Trending topics in August 2009
Questions from August 2009
Thought you might like an update on our hunt for Qashqai +2. We gave up with the idea of 10% discount off a new car where a leasing firm retains the logbook for 6 months; one issue being my present insurers...
I am looking to purchase a car that could legally tow a double horsebox with one horse, yet still be able to drive to work every day and not spend too much money on fuel. My budget is around £2,000. Any...
I keenly follow your regular comments about the damage to tyres, steering and suspension components by our appalling roads. My 08 reg 11,000 mile S-Max has in the last three months required new anti-roll...
Recently my wife had the misfortune to park her 08 Focus Zetec near a jetwash where elderly gentleman reversed into it. Minimal damage was caused to the front spoiler, which a local garage estimated could...
Most parked cars in my street, including mine, have scuffed wheel trims. Most, that is, except Peugeots, one BMW and a Range Rover where the trim is tucked well behind the tyre profile. If some can do...
Under the scrappage scheme, I want to replace my 1995 Polo. I had decided between a FIAT 500 and a Hyundai i10 but now I read that uknewcars.com are offering a Fiat Panda 100 HP at £7,763 against a list...
We will be hiring a car for 10 days in July in France. Is it worthwhile buying an annual Collision Damage Waiver policy and do you recommend one?
I have to choose a car from what is available in our leasing pool. I've noticed your column in the paper and thought you might be the person to ask what might be best for me. I'd prefer a hatchback and...
I am seriously considering buying a new Golf 1.6S with its neat autobox. It seems almost impossible to get any discounts from the local VW dealers, so is it worth importing one? It used to be the smart...
For a fee of £150 (apparently a discount from the normal £300), our Ford garage has offered us a service called Jewelultra Diamnondbrite for our new Focus. This involves applying a variety of coatings...
We’re considering buying a Volvo V70. Volvo has announced a V70 1.6D DRIVe, which my wife likes but I’m concerned that it might be a little underpowered. There's little information, but looking on the...
I own a 2002 SAAB 9-5 Aero. The car was SAAB dealer maintained for its first four years, and I have had it serviced by independents since purchasing it 3 years ago from Car Giant. Following recent mis-firing...
Today I paid the deposit on a new SEAT Alhambra 2.0 TDi Stylance, after getting what I thought was a good deal. £19,000, gross. £16,321.74 net. I paid cash, no trade in. I couldn't buy over the internet,...
I want to buy a Mondeo Titanium X, which appears to come with 18" low profile tyres (and no option). Over the years, you seem to suggest that this combination of wheels and tyres, on various makes and...
I have a 2009 Golf Mk6 2.0 Tdi 110 that experiences momentary hesitation in power delivery when driving down moderately steep hills. The local VW franchise has been very attentive but reports this as...
If you were going to trade in a Range Rover Sport for a 7-seat SUV or estate (I now have 3 children under 4 and the RR is a bit of a squeeze), would you recommend a Volvo XC90 / Land Rover Discovery or...
I recently bought a 2008 Mazda 6 estate, which I am very pleased with. I only have one problem with it and that is I often receive an electric shock when getting out the car and shutting the door. When...
I am a pensioner and as my existing car has developed expensive gearbox problems I am in the market for a new motor. I need to have room for my granddaughter (in a car seat) and space behind for my two...
I purchased a new Ssangyong Kyron EX from Chandlers of Grantham for £12,000. It says on the invoice that I do not get 5 years free servicing and warranty. When I contacted Ssangyong to ask about this they...
I own a 7-year-old Mercedes CLK 230 Cabriolet with 62,000 miles on the clock. I don't think it's worth that much now, but would like to keep it as it still looks quite good. Is there any point in continuing...
My daughter is looking to buy a suitable vehicle for her family of 3 children and husband (MPV or 4WD, diesel or petrol). Reliability and running costs are, of course, paramount. Use will be largely local...
As Cabinet Member with responsibility for Gloucestershire highways, I was concerned by the e-mail from J.S. of Stroud. In situations where there is an accident "hot spot" or where residents have expressed...
I recently bought a Y reg BMW Z3 with 3 months warranty from a dealer in Nottingham. (I live in Huntingdon.) I filled up with Shell petrol last week and put in some Redex fuel injector cleaner, which I’ve...
Our village is bisected by a busy B road carrying 10,000 vehicles a week. The 30 mph speed limit is completely ignored. It is dangerous for schoolchildren to cross when getting on or off the bus. I live...
My daughter wishes to replace her Scenic for a similar-sized car that must be reliable. The Scenic has recently had numerous 'electrical' problems. The replacement must be able to tow a small sailing...
Technically, with ‘Intelligent Speed Adaptation’ by GPS, speeding can be prevented. There is no need to cover the country with expensive "speed sensitive stop lights". The object is not to punish anybody,...
I think I have now seen it all – a recruitment ad in the Slough Observer for Traffic Officers who "have held a full UK driving licence for at least 2 years with no more than 3 penalty points". It seems...
In 2007 I exchanged a SAAB 9-5 for a new BMW 3 Series SE model. Whilst BMW quality is unquestioned, the ride is uncomfortable due to firmer suspension and runflat tyres. Whilst the GM/Saab situation concerns...
I have a leased Audi A6 Avant, which is due for changing. Its a diesel 2.7 and has been very good. I do about 25k miles a year, am self-employed and need to lease another estate car to do the same job...
Is it my imagination but is it a new thing that police close motorways for many, many hours after an accident? If we have to get to an airport for a flight now, we have to take the motorway journey time,...
I bought a Honda Jazz CVT-7 some time ago on your recommendation. I only use the CVT mode and never change manually. I now want a new car. The Jazz I-Shift is not CVT so I would have to use the paddles....
I have now had two punctures on my 2007 Renault Grand Scenic and each time required a new tyre as the foam inflator apparently ruins the tyre. I am trying to locate a space-saver spare. Can you help? A...
We have very happily driven 2nd-hand Toyotas for twenty years and are thinking of buying new, under the scrappage scheme. Both my wife and I learned to drive in Canada and when we came here opted to just...
Some 3 weeks ago I bought a 2000W Subaru Forester Turbo S. When we saw it the car was "unprepped" having just been taken in. We had a test drive and were interested. The only small problem was it was hunting...
My wife's BMW 330 convertible (purchased new and now 18 months old) developed a puncture in the nearside rear tyre, which is a Dunlop 'runflat'. The car has covered less than 15,000 miles and tread depth...
What is happening to the fuel prices? I heard on the wireless that there was a glut of oil and yet Petrol prices here in S.E. Kent are 103.9p a litre. What on earth can we do about this? We need our...
As a family we have always been aware that drinking and driving don’t mix. A family member will give up drinking for the evening and ferry us about. Recently my daughter was stopped by the police and given...
I wonder if you would be able to resolve a slight disagreement between my partner and me? He's just put me on the insurance for his car (a year 2000 VW Polo, by the way) and although he professes to be...
I am considering purchasing at 2001/51 Citroen Xsara with only 6,700 miles on the clock. Even if I am able to verify that the mileage is correct, and the car has a full service history, am I crazy? The...
Am I correct in assuming that the runflat tyres you refer to are on BMWs, or are they readily available on all so-called ‘quality’ cars.
I hope you can help me with a BMW problem. In April this year I bought a £24k Z4M Coupé from a BMW dealer through the Approved Used Car system. I chose that particular car over others because it already...
I own a Morris 1000 1959-60, which my father bought me for £25 as my first car when I was 17. It was found in a barn with hens nesting in it. We brought it home, my father breathed life into it and I had...
I’m thinking of buying a car in the UK and bringing it down to Spain as I have a house there. Are there any auctions in the UK specifically for LHD cars?
When we stop our 2007 VW Golf Plus and put the brakes on there occurs quite a substantial 'creak' when we get out. ie when the load is reduced. If the brake is not applied then no creak. It has been like...
I have a 1992 FIAT Uno that I have owned for about 12 years. It failed its MOT a couple of years ago and has been SORN on our drive ever since, awaiting the rust remedy that never came. I rubbed my hands...
Can you please give me your advice on buying new the Hyundai i20 and the KIA Cee’d. Which is the better build? I am torn between the two and also which supermini is your favoured car for build, mpg and...
Is it not time for the introduction of an independent body to monitor police prosecutions for minor speeding offences? On reading CL’s tale I feel the real point is being lost in your reply which is that...
Some weeks ago you had a letter from the owner of a Honda Jazz I-shift who was struggling to use the gearbox smoothly. You suggested perseverance. My experience was similar. I find almost 2,000 miles on...
I have a MINI Cooper D auto, which is a great little car and lots of fun. However, to be practical, I really need something not quite so mini and a softer ride for the Suffolk lanes on which it is used....
I'm buying a new SEAT Alahambra Stylance, which comes with 17" alloy wheels as standard. However, the spare wheel (the fact that it has one is one of the reasons I'm buying this car not a Galaxy) is only...
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