March 2002
Moving violations
this includs the story about the chap who found a surprise "addon" to his car rental bill.
" Last summer, a New Haven, Conn., resident had $450 automatically deducted from his bank account for speeding in a GPS-equipped rental car"
As I recall the rental firm in question had in the fine print a section detailing charges for speeding and it used the gps nav system provided in its cars to calculate said charges... I wonder if they are still in biz. after the press this story got them... But I bet the "powers that be" Are rubbing their hands with glee over the prospect of forcing such black boxes into every new auto sold in the USA... Dreaming of the huge stream of cash that would pour into their coffers all with out the need for expensive things like traffic cops and courts...
Randolph Lee
Nantucket Island USA {but thinking of starting a secession movement!} Read more
Firstly, surprisingly low take up - come one people, I want to see more cars, people and stuff.
Secondly, now *I* know who is the girlie on the BMW, and why. Anyone who had some interest in BMW bikes 20ish years ago should push someone on this site for an answer - its a good story.
Of course, I couldn't tell you who to push. Nice new back door though. (painted and finished about an hour before I saw it). Read more
Growler you go realize that the Growlett is far to good for you.. Picture of a happy man indeed! Growlett you do know that you can find much better pickings in my neck of the woods (VBG)
Seriously Growler..... well done old man!
~R
I got accosted by a Greek man with a Rover 400 with a flat battery last night. He asked me for Jump leads which I didn't have but I tried giving him a tow. Car turned over OK but wouldn't start. We decided it was the immobilser that was preventing it starting. Is it possible to bump start a car with an immobiliser, if so how? Read more
Could it be something in the computer ignition control system?
They always say don't try to bump start a car with an ems because it will upset the system if not activated via the starter motor.
I don't know why not, or if true.
Current cars (be they cambelt or camchain) all seem a bit the same to you?
You might be interested to go back down memory lane and check out the Oldsmobile Toronado ( see www.toronado.org/carlif3.htm). Sorry I haven't mastered live links.
If GM could engage in this sort of exercise then, why can't they provide us with a reasonably reliable idler/tensioner today - or have all the engineers been replaced by accountants? Read more
Yes, if it works on a Harley... I think HD use Gates belts, which is an American supplier, so there may be a bit of mutual support there, but I'm convinced that the Japanese chain makers have got a cosy deal with the bike makers. I'm not overly fond of chains (I used to boil them up in LinkLyfe on the stove, much to my then wife's annoyance) and although shaft drive overcomes the problem, it is relatively complex and heavy. Belts are the answer, but nobody uses them!
(Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean you're not being followed!)
I was day-dreaming at the gas station today and the pump attendant filled me (or rather my truck) up with leaded instead of unleaded. Engine seems fine so far. Should I worry? Read more
Oil's well that ends well, Growler!
Can't believe the fuel has gone up again!!..I was wondering how much fuel in the world have we got left before it dries out completly..
I don't understand why us (member of the public) have been told to take it easy on the fuel while in the motorsport industry they are using it like mad take F1 for instance (what a pointless sport going round a track a million times)
Starman.... Read more
What about businessess such as mine which are VAT exempt. We cannot join so we cannot claim back VAT
... the worst program so far last night, very little detail - all they really told us about was the decking on the old barge. Very boring.
Andrew
www.hispecgolfs.co.uk Read more
James wrote:
> ... Amazed how difficult it seems to be to make a robot that walks, but then I admit I haven't tried it.
Obviously, you haven't seen me get out out of bed after a night on the draught Bass.
Ian
Why is it other customers and staff alike at the local Boots do not for one moment assume there might be some completely innocent reason as to why someone might be buying a large tub of vaseline? The number of raised eyebrow/embarrassed stares/giggles I received mean the next time I am sending the Trouble and Strife when she is make-up shopping...
P.s. Squeaky dashboard... Read more
I was waiting for that!!!
HJ,
I have ordered a car through this company and am now getting the runaround.
They appear to have gone into liquidation but are offerering me the chance to still obtain my car (I have paid the deposit to them, not the dealer - yes I know I shouldn't have but I did), however they are asking for another couple of grand on top of what was agreed in the contract to take the total just shy of UK list.
They talk of a new company that will handle the delivery etc. but I know for a fact that they have set up a new company with a slightly different name and I'm pretty sure that this is the company that will be handling the transaction, i.e. they are pulling a fast one.
Please take this company off your places to buy an import car on your FAQ pages and warn anyone else off from dealing with this them (New Car Import Services Ltd) or their new company New-car-imports.com Ltd
I don't know what I will do yet as I placed my deposit on a credit card cheque and will be covered for a full refund under the consumer credit act 1974 (although I suspect this could drag on a bit).
Could anyone tell me if I have any legal recourse to the new company (if it is indeed run by the same people) to get the car for the original price and what other options, if any, I may have available?
thank you in anticipation of your replies,
Mark Abbott aka mazza Read more
I wondered about this as well. It appears that you're correct and credit card cheques do not have protection under the Consumer Credit Act. I think this is because they are treated as a cash loan i.e. the same as if cash had been drawn from an ATM and then spent. Goods purchased with that cash would obviously not be covered. The following is from the Citizens Advice Bureau site :
If the goods or services were bought by credit card, credit card cheque, trading check or with credit arranged by the supplier and the value was below £100, the supplier is responsible. If the goods or services are valued between £100 and £30,000 both creditor and supplier are responsible (except in the case of a credit card cheque where only the supplier is responsible) if:-
the credit was arranged by the shop of business when the goods or services were bought; and
the credit agreement is regulated by the Consumer Credit Act 1974
Sorry Mark. Hope it turns out OK.
What an imaginative and technically superb advert ..the new Nissan Primera one with the dolphins pacing the car through the streets..'Intelligence attracts intelligence'..
P. Read more
Has anybody seen the advert for the new 7 series yet?
It has a girl swimming around the car.
Quite clever I thought, but not as good as some of the other BMW adverts of late - what do you guys think?
M.
Browse
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No it's not all like that, it's like judging UK by N. Ireland. Just the traffic is a pain in the city, but...motoring is cheap and you can run a big ole muscle car for not much, and I've mentioned the ladies (wait till you see Growlette on Mark's photo page) and the cheap beer....bur I'm sounding like a tourist brochure.