December 2002
Hi Gang!!
I was just wondering whether you chaps (and ladies) had any ideas what cars would be a good buy for a Monkey (£500) or less to provide basic, cheap, reliable transport. Please also rate your entries on the fun-factor too!!
Cheers!!
Pinchy Read more
Can anyone tell me what LSi means on a 96 Civic coupe? Read more
Yeah, a Civic is hugely expensive compared to a 306, which is what I see as its competitor. On the other hand, the Max Power boys see it as more of a Calibra rival, against which it compares pretty well. Point taken, I could have been clearer.
I've struggling with an intermittent fault on the windscreenwipers for the Fiat Stilo. They keep stopping mid-wipe (if that makes sense!!). Stopping at 45 degree angles and then not working again for approx 15-20 secs despite me turning them on then off. Been back to garage but they could not replicate the fault nor could they find any problem. Despite this it keeps occuring.
Anyone had a similar experience or any ideas?
Thanks
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Due they stop in the same place when the fault occurs,I would look for a loose connection or possibly a Dry solder joint(If you know what to look for)
If they do stop in the same place it could be a mechanicle fault something like a tooth stripped on a cog
I have hankered after a Volvo S60 2.4T ever since they were first released, and am right on the point of ordering one: We have even just returned from the continental garage where we have obtained a tremendous deal, and will order today or tomorrow. My wife is concerned however that after our Vectra GSi Estate:
1) The boot will be too small, because at 394 litres, it is significantly smaller (shallower, wider, but the same length) than the 460 litres below the load cover that we can use today. It is also accessed via a comparative letter box aperture.
2) The rear legroom is marginal, especially for a centre seat passanger, who has nowhere comfortable for their feet.
All other aspects of the car, and engine choice, we are entirely happy with.
I cannot defend (2). She is right, especially compared to the V70 which has a longer floorpan, and even our current Vectra Estate, but it is not often that we carry adults in the rear. We are, however, planning a family, so (1) might be of relevance.
My questions are therefore:
1) Is the S60 difficult to live with as a family car?
2) If I am pursuaded to go down the V70 2.4T route, will I find it handles like a barge, compared to the S60, or with little difference? I would specify either with the lowered sport suspension and 17" Thor alloys. I still prefer the S60, in Maya Yellow, as an object of beauty though, and this is where my heart lies! Anticipated ownership is six to eight years.
The choice is a straight fight between these two, so in being kind enough to help, please don't be kind enough to try and pursuade me into something German, French, or whatever! ;-)
Many thanks,
Steve
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The final chapter.
I promised to write when I collected my V70 2.4T from the supplying Dutch dealer. This I have now done, and report top service.
The (factory order) car was ready after only four weeks versus the eight to ten anticipated, but the dealer happily held it for me until the date I actually wanted it. Customer care all along was of the highest order, and it was a genuine pleasure to spend the money. The only error was the 2.4T badge on the back, when I had specified badge delete. Without question, this was carefully removed whilst I drank a cup of coffee, and you'd never know it had been there.
Although the dealer only asked for 30% deposit, I am glad I saw the start of the Sterling slide and paid the remainder shortly after, or the saving would have been reduced. In the end (I am still waiting for the VAT claim to arrive) I guess that I will pay approximately £26500 for a motor that lists at £31000 in the UK.
Apart from a great weekend away, the other icing on the cake was the salesman remembering a chance conversation early in the process when he learned that I collect quality model cars: Along with some bottles of fine wine, presented along with my keys was a superb model replica of the car I had just purchased, correct down to colour and wheels. Perhaps a minor point, when really it was the Big V70 that was important, but appreciated greatly none the less, and nice attention to detail.
Oh yes.
The dealer.
Bluekens of Breda.
+31 765 22 33 44
And the car?
So glad I listened to the advice to buy the 2.4T power unit and not the T5. Effortlessly torquey, it is exactly what I hoped for.
I also think that rain sensors should be law!
After 300 wet miles home, without once having to adjust wiper speed, even when truck wheels delivered sudden deluges, it is the best 80 Euros I've ever spent.
The Dolby surround system upgrade cost rather more, but is truly awesome! :-))
Hi,
Has anyone any experience on changing the oil in a manual gearbox on an Omega 3.0 V6?
How often should you do it? Mine is 4 and a half years old with 85k - should it be changed, and if so how much would a garage charge?
Regards ....... Robert Read more
If you can't find your thread, it may well be one of the half dozen I moved to Technical Matters today.
M. Read more
I have a 1998 2.0litre Nissan Primera the LCD panel on the radio is starting to fail. I am only getting part lettering, and I am concerned if I ever have to re-enter the code numbers.
Can anyone help? Is it repairable? Read more
Don't know if this is much help, because I'm up in NE Scotland, but a local bod can do anything with car radios and just about anything else electrical. He's at www.davidsonelectronics.co.uk
He sorted out a faulty central processor in my Xantia radio. I just posted the radio down to him - he gave me an estimate then fixed it. Reasonable price - 3 month guarantee.
If you're absolutely stuck in your neck of the woods Email him.
His name is Graeme
So is mine
So is your's!!!
Graeme
My rear washer hasn't worked for a while, and now the weather's a bit dirtier I'm missing it. The local garage reckon the headlining has to be moved to get at the pipe, I can hear the pump working but nothing happens. Three other Xantia owners I know of have the same problem, does anyone know of an easy fix, or where the blockage is most likely to be found? Read more
FWIW Citroen XM with "panorama of glass" windows (13-odd pieces incl. non-opening quarterlights, supposed to be revolutionary)are so arranged that the water from the wipers runs over the quarterlight area and obscures the door mirror.
Maybe Citroen have shares in the manufacturers of Rainex/Clearex (as well as hose manufacturers...)
rg
I have a marea 115 elx w reg, bought 8 months ago for £4,500 with 16,000 miles. This seems a bargain. To ensure that i get my value for money, i am sticking to basic rules such as oil change every 6 months, regular wash and wax etc. I have booked the car in for a oil change and brake fluid change at halfords, and also asked for a power steering fluid change, I was sure that i read someware that this was good practice ( the car has now done 27,000), but was told by halfords that there is no need to change, there is no drain point, and to drain would involve breaking the curcuit, and therefore a replacement part would be needed - is this true? Read more
Hello,
Im from Argentina, I've a Rover 216 (1996 new line).
Four days ago I detect that the hose that goes from the radiator to the engine was disconnected (I was driving at 50 mph and hear an extrange noise from the engine and then I pull my car out of the road and smell an horrible odor (coolant) ).
I wait for the hose to cool then I reconnect it and refill the coolant. I started my car and everything seems normal.
Since that moment I note that the engine generates an extrange vibration, like it is working in 3 cilinders or something like that.
Other symptons are:
- the explosions at the escape are irregulars
- start seeing watter at the escape
- vibration in the engine
- extrange noise in the engine (it sounds comming from one cilinder)
Test I make:
- no oil in the watter
- no watter in the oil
- the coolant level hasnt drop
- the oil level hasnt drop
* This tests are making me believe that there is no problem in the joint of the block.
After having this problem I renew the oil and its filter.
Do you have any idea of what could be appening in my engine?
Thanks in advance and sorry for my english!!
Christian.
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Dizzy,
Had exactly the same symptoms as you describe on an early Saab 99 Turbo as I was about to trade it in (many years ago) to the Saab dealers for another Saab. It would run on three for perhaps 20secs after cold starting...no apparent water loss.
I mentioned this to the salesman but we agreed as I was trading it in slightly overdue for its next 6K service new plugs should cure it.
When I went back a few weeks later for some warranty work on the new car they were most spiteful because they'd had to do a head skim and gasket on the old 99, reckoned the workshop billed sales £250+ and took all the profit out of it.
Shame ehh....!
MM
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Pinchy,
I would go for a Ford Fiesta no question. Cheap parts, cheap insurance and reliable. Any corrosion on wheel arches or body work can be easily treated yourself.