My car
As a petrolhead I never believed I would touch such a car, but, as I needed a car as cheaply and quickly as possible, in between my old car dying, and waiting for a better one, it seemed like a fair option at the time. I needed a small, reliable, well maintained run-around for under a grand. Well the Justy is small; tiny in fact: a boot with the load capacity of a loaf tin and the cabin space to match. The interior upholstery is blinding, not dissimilar to that of a 1980's holiday coach, and plastic quality is like the mould that holds Thornton's chocolates in the box. The dashboard looks and feels dated, and the original radio sounds like someone playing a walkman into a tannoy. Furthermore, after nearly a year driving it, I'm still not used to the indicator being mounted on the right.
However, the fact that this 'stop gap' car is still mine nearly a year on says something. The seats are sublimely comfortable and supportive, and though choppy, the ride is exactly as one would expect - firm but fair. The 4WD system transforms this car in the snow, it was so sure footed and didn't struggle to get out of the ice, where all the neighbours failed. That is where going for the Justy pays dividends over the rival Suzuki Swift. It's economical, nippy and endlessly reliable - completely faultless. Everything is a little primitive: no central locking, sliding heater controls, tinny feel etc. but it was £850. For that money, as a '51 plate' FSH, one owner car, it is very satisfying.
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