21,143 Kms - Accent on Port Colborne

Roadtrip!

Or maybe not.

I was heading for the border yesterday, directions in hand for Rochester, N.Y., all set to rendezvous with Canadian band Great Big Sea for an interview on board their tour bus, when their manager called to say the boys were stranded in Newfoundland due to weather. Their 8 p.m. concert was in doubt; our interview was definitely off, so I pulled a U-turn (easily done in the Accent) and headed back home to contemplate Plan B.

Vancouver Daughter’s emailed suggestion of “Drive here!” was not without its merits, a cross-Canada solo drive is something I’ve been contemplating. But, I’d always pictured flying back to Ontario once I’d made it to the coast and I’m not sure whoever’s next in line to drive the Accent would appreciate hearing that , sure, they could pick up the car – in beautiful British Columbia.

So, for now I guess I’ll keep it local, which despite all the road trips already taken in this vehicle, is really how I picture this car being used anyway. 

To that end I enlisted Eldest Son – at 22 years of age, I figure he fits the car’s intended demographic. (That said, I did spy a light blue four-door Accent parked at the mall today and judging by the baby seat in back and the lovely, flowered steering wheel cover that perfectly matched the paint job, I assumed it belonged to a young mom.)

Taking the Accent for a spin down a couple of country roads to the big town of Wainfleet, Eldest Son opined that: the gearshift was easy to manoeuvre but required faster shifting than Dad’s Jeep TJ, the reverse ring was weird, the interior, both front and back, was quite roomy, the quick release step-on lever for moving the passenger seat forward was a good thing, and the Tango Red colour was “too girly.” 

Though I suspect that if gifted the keys, he wouldn’t have a problem with the paint job.

20,976 km - Accent on Niagara

I took the bus from Niagara to the hallowed halls at One Yonge today.

It’s been a long time since I’ve travelled down the highway in a coach bus, which is probably why , while I was en route Husband took great delight in texting me the lyrics to The Guess Who’s Bus Rider.

Hopped off the bus and hoofed it over to the Star (“Places to go, important people to meet”) where the Wheels bosses handed over the keys to the Accent and I turned right ‘round again and headed back to Niagara.

Made it back home in time to drive Youngest Son to hockey practice. While the Accent’s hatchback does have a fair bit of room, for easier access we flipped down half the back seat –- always a nice feature.

For the record though, the kid’s hockey sticks did not fit sideways in this car. And there’s always the small issue of odour when stowing hockey equipment in a hatchback -- the stink tends to permeate the entire car, which is why I prefer to use the pickup truck for hauling hockey players.

Youngest Son was immediately annoyed by the way-too-cheery seatbelt chime, and I agree, the thing goes on about three ding-dongs too long. Hey, it’s those little things that’ll drive ya nuts. And speaking of which... I have never ever bought a steering wheel cover before but that cold, hard, moulded plastic is just begging for one.

Okay, so, when I first stepped on the gas and shifted through the gears, I figured the little growl the car let out made it sound kind of sporty. “Sporty,” as in the “20-year-old driver zipping around town” definition of the word, which fits because this is a cute, little $10,000 car that I picture being driven by someone young and single.

But obviously I am neither, and granted I am a bit spoiled by my regular ride, but I’m not sure I can tolerate the loud, steady drone that envelopes the Accent once you hit the higher highway speeds.

Good gas mileage is one thing, but there’s also something to be said for a quiet ride.