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Jo’s Diary: Unlucky for some
1 year ago
From a Suzuki Cappuccino to a Toyota Sera, Jo has most bases covered
Maintaining a fleet of vehicles comes with extra responsibility. I will ashamedly admit I have caught myself forgetting to tax or MOT a vehicle after a winter break more than once. I haven’t gone as far as my partner, who many years ago forgot he owned a car until he bumped into it parked on a side road while walking home in London, but still I appreciate that this particular predicament comes with a certain logistical challenge. However, I believe that, if you follow a few ground rules, it can be a truly rewarding experience.
Counterintuitive as it might sound, the first rule is discipline: every vehicle in your fleet should perform a specific function that cannot be performed by any other. The more the Venn diagram overlaps, the less efficient your fleet will be. Looking at my gaggle of 1990s Japanese cars, you might be inclined to think all my cars serve the same function, but wear my heavily tinted spectacles for a second and you’ll see that this could not be further from the truth.
For instance, my Mazda RX-7 is my posh ’90s hero performance car and European road trip tool, which is not to be confused with my Suzuki Cappuccino, my ’90s hero small classic road and occasional casual hillclimb car. One might argue that either car could take on other duties, and while you are not wrong, I wouldn’t be able to pack more than my toiletries bag in the boot of the Cappuccino. Nor am I willing to spend a lot on expensive motorsport parts for the RX-7, which due to the higher speeds (and braking forces), would wear much faster.
"You always need a real car. You are only allowed other silly cars if you have at least one sensible adult daily that can take you comfortably up and down the country without major breakdowns or complaints"
Now, I agree you could drive either to the pub – and, I do on occasion. But sometimes you just want to bumble around in something unsporty, uncomplicated and inexpensive. Cue my Toyota Sera, my non-posh, non-performance but interesting ’90s pub and rainy-day car. With its completely glass roof, the Sera has the same driving dynamics as a conservatory on wheels, because that’s what it is, and it would feel completely out of place on a track. But it is perfect for a bit of wafting on a lazy Sunday afternoon with your mates to a reasonably local local. Plus, unlike the RX-7 or the Cappuccino, it seats four real-size adults, making it the perfect car for a social experience.
The second major rule is you always need a real car. You are only allowed other silly cars if you have at least one sensible adult daily that can take you comfortably up and down the country without major breakdowns or complaints. In the past, I have tried to consolidate this function with that of my hero performance road car, running my now sold BMW E46 M3 as my workhorse. However, in the long run, this can prove ruinous to one’s finances, as the quickly rising mileage and wear and tear can bring the premature onset of Big Bills – so it’s not something I’d advise long-term. If I tried to do this with my RX-7, my savings would go down at roughly the same rate as the fuel gauge needle.
So I now have a Peugeot 508 estate PHEV company car. Dull, I know. But it has heated massage seats, which keep my back pain away during long motorway stints, and has so much boot space I am convinced I could fit the Cappuccino in it if I tried. The electric range is not massive, around 22 miles, but it’s enough to afford me one leg of my daily commute, which makes it slightly more palatable for my wallet every month.
“When I look at my fleet, what’s missing is painfully obvious because I have yet to acquire a non-posh, cheap to purchase and run, rear-drive ’90s car that can take a beating on track. Something a bit bigger than the Cappuccino, smaller than the RX-7 and more dynamically minded than the Sera. My choice? A Mazda MX-5”
Then there are the motorbikes. The rules reset when you halve the number of wheels, as the experience is so inherently different to that of a car. My Triumph Thruxton R is my posh, fast road and European road trip modern classic, which can also double as a commuter if I’m ever so inclined. My 1971 Honda CL175 scrambler is for pootling around the local B-roads and for the occasional gentle off-road excursion. Had I taken it on my trip around the Alps in September, I would still be trying to make my way up the Stelvio, likely pushing it.
But you’ll remember I mentioned earlier my failed excursion to acquire another vehicle. When I look at my fleet, what’s missing is painfully obvious because I have yet to acquire a non-posh, cheap to purchase and run, rear-drive ’90s car that can take a beating on track. Something a bit bigger than the Cappuccino, smaller than the RX-7 and more dynamically minded than the Sera. My choice? A Mazda MX-5, the quintessential track day starter car.
How long before an MX-5 joins Jo's fleet?
I went to see a first-generation (NA) car but it wasn’t the right one for me. Some might find them a bit agricultural these days, and MX-5s were certainly much improved through their second and third iterations. Later cars are appealing and now often at a better price point, as they haven’t quite achieved the same cult status as the pop-up headlight model. But I think I like the allure of a more pared-back driving experience, rather than something that is more point-and-shoot.
If I can pedal an underpowered 30-something-year-old car with no driver aids around a track and keep a respectable pace, then I’ll certainly be a better driver than I am now – and this is my goal for 2025. So, the search continues, and I will keep you updated when I find the right car. As to exactly which MX-5 it is and where I might find it, all ideas gratefully received…
