March 2004

catalyst

The car that I wish to part-ex is not (engine-wise) in great shape, 1 or 2 lights coming on intermittently on control panel that might put them off giving me a decent price. Would probably cost £400 to sort out but success of repairs not garanteed. The car worth is worth £2000 tops (if in tip-top condition). Anyway, do dealers usually test drive your part-ex ? I'm asking because I know of 2 people who got a decent price for their part-exes without the dealer even opening the bonnet.
Also, if the car you intend to buy is already heavily discounted (10% on list price) with extras, is it worth bargaining hard for an extra discount or is there absolutely no point ? Read more

Mattster

Do your research. Find the lowest price for the car you want (weeks best deals on this website is a good start). Then go to the dealers armed with this information. It doesn't matter how much discount they offer - if you know you can get it cheaper elsewhere, go elsewhere.

The list price is irrelevant. It's a made up price that the manufacturer would like to sell the car at. It often doesn't bear much resemblance to the market value (see discounts you can get on certain Citroens and Vauxhalls).


Mattster
Boycott shoddy build and reliability.

daveyK_UK

this is tim using dads user name.
We found the cost of hiring a mini-bus is ridiculous, plus alot of people wont touch me as im 21.
Unfortunately the university mini-bus is occupied the weekend we need it.

need minibus to take 10 people about 300 mile round trip from friday to monday.
before you request national express, not interested nor are we interested in using mini bus hire with driver.

So the question - looking through the autotrader lots of minibuses for sale. whats to stop me from approaching a seller or owner, and offering them say £120 quid to borrow their van for the weekend and ill get my own insurance.
do you reckon people would be willing to say yes? Also what are the regulations on driving mini-buses? driving for 3 years, no points, full license. and can you get short term insurance?

cheers.
Read more

Guru-Meditation

If you're 21 then it's not possible that you have the D1 category on your licence unless you have taken an additional test (if you have then, like the man in the orthopaedic shoes, I stand corrected), the only categories you get in the last 5-6 or so years is B and B1-plus provisional motorcycle entitlement etc. Correct me if I'm wrong.

smokie

See www.ircuser.org/files/madness.wmv

Note: Do not view if you are of a nervous disposition...

:-)

NB It is almost 10mb so don\'t download it over dial up! Read more

jeds

Can't see the problem. As long as he had his full beam on for safety everything will be allright.

reynolds

I was recently caught in Croydon at 8am on a Sunday morning for footway parking. I went into a café for less than 30 seconds but still got done. Initially asked for a photograph ? was sent a response saying it would cost £5 pounds. I wrote back saying I believed this to be illegal. Anyway I decided to view the CCTV at the council offices and it shows me parked on the footway for less than 30 seconds and running back to my car.

I have written a letter of appeal to Croydon council saying I was delivering something. NO response as yet what do you think my chances are. I?m going to the adjudicator anyway as they aren?t getting no cash out of me without a fight
Read more

Bromptonaut

>>Also, and I don't know whether this

only applies in Scotland, but apparently if you park with all
four wheels on the pavement they can't do anything about it!


Guy down the road does that. HUGE 4x4 with enhanced ground clearance. Not sure if he expects us to walk round or limbo under 8-)
Halmer

Can anyone make one please?

My friends lad is nearly 18 and has an old Golf that he wants to run valued at £700.

The quotes for TPF&T have come back at twice the value of the car!

Can anyone recommend a good insurance company contact for young drivers please? Read more

was8v

Old golfs have ridiculous insurance prices - My mate (v similar age, living in same area) has had a j reg Mk2 golf 1.3 driver for 3 years (with the accompanying 3 years NCB), and he paid £200 more insurance this year than me on my k reg 306 1.4 xr (no NCB). iirc he paid well over a grand for his first year of insurance on it (TPTF) aged 19.

I wouldn't recommend a golf for a first car purely because of this - have a look at parkers.co.uk for the relevant insurance groups.

mav

i am looking at buying a carina but the ignition key has snapped in the ignition lock. it is snapped about halfway down the key. i am assuming the rest of the key is in the lock.
because u can put the rest of the key in and it will start.
there is also a spare key.
how difficult would it be to get the piece of broken key out of the barrel.
thanks rob
Read more

John24

I've had success on a couple of occasions using two fine sewing needles. Slide needles into lock each end of the broken key, apply slight outward pressure and pull out - gives enough purchase to ease broken piece out.

pienmash

went out to bleed the brakes,had a new master cylinder in the office,so i thought ,ill change that while i was there,no problems on the change,uuntil i went to bleed the brakes,drivers side wheel off,bleed right side no problems,went to bleed the left and nothing no fluid,no air bubbles,so i had a suck on the pipe,at last fluid and bubbles of air,but there is no pressure in the left hand brake system?????h3lp,i wore my daughters leg out making her pump the brake Read more

DL

>been talking to a pug mechanic ,he recons vacum servos are the last thing to go on 93 upwards models as the build quality is brillant on 92-93 models upwards<

OK, I'm just telling you what I have come across over the last 6-9 months.

By the way - I'm a Peugeot Technician. I'll leave it at that.
--
groups.msn.com/honestjohn - Pictures say a thousand words.....

gingerwinger

can anyone help me?? i have a 1994 2.5 v6 omega and a few days ago upon starting from cold it has started to get a clicking noise (like someone is holding object against rad fan) if you know wot i mean!!!! the noise is near top of engine on left side. i have just had drive belt changed last saturday. after a few seconds the noise fades away. cam belt changed 20k ago. should i still drive car or not???? please help if you can

many thanks
mark Read more

Dynamic Dave

From what you're saying it's sounds suspiciously like the hydraulic valve lifters (tappets to some people)

More details here:-

www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=16050

and here:-

www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?v=e&t=16...2

Pigboy


Seen a Y red (5/01) VW Passat 1.9 TDi (130bhp) Sport estate 6sp in dark metallic blue. Its got climate, twin heated front seats, half leather/alcantara, trip computer, 6 disc autochanger. 65,000 miles with full VWSH. As usual no mats or first aid kit (why do the dealers not insist on them being retained?).
Test drove it today, very smooth no smokiness even at startup, although turbo whistle notable.
Wife needs to trade her 02 seat ibiza 1.4 chill 3dr (silver, 23,000m FSH, climate)in as the car's for her. She's concerned by the high milage.
I would love to know what everyone's opinion / experience with these engines / this car.
Its stickered for £11,500 and they've offered £4,500 for the seat. Any advice re haggling gratefully received. What does Glass's say? I've looked on autotrader and it seems very competetive. How long will it last? Anything to look out for?

Thanks in advance

Alex Read more

Pigboy

I'm in Carlisle. Thanks i think ill have to compare mondeo / 156 sportwagon. Will try both and compare costs of ownership

CM

Had a few minutes spare before a meeting today so had my wheels balanced properly as it was giving me shakes through the steering wheel at speed.

Was wondering what problems come with unbalanced wheels or is it just a wobbly steering wheel? Read more

kithmo

Normally get steering juder between 30 to 50 mph. This will
waer out suspension and steering gear prematurely.

and wheel bearings take a hammering.