Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Baby, You Can Drive My Car...


I've grown accustomed to my body over the years which is not to say that given an awful lot of money and more time I wouldn't try to change a few things: like, say, a couple of centimetres off the boobs, a few more off the tummy and definitely a bottom lift and just don't get me started on my face. But I've never considered my legs in all this until I bought my new-to-me car which is so not the one in the photo..
Mine's a Golf and there truly aren't enough superlatives in the language to tell you how I feel about this car; next Valentine's Day I'll be sending it a card is what I'm saying.
Apart from being a fabulous ride bonus features include the fact that it looks like every other car on the road. This is useful partly because thieves won't want to steal it as long as I don't do anything stupid like leaving it unlocked with the keys in.
And partly because my last car was fluorescent green. It was so bright I was unmistakable so everyone everywhere knew where I'd been and who'd been there with me and then they'd tell me about it as in: "You were at the supermarket yesterday" Right..
My only teeny weeny complaint, and I'm probably being picky, is that to push my foot down on the clutch I have to have the seat so far forward and so upright that the steering wheel is wedged under my ribcage and my nose is thrust up against the windscreen so that changing the radio station or just opening the window in this position would be tricky even for Houdini.
I've been doing a tiny bit of research and I realise that the fault is that my legs are too short..I'm average height but my legs are simply too short...and I never knew.

18 comments:

tut-tut said...

I feel your pain, Angela! I too have short legs. I drive a Honda CRV, though.

You'd certainly be noticed if you drove around in the car you've posted, though, wouldn't you?

Open Grove Claudia said...

And sadly, there's no plastic surgery to extend your legs... sorry! ;)

I had a Golf (red) that I loved. I drove it 245,000 miles and finally gave it up. Congratulations on your new love affair - may it take you 245,000 miles!

Anonymous said...

I shouldn't worry about your legs being too short. If you've only just noticed then they can't be that bad!!!

Gigi said...

Tell me about it, Angela...I have to have the seat as far forward as it will go and I still have to press the clutch with a pointed toe...and since having put on all this weight, the steering wheel is wedged between two of my (and not the car's) spare tyres.

If you go to China, you can have surgery to make your legs longer. I saw a documentary about it once and I nearly fainted.

Pardon My French said...

Congratulations on the new-to-you car! I too like the idea that it's fabulous without being flashy. Happy driving!

Shaz said...

Platforms!!!!!!!! lol.
I will explain.... when I drive Bens car as he is 6 ft it annoys him when I move the seat (he gets stuck getting in) sooo I have a pair of platforms that I drive in and it works a treat I have long legs but his are longer.

I bet your legs are great ;)

Pam said...

Like you, I remember the shock of realizing my legs are short the first time I wedged myself into a steering wheel to reach the clutch(although I am tall for my height, haha) Platforms may actually work!

Happy Trails!

Anonymous said...

Oooh a new car! Isn't it lovely to get a new car and it's like learning to drive all over again but without the test! Enjoy your new love affair!!

J x

savvycityfarmer said...

Five foot four and not flauntin it

Z said...

Congrats on your car that you love so much! I'm pretty short, but I've only driven Japanese cars and have not had a problem except for the one time I rented a huge American vehicle.

Unknown said...

My mom who is 5'4" always said her legs were plenty long; they reached the ground after all.
I like the high shoes idea. In winter when I have to wear bulky clothes sometimes I have to push the seat back a notch. Same idea.
My first car was a little red Mazda GLC I bought used. I would have sent that car Valentines for sure.

deedee said...

I like VW Golfs. And I heard that in China you can have your legs lengthened, but it is a long and painful procedure. I bet yours are just fine :)

Unknown said...

Platforms should work? I've had 3 VW Golfs and looooved them all. They are so nippy and easy to manoeuvre ;) Happy motoring! And Happy Easter

JP (mom) said...

Oh dear Angela! Your self-depracating ways continue to make me smile. Please take a pic of that upcoming Valentine's Day card next year & blog about it! xo, JP

Anonymous said...

Sorry, but I need to get carried away here. Jaguar XK120 (1954ish) followed by a Healey 3000. Is this an everday sight in town, or was this part of a rally?

Jilly said...

Oh dear, I hope my new Golf won't have the same problem. I'm little - probably smaller than you. Actually I seem to remember that cos it's a Golf Plus it's particularly good for short people. If not, we can meet (as we plan to anyway) and commiserate. So pleased you love it tho.

Jilly x

Anonymous said...

A beautiful car, Angela. I like it.

Thanks for visiting my blog and commenting about life and death.

savvycityfarmer said...

Only 5'4 and not flauntin it
I hear ya babe