November 2001
In an earlier thread "Fleet Auctions", started by Steve G, the question was whether bargains can still be had at auction. In the thread, comments were made about auction prices versus car supermarkets. The implication was that prices are too similar for the hassle to be worthwhile. Figures of £250 to £500 difference were quoted (by HJ, no less).
Well, I've investigated using a website from a major car auction house which gives recent average prices cars reach at their auctions. I've compared these with the prices at a major trade centre car supermarket. Prices correct as of Fri 16th Nov. I chose Mondeo 1.8LX's as these are a good middle of the range vehicle. As part of the exercise, I decided that I would report each and every match between the two websites.
There were two matches, both 1998S.
One described on the trade centre website as 100K+ miles, Red, 3499
At the auction house, they have sold more than ten high milers, average mileage 101K, average price 2695
One described on the trade centre website as 64K miles, Green, 4599
At the auction house, they have sold more than twenty of these, average mileage 67K, average price 3316
So, those people who believe there aren't bargains to be had at auction, do you have any comments? I'm not trying to start an argument, I just wonder if I'm missing something here, and if I should be going to a good supermarket rather than the auction; I'm open to persuasion. Read more
i am looking for a round headlight model lada, or a lada niva, or a lada 1600. please let me know if you have one for sale. Read more
On recent thread the topic was the M25 not the whitley bay bypass
A few days ago there was a discussion on the new European Standard for a minimum of 2 years manufacturers warranties from 2002. Please forgive me raising the issue again but there seemed to be conflicting opinions.
I have ordered a Ford Galaxy (sourced from Europe) for delivery in February. Will this have 2 years warranty even though my order details state that 1 years warranty is included?
What is the deciding factor, the order date or the registration date. Does this vary for different importers or manufacturers?
Does anyone know for sure what the situation is? Read more
The european directive says as of 1/1/2002 all products must have a minimum 2 year unconditional warranty ,In germany that has already been applied with electrical goods been given three years.Fords have two years from last month here
This is a clip from the telegraph breaking news section:
50mph speed limits planned for M-ways
(Filed: 19/11/2001)
SPEED limits of 50mph may be imposed on sections of some motorways under proposals said to be under consideration by the Government.
The measure is being examined by the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) in a bid to find a means of improving traffic flow on some of Britain's busiest routes. And at other sites the speed limit could be raised to 80mph to bring the country in line with Europe, the Daily Mail reports.
Motorways likely to see a reduction in speed limit include parts of the M25 possibly the northern section and its junction near Heathrow. The M6 through Birmingham, the M42 near Birmingham, parts of the M4, The M62 between Liverpool and Leeds and parts of the M8 between Glasgow and Edinburgh.
A DTLR spokesman said: "Traffic management is a major concern and reducing gridlock is a concern." He added that options for achieving less congestion were being looked at by the Government.
Edmund King, executive director of the RAC Foundation, told the newspaper he would not support the 50mph plan. He said: "We would not back permanent reduction on the motorway network because it is not required for such strong limits to be in place at all times of the day.
"It would be a very draconian measure." Read more
cheaper than what ?
i think you'll find the railways are uncompetitve versus air on the whole
as the day time services are cr**
scotrail sleepers are great but only if they serve the journey u need
I've had excellent experience with the Network Q extended warranty on my 97 Vectra which is about to expire. Can any one recommend a replacement? Does any one have any experience of Warrantywise which I've seen on another site? Read more
it was my dad's hyundai sonata, not the lada.
Could anybody explain the principle behind the switchable 'overdrive' fitted to the Triumphs and others in the 60's? Was it an extra gear? If so why don't more manufacturers fit it - surely an effective way of lowering engine speed and thus improving MPG when cruising on motorways,etc.?
P. Read more
Thanks fella's, it would have been nagging away at me for hours.
Alvin
The speculation is over, Top Gear is no more, well soon anyway. I know users of this forum have been looking forward to its demise as there are countless threads on this topic in the archives, I know I have. It really doesn?t cut the mustard when compared to Channel 4's Driven series - this Thursday's offerings were particularly dire. This article from the BBC site will put everybody's mind at rest. I'm pleased to see that Quentin Willson will be back. What do you think? Read on ::
The team behind television's long-running motoring show Top Gear is switching tracks from the BBC to Channel 5.
The programme that spawned the television career of Jeremy Clarkson was told by the BBC in August that it would be rested after 23 years.
At the time BBC bosses denied the show had been axed but said it was merely undergoing a strategic overhaul.
But the entire presenting and production team from Chrysalis Entertainment is now switching over to Channel 5 to launch a new show called Fifth Gear.
It will also mark the return of presenter Quentin Willson after a year-long sabbatical.
He will be joined in the driving seat by Tiff Needel, Vicki Butler-Henderson and Adrian Wilson.
Former racing driver Needel said: "I am delighted to be able to continue providing the motoring public with an entertaining and informative programme, because from the feedback I've had the world over that's what the real motoring fans want."
Channel 5's newly installed director of programmes, Kevin Lygo, added: "This is a fantastic coup for the channel - we are delighted to have been able to attract such a high profile team.
"To devotees, Quentin, Tiff, Vicki and Adrian were Top Gear. I'm sure their many fans will welcome them back as a regular fixture on our screens once again."
Fifth Gear will have an initial run of 15 weeks.
The BBC's Top Gear magazine is unaffected by the changes.
:: You can visit this article and related one's on the BBC site at: news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/entertainment/tv_and_rad...m
Please excuse me if this has been posted already in the forum, the article was posted in the public domain on Thursday, 15 November, 2001. Read more
To KKX: I never said anything about nail bombs. But I do think they should ban handguns -- automatic weapons do a far better job.
I reckon that the Backroom (Martyn's idea, not mine) has become the biggest and best website motoring forum in the UK. We've got everyone from Mark in Brazil to Chrissama Bin Lada in Whitley Bay. At 22.20 today, the 4car forum had not seen a single new thread posted. So are we the biggest in the UK? Does anyone know of a more active website motoring forum. If not, and if we are the biggest, it could save this site from extinction. So please let us know.
HJ Read more
A Geodesic splange crimpling rod is (usually) a grey post with a nasty box of tricks on top which robs you and steals your means of livelihood. They can hag right or left or straight up and sometimes hide behind direction signs. But you can spot them a mile off with a Morpheus GEODESY speed camera proximity warning device.
HJ
What do back roomers think about this new braking system developed by a Canadian company Newtech (www.newtech-ibs.com).
Its a full contact braking system, to put it simply the contact area is 360 degrees with pads both side of the rotor disk. Claims are better heat dissipation, higher strength and reduced noise and vibration. Also lower pressures needed giving more flexibility and ability to use brake by wire system.
Renault are looking at this quite seriously apparently. Read more
Disk brakes actually came from aircraft, as did anti-lock brakes. The forces involved in stopping an aircraft on the runway, once it has landed, are extremely high. Disk brakes eventually found their way onto racing cars and then road cars but ABS was shunned by racers because good race drivers are even more effective than ABS.
Can you please tell me the benefits of using Castrol GT Magnatec oil in my
Focus 1.8 Ghia. I only travel short journeys. I am not too worried about the
cost if it is good for the engine. Read more
Jason,
Have you seen the FAQ 13 on this site covering oils?
David
Browse
If a trader is selling a car - they often bid on it themselves (if they see another punter bidding) they run it up to a point where they're happy, then walk away shaking their heads. Class! Also standard practice.