September 2001
Negotiating to buy a brannie, I've noticed that the first question most dealers seem to ask is "What's your budget?".
It seems a reasonable query, doesn't it, but I've felt slightly uncomfortable, wondering if there's a hidden agenda.
Can someone tell this tiro if there's any reason why I shouldn't divulge? Read more
The gas keeps disappearing from my aircon system into thin air! I have an Audi A4 1996 with climate control. My local specialist has checked it 4 times (with fluoresecent dye etc) and cannot locate the source of the problem. Has anyone else had similar problems? Where can I go from here without incurring £££ ? It's all very nice having fancy systems like this, but when they go wrong I find myself asking "is it worth it" Read more
Thanks to everyone for some very useful info. It certainly sounds as if I need a new evaparaotor. (Christopher - Unfortunately a recharge of my system lasts about 10 days, not 365 !!)
I am currently negotiating with the independent dealer who sold me the car only a couplr of months ago as to where we go from here ......
Otherwise I'm very happy with my car, apart from an incredidly uncomfortable driver's seat that I've replaced with a Recaro.
This is a new one on me.
I own a Rover 623SLi Auto and the action of the gearbox is puzzling me. It's not the most responsive of gearboxes but it's usually a smooth unit. However, lately it's jerky in engaging first initially but after a few miles is OK. Putting it in reverse sometimes is a noisy affair. It's worse on a hill moving from P to R is really noisy usually a mechanical thump but it drives OK.
It's been like this on and off for about 1000 miles, the diagnostic light for the gearbox hasn't gone on.
I'm wondering if it's something to get worried about or not. The fluid is fine and I'm stumped and worried about having to get the credit card out for a right hammering!!
Any ideas guys? Read more
Before giving your vehicle to a specialist, (Trevor King comes highly recommended) try draining the 'box and refilling with fresh fluid dosed with Forte Automatic Gearbox Conditioner. I have used this treatment on a variety of 'boxes and the transformation has been remarkable, smoothing the engagement and shifts dramatically. If there is something drastically wrong with the 'box then it won't help but it has got to be worth a shot?
Found an alternative supply of this stuff at a price somewhat less than the stratospheric levels charged in retail car accesories shops. It's called Castrol CONSTAB PS - 10W/40 fully synthetic - £43 plus VAT for a 25 litre drum. Available from the likes of Lubricant/Central heating oil distributors and normally supplied to Police Authorities ( hence the name, I suppose...) Read more
GM must have made some really advanced technogology design changes to make these engines comsume so much oil. A bit reminiscent of the Ford Lotus Cortinas that could really drink the stuff - 200 miles to a pint!
I have a 150,000 mile Carlton that needs no oil between its 5000 to 6000 mile oil changes.
Do these engines consume so much oil because of larger clearances in the interest of increasing power?
Does anybody knows the way to get a car through Inet. I mean I do work and then get a car from somebody in th Web. I'm from Russia. Today is my thirdtime in Autoschool. Yeah! Read more
Mark (Brazil) wrote:
>
> Martyn,
>
> How come your site doesn't allow me to use russian characters
> ? I think you better delete that last one, its
> mis-interpreted all the special characters.
Mark had written in reply to the originator of this thread. In Russian. (show-off!).
In fact Mark, it's not the site, it's the browser. Yana's browser could probably have read it perfectly. But, in deference to your request and to save other Back Room readers getting migraine, I've deleted the post.
Martyn
I have just checked my AA renewal premium letter for 'Option 200 Joint Cover'. It says for continuous payment by card/direct debit etc the price is £99. I checked the AA website and the price on there is £96. I queried this fact with them and they have credited my account accordingly.
I wonder how many other members are being charged the extra amount? Read more
Adam
Couldn't agree more. We've had one call-out in more years than I care to remember!
The only inducement for the last couple of years is that they've added free Home Start to our cover, because we 'are long standing members'. At least they say so, but I must check that premium!
Regards
John
A friend of mine wants to replace the radio/cassette in his R reg Corolla with a CD/Tuner. Having done this myself on several cars, I offered to have a look.
The radio sits in a hump on top of the dashboard, surrounded by a concave black trim panel. Removing the front of the radio reveals two Phillips-head screws, but no other means of removing it.
Can anyone provide details of how to remove it, or is it down to a radio shop.
Andy Read more
If it's anything like my Primera, you may have to dismantle the dashboard to get at the radio. On some Japanese cars, the radio is physically bolted to the car via side brackets that fit to the radio. Makes stealing the radio very difficult, but by the same token, makes them a real sod to change.
Can I just ask everybody what their nominations would be for cars they have owned in the past that seemed to attract rust? Mine would be by far and away my old Austin Maestro (don't laugh), which went from looking respectable to garden shed like in the space of a year. Looking at the state of all th Read more
Yep, they get a lada lada rust ;-)
I have been looking with much sympathy at the remarks on insurance in the first car thread. Now, I am looking at Jap cars, nearer the other end of the performance range but then I am nearer the other end of the age range, and 3,000 miles pa will more than suffice.
So, I have been trying various sites to get a ball park figure for two models, with singular lack of success. I can't remember all the different ways that I have got stuck, but a usual one is to require a registration number - effectively, buy the car first and then we've got you, I feel! This is not much help when insurance may be one of the factors that would affect choice.
I wrote to my present classic insurer naming the models, but they just sent back a change/add vehicle without comment. Perhaps I should just chance them.
But I do feel I am being asked to buy the pig, with the price ticket in a poke. Read more
Tomo,
If you are just looking for ball-park figures and there is no alternative, give them any ol' reg. (Preferably one you saw on an existing car of same model.)
I couldn't even get a quote with all the info bar the reg from direct line and that ilk by phone. When l actually got my car, the reg wasn't recognised by the insurers (NUdirect) computer anyway! (Hope this isn't an indicator of future "no officer, l had no idea it was stolen" etc..)
Dan
thanks again to the guys who wrote back about my range rover. I have a 5 speed manual, with a short stick in case you were wondering, 91 3.9. After a bit of practice I have now more or less mastered the gearchange, bringing the damn clutch up nice and sloooow. I'd probably get an auto next time.
I have found the fuel consumption to be fairly reasonable considering the engine size, but having tried a few autos, and observing the way the engine revs like mad and stays in low gear for ages, I bet the auto would use loads more petrol.
As it is I can live with the present consumption and I'm not going to bother with an lpg job, especially on a RR worth about £2500.
Lastly, there is a scrap place in Farnworth near Manchester that only deals in landrover bits. I just got a new rad there for £60 with a 6 month guarantee! Not bad eh gentlemen? Read more
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Colin, having spent 15 or more years in car sales, I have to agree with the others that they are trying to assess your spending power in order to maximise the profit in the deal. They will want a deal of course, so they will not want to lose you, but it can be too much like hard work in some places. They will try to persuade you to keep your money in the bank or building soc earning a bit of interest, and to have on standby for any emergencies or unexpected expenses, and they will try to lend you theirs, as they will earn a commission. This is not always a bad deal, so at least find out before dismissing it. I've done many a deal at below bank rate , earned a commission on it, and the customer got cheap money. Depends on the dealer or more importantly, the Franchisers finance house, at the time.
As a rule of thumb, if you are offered a cracking deal, there is something not right with the car, old model, bad colour. It could of course be a good old fashioned salesmans cock up! We've all done deals only to realise we've looked up the wrong model in glasses, done the appraisal with rose coloured glasses, forgotten to charge for the air or auto etc etc, and had some explaining to do to the manager in the morning!
Good luck,
Mike