July 2003

Forum If you need a road driving licence...

SjB {P} on 30 July 2003

...before you can be issued with a competition licence, what happens now?

During the British round of the World Rally Championship, some of the top names in the sport were caught breaking the prevailing speed limit on public roads between special stages.

British licence holders Colin Rae and Richard Burns are included, the latter racking up five separate offences.

Yes, loads of spectators were caught too, but It'll be interesting to see whether the team managers let law run its' course, or more likely, engage some high powered briefs to put up a fight.

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/3108065.stm

Read more

madf on 30 July 2003

I'm sorry but if the law says a speed limit and you get done breaking it 5 times in a day and you lose your licence .. tough. Presumably the offenders gained an advantage by speeding and knew the law.

I have NO sympathy.. they took risks breaking the law hoping to win £ss.. Tough if they got caught..
madf

Forum car choice made

apm on 30 July 2003

I posted a little while ago about my indecision re a new car. Well, I have now ordered a new Seat Leon Cupra in arctic grey, due for delivery on 1st september. Hurrah!!
--
Dr Alex Mears
Seat ibiza Cupra
Mazda MX-5 1.8iS
Yamaha RD350YPVS
Read more

Question Vectra 1.7td

webbwood on 30 July 2003

I own a 1996 vauxhall vectra 1.7td. Its come to that time where i need to get the timing belt replaced and i also need the valve clearances checked/adjusted as its having problems starting and ive checked the glowplugs and the fuel supply. Does anyone know the going rate for these two jobs? And am i better off at a vauxhall dealer or local garage? Read more

webbwood on 8 August 2003

Well heres a progress report, I getting the two things done separately as there is better things to spend my money on in the sunshine! Anyway i got the timing belt done first as it is important. I got it done at a Vauxhall dealer as local independants didnt seem interested and also the vauxhall dealer is just arond the corner from my work place for convinience. The job cost me £147 including parts, labour & VAT. Not bad for a vauxhall dealer and least i now have some degree of peace of mind! I will keep you posted of the next job, the valve clearances!

Question Mercedes C200K post 2000

johnsheldon on 30 July 2003

The road test mentions one instance of "accelerated suspension bush wear problems" due to poor UK roads. How would this materialise? Mine has developed an annoying sqeak from the front drivers side suspension. It can disappear overnight but soon returns after the car is running. Water or WD40 provide only a temporary relief. The noise is obvious if the car is rocked.
Any help would be appreciated due to lack of main dealer interest. Read more

Forum Rover for Yaris

Monaro on 30 July 2003

My Aunt's white Rover 216Si 96N with 77000 miles needs to go. She is looking to trade it in at a Toyota dealer for a Yaris.
The Yaris is a Silver 2000W 1.3 CDX with 25k miles on the clock. The sticker Price (Toyota assured) is £6750. From looking at guides the dealer price appears to be about £6500. I am wondering what a good deal would be here. The part exchange value is yet to be determined, but hoping for about £1500, the cost to change would be £5250. I reckon if she can get this down to £5000 this would work out about right. What are the backrooms thoughts? There would be no finance involved. The part exchange is the critcial point, but if that offer isn't attractive we would consider a private sale.

Any thoughts would be welcomed...

Paul C Read more

KB. on 9 August 2003

Indeed, David. I fully expect to offered 9 for it and would be happy with that. Any less than that and I think the buyer would be doing very well and at present don't feel obliged to oblige....as it were.
KB.

Question Mondeo 1.8 Zetec noise

Wales Forester on 30 July 2003

Hi all,

Looks like i'll be back off to the garage with my newly acquired 45000 mile X reg Mondeo 1.8 Zetec.
On acceleration there is a strange noise, its not there if driven steadily, but if for example I slow to around 35mph in 4th gear and then give it the gun to accelerate there is a noise, over and above the engine noise, the best way i can describe it is like rushing air or a like a fan.
It will do it in all gears but seems to be worse if you slow down and then re-apply the throttle.

Sorry for the vagueness but anyone any ideas so i can go back a bit clued up?

PP Read more

Wales Forester on 15 August 2003

UPDATE:

Mr Mansell you got it in one! Clutch diagnosed as being at fault, don't ask me exactly which bit of it as I got lost when it was being explained to me. New one fitted yesterday and it's spot on.
Also had an obstructive third gear which turned out to be the synchro, so that has been replaced too, along with two antiroll bar link arms that were creaking.

Total bill just under £800, am I glad it was on warranty!

I must add that I can't fault Ford's of Winsford after sales department, excellent throughout, allowed me to use a Ford garage of my choice and agreed to pay in full for all parts and labour needed - well done to them.

PP

Forum Volvo 145

M.M on 30 July 2003

>>Free Volvo 145 auto...My parents have a 1 July 1974 orange Volvo 145 auto, brown plastic seats, owned by them from new, under 100,000 miles and surplus to requirements as they are now both retired.

Have you seen this in classifieds? Orange with brown plastic seats...it just about defined motoring in the early 70s. I can see the dash with that strip speedo, the underfloor storage in the back, every detail really. Those were the days when a Volvo was in a class alone from Cortina's and the like. Every antique dealer had one with a big flat roof rack.

If it was nearer I'd just have to get it for old times sake!

M.M

Read more

Cliff Pope on 1 August 2003

I agree Greg. I'm a fan of the 240, but a really nice 145 would probably be better. I always thought it a pity they never made a 6-cylinder equivalent, a 165 corresponding to the 164. And what about the rare 162?

Forum Volvo V40

Dan G on 30 July 2003

I've always fancied a V40 diesel (not sure why). Only ever driven a petrol, and it was quite nice. I'm not after speed, just reliability, economy and comfort.

Any comments on the V40 diesel ? Read more

Steve S on 31 July 2003

A 2 litre turbo is a nice car in SE trim. But the diesel is not - it's slow and noisy. The lesser petrol engines are not noisy but are dog slow.

T4 is a blast but needs good tyres on the front to get the 200 bhp down effectively. SE leather trim is a must.

As these posts have pointed out - this is now an old design.

Forum Car prices plummeting

Colin M on 30 July 2003

This months CAP guide warns about pressure on nearly new car prices because of the levels of discount on new cars commonly available. I see the BBC are carrying a story about this too.

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3107957.stm

Read more

T Lucas on 2 August 2003

£200 loss,sounds like someone is being 'economic' with the truth.Makes a good story though.

Question Citroen Picasso Pedal Peril

Paul Clark on 30 July 2003

I have an 18 month old Picasso which seems to have developed an alarming problem with its pedals.
Under heavy braking the pedals feel as if they all move en masse down toward the floor. If I have the clutch pedal pressed fully down at the same time then it can actually become jammed against the carpet when easing off on the brakes. This has happened three times now and the pedal needs a good tug to release it.
Any ideas about why the pedals should move in this way? Any one else have the same trouble? Read more

Steve Pearce on 31 July 2003