November 2003
I have above and have noticed cambelt not been changed for 66k,does it need changing and how do I know ?
Read more
Anyone care to have a stab at a rough minimum price it would cost for a 47 year old guy, living just outside Bolton, solicitor by trade, to insure a 52 reg Porsche Boxter. No idea of the model, so lets say the most basic. Is a Group 20 car.
Am asking on behalf of his ex who is seeking maintenance, and wants a rough calculation of what it is costing to run his car, as the CSA dont take that into account.
Ta Read more
A fine memory sir
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=13924
One of my rear tyres is 10cm wider than the others, is this a problem, or will it be ok to leave it as it is long term? Read more
Butler,
Just a couple of points....
1. dont forget to change the unroadworthy original as well as the non-standard tyre.
2. check the size of the spare steel wheel to make sure it matches the others.....it is not inconceivable that the original spare wheel/tyre was lost or stolen and the odd sized one you have doesnt match because it came from a scrap yard....check the wheel size and tyre size.
cheers
Ian
I know Back Roomers like to know the follow up to enquiries on here, so, if you remember the assistance I sought before purchasing a car for my daughter to drive - this is what has happened since.
Took the general consensus of advice and bought a new 1litre, manual, petrol Yaris T3 delivered on 1st September.
Car has been driven by 19 year old daughter, myself and my other half - all get along very well with it. Got what we thought was a good deal with insurance from Tesco (daughter named as main driver) so altogether very pleased.
Daughter took her first driving test yesterday, and passed, despite having the examiner that none of the instructors want their pupils to get (she got only 3 minors, and one of those was for slowing down on a housing estate with a 30mph limit. She'd seen unsupervised little kids on bikes, and thought more care was needed)
She drove all us out last night for a celebratory meal. She drove her sister to school today, thereby completing her first lone journey on the way back - and she's just taken herself off to her part time job in town.
So far, so good - but I suppose now the nerves will really start (I mean mine!)
..............
Oh and, once she has a bit more experience of driving on her own, we plan to get her some lessons just on the motorway - Passplus doesn't seem so necessary as she has already done bad weather, town centre, rural and driving in the dark as part of her ordinary driving instruction - and having got the insurance sorted, there is no financial gain to be had atm. Although, the new magazine that the DVLA give out when you pass your test has am IAM course for £75 (-£10 discount for under 25's until 31st December) and completing that sucessfully also leads to insurers' discounts I believe?
Read more
Congratulations to her daughter and I'm glad it's going well.
IAM is an excellent idea (says he who keeps meaning to do it...) but at her level, Pass Plus may be more appropriate as it is designed to introduce her to situations (motorway, night, etc.) that she hasn't enountered in normal lessons. It's also more widely recognised by insurers than IAM.
Also, you should probably confirm to the insurers that your daughter has now passed her test as she is probably strictly speaking insured on the basis of being a provisional licence holder.
Says at digiguide.co.uk that tonight the BBC's Watchdog "reveals why a major car-maker seems to be risking engine failure".
Anyone know which manufacturer this is? Read more
bit off cars, but in relation to watchdog.
Has anyone else noted that they have a lot of stories where companies have call centers and people complain they cant get through to them. Watchdog slate the company. Then Watchdog say 'please call us with your problems, but be aware we're very busy and it may take a bit of time to get through....'
hmm. double standards methinks.
The remote boot opening from inside my Toyota Carina e has stopped working. Opening with the key it is ok. With the boot open,and lifting the remote lever,does seem to operate the mechanism,but when boot is shut it doesn\'t. Is this a common problem. Read more
Is it a cable operated one or electrical?
As it apears to be working with the boot open, it obviously does not have enough ooooomph to work it when it has pressure on it. If its cable, the cable has stretched. Try lubricating the lock, adjusting the boot bump stops to ease the pressure on the boot. Adjust the latch for the same effect.
Saw a great documentry last night, Channel 4 8pm-9pm. All about the classic years of the Bentley 4, 6 and 7 litre racing cars of the 1920s and early 1930s. Great footage of the early LeMans and Indy500.
The 7 litre Bentleys literally dwarfed the opposition Mercedes, Bugatti and Auto-Union (Porsche). But come the 1930s and the entry of politics to motor racing (Hitler and Mussolini) the german marques were winning everything in sight and Bentley were running out of money due to the lack of sales of Presitge cars in the depression.
Worth it for the historic film footage. Next week is the land speed record.
Ian L.
Read more
Oh, and there was a Le Mans Legends race immediately prior to the 24h last year with a spectacular entry list...
www.maisonblanche.co.uk/03lgnden.html
I know this subject may have been on before,but which spray lubricant do BR recommend,for good lubricating properties on door hinges etc. wd40 has its uses,but tends to dry out rapidly. Read more
Otherwise, aerosol chain oil is the thing - you can
even use it to extend the life of CV joints, by
making a small hole in the boot and squirting it into
the joint through the supplied tube...
Now that's a tip worth sharing!
Illegitimi non carborundum!
No, I won't let them wear me down either, despite their repeated efforts..... ;o)
Like those retired gentlemen from Tunbridge Wells who write to the 'Times' to report when they heard their first cuckoo, I am proud to report that I have seen my first pair of 100mm cube fluffy pink dice. I didn't believe that they existed, but the proof was before my eyes. Read more
Before you commit to signwriting your Clio sunshade, the commonly accepted spelling of Nicole is with one 'l'.
Hawkeye
-----------------------------
Stranger in a strange land
Mum needs a car for one year & 20000 miles only. Her friend's firm offers two cars just defleeted. Which offers the cheapest motoring (in terms of resale, servicing & fuel)?
She got to choose before Wednesday before they go to auction.
1. Mitsubishi Galant 2.0 GLS Auto saloon, silver, 1998-S, 40000 miles, FSH, ex-director's wife's car. 3000 pounds
2. VW Passat 2.3 VR5 Auto estates, metallic light green, 1999-V, 70000 miles, FSH, ex-director's car. 5000 pounds
Thanks,
Garrison Read more
Is Passat VR5 a chain-cam engine?
Browse
.jpg)
Hi
I am pleased with your good news, sounds like you got a good deal there.
As for ideas on a small car for the wife - I am afraid that is like asking what is your favourite colour! ;-)
However, and while I do not know your budget, I would look seriously look at the Toyota Yaris to see if it fits her requirements. SWMBO has had one for 2 years and it suits her needs - she spends most of the day in the car (work) but around town and sort of 10 mile zips up and down local motorway - she is well happy with it It is an absolutely terrific little car ( and currently No.2 in JD Power survey). I drive an E Class Merc during the week but much prefer to drive the Yaris at weekends for local trips- it is like a go-kart, really nippy around town and almost glued to the road - Downsides: A bit noisy on motorway at 70 (+), I would not like to do any long haul trips, the boot is quite small, particularly if you are carrying rear seat passengers and the rear seat is put in the rearmost position.
Let us know how you get on.
NormanB