As many of you will know from reading my various posts throughout last year I was seriously thinking about upgrading my 2011 Nissan Xtrail for a new, possibly electric car.

Well, that decision was taken out of my hands late last November when I got "T boned" in my car and it was subsequently written off. It didn't look very roadworthy after the firies cut off both drivers side doors. plus the centre column to get me out. Luckily I was uninjured but I had to spend the day at the hospital having various tests.

Living rural is a nightmare if you don't have transport so a replacement car was high on my list of priorities. I had to turn words into action so I pulled up my big girls pants, took a gulp and launched myself at the Car Yards.

Having decided that as I have solar at my house with some spare capacity I could go electric and "drive sunshine"! I opted for an MG4 extended range.

It was ready for delivery the last Friday of the year and I excitedly took myself off to take possession of my new toy.

Now ladies, remember the feeling when you arrived home from hospital with your first newborn? How suddenly you were responsible for a new life and felt totally inadequate for the task? Well, that's about how I felt after driving the beast home.

I'm not a dunce, I've been driving for over 50 years, damn, I even used to race cars but these new fangled things are a thing to behold!

They tell you that with cars these days all you have to do is steer, that's not strictly true. Suddenly there are decisions to be made and I'm terrible, give me a choice of two things and I'm totally flummoxed! Simple things like seat position (six way adjustment), steering wheel (infinitely variable) mirrors etc. all with options. All that and you haven't even turned the engine on yet. Then there's things like do you want one, two or three car lengths between you and the car in front, do you want the power steering light, normal or heavy. How do you want to drive? Eco, normal, sport or something else who's name escapes me for the minute! Do I want the braking to be regenerative and if so how much? There are a million questions like those to be answered for you to get the best from the vehicle.

I haven't even tackled the infotainment system yet, I'm leaving that for another day when my brain doesn't hurt so much, or when my tech savvy son visits!

I've tried reading the manual, who writes those things? I do not have a degree in car speak so most of it went right over my head and I'm none the wiser.

I've decided that I've just got to get on with it, hope that my decisions are mostly the right ones and that I've got it set up in a good way. Maybe some of the intricacies will become clearer with use, I don't know.

It sits there in the garage like some sort of untrained monster, mocking me, telling me that for all my years of driving I know very little about modern cars which after all are mainly a computer and a battery.

Anyway, be that as it may, I'm off out for a spin around the block, just because I can and I'll sail past the filling station with a smug, self satisfied smile, after all, I'm driving Sunshine, now, can we please have some!!

 

[Veggiepatch]

I was coming home from Dandenong Station when my car said "LOW BATTERY" in a woman's voice.

I didn't know Public Transport Victoria buses had a voice activated troubleshooter....

I don't own a car so public transport has become my car "by proxy".

 

[PattiB]

Hi, thanks for being brave. I too, had my car written off and had to make a quick decision on a new car. I love electric motors, but yet to be convince electric cars are the solution (for whole heap of reasons). But the main thing is enjoy your new ride.

We were also set on an electric car but have began to have doubts which is why I’m very interested in Ricci’s experiences with hers. We heard a lot about them catching fire etc which really scared me. I much prefer newer cars even with gadgets as I feel they are much safer, though our 8 yr. Subaru does have quite a few safety features but we will change it soon as I would prefer a smaller car. The problem is what to get!

 

[Ricci]

We were also set on an electric car but have began to have doubts which is why I’m very interested in Ricci’s experiences with hers. We heard a lot about them catching fire etc which really scared me. I much prefer newer cars even with gadgets as I feel they are much safer, though our 8 yr. Subaru does have quite a few safety features but we will change it soon as I would prefer a smaller car. The problem is what to get!

Having driven my car now for just over a month I can honestly say I'm in love. My car, the MG4 was Wheels car of the year so the experts must rate it pretty highly. I got the extended range model which gives me 450kms of travel which is plenty for most of my excursions. I've only had to charge it once so far, I had a charger installed in my garage to make life easier, just pick a day when you are planning on staying home and plug it in, easy.

One of the things I liked about the MG is that when you come to buy one there are no "add ons". All cars across the range come fully optioned, your only choice is colour.