April 2003
Hi all
I have been having some fun with cars of late. I bought a saab 9-5, but the reverse gear went awry, so got it fixed. After that, the whole car just didn't feel right, I lost confidence in it and sold it. I am now looking for something else, and have decided upon a mazda 626 (unless people here have horror stories about these). I decided to budgetize and get one for around 2.5k (and keep the rest of my fortune safely locked up in dan air shares - I just know they will rebound soon). For that I should be able to get a 97-98 decent spec with fsh and around 50-80k.
The main reason for this posting is to ask people about rebuilt parts. In my own opinion I would be reluctant to buy a car that has had its gearbox or engine rebuilt, as it signifies that either the owner didn't look after the car, or its symptomatic of an unreliable car (singular rather than generic).
What are other people's opinions? Would you buy a car with a rebuild or would you prefer the original untouched engine, which could probably just as easily fail on you? Would a headgasket job (Complete with skim) put you off (assuming its a pro job done properly).
Regards
Jonathan Read more
They seem to have been around for ever - the accident forms you can take on a visit abroad and in the event of an accident involving you and another vehicle, you fill out all the details on the spot and get the other driver (who probably is a non-English speaker) to sign. Has anyone actually done this? Or am I just a born sceptic?
Oz (as was) Read more
Oz
My insurance company stopped issuing these a few years ago, although I still have a fair-sized collection. They're called "European accident statement" forms and IIRC the insurers' instruction was to sign only if necessary to get you out of a tight spot, and to endorse your signature to the effect that it didn't indicate agreement to what was recorded therein because you couldn't understand it.
I guess they stopped issuing them because they stopped issuing green cards, so they have no way of knowing when I'm going abroad any more!
Terry
has anybody had problems with the auto dimming mirror on new mondeo's vibrating when driving. mine is so bad that i cant see clearly behind. it also shakes if you have the stereo turned up too much, or have a bit of bass going through the speakers.
i don't know if it's just the dimming type or if "they all do that sir" type of thing.
never seemed to have this prob before on anycar.
any thoughts from the knowledgeable ones out there?? Read more
Every hired Focus I've driven had this problem - couldn't stop it on most. Used to drive me mad. Never noticed this on other makes though.
I want to use my Haynes manual to carry out a pre MOT check on my Passat. The manuals, as we all know are fairly detailed and don\'t leave much to the imagination. But what kind of reliable ideas concerning the probably outcome of the MOT test can i get without the sophisicated tools that today\'s garages now use, i.e. emissions control, brake alignment, front light alignment?
thanks Read more
When the wifes car is going for an MOT I always do a simple pre check.
1/ Check all the lights, including indicators, rear fog and brake lights. Assume headlamp alignment is ok if not been damaged,
2/Check the horn
3/Check the wipers and washers (check the blades for wear or torn)
4/Check the seatbelts (not frayed, the catches work, and they lock when tugged
5/Check the tyres for wear, splits, cuts and bulges.
6/Whip off the front wheels, check pad wear, disk ok.
7/Exhaust for leaks
8/Bounce test on each corner of car (push down hard on corner and make sure car doesnt keep bouncing up and down)
8/Road test, including heavy brake test, handbrake, and steering slop
And thats about it, It makes sure the car does not get failed on anything stupid and is well worth the 1/2 hour of effort it takes.
I had to drop someone off today for an appointment. I waited in a residents only bay.
A warden camne along and asked me to move.
I did so, but he still typed my reg plate into his hand held thingymajig.
I parked in a nearby car park and walked back. he had ticketed the car behind mine. £40 for him, reduced to £20 if paid within 7 days.
Will I get a ticket throught the post? Nothing was issued at the time? if not, why key in my number plate?
Thanks. Read more
Actually I think you'll find that they also have to record all contact with members of the public.
Guess what? Bora 2 weeks out of warranty and find traces of oil on drive from the area of rear wheel, Dealer confirms rear axle seals shot (oil filled). Surprise surprise cure is new axle and seals. To be fair VW offered to pick up 50% of parts and labour as a goodwill gesture (which they didn't have to) but so much for the fabled VW build quality. Those Honda's and Toyotas aren't half looking more attractive. Any comments Guys?
Read more
VW cars have not become less reliable, but perhaps other manufacturers have raised the standard. The problem is that the brand is marketed as having superior reliability and quality and I don't see any real evidence of this.
It was claimed that VW workers used to say the cheapest hand-built car in the world was a Golf, as it needed lots of retification at the end of the assembly line.
Some people are just delusional about their cars, aren't they? This goes beyond optimistic, although given the amount of money that's been spent on tarting this car up I can see why he'd want some of it back. On the other hand, there's nothing on there apart from an inch of alloys that a 16v Diplomat couldn't do better for half the money.
1994 VAUXHALL CAVALIER LS 2.0 8V, 1994, L reg. 109000 miles, red, 16 alloys, lowered 60mm, leather interior, K&N filter, tinted windows, twin exhaust, cd player, reliable, motorway muncher, alarm/immobiliser £2000 no offers (private) more info
At £2k, damn right he's getting no offers! Read more
Ah, but I'm afraid you are all misunderstanding the advert...lets look at it again...
1994 VAUXHALL CAVALIER LS 2.0 8V, 1994, L reg. 109000 miles, red, 16 alloys, lowered 60mm, leather interior, K&N filter, tinted windows, twin exhaust, cd player, reliable, motorway muncher, alarm/immobiliser £2000 no offers (private) more info
Let me translate it for the uninitiated
16" alloys = tax exempt
Lowered 60mm = parking privileges of a disabled badge
K & N Filter = insurance exempt
Twin exhaust = MOT exempt
Tinted windows = driving license exempt
Motorway muncher = free petrol at any garage
As you can now see, £2000 is not a bad price...
Can you post the phone number please, I fancy a look...
My 1997 Escort 1.8 Zetec engine is misbehaving, there is a distinct hesitation or miss of some kind when driving normally, doesn't seem to happen if I give it some welly, but under normal conditions there is something not right.
Even cruising at 70mph it is still noticeable, there is a very mild jerk, almost as if the engine loses power for a split second.
The air con seems to cause the engine problems too, it idles at around 400rpm with air con switched on and the throttle is very slow to respond when I take my foot off it, then it jerks as the revs drop right off.
It's a common engine, so hopefully someone has experienced something similar?
PP Read more
Thanks Andrew, you've given me plenty to chew on there, I'll let you know how I get on.
PP
Hi,
I'm helping a pal install a sat nav system in his '98 Espace (2.0 8v petrol auto).
The instructions says that the system needs a speedo pulse input signal to ensure accuracy of the system.
Does anyone know where I would find this? The Renault dealers have been zero use and there is no Haynes manual for the '97 onwards model Espace.
Any help comments appreciated.
Regards ...... Robert Read more
The RSS is normally on the end of the gearbox closest to the driveshafts. It normally has 3 wires, +ve, -ve, and pulse. With a voltmeter you should be able to work out which is which, though you may need need to jack it up and spin the wheels to get the pulse.
Dear all,
With the road rallies and track days ahead, I am going to change the brake fluid to DOT 5.1 on the QX. Is there any side effects? Is DOT 5.1 suitable to go on QX's braking system?
Also, I am thinking of changing the pads at the front. The pattern pads overheated and there were smoke pouring out of the spokes of the wheel during the last rally. Would someone kindly recommendation any performance pads please? I know there is EBC but the supplier's web-site - Sejoc - has been down for months. Are they closed? Would someone kindly send me their telephone number if they are still in business please?
Thank you very much.
Garrison Read more
284mm ventilated disc, 4-pot caliper standard with the car.
Browse
Gen,
As DD says a *very* recent head gasket change might show, frankly more than about 2 or 3 months ago and you'd struggle.
But the funny thing is many sellers will proubly announce it as a positive benefit...and then you ask to see the receipt to find his mate's auntie did it for beer money, no it didn't need a skim and what are stretch bolts anyway.
Of course I'm being a bit cynical about this but honestly you need to think damn hard about the reason it needed a gasket and the quality of the work or it will come back to haunt you.
True story...Chap has a head gasket go an an "expensive to work on" modern diesel that doesn't usually suffer failures. Because of the high cost he does it himself without replacing the head bolts, without a skim and using a very cheap pattern gasket. Goes again within 500 miles. This time has it skimmed and uses an OE gasket set. Goes again in another 200 miles.
Eventually finds he had a cooling system fault that caused both failures....now it is fine once he'd replaced it for the third time!
If you'd been the buyer of the vehicle before attempt three you'd be well fed up.
MM