Maryrose Lyons blogging since 2003...

It’s All About Perception Baby

August 11, 2009 at 4:56 pm

Driving around in an 09 D motor takes a bit of getting used to. It’s all about perception and I know that people who see me in a brand new car must look and make certain assumptions about who I am, what I’m doing. Maybe I’m a trophy wife who’s traded in the Beamer runaround for something more green and kinder to the environment? Nah. I don’t look the part. Maybe I’m one of those people I read about who live off the credit card and hire purchase agreements and pay on the never never? Nah. Not enough bling in my style.

My neighbours all think I’m doing ‘awfully well’ because I’ve upgraded cars from a 92 D to a 09 D in the middle of a recession!

When I’m on the motorway, assuming my rightful place in the fast lane, other cars (and their owners) are looking at me! “What’s that little smart car doing in the fast lane”, thinks the fat Audi. The BMW thrusts and pulls at its owner to be allowed to ride up my ass and overtake me. Ubiquitous brands merely glance out of their wing mirrors as I flash by at speed.

It’s a nippy little thing the iQ.

The thing is – I would have looked askance at a half-a-car if it flew by me. When I’m driving my MX, I look like I belong in the fast lane. But I forgot that I wasn’t driving the lean machine last weekend, when we took the iQ on a trip up North. I had to be really careful about speed. My old car lets me go up to 140km and then starts to get a bit rattly and loud – so much so it drowns out the stereo. So I kind of keep it in check.

The new baby, Toyota iQ, allows me to creep upwards and upwards. It remains calm, unrattled, and keeps churning out the tunes. I did a double take a few times when I looked at the speedometer and it was on 160km! This is what I believe is comfortable cruising speed (on a fairly deserted motorway in daylight). My Toyota iQ is more than able to handle it. So if you’re considering buying one of these babies for yourself, the nice men in Toyota won’t be able to tell you this, but this speed is more than comfortable and I’m sure you could push it a little higher if you dared: