In defence of the Duet

I’m not one to write reviews (unless they are about cooking appliances, Wuxia movies or animations ) but I was driven to write one about the Duet after a conversation I had jana on twirra.

So there I was on twirra…tweeting randomness as usual while I watched my usual night time cartoons when this tweet from one @ArcherMishale  caught my eye. ‘Tonight #Vitz owners have tethered their cars to the gate/telephone & elec poles/the neighbour’s Prado.”

Now I know guys have hated on Vitzses since time immemorial (this time being when Vitzses first showed up on Kenyan roads)…so I asked,  “@ArcherMishale What about owners of duets, runx, march etc? #vitzisacar“. Yeah needless to say I died of laughter from the insults that followed:

• “@Vaalentia Just let it drift away. With the insurance money, you can buy a real car! ”

• http://mwanamishale.wordpress.com/2007/11/15/driving-in-nairobi/

He was quickly followed by one @KevDaNative who tweeted, “@Vaalentia @ArcherMishale @a_kabari Are y’all defending duets? Don’t you need a tracker to find where you packed it?”

But yeah…I felt the need to defend my Duet driving self with the help of one of my beloveds @a_kabari.

This is Ellie.

Cute isn’t she?

I have to admit it wasn’t love at first sight (when I saw the car on the website) but yeah the minute she arrived home..I was in love! Have to admit my bff and I went through a phase when we wondered if I could fit my long legs (I’m about 5’8..which is not that tall…but not short either (for a girl I mean)..and yeah most of that is legs)..but considering the fact that dad drove it all the way from Mombasa (he’s taller than I am and didn’t complain), I knew I was good.

Now this is going to be a layman’s review of the Duet…and when I say layman, I mean a girl who only knows the basics about a car (not a car fanatic). I do admit I love Top Gear (meaning I love watching it when I catch it on tv..not the type who goes looking for sijui what obscure season of it). Now that we have cleared that up…lemme discuss the reasons why I love Miss Ellie (aka the Toyota Duet).

1. She is cute! I know there are some versions that are not pleasing to the eye (and please don’t ask me to start naming the year). I have to admit I have seen some unsightly Duets that have made me go “why?”…especially those in white. Then again I dislike any car that’s white so yeah..but I digress…Ellie is one cute car…and this has been confirmed by the friends who’ve seen me driving the car..whether it is their cup of tea or not.
2. Fuel consumption..enough said. I live for big SUVs…I’ve even been known to slow down just so I can stare at a Range Rover Sport (in black) that has just passed…but yeah until my bank balance is able to cough up the amount of money needed to maintain my future baby comfortably..I’m ok driving a car that doesn’t make me weep whenever I head to the petrol station…plus whenever I see someone at the petrol station driving a nice car (ok in this range I lump together the Ranges, Mercedes, BMWs, Prados and Audis etc) but topping up less than 500 bob..I wonder where exactly they are going…but I digress again..I can weka  300 bob and not get side eyed by the petrol attendant..
3. Parking spaces. This has got to be one of the benefits of driving a tiny car…I normally get random parking spaces in corners just because the car can fit in there and not block the way.. #win
4. 3 point turns are so much easier with a tiny car. I’m not claiming to be the world’s greatest driver..but I’m not bad either…but I have driven on occasion a Honda Odyssey. Now turning that car (which is the size of a mini van) is work and a half…but with little Miss Ellie…I can turn and be secure that I’m not going to cough up money to fix some car that I just scratched trying to get out of a tight parking space.
5. A car is a car….seriously..as one who has complained about matatus (taxis or whatever you want to call them) a car is a blessing. Seriously! Especially if you live in the back of the beyond and have to take at least 2 matatus..plus a lengthy walk only to connect to another mat…meh. A car is awesome! #thatisall
6. I know there are some drivers (side eyeing all those who have these tabias) of not giving way or trying to bully me off the road just because I’m driving a little car. Yeah that hasn’t worked…all it has done is give me matatu type behaviour on the road. Seriously I really get worked up when some idiot of a driver in a huge car (or a mat driver) tries to cut me off and they think I will give way. Think again..especially when I know you are on the wrong..I will will you to hit me (ok except a mat because yeah)..but a car? Jaribu…seriously I’d love for you to explain just what you were doing..
7. Plus there is nothing wrong with driving a tiny car and longing/ dreaming or scheming for a bigger/ better one. I mean seriously..half of us (even those who drive “acceptable” cars) still have their dream car that they would drive given half the chance (or a bigger bank balance).

Have to say I side eye guys who drive tiny cars..I don’t know why I’m sexist when it comes to cars but yeah a guy driving a pink Vitz or Duet will get a serious side eye from me. But at the end of the day, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Plus I have to disagree with all the points Archer makes about a lady’s bedroom habits if she drives a Duet (that is all I have to say on that issue).

ValFM:

• Since I fell for you- Nina Simone
• Do what I gotta do- John Legend

 

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