[The Gonz]

Many are scrambling to acquire EVs during the current fuel crisis. My reason for investigating EVs was not this at all. We included solar and battery in our new home build, with a 3-phase outlet in the garage specifically dedicated to a future EV charger.

However, last week I was flown to Sydney for a task and hired a PoleStar 2 for nine days. Despite preferring a 5-speed manual to an auto, the effortless PoleStar experience appealed, even in Sydney driving. Since then we've been booking test drives of Polestar 2, Tesla 3 and BYD Seal and Sealion 7.

In comparison, despite the sporty Mustang feel of the PoleStar, it felt outdated and cramped. The Tesla was way too weird, with too much relegated to touches of the driver-offset tablet.  The Seal and Sealion 7 were a pleasant surprise. The tech is abundant, with all the features and trim at the base price, including full voice control of just about everything and driver guages including HUD.

We had dismissed the Sealion 7 as 'probably another $20K' but comes in at the same price as the Seal, and the superior ride height and roominess is astounding. We had never contemplated ever having anything larger than a sedan but I see why SUVs have become so popular.

All this storytelling is to signal that the famous Frugal Firty, my beloved 2009 Hyper-Silver SLX 5-speed turbo-Diesel with full body kit, is a likely contender in the For Sale section soon. 

[The Gonz]

It's official.
Firty is for sale.
I dropped $1K on this ten minutes ago:

good choice , ive driven all the ev,s you mentioned and then alot more for work everything from the cheapest chinese right up to maybach eqs680 and the byd drove really well and look great along with the hyundai ioniq , i hated teslas they just seemed rubbish to me but thats just my opinion .

[Surferdude]

Make sure you keep us updated as you explore this new machine.
I for one will value your insights.

[The Gonz]

Another milestone and Firty is as close to new condition as she has ever been. This morning I replaced the rubber steering coupler and eliminated the dreaded clunk.



 For Sale: a bag of nine new steering couplers 



 It's now time to get serious about letting her go and giving her a new life with some lucky bugger.  :'(



'As new' 2009 HyperSilver Hyundai i30 SLX CRDi 5-speed manual
- Brand new steering coupler - no clunk!
- Factory SLX alloys
- Full factory (very rare) 4-piece body kit
- Flawless darkest legal tint
- Factory cruise control
- Factory climate control
- Genuine Hyundai dash mat
- New next-gen one-piece wipers
- Front and reversing cameras
- Main beam, cabin and boot all LED
- LED DRL switchback indicators in place of original amber incandescents
- USB ports, phone charger
- Custom instrumentation-matching blue digital volt meter in dash hatch lid
- Immaculate interior:
          fabric seats preserved as new under seat covers
          carpet preserved under genuine mats
- Book economy 4.7Lper100km, driver experience 4.1
- 225000 km (barely run in for the bulletproof Diesel)
- perfectly maintained in regular servicings (son is mechanic)

Valuation for a far less exciting example:
http://www.redbook.com.au/cars/details/2009-hyundai-i30-slx-manual-my09/SPOT-ITM-236948?Cr=1

Best offer before considering dealer trade-in option.
Be quick or miss out on the iconic Firty!

[The Gonz]

Make sure you keep us updated as you explore this new machine.
I for one will value your insights.

I've had the new shark grey Premium Sealion 7 for a week and driven it twice on day of delivery. I'm getting to know the tech, which is quite a leap from 2009. It drives very well, nothing is an effort, the ride height is refreshing and the voice driven creature comforts are a delight. The Fronius WattPilot Flex will be installed Monday morning to give smart scheduled charging from the solar and batteries. Firty is still proving handy for the relatively rougher trips such as supporting our son's new dirt kart racing hobby but she's on the market.