June 2003
I'm just in the process of entering the big wide world of the company car driver. I've chosen the Fiat Stilo Multiwagon JTD Dynamic.
The lease company that deals with us has just informed me that the dealer is quoting a 6 week delivery. Does this sound normal ? having bought private cars in the past I've never waited more than a fortnight for delivery, granted they were all Fords ( 2 Pumas and a Focus) but 6 weeks sounds like a long time to me. As I say this is my first venture into the world of lease companies and the like.
Any comments (apart from WHY a stilo)!!
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Surely insurance is about risk analysis, and if (statistically at least!) a woman is less likely to claim, then an insurance company should be free to use gender to help set the premium they wish to charge?
If not, as is indicated below, then surely another law will be needed to stop ageism being one of the factors used when setting a premium, too!
Hopefully, the article reports nothing more than tittle tattle, but somehow, I doubt it.
www.whatcar.com/default.asp?a=news&b=story&makeref...8
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The word "leaked" in the article set alarm bells ringing for me. Who on earth would want to leak information about legislation currently being discussed by the EU and not yet passed--in fact not yet even voted on? I wonder. Maybe somebody opposed to the EU perhaps, who wants to spread disinformation? Somebody in the EU legislative system no doubt thinks/thought this is a good idea, but I'll bet this was just an idea that was kicked around. Nothing in the article suggests it is likely to happen. Maybe an insurance company was consulted about it and that's how the information has leaked--I can't imagine the inscos are happy about the idea. But anyway this will not happen; it is an EU myth like straight bananas and cubic tomatoes. Repeat ten times after me: "Tabloid journalism is rubbish and cannot be trusted."
Hi,
Im looking at purching a saxo VTS, its 1998 R reg but has 97,000 miles on the clock, my friend had it from new, it has a full dealer service history, and loads of motorway miles
Is 97k TO much on a car this young? Its the only thing playing on my mind.
Thanks for your help :) Read more
True. I just dont know anyone who has had one that hasnt had problems.
Hi all - bit of a trivial one, but does anyone have any suggestions for cleaning the general dirt from my fabric (not velour etc.) seats. I used an off-the-shelf upholstry cleaner from Halfords and now can't get rid of the stink it's created...think the dirt was preferable!!
Any suggestions greatly appreciated - plus any tips for ridding the car of a slight smokey odour!
Cheers Read more
Fantastic - thanks all as usual a great response. Rented a cleaner for the weekend and plan to suck out the worst on the seat bases and hopefully brighten up the rest...ahhh fabreeze, hadn't thought of that one!!
Cheers all
SWMBO has just got her renewal form in and I was surprised to see that there has been a 70% (yes - seventy) increase over last years charge. It has gone up from £50 to £85.
Now normally I wouldn't mind but my council tax has had one of the biggest increases in the country.
For those of you who do have to pay for a residents permit, what sort of charges do you have? Just want to know so that I can either continue to grumble or not! Read more
Volvoman - no I didn't get your e-mail!
My council charges £85 for the 1st car in your name and £400 for the second. (Fortunately if you are married that can be 1 each)
Any suggestions besides a vomit bag!..620 Automatic.. In Neutral or Parking car shakes when at normal idling..released brakes does not move but still shakes..put it into drive the shaking stops..cheers for any info on this..
Bugman Read more
It's gotta be an engine mounting - these cars are usually very smooth, esp at idle!
Have just read an interesting thread in the archive (Dangerous Alloy Wheels).
Thought a relevant point is that most alloy wheel bolts have a recommended torque setting of around 60 - 80 lb/ft.
Most garages do them up with air guns set to around 200 - 300!!
This is a very likely cause of cracking I would imagine.
I had an Escort XR3i that would run fine at the correct torque but if overtightened - as they were every time any garage put them back on - would sound like the wheel bearings were on the way out!
Anyone else have any views - I would be interested to hear your feedback.
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i work at a garage and we do the wheels up with an air gun and then we torque the bolts to the manfactures spec. on some jaguars u have to do the nuts up to 110Nm.
I have a 1988 VW Golf 1.3 which has a strange groan when I either pull away especially on hills or push the car a bit harder.....dont think its the clutch as it happens when completely dis-engaged......has recently passed the mot so no bearing play identified.......dont think its a cv joint as ok on a full lock.....also rattles when going over bumps seems to eminate from the same place so could be linked.........any ideas?
post ammended. Please don\'t post solely in CAPITAL letters as it is thought to be bad manners (it\'s a way of expressing bad temper because it looks as if you\'re SHOUTING). DD. Read more
I would check the strut top bearing for wear. It is located under the bonnet on top of the wheel arch. They are easy to replace. Best of luck. GGH
Got a quote today for a 48,000 mile service on a Suzuki Jimney,supposed to be a cheap car to run etc etc,when the quote arrived I nearly asked if he was refering to the wrong model!
£270.00!!!!
Any comment Read more
Hi Paul,
The service is fairly major with lots changed with the exception of the cam belt, that service costs £420.
The Jimney is alot of fun,goes anywhere and out performs many of the larger off roaders.
Does about 35-40mpg.
The only downside being space, however it continues to carry 3 of us.
Regards
Can anyone here tell me the Glass's guide price, trade and retial, for a 98S Mondeo 1.8lx air-con with 60k miles? Thank you. Read more
Ah thanks, I wasn't positive CAP and Glass's were much different. Anyone got a CAP guide price for this car? Most people at auction seem to have this guide.
Browse
Think yourself lucky.
When my old man ordered his SLK before they came out he still had to wait two years for delivery and when I placed my last order for a new E-Class they were just begining to get into the 6 month wait.
At least you know it's a fresh one and hasn't been sitting around for ages.
Best of luck with it, I'm sure Fiats aint that bad.