The fact is... I'm in love with my car. I'm so in love that I even skip a few problems and glitches it has.
I will be posting my experience to share with other car-lovers, no matter if you've chosen otherwise.
Mine is a 1997, 1.2 lt., dark green, all original Renault Twingo. It's now run 225 thousand something kilometers, about 140 thousand with me be behind the wheel since September 12, 2003.
Most of the distance was put by living outside the city of Santiago, Chile, where I live and work. I passed 2 years and a few months living in a small town called Isla de Maipo, some 50 kilometers away from Santiago downtown. All in all, 130 kilometers in average per day, not bad for a car this size, power and age, with only 2 days of downtime because of failures (one was the alternator, the other, the first section of the exhaust pipe).
Generally speaking, my car has been a tough one to beat, and by far the best car I've ever had. And I'm speaking of and among the following, in order of my appeareance: Fiat 600, Renault 5, Renault 12 Break, Volkswagen Santana, Daewoo Lanos (year 2000), Renault Clio Privilege (year 2004). I must say, though, that the most powerful car I have ever driven was the Clio (110 HP). Delightful!
When I refer to the Twingo as the best car, I mean total satisfaction: from engine power ratio, comfort, top speed, size and driveability. But visibility, body toughness, interior softness, a roomy inside space, and excelent front lighting should not go unmentioned.
Now, looking from the objective point of view, the car is not in perfect condition. But it is working and continues to carry me to and fro from my current residence in Maipú, a location only 20 km from downtown. I'll be sending more approximate locations using Google Earth markers in the near furture.
The current problems are: a nearly broken exhaust o-ring causing the engine to make a louder noise, a front wheel bearing which is humming louder, a spoiled spark plug theard which for 30 thoushand kilometers has been fixed with epoxic cement (Acero Líquido (r)), a few panel bulbs are burnt and the rear wiper is out of order, but I don't know why as yet. All are problems that do not impair normal operation (that's the part I really love!).
Despite these glitches, my Twingo is a faithful car. I would say it's like "the Sheriff's horse". It is always available and will take me far and bring me back safely.
This is by way of introduction and enough for now. I'll be letting you know of news of all kinds regarding my partner in furture posts.
Good bye!
