Belgium, Europe, 1979. A time when fuel prices went through the roof, drunk driving was the norm and Anita Ward wanted you to ring her bell.
Meet Gerald, 64 years old and hates cars. Especially so because his 1968 Peugeot 204 not only was even less concerned about its drinking than he is, in times where it REALLY should be. But also because it decided to shit itself and die. At least, that’s what he had told the family, he wouldn’t admit to having visited the pub before almost running over a cyclist, losing control, almost ramming the car’s front end into a cow’s rear end and giving both a tree and the car a very bad time. So now he also got back problems to complain about. Great.
Although usually in a grumpy mood, Gerald does love his grandchildren. His own children though are busy people, so occasionally he drives his grandchildren to their hobbies, beaming full with delight. His 9 year old granddaughter Julie, saddened with the departure of “Snoetje” the 204, seems very keen to help him out pick a car. She’s not sure if anything could replace Snoetje in their lives, but she is determined to make sure their successor will be “the best car ever!”.
Gerald is on a strict budget though, preferably he would like to spend as little as possible now and in the years to come, as his only interest in a car is that it gets him and his grandchildren from A to B. He does want a car that keeps him as the favourite means of transportation over the other grandparents though, he cannot and must not lose to them.
Rules
Model Trim and Engine Variant year is 1974-1979
Maximum approximate cost: 13500 automation francs (Lower is better)
(you can find that in the Markets Mode in the Trim Testing tab)
Maximum Engine emissions: 1800
Maximum ET (of either engine or trim) not exceeding 100
That 1979 Montes Urban 1.4 GXi is the idea choice: thanks to it’s reliable and efficient (and catalysed) 1.4 4-cylinder engine (the legendary G-series), you can go whatever you want: ideal for city, suitable for highway.
And with 5 seats, plus a decent luggage compartment, you can go to any place with any inconvenience.
And as special offer, you can have the Urban 1.4 GXi with that extra equipment, with no extra cost: AM/FM radio, rear wipers and heated window, air conditioner, 5-speed gearbox, front fog lights, and the Almudena 13-inch wheels, and double mirror.
The formula for the prelims would be: LifeCost = Service Costs * 15 / (Trim reliability - 40) + Fuel consumption * 200000 km * 0.8 automation money unit / L
For the finals I’ll calculate the average reliability of all the entries and calibrate the service costs to it using: LifeCost = Service Costs * (Average Trim reliability - 40) / (Trim reliability - 40) + Fuel consumption * 200000 km * 0.8 automation money unit / L
Cool 