DS 9 - long term review

Bit of a double-edged sword for the DS recently. First, the bad. I put in a silly offer on a gas barbecue on a well-known online auction site (you know the one). I often put in silly offers, and sometimes I win an absolute steal. Which I did on this occasion. Now here’s the bad... I went to collect my bargain bbq in the DS 9. This, it turns out, was not the best choice.

The box – which was on the large side of absolutely massive – was never in a million years going to fit through the boot aperture. No way. The only other option was to try to get it into the front seat or the back seat. Turns out that though the front seat is perfectly adequate for a full-grown human being, it is utterly inappropriate for a three-burner barbecue. Third time lucky, and frankly last chance saloon before I had to unpack the box and put the elements in individually, I tried the back seats. Praise be! With just a small amount of shoving and pushing with my whole might the huge box slipped onto the rear seat. Getting it out again, I might add, was not the easiest of tasks... 

This experience leads me to an unpleasant conclusion – the DS 9 is not a practical car. Many of you will already have concluded this, but I refuse to put a label on something until it’s been proved conclusively. 

I suspect the DS will not be used for any trips to the tip at all. Most annoying, especially as I have junk I need to be rid of.

In good news, the DS went on its first long journey and proved unequivocally it is a superb distance cruiser. A mixture of motorways, fast country roads and village lanes were all despatched with the 9’s customary ease and gentle flair. Plus, the rear-seat passengers (people, this time, not outdoor cooking appliances) were delighted with the ride quality and comfort. A resounding success.