April 2002
On Sunday I put my eldest on the train back to Uni. While she was with us, I accompanied her driving around with L-plates. After 6 lessons with an ADI, her clutch control was worse than after our first outing ever. She had apparently forgotten (been allowed to forget?) that you can declutch to save a struggling engine from stalling. Tricky business this accompanying L-drivers, especially when it's family.
After investing in the obligatory L-plates and extra inside mirror, I set a few ground rules e.g. remaining calm, limiting my vocabulary to e.g. slower, faster, etc. and driving the route myself with a bit of commentary. I've bought the HMSO book on accompanying L-drivers but found it little use.
We tackled the clutch control with a blue-peter style demonstration involving two pates and a fork, followed by an hour of practice and I think we made progress.
Worryingly, I found myself a few times commenting in such detail that it was as though I was driving the car by remote control, implying that Nicola was not developing any judgement or hazard assessment of her own.
Undoubtedly one of the problems is Nicola's deep lack of interest in cars or motoring. Passing the test is her idea of freeing herself from the constraints of public transport, and nothing else. A petrol-head she is not. Therefore I worry about her interest in being able to amass enough skill to pass her test.
Any backroomers out there causing a family rift by giving their offspring driving practice? Anyone care to offer any practical tips? Tom Shaw especially. David W - sorry if you've just got deja vu.
Oh, and a big thank you to the chap in a metallic red Rover 620 who headed up a queue of cars behind us while we recovered from stalling on Maison Dieu in Richmond. It seemed like 10 mins but probably wasn't.
And yes, Nicola and I are still on speaking terms. Read more
On 27.3.02, I reported some rattle/knocking coming from the engine compartment on my Rover Sterling (97) which 3000miles ago had a new engine installed (only 57K on the original V6). A number of you guys were kind enough to reply. The next instalment is as follows:
UNIPART (who I am informed by the Rover dealership now own the warranties on these repalcement engines) insisted that the garage inspect to find what the problem was. Yes, you guessed right, I am informed by the garage that it wasn't a problem with the replacement engine, but the drive plate which had developed a hair line crack! and thus not covered by the warranty. Costs to do this job are estimated at £1500
I understand that the drive plate is what the starter ring is attached to. I am only familiar with the old flywheels which I can't imagine ever fail.
Can anyone say if this diagnosis sound reasonable and does a drive plate really ever crack. I thought metal fatigue only occurred in aircraft.
Thanks in anticipation for any advice (other than what I know I should have done a long time ago and that was to scrap the thing).
Thanks,
Keith Read more
It comes back to measure twice, cut once.
David
Does anyone have any experiece of the new Toyota RAV4 good or bad Read more
Bought a 2001 new RAV4 auto for the wife's use last year from Tins on an import from Europe.
She loves it, the car drives nicely and I added Toyota Sat Nav myself for just over £800 which invisibly upgrades the standard radio.
It's far better built than the Freeloader and I've owned two (old model) CRVs in the past and it's better than them also to drive.
My previous LR Disco SerII ownerships meant I spent a fair bit of time in Freeloader loan cars whilst being repaired (sound familiar?) and I thought these were fragile crap with an interior reminiscent of a Maestro. Every time I get into one I can see the hand of Maestro in the interior.
So all up I like the RAV4. It's an honest reliable car that you wouldn't cross the Sahara desert in, but if you had to you'd be more likely to stay alive than in a Landrover because the engine would keep running.
I guess the best endorsement is that whilst dismantling the RAV to put Sat Nav in, I was so impressed with the build (compared to LR) that I went out and bought a new Toyota Amazon diesel. And, LR owners, guess how many times that has been back for warranty work, ha ha. And it's fitted with a diesel up to pulling it's weight.
Won't be buying a new Ranger whatever the press say - none of these boys have to organise their lives around all the warranty work - I'll wait and see what drops off 'em first.........
In the effort to replace Madame's ageing Citroen AX, we have at last got to a short list. Bye bye Citroen Saxo (too much like the AX). Bye bye Hyundai Coupe and Ford Puma (no room in the back). Bye bye Citroen Xsara (old man's car, according to Madame). Bye bye ancient Porche 911 (not got the bottle or the wallet AND no room in the back).
The short list now reads Peugeot 206 1.4HDi as a good compromise on looks, accomodation, driving position, equipment and economy. Trouble is, I can't find any write-ups about the Pug 206 with the 1.4 HDi engine. Does anyone have one they can tell me about? Can anyone give me a link to a test drive?
All replies gratefuly received, but I fear this saga has some way to run yet ... Read more
Thanks for your considered and informative replies.
The short list is just that; there are no alternatives on it.
Until next week?
As Lawrence Llewellyn-Bowen might say, it's a matter of taste, and there is no accounting for it.
if you can stand the suspense, I'll keep you posted.
My aunt has a Fiesta 1.8 diesel that she bought form me about 2 years ago. The cambelt went on Saturday, is this generally terminal in these cars ? Read more
What about pistons
Today was the first day I stared at a screen for nine days. Been on (and off) Langkawi getting PADI certified. On my third dive had a close encounter with an 8 metre whale shark. But my head is cleared and things should be back to normal from about the 19th as long as they let me on the flights (I'm flying standby).
HJ Read more
The marine life experts are right of course. But then if you're 3 metres under a twenty-seven foot whale shark and you don't know what it is you mentally refer to your PADI training manual that fish only normally attack defensively and you stay very still. Not many rookie scuba divers get to see a whale shark on their third open water dive. But that's enough about whale sharks.
HJ
After suffering damage to the rear bumper on my car by some kind person parking by touch, and, ahem, some self inflicted scratches on the wing (honest gov the side of the garage backed in to me) I went search of estimates. The plan was to go to some conventional body shops and the only 'smart' repairer in my area Scuffs. Only to find Scuffs has gone bust. I'm just curious do any of the backroomers know any details behind the receivership? Judging by the increase in minor damage caused in public car parks I would have thought they were on a winner. I am very surprised they went bust. Car now in conventional bodyshop as I write. Read more
I thought I had seen something about this in the bristol evening post:
Scuffs Cosmetic Repairs is to shed 30 jobs in Bristol and close four of its eight car repair sites across the country, having been placed into receivership. 06-Dec-01
regards
Ian
I am looking for suggestions, my partner wants to spend £5kto £6k to replace her current car. She would like VW Golf. However I am confused ? when you go to one of the so-called car super markets while the 75k milers seem reasonable on price the low mileage vehicles seem to be at the of their used price bracket. Are there any other motors that fit into this price range that would fit the same kind of requirements without ludicrous depreciation? Read more
Are you ABSOLUTELY fixed on Golf?
Small japanese score higher on reliabilty - and after all what counts more?
I would certainly recommend VW Group if you want a diesel
(that means Skoda or Seat), otherwise
Toyota Yaris or Corolla
Nissan Micra or Almera
Honda Civic or Accord
They all rate MUCH higher than Golf in User satisfaction surveys.
During a long conversation with the AA today, I mentioned people being done for 33mph ina 30 area, and the chap I was speaking to said he did not believe it - lots of stories, no evidence.
I said I would collect some
Would anyone who could copy me a NIP for marginal speeding, please fax to 01730829416 or post to Sunnybank Church Lane West Meon Petersfield Hampshire GU32 1LD
l send them in one bundle to the AA tied with a pink ribbon.
Blank out your details if you wish, and remain anonymous
Please circulate widely
Idris Read more
Maybe not- but I have driven close to 1 million miles without hurting anyone.
I had a long argument through the pages of Motor Sport in the 70s with the IAM, who fail anyone who uses 'heel and toe' techniques.
Amongst other things they claimed that drivers indicate too frequently, and that it is dangerous to do so because it means taking a hand off the wheel!
Idris
Browse
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Tomo wrote:
>
> Started Ann (daughter) on a beach in Barra about 14, . She never >really caught on to catching
> the tail, though!
Was this some sort of skid pan exercise a game of catch with the Twin Otter that uses Barra's main beach as an airfield?