March 2004
local highways depts listen up! nothing illustrates the effects of bad driving better than a smashed up car. so leave them on the verges with a sign reading "think" attached. anyone agree? Read more
"1974 was a milestone in motoring history. The launch of the first-ever hatchback. Our very own Volkswagen Golf"
So trumpets VW from the pages of this week's Auto Express. Without doing any research, the following iconic hatchbacks spring to mind.
1938 - Citroen Traction Avant Commerciale (OK, I researched that one)
1961 - Renault 4
1965 - Renault 16
1969 - Austin Maxi
Naff orf VW and do your homework before you deliver me such drivel on my kitchen table.
Any Backroomers with a list of hatchbacks pre-1974 ??
Feel better now.
Hawkeye
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Stranger in a strange land Read more
Jensen Interceptor.
loads of these in formula 1 :-) (come on folks! it's friday!)
The car is suffering from power loss throughout the rev range (as if the turbo isn't working). Please advise as to possible causes and remedies. Read more
Hi, Just had similar prob on my 1996 110 tdi. 140000 mile Firstly.. intermittant loss of power which came back when switched ignition off and back on again. Only usually lasted to the next set of lights. soon after problem permanent.
Car in Limp mode, max 3000 rpm and struggled to get to 35 mph had to work the gears hard.
Eventually traced to collapsed Cat!!! can you believe! we think that the innards had come away from the shell causing a blockage. Try disconnecting the CAT at the silencer side of the car. All we did was to loosen it, gave it a bit of a shake ( its on a flexi) leave 1 bolt in place to hold and hey presto! The power was back. Off now to source a new CAT (perhaps a new exhaust this was the original) but so what afetr that nightmare.
I am regularly reading on this site about E36 BMWs or W123 Mercedes' or similar. What are these? How do you know? The only similar coding I know of is the C32 AMG, E55 AMG, etc Mercs.
Mattster
Boycott shoddy build and reliability. Read more
Cheers guys, had no idea there were so many. Not sure that I can make any use of them now!
Mattster
Boycott shoddy build and reliability.
Has anyone ever had a problem with increased wind noise after having a windscreen replaced?
We have recently had the screen replaced in our C5 after it was damaged and I am sure the wind noise is worse than it was with the old screen. It is a 2.2 HDI, so the engine noise is low at speed and the wind noise is now very noticeable at 70 mph and higher. I have checked the seals on the screen and I can't see any obvious fault.
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As an end to this tale, I noticed some deformity in the glass at both top corners, which was causing a slight dishing of the glass. I checked several other C5s (and never saw anything like this in any other screen) before going back to the windscreen replacement service to ask for a replacent. The replacement screen was fitted yesterday and it is free from any such distortion. I don't know if it was a factor in the perceived increased wind noise.
I wonder how common this problem is?
My parents need a car for about £5-6k. They currently have a Nissan Primera 1.8 X reg which they've had for about a year and find a bit too big. Previously they've had Volvos (340, 440) which were fine, if a little "tank"y. Requirements:
£5-6k
About a 1.8, petrol or diesel
Image - don't care
15-20k countryside miles per year
Reliable
Bit smaller than Primera but no smaller than Focus
Also, how best to sell the Nissan? They paid £6k for it, but I fear they'll take a depreciation hit, especially from a part-ex, as it is a Primera and its yucky green too.
Cheers guys
Mattster
Boycott shoddy build and reliability. Read more
For reliability, British built 'Japanese' cars - Hondas from Swindon and Nissans from Sunderland - are generally very well built and reliable.
At long last I took delivery of my new Accord Tourer diesel today.
It's a beautiful bit of metal, and I drove home rather gingerly. Terrified, in case I knocked it. As luck would have it it was raining, and my lovely new toy was going to get filthy.
I couldn't believe it was a diesel; it accelerated almost as well as my Omega 2.5, and was as quiet.
I specified the side body trim, and I think it improves the appearance of the Accord. The black trim contrasts nicely with the silver paint, and breaks up the rather large expanse of flat metal. Good choice as well, as the door meets the buttress in my garage, and without the trim I would have scraped the door when opening it.
I'll keep you all informed about it as I get more used to it. Read more
I forgot to mention that the French are very civilised in their attitude to dogs. No problem in hotels with my dog, and the same with restaurants.
On the autoroute at one time, it was far too hot to leave him in the car at the services, so I asked if it was OK to take him in. I was assured there was no problem, and when I returned with Charley the girl brought him a bowl of cold water. I have found this to be the case all over France.
I have been offered a relations 10 year old M reg (32k miles) Toyota Carina 2ltr auto exec with FSH for £500.
Taxed&Mot.
Will need timing belt and radiator core.
Is it worth while, as I already have a T reg 306 diesel 72k miles
T&M (for a year).
My mileage is approx 6k a year.
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Read more
Thanks for the quick responses, much obliged.
Just received phone call from another relation, they're taking the car.
Initially my cousin was offered £500 trade in against a new corolla so thought it would be better the car going to family than lining garage pockets!
Thanks again.
Den
Do any of you know the following things ?
1) Roundabouts, on occasions, have a number of entry lanes, and there is a reason for this.
2) Taking the 3rd exit at a roundabout when entering from the left hand of three entry lanes is generally not a good thing.
3) People who use the right hand entry lane when they are taking the 3rd exit are not breaking the law, they're not hooligans and they clearly have a better grasp of the highway code than you do.
I know in every place there are people who do not understand roundabouts, but I swear in Aylesbury that absolutely *nobody* understands, and I drive through there twice a day and have done for the last 6 months.
4) You do not get extra credit if when seeing a camera in a 60 limit you instantly brake and go past it at 30.
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Henry - I hope you ease up pretty quickly after the
Box Hill Roundabout on the A24 cos those Michelham bends are
a regular killer, especially Sunday morning now the Bikers >>use it as a race track.
I treat the whole area with a great deal of caution.
How ever hard the BiB try to stop them the bikers still try to kill themselves.
It has been like that for decades. They suddenly appear in your mirror, either mirror, from nowhere, especialy on sunny Sundays.
What was the deal with the Vectra at auction then (HJ's report right).
I know that auction vehicles are rarely valeted or otherwise made to look good but it was almost as if the seller was trying to deliberately lower the price!
They could have at least got it started...
I would have bought it at that price. Read more
Whatever. My Vectra still beat your Alfa out of the pub
carpark ;o)
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You round was it Dave?
Browse
I agree that some sort of reminder is useful, at the moment this seems to be a bunch of wilted flowers.
It would also highlight whether c a m e r a s were actually in locations where accidents happen.