Hi HJ - great site: my favourite web car resource.

However, I disagree with you on one point. I was looking at your comments on the Alfa 147 Selespeed in Car-by-Car Breakdown (love the title!) and you list it as \"not a great drive\" presented as a fact rather than an opinion.

Out of interest is this from personal experience or has a reader sent in that conclusion? The reason I ask is that I recently back to back test drove the 2 litre Selespeed against the Ford Focus 2l Zetec, VW Beetle and a hot Fiat Punto. All were given a rigorous and demanding test drive over the same varied conditions.

The Ford Focus is generally touted as THE class leader, but I have to say, the 147 outperformed it. The engine is tuneful, with a more rewarding if louder note than the Focus. Power delivery is adequate in both cars though I would personally enjoy a bit more in both, which I understand is on the way.

Steering in the 147 is more direct with appreciably better on limit feel. Both cars have tremendous grip but the Alfa wins by a whisker. Like the Focus, suspension on the 147 is comfortable but firm as you would expect for a sporting drive but the Alfa gives more back in feel, and the seats are of higher quality so it\'s more comfortable. I would argue that general cabin ambiance is easily won by the Alfa too, another contributory factor toward a \"good drive\"

Under heavy braking over uneven or potholed roads AND whilst simultaneously cornering the 147 is simply incredible. If you need to stop in a hurry on a country lane there are very few cars I\'d rather be in.

The Selespeed paddles in my view are not bad, they just take a little effort to master, which is why I believe many people dismiss them too quickly as being difficult. After a little practice they are sublime on open roads. In town stick to the fully auto \"city mode\" Practice brings rewards with this car, unlike most boring fodder on the road today.

So on drive quality alone the Alfa wins over the Focus, a view also shared by Channel 4\'s Driven show.

Whilst the focus is very, very good the Alfa improves on it.


In what way do you think this car a bad drive HJ ?

How can a car that drives better than a Focus not be a great drive? Read more

Took my woman down to Hobbycraft in Stockport, about 7 miles away. The route contains many long stretches of artificially reduced-width, reduced-limit (30mph) roads that used to be wide and free-flowing. A couple of Gatsos decorate the roadside.
On the way back, a police van came up behind me at the traffic lights. When we set off, I stuck to a rigid 27mph to make sure my potentially-inaccurate speedo wasn't going to lumber me. After about 500yds the police driver was getting fidgety, and began to drive very close to our back bumper. I think he wanted me to get a move on, but I stuck to my 27mph just to show him what the roads will be like when the Guardian readers get their way.
I really wanted him to pull me over so I could explain, but he turned off after about 2 miles.
I can heartily recommend driving this way when in front of a cop car, and I plan to do it whenever I get the chance!
Obviously not when he has his blues on.
Have fun! Read more

I note that HJ seems to favour Texaco petrol but subject to the laws of libel can anybody advise if supermarket petrol is a bad thing bearing in mind that it must be refined somewhere and subject to some standards.I am also aware of sharing arrangements between companies and the common pipelines they use for transportation (from BP grangemouth for example)

THANKS Read more

Top gear, box full of neutrals more like, just heard from a reliable source that Bottom Gear had got the heave ho.... at last.

So now we need a programme to support...thers got to be the money in it.
HJ? Look at Clarsksons pad, done well for the Sprotborough quacks son. Read more

I have just bought 96 xantia LXTD with air con. What % reduction in fuel economy can one expect when using the air conditioning? Read more