August 2003
I need to buy a car up to £5000 max,. preferably a bit less. I've had and liked Saab 9000s but wife says they look dated. Any other larger, comfortable cars which aren't too slow anyone can suggest. Is this too little to spend on a BMW to get a decent one? Help me please! Read more
I would appreciate a bit of advice concerning a potentially nasty road rage incident.
This evening, just after leaving home, I was going round the local Asda roundabout. I saw a car on a side road that looked like it would enter the roundabout without giving way. So I slowed, it didn't pull out, but as I passed it, it pulled out dangerously close, just missing my tail. I exited the roundabout, and saw the car in the rear view mirror dangerously close, and the occupants were swearing and pulling faces at me. I normally ignore these people, but this time, I was annoyed, and casually gave a one fingered gesture. He must have dropped a gear as he then did a high speed overtake (residential 30 mph zone) followed by slamming on his brakes forcing me to stop. He then got out of his car, swearing, and gesturing menacingly, and then started towards me. I checked my rear view mirror, turned on my hazard warning lights and then reversed as fast as I safely could to get the hell out of there.
Firstly, please no lectures about not enraging an already aggressive driver with hand gestures. I usually ignore them, but I am not perfect.
Obviously I am unlikely to meet this person again. However, the driving was dangerous, and it looked like he was going to assault me given half a chance. Perhaps in future some old lad, or a young woman will suffer at his hands. I am wondering what I can do that is constructive. I have a mind to report the driver to the local police given that I have the registration and a description of the car and the driver (he was about 30, shaven headed, an unshaven face, and a lean build i.e. football thug lookalike). I am prepared to have them laugh at me.
Although no charges could be brought, due to no witnesses, the presence of one or more plod at his door might make him think twice next time he tries it on with someone else.
What do people think? Read more
Just a thought... but if he was able to 'force' you into the 'slow' lane... why weren't you in lane 1 anyway?? I wouldn't condone his actions but I sure can sympathise! (Maybe rather than 'defensive driving' a read of the Highway Code mightn't come amiss?
My sister recently lost her husband far too early in tragic circumstances.
She had been intending to replace her car and in a bit of a muddled state,sold her own car privately and traded in her husband's car against a one year old Fiesta LX with 20k miles.
As the saying goes, act in haste.....
She was a bit miserable about the whole thing and this was reflected in that she was unhappy with the colour. Ultimately the whole affair is now aggravated by the clutch failing. On it's own it could be dismissed as one of those things as the dealer was happy to sort the problem, unfortunately this was dealt with in a matter of fact way, dealer naturally being ignorant of my sister's bereavement.
However, as she was sat in the car park in floods of tears, a sales person saw the state she was in and had the grace to ask what was wrong. The upshot being that an offer to sort the matter out and replace the car was suggested.
This is where I am a bit concerned. Sales man says he will keep losses to a minimum! My sister in her fragile state believes she will not lose out. I am not so sure.
She has had the car 4 weeks tomorrow, when it is in for the clutch is to be replaced. Now, I do realise that she does not have much come back but what would you Backroomers suggest?
Me, I have taken her to Motorpoint today where she has realised that the prices there are far lower. But she thinks that the best bet is to try to thrash out a deal with the dealer. Any suggestions in keeping her losses to a minimum? I know the solution would be to keep the car, if only it was that easy.
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I'm really sorry to hear this Dave, my condolances.
Might I suggest that you take a softly softly approach?
Sit your sister down and suggest that you work together on this.
Liaise with the dealership with your sister, as human beings they should understand the gravity of the situation.
You, with a clearer frame of mind, should be able to sort out what your sister really wants and negotiate with the dealership, even if you have to talk to the dealer principle.
My Aunt recently bought a new Kia. Although she was not suffering from any type of berievement at the time, to put it politely, she can be as batty as a fruitcake - God bless. So I worked with her and the dealership to help the deal go through smoothly. To be honest, I think they appreciated my involvement, to the extent that they were more ready to throw in a couple of hundred £s worth of extras. At least they knew that there was someone with a clearer mind involved.
Anyway, I wish you and your sister well for the future whatever the outcome of this.
Regards
H
noticed water dripping from my daughters yaris the other day. could it be condensation from the ac unit as cannot find source of leak and water levels are ok??
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If you have a Fiat Punto with air con double check the rubber pipe above steering rack gaitor NS is clear (remove it and clean!). Mine allowed a steady drip through but couldnt cope with the torrent during the recent hot humid weather, caused wet carpet on NS. All well after clearing rubber pipe and application of a hair dryer . AC does always work well though, cool within seconds.
If its dripping from two locations you have this problem.
I would really appreciate some guidance here please. I'm going to have a look at this car tomorrow, but I think it's overpriced having done a quick check via the AutoTrader search.
The advertising says:
"Toyota Corolla 1.3 Sportif , Petrol, 1995 N Reg , Green,
Hatchback, 3 Doors. 1 Year Parts and Labour Warranty, 110 Point Check, 5 Speed, Central Door Locking, Paint Metallic, Power-Assisted Steering, Stereo. £2,395 "
There is no mention of mileage. However it will give me some good idea of what to expect for age, condition etc. I found another N reg (96) for even more, but many other N's of both years for less but were quite a distance away (all trade). Ill health means I can't travel too far so does kind of drastically restrict my choices of where to buy, but I'm only interested in Corollas now anyway.
Can you guide me here please? I am right in thinking it's overpriced? Read more
I told him it was actually a 95
He got a little miffed when I suggested that a stamped
service book was not a real Full Service History
and turned an indignant bright red when my mother (in her
very posh accent!)
Go girls!
Good for you - I only wish I'd been there... Brings these cocky sales reps down a peg or two and I only wish more women took that attitude.
I found out from a very early age that in a private ad, "good condition" can mean anything from immaculate (it happens but as likely as rocking horse poo) through to "an MOT certificate with 1 ton of scrap metal". You then find out later in life that it sadly applies to garages as well without the "immaculate" stage. Am sure you'll find a good onein the end. It's a shame it's near on impossible to buy proper franchise part-exs these days as there were bargains to be had in those days...
I found this on the Norfolk Police Site.
It mainly affects Cruising, but the powers seem to be quite wide-ranging and could be applied to any motoring activity.
What do you think? Too much power?
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This section is intended to be a guide to new and current legislation which applies to, or may effect people organising or attending cruise events. .
Section 59(4)(b) Police Reform Act 2002
Vehicles Causing Alarm, Distress or Annoyance.
This information is designed as a reference guide to new legislation which came into effect on Wednesday 1st January, 2003. It should be noted that all police forces around the country are now enforcing this legislation. Below is an outline of the legislation and how it might affect you.
Where a constable in uniform has reasonable grounds for believing that a motor vehicle is being used on any occasion in a manner which contravenes section 3 or 34 of the road traffic act 1988 (Careless and inconsiderate driving and prohibition of off-road driving)
AND Is causing, or is likely to cause alarm, distress or annoyance to members of the public he/she has the power to:-
Order the person to stop driving the vehicle (it is an offence not to do so when ordered by a police constable to stop) and to warn the driver that his/her behaviour constitutes and offence. This warning lasts for a period of TWELVE MONTHS.
Following the warning, if that person continues the behaviour, the constable has the power to seize and remove the vehicle, if necessary enter any premises (using reasonable force) on which he has reasonable grounds for believing the motor vehicle to be in order to seize the vehicle.
This vehicle can be retained by the police for an unlimited amount of time or subsequently sold.
A warning is NOT required prior to seizing the vehicle if it is impracticable to do so at the time, a warning has already been given to the driver by the constable, the warning has already been given by another person, or given within the past TWELVE MONTHS.
A seizure notice must be given to the person who appears to be the owner of the vehicle. Read more
HM is spot on. You cannot actually define 'reasonable' as a catch-all. It differs in every situation. I usually suggest to the jury that the twelve of them, being intelligent people, are quite able to decide what is reasonable in the case they are trying.
Hi
My \'96 306 makes loud disturbing banging/clunking noises when the steering wheel is rocked from side to side from centre. Is this normal?, if not any ideas, there doesnt seem to be any play - the wheels are moving with the slightest move of the steering wheel.
It does it with power assistance and with the engine off.
Thanks in advance Read more
Steering rack loose?
Having just finished the Bentley R-Type Continental Book (early 1950s), I was struck by the amazing owner options available at the time.
One which caught my eye was 'heel recess in footboards under pedals', but my favourite has to be 'anti-hobo door locks'!
Stu. Read more
Quaint and rather lovely Brill.
I'm mindful of anti-hobo packs for South Africa, or somewhere, that I saw some months ago.
You press a pedal and flamethrowers blast a jet out from each front door. They'd sell loads in Central Leeds, Manchester, Birmingham.....
It just shows you how things change. My old grandma would never sit on a warm seat for fear of swooning, I could never call my Mum "she" or "her" in front of grandma. I'd be happy with "he" or "him" from my kids.
A Parker pen for Xmas. Wasn't I lucky?
If I offered my kids such a present I'd don't think they would just stop at telling me what to do with it.
Saw a film last night on DVD and one seen was a room full of taking a DMV (Dept of Motor Vehicles?) test. One of the characters appeared to have a driving licence already.
Out of curiosity:
1. Is it like the UK theory test but you have to pass it every few years?
or
2. Do you have to re-take it and pass if you have been convicted of a motoring offence?
Charles Read more
Charles
I have friends who are currently living near Boston. The experiences of husband and wife varied, although both had had UK licences for many years
To get US licences they had to produce their UK licences and take the Massachusetts theory test, I believe similar to the UK theory test. One was then asked to undertake a short driving test on the road, whereas the other was given a Mass. licence without any test. I don't belive there's any automatic retest. Being the US there may well be state to state variation.
Regards
John
moved from Discussion to Tech Matters
I have a 1-yr old Freelander TD4 with an air con problem which seems to mystify the dealership. It was barely 7 days old when the air con system completely discharged. The dealer reseated a pipe but the system has never worked entirely satisfactorily since. Recently, after driving for about 2 hrs, the air flow through the vents starts to slow down causing the temperature in the car to increase. After a further 15 minutes or so the air flow virtually comes to a halt. During all this the fan sounds as though it is working normally (speed 2 or 3).
I find that if I switch the air con off, after about 10 minutes the air flow starts to increase again and 5 minutes after that it is flowing normally. However, about 2 hours later the whole cycle starts all over again.
The dealership insist that they have run the engine for up to 4 hours and cannot reproduce the fault.
Have I missed something bleeding obvious, or is the dealership backsliding ??
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Further to Dave N\'s comments, I was once asked to fix an \'ECU\' fault on a climate control system. It turned out that the evaporator temperature sensor (mentioned by Dave N) was a thermistor clipped to the evaporator fins. It had simply not been clipped on properly and had dropped off, dangling on its wires. An easy thing to check.
Browse
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If you are in the South of England you may want to contact me about my Mazda Xedos 9 which could be exactly what you are looking for and went in Autotrader today. Use the embedded link for Autotrader and find a 70k miles one at your price point.
(with apologies to the moderator, I hope this is OK).
PB.