As petrol gets more and more expensive (and we pay a lot more for it in NZ than people do in the US – try $8/gallon), I am thinking it’s time I found a car that’s cheaper to run. I’ve looked at the Prius before, but I have come to think of these as overengineered, being basically two things at once. I don’t really want an electric + petrol vehicle (especially one which isn’t pluggable). And they’re ugly.

I would love it if there was a short to medium range EV on the market here but of course that’s a totally unrealistic expectation and can only happen in the distant future– notwithstanding the fact that individual hobbyists are getting bored with waiting for the market and actually building their own.

So I’m thinking small cars, with small engines. Maybe like the Smart, only less 90s concept-y and more simple. Something like a Mini. Not a mid-life crisis BMW MINI… rather an old Mini, a la Mr Bean. The problem is, I’m not exactly a classic car enthusiast, I just like the look of the things. They are, for want of a better word, cute.

The body panels of the Mark I were so thin as to be virtually transparent, an issue rectified with later models.

I think an old mini makes more sense than, say, an old VW beetle, since the latter is amazingly loud, not known for its excellent handling, and the last time I sat in one it actually caught fire.*

So within a week or so, I expect to be the proud owner of a tiny piece of motoring history… or possibly I will have completely changed my mind and come to my senses.

UPDATE: I have come to my senses. Much as I would like an old mini, they are too expensive (people are asking $4000 – $6000 depending on condition) and they have almost no safety features by today’s standards. Instead I am going to try to get something like the 2002 VW Lupo… which appears to be both extremely economical and safe for its class.

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* The reason for this was that in the VW Beetle the battery was located under the rear seat, and in this instance the insulating cover had slipped such that when I put my weight on the seat the springs beneath pressed onto the battery terminals, electrically shorting them and creating an instant toaster effect which nearly set my arse on fire.