June 2003
hi, can you help. we are looking for a small, reliable, economical car. we have thought about the honda jazz,vw polo, fiesta, c3, seat ibiza and the skoda fabia. most of the time our car is parked on the drive or the works car park.there is just me and my husband and occasionally our 15 year old son who thinks we should buy the new maserati. we don't really know a lot about cars so all help gratefully recieved. thanks Read more
Had tyres fitted recently using two difference outfits (fastfit)
Fitted tyres and balanced but left the old valves in (maybe changed the inner core). How common is this? Read more
If the valve core fails, this will probably cause a relatively gradual loss of air, but the rubber stem, if perished, could break of under centrifugal force at high speed and cause a rapid deflation - not worth the risk for the small cost of a new valve...
Ok, I know I've asked similar questions in the past, but I'm still on the lookout for a 3-year old "keeper" to replace the Passat late this year/early next year. I'm essentially looking for something with similar equipment levels to the Leon, with nearly as good mpg (ie diesel), which is a bit bigger but still an enjoyable drive. I've pretty much eliminated most other choices on various grounds. So I'm down to searching for either a 3 year old 320d SE, or a same age 75 Connoisseur with the official aftermarket power upgrade (therefore virtually the same engine as the 320d).
I don't think there are any significant reliability/build quality problems with the 75, it seems to have shaken off the Rover curse. Image isn't a factor for me. Although I haven't driven one yet, I reckon the 320d will handle better, being RWD, and hold its value better as well. But the 75 still seems to handle pretty well, and may be more comfortable. So, if like me you rate both cars, which do you think is the better option - the 75 for being slightly roomier/more comfortable as well as cheaper to buy & insure, or the 320d which although more expensive to buy & insure, is (slightly?) better to drive and will depreciate less? Which one is more likely to reward me, which will be better to live with? What have I forgotten? Opinions welcome.
andymc Read more
I really meant to say that I was mainly interested to
see if anyone else had noticed the wierd pedal layout and
whether they were bothered by it. >> >> Andy >>
Andy: Yes, this topic has come up at least a couple of times before - to repeat what Pug said : "There was a thread bemoaning the pedal layout of the Three which ran and ran a few months ago." Do a search and bring it up again by all means if you really wish!
I've had this on a couple of cars now, the contact for the rear window demister that attaches to the glass has come away. I've been informed this cannot be glued or soldered back on as it will create a hotspot which will cause the window to shatter, the only solution is a new window. Is this right? Read more
I have done this, although not with the loctite product. a quick google threw up a firm who supply conductive epoxy (It contains silver)and when I phoned them they told me that they supply several kits a week to drivers.
i used it about 6 months ago and it is holding up fine.
Ive just read HJ's "test" of it, doesnt it look good? (Yes I know im a smart driver and somewhat biased)
Anyhow, this may interest some of you.
emma.ibs.debis.com/smart/forfour_day/index.en.html
Anyone got any ForFour comments?
Tony Read more
It certainly looks the part and if it handles as well as the Roadster it should be a belter. ?11,000 is the 'net' price so excludes the share due to HM Govt. I've noticed the words 'which shall be available as an option' mentioned a lot in the press release, which can soon stack teh price up. I was in a Roadster at the weekend which retailed at close to £20,000 once all the options were taken in to account - crazy money. I'll reserve judgement until it's released which is Autumn 2004 for RHD versions.
Just a quick note to say that I took (and passed) my DAS motorcycle test today. T'was lovely weather for it(!); at least I got to try out the waterproofs!
1 minor fault, on balance - I'm too tense when moving away from a standstill, giving a bit of a wobble from time to time.
I'm now licenced to ride any bike, which is a little frightening, now I come to think of it, but I'll probably try and pick up a cheap CB500 or ER5 to try and improve my riding on. (Was looking at more of a tourer; maybe a Deauville, but recently announced redundancy has put paid to that) Cheap 500-600 bike recommendations welcomed, btw.
Anyway, thanks to all those who freely offered advice and encouragement to me on my CBT and Kymco threads, names that come to mind are Tom, Toad, Growler and Bill.
Cheers guys
-David. Read more
Well, I've got one:
It's a T reg (1999) Kawasaki GPZ 500S. I can almost hear Growlers thoughts about plastic covered race bikes :) , but thankfully despite it's somewhat sporty looking top fairing, the rest of it is decidely not race bike - it's riding position is nice; a little more comfortable on the arms and wrists than the CB500.
The finish is generally good, compared to other examples I saw, but around the rear shock, it's taken quite a pitting, so a good clean of that will follow when I have the time. I've heard you can get a device that sits between the tyre and the shock (is this a hugger?) to keep most of the dirt off it, so this is probably a good investment.
Seems in really good condition all round; with the exception that the rear pads look to be coming up for replacement, and it seems to have been a victim of short-run-syndrome (spotted as a bit of milky condensation on the oil sight glass) and had been stood for a while (a month or so) as the ex-owner has just got himself a car. Did an oil/filter change at the weekend, and it's been taken for a good few runs, and the oil looks a much more healthy colour now.
Hawkeye, despite the potential nightmares, the purchase went reasonably smoothly - a few stalls/wobbles aside, of course (it needs a bit more throttle than the CB500 to move off smoothly - and I need a bit more balance to move off smoothly!!).
Oil change/air in tyres/checkover completed, I went to Southport (from St Helens) on Sunday to try a bit of riding on some quiet NSL roads. This was certainly an interesting experience, and my confidence in the bike on dry roads is now greatly increased. A lot of other bikers were out on the roads, and they certainly seem a friendly bunch - a nod from almost everyone I passed, and even a wave of thank you when you move over to let the fast guys through.
Cheshire cat syndrome indeed!
Thanks once again to everyone for the advice, if you're ever in the area, do give us a nod :)
-David.
Just wondering if anyone can recommend a driving school/instructor in central Edinburgh. My sister has been learning in a Skoda (not sure of model), she has failed a couple of tests, not on anything major and she feels she is definitely ready for the test, as does the instrutor. However, he is always fully booked and makes her wait a couple of months until he will book her more lessons and allow her to take the test. She has had enough of him, he's not helpful at all.
She is a bit worried about starting in a different car but I think it will be better than waiting for him all the time, she's spent a fortune with him and I think he's ripping her off now, so if anyone knows of good instructor I would be grateful. Read more
Thanks welliesorter, I've passed the website address on to her.
She can get a test ok because she has been offered cancellations just a couple of weeks away, it's the driving instructor who is stalling, saying he's fully booked and he can't fit her in.
Has any body else tried getting an on line quote ? Best Brokers again see News headline.
I gave up after being asked repetitive questions, failure to recognise dates (or give formats).
How many people know the date on which they acquired a full licence in 1965? nearly 40 years - scary!
is it just my lack of patience or do other people have the same problems?
I suppose the positive thing is that the site didnt crash, it just continued to annoy me.
pmh (was peter) Read more
Yes, Direct Choices site is awkward to use, but I persevered and they were the cheapest for the wife and have remained so for three years now.
Funnily enough they couldn't come close to Tesco for me. Strange I thought, but then the two cars are at opposite ends of the insurance grouping spectrum (wifes = grp3, mine grp17) so maybe that tells you something about their target clientelle.
What would cause oil in a diesel engine to thicken and become 'gel-like'? It hasn't happened to me but it has been suggested that it could. Engine is a 1.9 tdi VW unit with full service history and 2500 miles to go before next oil change.
There is a long background to this question and not realy worth repeating.
Keep upright
Read more
Bacteria is the most likely cause.
Just been browsing the Alfa 155 site and came across this warning. Something to be aware of if you're selling a prestige car.
www.bmwcarclubgb.co.uk/forsale/warning.htm Read more
How about this as a theft-recovery/deterrent (from today's electronic Daily Telegraph):
>>>> "" City diary
Edited by Simon Goodley (Filed: 01/07/2003)
Stealing a Russian VIP's limo can be bad for your health
Boris Berezovski, the exiled Russian millionaire and sworn enemy of President Putin, had his "high-value VIP Mercedes" limo stolen from an Egham petrol forecourt on Thursday.
Berezovski wasn't with the car at the time, and as soon as he heard he despatched aides to locate it. They failed, so now a spokesman is trying a different tactic. "Whoever has it better be careful about mistaken identity. Boris lives under constant death threats. That would be an extreme punishment for stealing a car."
The thieves must have worked that out for themselves. Since his message the vehicle has been found abandoned. "" <<<<<<
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Any of them is a good car. If you can live with the ride and the styling, the Jazz is probably the best, but it is also the most expensive with the least possibility of a discount.
Don't buy a base model Polo because they're too slow. And don't buy a top model because they're too expensive. Somewhere in between a 75 bhp Polo 1.4S might make some sense, but it all depends on the deal you can get.
Most of those are available from www.ukcarbroker.co.uk which will give you an idea of what you should really be looking to pay.