Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.

And what a chariot. The car is the smaller model, the 2.2. It lacks the luxuries of its big brother - electric windows and locks - but neither is on the feature wishlist of a holiday car.

It pulls away well, and the drive has been comfortable and easy. Inside the car there is a lot of space, and driving an automatic isn't so bad after all. I'll admit its nothing special, and the handling isn't that great - but I've not had to really negotiate any corners so its not been a problem.

But its sleek, and black, and has no front license plate. The all-girl strip-joint carwash at the begining of this road trip just made it look like a car commercial.