Do you remember I sold my campervan and was then wanting a bell tent but worrying about space.

[VivaLeBeaver]

I was asking for advice about trailers and roofboxes and would I fit everything in a 1ltr Yaris, etc. Then I jokingly said I could always get a new car..........

Well Sunday I was killing time while waiting for visiting hours to start at the hospital so I could go and see my dad. There's a Ford garage next door.

I came away having purchased a Fusion. Loads of boot space, its like a little estate.

So now all I have to do is to order a bell tent when the weather gets a bit warmer and away we go. Can't wait.

On Firebox.com they have a Camper van tent!

I've seen that tent before, it looked like more of a fun, party tent than for serious camping.

Yes true. Wouldn't fancy it in a downpour and £300!! Although it's on DS2s Christmas list . I like the look of the Ford Fusion though.

We have a fusion - it's great for lifting camping stuff in as there is no lip on the boot.
Don't forget the secret compartment when you lift up the passenger seat. Every square inch counts and our peg bag goes in there

Oh i didnt know about the secret compartment. Cant wait to find it. Getting car tomorrow.

At car with 'secret compartment'.

I'm going to be gutted tomorrow if my model doesn't have it. Would it be totally stupid to ring the garage now and insist they go and inspect the car for secret compartments.

Oh and also the rear of the passenger seat has a plastic rectangle. And the garage bloke said it was called a Picnic tray but he said it didn't fold down. But it looked like it should do, do you know if it does? I didn't want to force it in front of him but surely a picnic tray would fold out. Unless it's just to stop little feet scuffing the back of the seat.

The seat lays flat and it gives you a hard, flat surface to put your laptop on, write lists or serve up a toddlers lunch.

The front passenger compartment is found by lifting up the cushion that you bum goes on from where is joins the back bit of the seat. It hinges forward into the footwell. (hope that description makes sense)

When not camping I keep a hi vis vest and a small medical kit in it. Inc emergency choc bar or 2

Oh I get the plastic thing now, yes if no one is in the passenger seat it would be good to use as a little picnic table. And yes the hinging description makes sense. Thanks.

I keep googling for info about fusions and seem to get mainly American sites and its a totally different car over there.

I do remember your angst at having to let your camper go - you do realise that you'll still fill all avaliable space regardless of how much you've got

Roll on the Spring eh?

Which fusion have you gone for? We have the + model which came with a built in DVD player. It's a lifesaver on the 7hour drive down to the vendee.

Its a 1.4 Style Climate, no dvd player here.

that's an expensive hospital trip! Sounds a great car (am also at a car with secret compartment)
Did you get the bell tent in the end?

Not bought the bell tent yet. I haven't actually quite sold the campervan yet so didn't want to buy it till I have. Someone has put a deposit down, I'm getting a bit of work done at the garage that needed doing and then when that's done they're picking it up and paying the rest.

Plus I'm not going to be needing a tent till April at the earliest. But will get it as soon as I've got the rest of the money for the van.

Realise by this logic I probably shouldn't have bought the car yet either.....

don't worry, you need the car for the family, don't you, before Christmas, lots of visiting your dad in a trust worthy car in the snow that's coming, it will be great for little weekends away and fitting the football kit in ummmmmm....I'm sure I can come up with more excuses should you need them

Keep em coming. Dh is away for a week and will be a tad surprised to find a new car on the drive.

Well I picked it up today and asked the salesman how to access the secret compartment. He'd never heard of one and this is a ford dealer. We messed about trying to lift the seat and couldn't work out how to. He obviously thought I was bonkers. But since coming home I've Sussed it.

Thanks so much, I'd never have known about it otherwise.

you'll have to go back and shown him, otherwise you'll be permenantly know as "that crazy woman"

I hope its fab :)

Well I need to go back and demand the paperwork for the full service history he said was in the glovebox. And also to show him the rusty chip. I bet he says the rusty chip is tough luck as I missed it.

Ooh Viva, congratulations on your new car! Cars with secret compartments and picnic trays sound most marvelous.

Let us know when you've got your new tent. What a way to enter the world of bell tent camping! :)

Thanks sal. Will let you know when I get my tent.

Good news is is that the garage is going to sort out the little rusty stone chip and also find the paperwork for the full service history. To be honest I don't care if they fabricate the service history. I know it's got one as it's an ex motobility car but I need the paperwork for when I come to resell. Oh and the heated screen button doesn't work and they're going to fix that.