Like, I suspect a number of my readers, when buying a new car, one eye is very much focused on my fishing needs more than anything else. It is a much more complex process than appears at first. A fisher often travels long distances at unearthly hours so needs something comfortable and relaxing. A fisher needs to be able to get all the gear needed in the boot. Reliability is important, nobody wants to be stuck at the roadside awaiting rescue at 4am on a freezing winters morning in some godforsaken place. A decent level of ruggedness and all-terrain ability is vital when travelling in wild, hostile places like the Yukon, or Leeds! Fuel economy may also be a thing to consider.
Then there are the more left-field considerations. I insist on a boot that is the right height for me to sit on whilst contorting myself into my waders. As well as heated and ventilated seats to give TLC to my nether regions, a heated steering wheel is a godsend on a cold morning. An app with a remote pre-start and heat function is a luxury I’ve learned to rely on too. Oh, and don’t forget a decent sound system to while away the long driving hours by head banging to Rammstein! Finally, I do like a car upholstered in peeled cows! As things currently stand, I have no interest in getting an EV. The thought of desperately trying to find a public charger at midnight on the A303 is the stuff of nightmares.
I think I’ve chosen my last few cars quite well, albeit with some issues. So here is a brief rundown. Firstly my beloved Land Rover Discovery Series 4. Lots of good points to that car. A big lusty V6 diesel engine, enough offroad ability to get most of the way up the North face of the Eiger, lovely smooth air suspension, and more space than you’d find in an average shipping container. On the downside, bit of a large beast to park and, like most JLR products, would occasionally go on strike!
I decided to stick with JLR for my next car and I wanted to downsize so, feeling a bit more urban Middle class at the time, I opted for a Range Rover Evoque. Mine was a cancelled order and came with every conceivable extra loaded on it. Very swanky looking but, on balance, not a good choice. The ride quality was poor, the boot was inadequate, and the air con unit packed up after a couple of months leaving me without heating in the middle of winter for 6 weeks whilst waiting for JLR to send the part. Finally, the only people who liked the car were urban yummy mummies. I’ve yet to locate my feminine side so it had to go.
Time for a change next and, after much deliberation, I went for a Volvo V90 Cross-Country. Now this was a good car. Very spacious, supremely comfortable, surprisingly good offroad, and bulletproof reliability. The only problem with it was that it was crushingly boring. Imagine having dinner with a retired accountant whose hobby is collecting buttons, you get my drift.
Finally, my current car. Staying with Volvo, I decided on the XC40. I was underwhelmed at first but, rather like having a seemingly dull friend but who, as you learn more about them, you discover used to be a casting director for porn films, you gradually warm to the relationship. This car is just as comfy as the V90 but is faster, handles better, is just as good offroad and, I think, looks quite cool. Could do with being a bit more spacious though.
So what next? Well, I’ll soon be moving to the Scottish Highlands were I suspect I’ll need something a bit more rugged to reach some of the more remote places and cope with winter conditions. Maybe a military Half-Track with optional gun fixings for occasional trips to Glasgow! Actually, I’ve always harboured a boyhood yearning for a Pick-Up so there’s a thought. Now, if your fishing simply involves travelling to your local stillwater and using a tarmac car park, you’ll need none of these considerations. Save yourself a load of cash and get a nice little hatchback from VW, Toyota, Hyundai or, if preserving your dignity isn’t a priority, Renault!
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