November 2002
The missus has just bought a new car.
Its a Nissan Almera 1.5 SE, registered march 2002 on the 02 plate in dark burgundy metallic.
Spec is as follows:
Electric windows, central locking, air con, PAS, Alloy wheels, CD player, 2 1/2 years nissan warranty remaining.
Its done 8000 miles and is an ex Nissan demo car..its in pristine condition and drives perfect.
It was up at £7995 and we chopped in her M reg Peugeot 306 (54,000 miles, few dents etc)...we ended up paying £6,295 plus her car. Bought from a Nissan main dealers.
Anyone got any comments as to whether we got a decent deal? thanks. Read more
While I know it does not have much street credibility, I have been giving admiring glances toward the Citroen Berlingo HDi. Before I take things further has anyone owned one long enough to give a proper assessment? Many thanks. Read more
I have just seen the new Berlingo van in the dealer's showroom today. Does anybody know if the seating position is different between the van and car?
Ben
It is with great sadness I announce the death of the Rover. [1]
After over 3 years and well over 25,000 miles it got very hot today near Southampton.
There's plenty of water and the water pump is fine. Could be the thermostat but the change in shade of the water in the expansion chamber hinted at oil/exhaust contamination.
Must be the head gasket.
It came home on a RAC lorry and will be emptied of camping kit etc before undergoing one last journey to the scrappie. (I *hope* it'll go 1/2 mile without siezing.)
The car has been brilliant. Competing in road rallies and doing regular 1000 mile weekend jaunts. However, it's like a loved elderly relative - shame it's gone but 140,000 miles and 12 years is a good innings so no need to be sad.
It's also been good enough to conk out just before it's MOT saving me the hasssle of deciding whether to scrap or test.
So on Friday and Saturday I will be searching for a sub 1k banger to replace it. Preferably with a recent cam belt and 12 months MOT. A local Mondeo looks like a possible. Otherwise it'll be the bargain trade in's at local dealers and the free ads.
Cavalier is top of my wish list and I'd welcome suggestions to the floor.
No flowers, but donations to "Tab of Toad Hall, The Red Lion, Lewes".
Tab, geddit!
[1] ;-)
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These are my own opinions, and not necessarily those of all Toads. Read more
Many thanks Dynamic!!!
Will check there!
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These are my own opinions, and not necessarily those of all Toads.
I am considering purchasing a 96 Golf VR6 Highline with 107000 miles. It was previously owned by a leasing company. Does anybody know what potential problems i may encounter with a car of this mileage? On the testdrive, the heater fan and electric windows did not function, but the dealer suggested it was because he had steam cleaned the car 1 hour previously. Half an hour laterm the heater fan worked, but not the windows. He assures me they will be fixed if i buy. SHould i walk away?
My current car is a 98 Polo 1,4. Often, particularly in wet weather, when i release the throttle to let the engine settle to idle (eg approaching a roundabout) the engine stops. Any ideas what this may be? I have flushed it through with Redex, which works for about a week, then the problem returns. Read more
I would walk away. The market is flooded with vr6s since the mk4 v6 came out. There are loads of good low mileage (eg 60000 mile) examples around. A few months ago i bought a 95M VR6 for £5500 with 58000 miles and full history. If you look hard enough you will find plenty of bargains. As for your polo problem it could be the throttle valve switch, but hard to say without looking myself.
Read Friday in The Sun:
Channel 4 motoring show Driven has been axed. There will now only be three one-hour specials in the run-up to Christmas. Insiders said that after 100 programmes the decision was made to call it a day.
Driven's website hasn't been updated with this info yet, but does state they'll be back on Channel 4 on Sunday afternoons from December 1st.
Read more
Who cares.
New Top Gear Rules.
Hi again folks.
Bought the Sunday Times today, for the 1st time in months, to find a motoring supplement in it. (bought the paper for the top 1000 schools list, very good to see our eldests school at 107). Having had a good go through it I have to say I feel that its better than the new Saturday motoring bit of the Telegraph apart from HJs not there and the fat bloke from Top Gear is.
Anyone want to comment on this? Read more
Well the property bit is written by someone who clearly endorses the view that "civilisation stops North of Watford". (Not that I would know where Watford is:-)
madf
Can anyone remember the web address for the free site where you bash, sorry, input your car's VIN number and then within seconds, it tells you the make, model, version, where/when made etc?
I used it once or twice just out of interest but would like to try again and I've forgotten it. I think there was a "PL" in part of the address but can't remember any more.
Thanks.
RB Read more
Yes, this was the one.
Mainly wanted it just for a bit of fun. I know, I should get out more.
Many thanks.
RB
I intend to get the cambelt on my 1998 Civic Aerodeck changed at 50K,(10K sooner than recommended, for safety)and wonder if I should have the tensioner changed at the same time. Is it a plastic or a metal one? Any advice gratefully received.
Regards,
P. Read more
Thanks for the advice, Andrew. I'll get the mechanic to check the points that you mentioned.
Regards,
P.
Please can anybody help me with valve clearances for a '96 1.3 Felicia. They aren't in the owners handbook or the Haynes manual (despite Haynes saying they are!). Would appreciate any help.
Thanks Read more
Inlet 0.25mm
Exhaust 0.2mm
Valves should be set cold. Note that unusually the inlet has a greater clearance than the exhaust.
Does anyone know the options to replace standard GM radio cassette with a radio/cd - is there a GM option that maintains display function?
Current unit cassette is completely wonky and considering what I should do...........
Thanks
NormanB Read more
Agreed!
An exchange unit is £60 ish, from in-car dealers.Probably not worth it for an old model.Your dash display will still operate for non radio functions.
Argos offer a free/cheap fitting service for a new unit.Even halfords were advertising to beat 'trade' prices.
Saying that Vauxhall did leaflet us about special deals, so worth a quick call.
Plus point if you do upgrade, make sure it's slide out to hide away type.save somebody else doing it for you!
Mark
Browse
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Good choice of car. The 2002 styling gives it a strong personality, and the mechanics should be worry free.
I bet it looks gorgeous in dark burgundy met! Whoops, there goes my credibility!