I gotta say, when I read some of your posts, I often wonder if:
a) You aren't all there
b) I haven't been around long enough to understand some of the references
c) I'm lacking in a level of intelligence required to decipher them
d) A combination/all of the above

 

d

 

Clearly not all there - I forgot it was The Long Good Friday and didn't realise the Wingle is now called the Steed over here.

MG is transliterated to MSG because apparently both are bad for you.

 

I was going to say a) before Nick demonstrated it

Anyway, no pikey wagon for me

Decision made

 

"The Great Wall Wingle (Chinese: 长城风骏; pinyin: Chángchéng Fēngjùn) is a compact pickup truck built and marketed by the Chinese automaker Great Wall Motors since 2006."

Ahhhh! So it's a vehicle, well I never.

24 hours later i think i'm halfway there

 

If you are just looking for a low budget knock-about for local trips, how about a Skoda Felicia pick up? There are some currently on ebay, with a fairly tidy looking 58k miles blue one being advertised for £1,250.

 

I have just bought a Transit Connect and it's brilliant!

Heated seats, DAB radio, cruise control, Bluetooth, parking sensors. Plus well weighted steering, good brakes, alloy wheels etc.

Can fit a motorbike in the back (two if you're careful), all the Mrs photography gear, two newfoundlands, tow 1200kg

3 seater too (albeit cramped 3rd seat but doable for 30mins in a pinch).

As a utility vehicle it's pretty good. Averages about 40mpg from its 115bhp 1.6 Turbo Diesel engine and will cruise at 85-90 all day. I have had an indicated 107 leptons from it but aero isn't exactly a strong point!

Go and have a drive!

 

I have hired Connects before and I completely agree with your assessment.

However, I have realised that a commercial vehicle would be a cwot for me.

I wouldn't rule out a classic pick up of some description in the future but that would get no proper use at all and is miles down my priority list.

Rather pleasingly the local authority has had to stop charging for rubble disposal (they had imposed a charge of £4 per bag) and associated DIY waste, so now is the time for me to have a clear out in conjunction with skip hire.

 

Don't tell me - they worked out that fly tipping costs them more to clear up.

Funnily enough, I'd come to precisely the same conclusion about pick-ups. But I don't really have space or time for classic Detroit iron. All that chrome to rust, though think of the outrage a custom model A stepside would cause...

The real ones of these are huge:

 

That's funny, ours has just started charging and have seen a fewe people emptying vans on bridle ways on my night time mountain biking trips

Hope they change their mind soon too!