Right - as you can see the M3's going as we need something more practical due to us selling our Scenic for a new astra convertible! Therefore we are in need of either a small/medium hatchback capable of putting 2 border collies in the back every now and then OR an estate car!

Im hoping that you car experts can think of a few ideas?

we went and looked at the New A3 the other day in 3.2 quattro guise however felt the styling was too bland.

The requirements are:

It must be under £30,000
It must produce a 0-60mph time of around 6.5 seconds or under
It must have street cred - i.e. good looks, good badge, etc..
Ideally, it should have 4 seats, however 2 if necessary
It must be a hatchback or an estate of a reasonable size

Cars we have ruled out are:

Mercedes E55 AMG estate - Too big unfortunately
All Saabs
BMW MINI Cooper S - due to also owning a MINI ONE in the family
All Fords
Japanese cars - just dont like them, sorry :D

Thanks a lot!

Chris Read more

I have 2 broken coil springs on the back of my omega and I thought I would save myself a bit of cash and do it myself !!!!.

However, I can't get the old spring off. I have lowered the wishbone as far as it will go, removed the shock and tie rod...still not enough. My thought is that the driveshafts will not give enough.

The risk is that If I continue in this way by possibly needlessly dismantling the rear suspension I will break something or snap bolts etc....

My next move is to buy a coil spring compressor.

Can anyone tell me what the proper way of doing this job is ??

Any help would be much appreciated,


Steve
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A deliberatly provocative title, following Lib-Dem MP Norman Baker's Radio 4 interview.

But really a tale of my own stupidity and perceived reality.

I've had my old SIII Landy for about a year now, and it is now sadly off-road having been SORNicated by rust.
During that year I've driven it off-road, on-road in thick snow, up-hill and down-dale all using the 4x4 drive which has greatly improved it's performance in those trying conditions.

Except that yesterday, I discovered the vehicle has free-wheeling hubs and these have never been engaged with the axles in all that time.

Which is very funny, considering how much better the vehicle coped when I pressed the yellow knob down to engage the front wheels.

Hence my theory, which is that noboby really needs four-wheel drive, they just need to think that they have it. Read more

Help desperately needed!
My husband and I are at odds over how to progress with our
daughter who is learning to drive. I'll try and be as brief as I can, but give you the facts of the problem.

She needs to drive a car which has this list of priorities
1. Size and suitability for a 5'2" petite young lady
2. Reliability and safety
3. All round value for money - purchase price and insurance
plus running costs.

Neither of our cars are at all suitable for her as they are both
large automatics. He has a company car but commutes by train.
I have a car and do less than 10,000 miles pa - so our costs are already quite high, and our cars get little use.

She is a 19 year old, unemployed student, who will be commuting by train for at least a year from September, so her mileage will be extremely low.
I think she needs a reliable car to practice for her test,
and to keep her hand in afterwards.

We don't have room to garage the car though, and it's hard to say what her driving situation will be in 18 months time.
Our dilemma just seems to get more complicated on all fronts.

I think a second hand car (about £4 - 5k) is a sensible option,
purchasing one now, so that she gets hours on the road under her belt, and can let it sit on the drive building up to some No Claims Bonus (hopefully) and depreciating less than a brand new vehicle (which he would prefer)

Neither of us know anything about cars, and we are at loggerheads.
So far it's stalemate, and I don't think this will help her to pass her test. We feel we need to spend about that much to get something that will fit the criteria and keep Dad happy.

I need to come up with the right car at the right price to persuade him to buy now!

What could you recommend please, given that he wont go for a really cheap and cheerful option?
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Hi all, I've posted here a few times and have been greatly appreciative of all the help i've received. I'm about to pick your collective brains once again if i may....

A week ago i bought a 1993 Vauxhall Carlton CDX 2 Litre injection with manual transmission. I love the car and it drives beautifully (compared to the Volvo 460si it replaced) but i'm afraid it has been neglected. The paintwork laquer has lifted in a few places (entirely across the top of the boot lid) and has a couple of deep, but small, dings that are probably going to necessitate a complete respray at some point. The engine is as quiet and smooth as can be however and i definitely think she's worth the effort and expense to put right (there are other irritating little things that don't work). Here's where I need your help.

The car only cost me £450 (with 6 months T&T, private sale) but as i'm on a severely tight budget i need advice on what to prioritise and concentrate on first. The obviouse engine oil/filter change is planned for but what others?

The diff doesn't exactly whine....more of a 'ssshhhhhh'....and i've been advised by a local small motor factors shop to replace the oil in there with the Lucas Oil additive detailed here...
retailers.lucasoil.com/administrator2/Manage_Produ...f

what do you think? Would you also use this in the gearbox? I've read a lot of your opinions on these types of additives in this forum (i was advised 100% replacement with this stuff).

Could anyone suggest a sensible sort of 'maintenance' schedule i could embark upon? I've decided it's safer to assume that his car has been totally neglected!

Once again, much appreciation for your time and advice.

Regards
Bob


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