March 2002
Does anyone know of good garages for servicing a Nissan Micra in the west london area?
I've tried the ones in the 'Good Garages' section but not much luck there.
Thanks. Read more
Is a 1972 vehicle automatically tax exempt or are there any catches? Read more
Brian........
I'm sure it's nothing to do with you if his secretary smells...........
Friend 250 miles away with no real enthusiasm for motoring has been given first refusal on a Toyota Corolla GTI when its one owner takes delivery of a new Jaguar. From the vague description this K-reg car sounds as though it is one of the last of the GTI twin-cams (friend has no interest in cars other than to drive a reliable model) and therefore a little more sporty looking than the range introudced around K-reg. Asking price is £1250 for a 104K mile car garage-serviced from new every 6 months by its original owner. Trade-in offer was £500 from Jag dealer.
Anyone know if this is a reasonable price (Autotrader ranges from £800-1,700) and are there any drawbacks to be aware of on this model? Insurance is not a problem for middle-aged civil servant with no boy racer aspirations. Read more
I had a mate with one of these and it was a very nippy reliable car.
However I wouldn't let the current owner be so greedy. If he was offered £500 for a trade-in why does he want £1250? Buying a new Jag without a trade-in should put him in a strong position.
Assuming it is the "up to '92" model I'm thinking of he ought to be willing to sell it for about £750 and be well pleased.
David
Posted a while back about oil loss/consumption on the Polo. Well its got worse, its taking the piss when I get say 200 or so miles from half a litre of 10/40 oil. Can it safely be steam cleaned to identify the leak? I didn't think these burned oil thats all. But I read in The Breakdown that its better they not be stem cleaned... Read more
Its a crankcase breather and will run to the air filter housing- or it should do. On a worn engine it will blow a bit of oil mist out.
Regards
Mike
I've seen a P reg Saxo 1.1, 50k, fsh, 10m MOT, £2250 private
Also, N reg 106 diesel, 45k, fsh, 2295 dealer
a) Fair prices?
b) Please settle a dispute - 106/saxo are the same car, yes? Read more
Have gone for a 306 1.4XL, 62k, N96, fsh, pas, electric sunroof, immobilser and remote central locking... £2650. Seems fair! Enjoyed it more than the 106 1.1 to drive, and the diesel 106 was slow.
got 3 mth wait for new car, found buyer for existing one who needs it now, so where can I find for next-to-nothing preferably, a car that's safe (not falling to bits) and will last for at least 3-4 months (shortish MoT??)? Perhaps someone trying to get rid of a cars and been told it's worth next to nothing?
Hope you don't mind me asking, HJ!
many thanks
Andrew (Epsom, Surrey) Read more
Nae problem, they'll never find me, I'll just stand still and pretend to be a garden gnome..................
I have driven a Year 2000 Vectra GSi V6 Estate from new, and with which I have been very satisfied, but please ask for feedback to a recently developed noise.
I think I have sussed the cause, but with a 3000 mile continental trip planned for next week, would like to be sure before leaving!
When driving slowly, a duh-duh-duh noise is heard, that sounds like a failing wheel bearing, though these have been carefully checked, and are not failing.
In exact sympathy with the noise, a pulsing vibration can be felt through the soles of the feet for rear seat passengers.
As speed increases, the noise becomes a drone not too disimilar to old Land Rover tyre noise, that on the motorway is the dominant noise source.
Coming to a halt, the drone subsides through a course vibration just above zero speed, and vanishes completely as rest is reached.
The noise first started 2000 miles after the original Yokohama tyres were replaced with Avon ZZ-1s.
When these ZZ1s were replaced with a second set of ZZ1s, the noise went, only to re-occur 2000 miles later.
It therefore seems very likely that I (actually the Leasing company!) have specified a tyre that generates harmonics that the drivetrain and bushes don't like.
Does anyone have any relevant feedback, please, that could help prove the theory.
Many thanks,
Steve Read more
Agree with Alvin. I had a similar problem on the rear of a P Vectra 1800. Customer was absolutely CONVINCED it was rear wheel bearings and had replaced both only to find no improvement. When I changed both (worn) rear tyres for MOT problem disappeared!
Hi John
I've got a VW 1999 Passat 110 TDi which has always had a high clutch bit point. Recently it was pointed out that the bit point was very high.
In short, engaging starts half way up the pedal travel but doesn't fully engage 'till the last 1.5 inch. Disengaging still occurs at half travel.
The cars has 32,000 on it, I don't ride the clutch and always hold it on the brakes at junctions. There is absolutely no slippage once engaged.
Any ideas what might cause this behaviour ?
Thanks in anticipation. Read more
The clutch mechanism is hydraulic and as far as I know cannot be adjusted.
The following is unsuitable for those of a "liberal" disposition, who should read no further.
After it was censored here because of "motorists" objections I posted the Slippery Slope essay on another motoring forum.
Thought I'd pop back and let you know what they thought of such an off-topic post:
Having read the essay I concur.
This is a must read, and that after only the first few paras.
I too would recommend that everyone reads this article.
All I ask is that you read the article.
And so would I, its very enlightening.
Interesting read - many "familiar" points.
Interesting points which we would do well to consider.
Yes - point taken. We are next in line for being regulated out of existence.
Oh, and perhaps the most telling quote:
As the essay 'All the way down the slippery slope' points out, diverting the attention is a tactical ploy and one often used by the government.
I leave you to draw your own conclusions!:-( Read more
Martin.
I like to bare arms in the summer to top up my tan and I also bear arms in the form of a Beretta 12 bore semi-auto shotgun.
Problem is that the only folks, apart from police, who carry handguns in UK are criminals. According to the Cullen report there are between 1,000,000 and 4,000,000 illlegal weapons in UK all, by definition, in the hands of criminals.
We law abiding gun owners would never even think of pointing a gun, even an empty one, at another human being but the criminals often use it as a first resort.
So what do the politicians do? Take all sporting pistols away from sportsmen, some of them Olympic shooters but leave up to 4 million in the hands of criminals.
The gullible public then think they are safer. Oh dear.
Greetings John
I should like your advice on which of 2 cars is likely to be a better buy.
Volvo S40 2.0 SE Turbo Saloon 99(T) 13,000m £12,000 mettalic leather all mod cons 1 private owner being sold by Risegreen of Kingwood Surrey or a Rover 75 Club Connesseur 2.5 with all mod cons leather auto 27,000m £11,000 reg Jan 2000 with 3 year manufacturers warranty. Which will be less trouble free mechanically, which will hold its value better and which would you buy ?Your advice much appreciated. Thanks Read more
ROb F - I wrote *understeer*!
I really did!
Has someone found the edit button?
Anyway I meant understeer.
Browse
HJ, I did try the Good Garages Guide fro which there were 2 garages in West London. One is in Harlington - Exchange GearBoxes who told me that they do not service cars. The second one was Franco Motors in Hounslow who sait that he only services Fiat cars.
So, that's why I asked on the message board for garages which people have found to be good & reliable in West London around Hounslow, Hayes, North Harrow area.