford a second car and not something with only 2 rows of seats.

I felt I had to justify and make her believe we were sincere buyers, so I explained further: "We have 4 kids, so we need a big car."

I loved the look on her face, when her eyes bulged and she gasped and used her hands to cover her mouth. "Ha! I thought you two look like the 'just got married' type." (interesting, what kind of look is that, by the way?)

Well, that did spoil my mood slightly on laying my eyes on the beautiful RX8. We floated back to reality, back in front of Mazda8; and then out of the showroom with the product brochure.

If I have a choice and we are not living in Singapore? I would love to buy a caravan, good for road trips and big enough for the whole family!

But honestly, honestly, if we have the money and the lifestyle to match it, Hubby and I have always agreed the car below would be the car we would want to own. We still harbour the dream that we would be able to afford this and can drive one once we can throw away all the car seats when our kids have grown up (and tall enough too, to board this sexy SUV!).

Meet the Volvo XC90!

April - No Car Karma

Would things have been different if I have joined the long queue for the waffles, instead of purchasing a box of donuts?

What if I have stayed back at work to send out that one email which I had decided that I could send after I reached home?

Perhaps I would have been only 2 minutes later if I had decided to put the box of donuts onto the floor of the car, instead of beside me on the passenger car seat?

These were the questions I asked myself after a car rammed into mine on the way back home. I am sure I would have missed being hit if I was a few minutes late.

The brake lights were all on, for the cars in front of me. I hit the brakes too, and managed to keep a distance from the car in front. Just as I let go of the brakes and about to move forward, I heard a screech way behind. LOUD one and a spilt second later, I flew forward in the car after hearing that dreaded crushing sound on the back of my car.

I do not like to drive. And moments like these make me dread even more of having to deal with a stationery 1.69 ton of moulded metal. I always say, if I could reach a destination and fold up the car or make it shrink, I will love it. I totally detest parking. Finding a parking stresses me up, and I would totally curse if it turns out to be a parallel parking lot. After parking, comes car break-down (3rd incident for us in this month, by the way)

Well, back to the accident. It was sort of expected because so many cars had to brake so close to each other. Plus the warning screech came out first. When I flew forward, I did not utter a scream. Only word uttered in my head was: "Donuts! Donuts!" I was worried the box will topple over the car seat, onto the floor!

What wasn't funny was the moment I got out of the car, I was hassled by the Mazda driver who hit me and some stranger man who appeared mysteriously at the scene. The driver wanted me to know it was the last car who hit him, and then his car flew forward to hit mine. The other man wanted me to drive my car to the shoulder to settle with the rest, and to convince me to send my car to his workshop.

It was all very confusing and frustrating. I literally couldn't hear my thoughts because the Uncle from the workshop was telling me at his top of the voice in Mandarin: "Don't worry, don't worry. You are 1st car, can claim all on insurance! Just follow me, follow me!". I rang Hubby and can't hear him over the din too.

After exchanging phone numbers and taking photos of each other's cars, I was asked by Mazda what do I plan to do? Of course, I had no answer for him then except: "I need to call my Husband 1st because he is very fussy with the type of workshop and I only want to go home now!" I didn't say that out loud of course.

Mazda insisted that we should go to the same workshop and have the same story so that we can claim insurance on little Kia Picanto. Kia on the other hand, was insisting that Mazda rammed into me and caused him to brake. What can I say? Little Kia has to pay for a new Mazda 6 and a Mit Grandis. He is definitely more unlucky than me. But goddamn it, it was obvious he was speeding and couldn't stop in time.

While I tried to ring Hubby, Workshop Uncle was again talking to my right ear. "来来，I talk to your husband, let me talk to your husband!" I gave up eventually, and let the 2 men talk.

Decision after that? Go to Uncle's workshop. But before I got in the car to drive, I asked him: "Uncle, you don't bluff me ah? Your workshop safe, or not? Original parts, or not?" then followed by, "How come you are around here, so coincidental? Just when the accident happen?" After I got satisfactory answers, I went with him to the workshop at the other side of the island... Eunos.

Good thing was I got a replacement car which is a 3 seater again. The new Honda Stream is such a wonderful car to drive. The car feels light, picks up speed really fast and has an ergonomic steering wheel. Best feature (or maybe it's just missing from our car) - seat belt reminder that beeps until you wear the belt. Good for someone in my family who drives a car as if he's driving a slow speed golf buddy with no windscreen to crack his skull on, in the event of a crash.