Mondeo’s don’t have a good image in my mind. I can only think of hire cars, salesmen and middle-aged, overweight, smoking, businessmen who look generally disappointed with life. And also an old boyfriend who I would have done anything for until he revealed his lack of driving abilities – in a Mondeo. I never saw him in the same way again!

While I’m quite a bossy mare and know what I want, I do sometimes like my men to take control, especially at the wheel. Knowing where they’re going, driving with purpose and certainty (not that women aren’t just as capable!). Either way I don’t expect to have to give a mini driving lesson to help them get their confidence back. All was lost that day, never to be regained. Funny how a small incident can alter your perception of people and things, with respect being very easy to loose but very hard to regain…

However, while it’s never been the same with said boyfriend and cars (now husband and cars), today’s image of the Mondeo has won me over after all these years.

Perhaps it’s the great drive, the space and the great look of this car that’s done it? The fact that it has an all-new optimised engine giving great mileage and low emissions is icing on the cake.

In my eyes the 2009 Mondeo ECOnetic has a near-ideal blend of looks, performance and driveability. We had the delights of an estate to sample and while sleek and gorgeous on the outside, the interior revealed a boot I could happily move into, and comfort levels far exceeding my sitting room. It was quiet too, unlike my sitting room.

It felt elegant, looked gorgeous and I could happily have driven away in it. To me this is a great family car, being able to accommodate adults, kids and oodles of baggage. A great one for turning up at the school gates (were I that sort of parent who sent their kids to a school where it mattered).

It wouldn’t be out of place in any setting, town or country. And as for husband being allowed to use it for his work car – well, from thinking it would be far too good for him, I’ve realised that’s the whole point: if you’re driving day in, day out and need to carry loads of kit, there can’t be many better places to be.

I had a very draining experience down on Brighton’s seafront at a Mini gathering.

Why I allowed my family to be battered all day by wind and rain I’m not sure, but it was sold to me as a great day out. And I suppose it was, helped tremendously by bacon butties, copious amounts of coffee and biscuits, burgers and chips, all topped off with a stick of rock. Felt disgusting by the end of this feast and then had to contend with very active kids on the way home.There’s always a price. However, my daughter did me proud as I used her as a prop once more to bolster my confidence. It’s normally with the in-laws, but it just shows how versatile they can be. I had to hand out leaflets, one for a mini product and the other for my own project of which I am so obsessed I fear that soon all my family and friends will leave me. My daughter is cute (what six year old isn’t?) and so greatly helped the cause…

There were many sights to behold once the rain had stopped – and not just the cars! I do love Minis and think back with great affection to a hand-painted yellow one, jointly owned with distant boyfriend. He got custody when we inevitably went our separate ways.

Then there was the lovely metallic blue one owned with husband, pre-marriage, pre-children, when all we had to worry about was our lovely black cat Polly, sadly deceased, who refused to travel in her basket and would sit draped around my shoulders whenever we travelled. She was spoilt and vicious.

I learnt a lot from her and vowed never to spoil my kids – however they’re vicious too, so something’s gone wrong. I still want a Mini and husband constantly promises, but it’s all wearing rather thin these days along with my looks. I know the Mini has benefitted from many facelifts, redesigns, upgrades, improved technology and indeed a complete transplant a few years ago, but the essential looks and character remain: It just seems to get better with ag

When I’m 50 (not too many years to go sadly) I’ll need so much plastic surgery to look good that I’d be unrecognisable, whereas the Mini still looks like a Mini. I’ve always consoled myself that with age would come more money with which I could make the most of myself with fabulous clothes and weekly facials. I hadn’t factored in the sheer cost of raising three kid

While I do manage to give my legs a shave now and then, I still shop at Gap and M&S and find designer stores intimidating. Unlike me, the Mini is celebrating its five decades looking better than ever. For me, elegance with age is a distant dream, rather like my hopes of a Mini. I shall have to content myself with being extremely wise instead…