I think I'm about to have the first argument with the wife (in nearly ten years.).

We've booked a cottage for a nice sunny Christmas holiday and it's quite a drive:

https://maps.google....&mra=ls&t=m&z=6

She is insistent that we need to take her car.

I disagree.

It's a perfectly good car, 2.0 so it's not too slow, but it's an auto and is just, well, to drive it's just a car.

Her reasons:

More comfy - I'll give her that

Better on potentially dodgy roads - there could be some gravel roads, so yeah maybe, but I like a challenge.

More boot space - dammit she's right

The Mazda runs on 91 Unleaded, we'd have to find 98 for mine, which is probably a challenge way up North. Might have to resort to 95, gulp.

And as she's still learning, she won't drive my car, but she hasn't driven hers for at least eight months, and our two year-old would be in the back, which is normally a reason for her not to drive.

So logically, she wins

But my car puts a smile on my face every time I get in, it's fun to drive, especially on NZ's mountain roads. Now I've got the KWs it's no longer harsh on the bumps, and the R32 wheel is so lovely to hold.

Part of the reason I'm looking forward to our hols is the chance to drive my car for 3000km or so.

Might have to hide one of the Mazda's plug leads a day or two before we go.

Oh yeah and I pointed out that mine has a better stereo and a 30GB iPod is better than a 6 CD changer.

Her response is that my iPod is full of "crap". Humph.

What about saying you'll raise your suspension abit so its more comfortable, and that a auto uses more juice.

Failing that disconnect a coil pack or two just before you need to set off

Sent from my Galaxy S2 not a Crapple!

At the risk of being unpopular but id be taking the mazda !!! Rough roads, traffic, comfy, not putting 3000km on my car, sounds good enough to me !!!!

At least 95% of the roads will be really good and fun to drive And the car has 113,000km on it - another 3k won't hurt. Saying that the Mazda has 256k and counting...

At the moment the Mazda gets used for short trips - or anywhere where the doors will be likely to get bashed in a car park

The Skoda is for long trips and twisty roads And picking up stone chips.

Otherwise I might as well sell the Skoda and resign myself to driving a tedious but reliable Japanese car.

looks like the octy will be going then haha

Oh yeah and I pointed out that mine has a better stereo and a 30GB iPod is better than a 6 CD changer.

Her response is that my iPod is full of "crap". Humph.

Decent stereo out-weighs all other arguments

Been looking at some of the route with streetview: take the Octavia

Put the Mrs + junior on a flight to Auckland, so you get 70% of the journey to enjoy

Humans weight allot, so the fuel saving will pay for the plane tickets ( honest )

Take both, that way you don't have to talk to the wife either!

Take both, that way you don't have to talk to the wife either!

The challenge there is she's a learner driver

I though I'd "won" this one when she grudgingly said we would take the Skoda.

But she's obviously been thinking and not it's too loud and too uncomfortable again and the roads will be really dodgy up there etc

Might compromise by winding the coilovers up a bit.

gel seat cushion

First arguement in ten years !!!!!

More like ten minutes here lol

"Being an estate dear there is more room in the Octavia for all the necssary bumpf that goes with a whole family going on holiday.

We'll also need that space to fit in the massive present I've had to buy you to allow us to take the Skoda"

Just tell your wife that you have had confirmation of your booking but unfortunately all the parking spaces in Paihia for cars starting with "M" have gone. They can do a good deals on "S" though.

Just do as she says, i'tll be easier that way and if anything goes wrong it will be your fault---------

As usual.