May 2004
Both reversing lights on the car do not work. The bulbs are OK as is the fuse. Can anyone tell me if this is a common fault and any ideas? If it is the g/box reversing switch, where is the S/W located, on top of the g/box or next to the gear lever.
How often should I change the cam belt?
What is the servicing periodicity, 6K, 9K or 12K miles.
Many thanks in advance.
Peter Read more
I have been looking at the citroen picasso with a to use as a people /dog carrier. Any views on this car? Read more
We have a Picasso and although the new Scenic is probably a better built and designed car you can't argue about the Picasso value with all the deals on offer. It make it thousands cheaper than the new MPVs and they seem to hold some value. Dog wise, my Rottie was happy in the boot - loads of room, height too and low floor meant easy entry and high speed exits! Oh, it also seats 5 humans very comfortably. The 90bhp HDi is a good engine, cruises very well, 45mpg, but quick it isn't.
What is the consensus of the best people carrier I could buy for family of 3?
Budget of £15,00 consisting of a car worth £5,000 with £10,000 cash on top.
Thanks.
I like the look of the new Corolla Verso, but probably no great deals on that.
Think the Xsara Picasso sucks. Read more
Encountered the same problme 7 monoths ago. Got a second hand Octavia estate. Biggest boot in the class and all the toys. Once a year servicing from friendly local (now independant 'cause his showroom wasn't big enough) Skoda dealer.
Ford Fiesta Mark 3 - Problem with steering: The car resists turning, steering seems to stick in stright a line. There are no noises and the tyres aren't worn. Seems like the power steering is broken, but I don't have power steering! It also happened suddenly.
Any thoughts? Thanks! Read more
The 'sticking in a straight line' can sometimes be the result of a badly worn steering rack. Does the car wander about and require constant correction? Have you ever found that you need to force it to turn past a certain point, or had trouble bringing it back to centre again? It might be worth getting the front end off the ground and giving the wheels a side-to-side wiggle - try to identify any play.
Hi, I\'m thinking of buying a 1yr old (03) Vectra SRi from one of the Supermarkets and and wondered if anyone has any advice on these cars - I\'ve heard and read mixed reports, most negative ones being about image which I\'m not too concerned about. I\'m not sure whether to go for the 2.2 petrol or diesel. I\'ve never driven a modern diesel and like the sound of the economy and power they give, but is it worth forking out £1000 extra? I won\'t save much in fuel costs as my annual mileage is only around 8k made up of a daily commute and the odd longer run at weekends. Read more
I have driven a variety of Vectras over the last 18 months or so(all new ones - rental cars). My favourite is the 2.2 petrol engine with automatic. The Diesel is not too briliant, IMHO, and I would go for a petrol given your annual mileage.
All of the Vectras are refined and quiet (more so than the Mondeo). I don't like the dashboard and the indicators though (the 'sensitivity' of the indicators seems to vary from car to car). The air-con controls are over-complicated too. They are a very good buy at supermarket prices.
Check out a Nissan Primera (the 2,0 petrol or 2,2 Diesel) with 6-speed gearbox; they are excellent value and likely to be more reliable than the Vectra.
**** Thread closed. Discussion continues in Vol 10 ****
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=26324
Love it or hate its on tonight at 8.00pm on BBC2 Read more
I can't get over the fact that you can buy a car for a pound! Mine is costing me around £7 per day to buy.
www.cfsnet.co.uk/acatalog/CFS_Catalogue__Rust_Prim...l
been told bonda rust primer with zinc is very good, is it the stuff in the link?? or where can i buy some
thanks
Read more
I think what you are after is a zinc-rich primer that I used to know as 'Bondaprimer'??
If so, it is made by Bondaglass and they are located somewhere is Kent. A web search should track them down and then you can contact them and ask for a local supplier.
I have used Bondaprimer in the past; its very similar to many other zinc primers - try a local paint factor.
www.sundaymail.co.uk/news/newsfeeds/page.cfm?objec...4
For any new shape Megane drivers, above is an article from today's paper on a problem that has been discovered whereby the passenger can activate the brakes due to them being modified from left hand drive.
Worth being wary about until a modification is made. Read more
I love the dealer's response - "sit in the back, then".
"Doctor doctor, it hurts when I lift my arm like this... what do you recommend?"
"Don't lift my arm like that.."
An article on the Carkeys website is called "Goodbye To Vauxhall" -- see www.carkeys.co.uk/columns/rufus_j_flywheel/2896.asp
It's intended as a "humorous" column, and it's not really my idea of funny -- too contrived and laboured for my tastes -- but central point is interesting.
The writer says that Vauxhall are imposing onerous conditions on journalists testing its cars, as a result of which he (and some other journos) are allegedly refusing to test GM cars.
Frustratingly, there is no info about what those conditions are.
I can guess that they might be some sort of request not to conpletely trash the car, which would obviously scare off those testers who seem most interested in assessing a family hatchback as if it was a rally car rather than a covered shopping trolley.
I can also guess that they might be something to do with liability for any damage caused, which would also scare off those who want to explore the limits of a car's handling.
But it occurred to me that a manufacturer might be attracted by the notion of placing some restriction on what can be written about the products they hand out for testing ... and it's tempting to speculate that Vauxhall might be inclined to use some legalese to prevent any repeat of Clarkson's suggestion that the Vectra was slightly less than perfect.
But that's all speculation -- it may, of course, be something much more benign. Does anyone know what's really going on here? Read more
I can think of one EU country where Opel
>> used to be considered quite smart and almost prestige vehicles,
but
>> now they are considered as very second rate with market
share
>> disappearing rapidly.
>>
>>
>>
>>
That'd be Germany then??
was thinking of Sweden actually..........
Gentlemen, my question concerns car a/c system quality. How do you know how good or poor a cars a/c sytem is. I live and work in the UAE and when buying a car this is a vital issue. As a rule of thumb most Jap (as expected) and german systems see good. However is thier a scientific way of telling if a car marker has invested in a good quality design or has fitted the a cheap system that will struggle when tested.
In my opinion the strength of a system will be tested when a car is fully laden and outside temp is 40c with bright sunlight.
Any comments will be appreciated. Read more
Kal
Its easy really. What do the local drivers have? you can be sure they wont being buying and running cars with poor aircon.
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IIRC its on gearbox.would think that is the problem
How often should I change the cam belt?
would recommend 30k mark as some have failed before rovers spec/time.having said that I have a 414 but I think same unit?
oil/filter change 6k is a must on these
also change the anti freeze at at least 18 months if not before.head and rad suffer from blockage if not done.leading to head gasket failure