Muddy Madam's Moment - I want a new car!

This need is nothing new, as I am driving around in twenty year old Škoda Fabia Diesel estate that has seen its good days come and go.

We have just spent a ridiculous amount to mend the passenger door window that decided to break in full down mode. Luckily it was during the heatwave so rain wasn't an issue, but not having a garage and our mechanic having a sudden illenss was, so we had to lock up the car in our back yard (which is no easy feat) as leaving a fully open car on the street is not a great idea where we live.

So not only did the passenger window break, but it already has a dodgy driver's window, that may or may not go back up if I make the mistake of wanting fresh air in the car (did I mention it doesn't have air-conditioning either!).

Oh and the door lock is broken and doesn't work with its key anymore, so if the battery in my actual key dies I can't get into my car - which it did whilst I was parked in ASDA. I can't get into my key to change the battery without a tiny srewdriver and a lot of swearing. I didn't have the screwdriver, but my mouth was in full expletive mode!

Then there is the leaking back door - which is actually a known fault with this age of Fabiawhich makes the back carpet soggy, which in turn makes the car a hot bed of dampness, which then causes my speakers to crackle and then ices up in winter!

Then there's the air blower that only works on No.2 setting, a squeak that comes from an air vent which is really annoying once it gets into my brain, leaky wheel rims and you can only open the boot as long as you open one of the back doors first. There's probably more little quirks that I long since got used to, but you get the gist.

The thing is my little Fabia has a brilliant 1.9 engine that just keeps on going, and going, so even with all its issues I am loath to get rid.

But the headline of this article is 'I want a new car', so what am I on about.

As one of the two people who make this mag I also get to drive the press cars, some more than others. If it's more an on-road SUV, then I'll be scooting off here and there in it, if it's a giant 'it'll never fit in the supermarket parking spot' kind of vehicle I leave it to Damian. Recently there have been more of my kind at Muddy Towers, and this is the crux of my problem - new cars are so good.

They all have new fangled things (well new to me), such as:

• adaptive cruise control

• limiters

• air-conditioning,

• headlights that allow me to actually see in the dark

• all the windows can be opened (and closed) by buttons

• steering wheels that don't wiggle when you drive over 60mph

• heaters that actually heat up in a minute or two (not the 10 minutes of my experience)

• USB & USB-C sockets,

• DAB radio & Apple Carplay

• navigation systems,

• hands-free phone set-up,

• lane assist (though I'm not keen)

And then there is the fancy colour-changing internal lighting that makes the little kid inside me make squeeee noises.

Basically I've been spoilt, and now, Like Oliver Twist, I want more, but current funds don't allow, so I will have to settle for getting to drive a 'nice' car every now and then, whilst praying that the battery in my key doesn't die again.