July 2004
cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=...W
Believe it or not, you can build a kit of this using a modern Honda 250 scooter engine and semi-auto box. Estimated build cost of £6800+Vat. Read more
Not too many years ago, I was under the impression that it was just us and Oz that drove on the left.
However, I have now noticed several other countries do, so I'm wondering if anyone knows what the rhd/lhd split is?
Whether the EU will ever have the nerve to try to get us to drive on the right doesn't bear thinking about.... Read more
BB & NW
Both right. I mis-read the stats and then thought "what the hell!" Why let the facts ge in the way of a good story?
Hi,
I am thinking of changing my car to a VW Bora. I have been to see one. It's a 02 TDI SE 100BHP, with 40K for £8695. Only thing is that it is an import.
It was bought from new in Wicklow, Ireland, and was registered from new in the UK.
The spec is different from the equivilent UK model, no R/C/L, no A/C.
But what I want to know is what else should I watch out for. Is insurance difficult? Is servicing more expensive, also how much less that list price could I expect from the dealers?
Anyone done this and can offer some advice?
Thanks,
Steve O Read more
I agree with the others, it doesn't seem cheap enough to warrant the extra hassle and loss of spec
the UK Driving Etiquette:
www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A412930
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Would be interesting to see how many people get it in their inbox in the next 24 hours. I sent it to my cousin, one of the self-appointed National Joke Hubs on t'internet. By now it will already be in 1,000 inboxes and rising.....
...so what car would that be? Read more
So you're talking about a car that may handle well, but can surprise the unwary driver? That sort of thing?
The early 911's were famously ill-tempered if you weren't careful. The Nissan 200SX has a reputation as being a bit unpredictable in the wet too.
Dodge Viper is another one.
RWD cars are the obvious for this, but personally I'd also add the Fiat Citivan I was forced to drive around Birmingham for a few months as a student (delivering Pizzas), would lock up if you even glanced at the brake pedal and basically gave you the constant feeling you were about to crash.
My strapping 6 ft 4 son has just passed his test at 21. I know the subject of first cars has been discussed before but do any of the backroomers have any recommendations for a first car that will save us trying all the favourites for size? Budget is the usual £1000, daily commute of around 12 miles each way.
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It wouldn't call it a 'total' misconception, because it is kinda true. I know where your coming from though, as we too had a 1.9 TD Xantia which during the time we had it cost very little to maintain. But, when the time came in to trade, it needed a miriad of things doing to it, including a clutch. Not cheap on a Citroen!
Not forgetting that road tax is more, and as you say, insurance will be a little more, which is an important factor when its your first car at 21.
For fans of Knight Rider
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/tv_and_radio/392...m
StarGazer Read more
Let's not forget the "Turbo Boost" button - very handy today. Of course they would have to remove the tv's - it's dangerous to watch T.V. when you're driving don't you know.
Adam
Hi there,
Not for me unfortunately, but I'm interested in the information all the same. Assuming someone wanted to spend about £20,000 on a Mercedes Benz S Class (Current model), what would be the best way to do this?
An S320 or S320 CDI would be the desired model, and as most of them have absolutely everything, spec is not really an issue. My first idea was that a high mileage (70-140k) example from a BCA Top Car auction would be the way to go - if the car gets bought it will be kept for a very long time so resale value isnt THAT much of an issue.
But my worry was, why are these cars going through auction? Why would you sell a 4-5 year old S Class at auction and not through a dealer or whatever?
What other ways are there to buy this sort of car for this sort of money? It may be up to a year before the car is bought (Depending on circumstances) and a W or later plate example would be prefferable for private plate reasons.
Anyone got any advice? Are they fundamentally reliable cars?
My thinking was that if my 120k Mondeo gives me no trouble and is lovely, I cannot see problems with a similar mileage S Class Mercedes. Read more
Roger Jones
Could you email me with info. on your mobile mechanic, please?
regards
Don drbe
*First things first, i suspect this may turn into a bit of a rant, but please bear with me! Thanks*
Hi everyone,
Two weeks ago i switched jobs from a 50 mile a day commute on the M25 to a 12 mile a day cycle ride to work. One of the reasons for this was that my journey to work would become much more pleasant, and that i would spend much less time travelling to and from my workplace.
I would call myself a fairly experienced cyclist, as up until 3 years ago i cycled 4 miles a day to school and back, and since then cycled around my university until last year when i didn't cycle at all. I'd like to think i am a good road user, as i signal clearly, don't skip traffic lights like many cyclists do, and generally try to be considerate to other traffic, who are usually travelling faster than i can manage.
However in the last 6 days and 72 miles i have witnessed an unbelieveably large number of dangerous actions on me by other motorists, and in fact the public in general. Let me explain...
1. Theft
Last Monday morning (my first day!) i got about halfway to work when my rear tyre developed a puncture. Oh well, these things happen. Luckily there was a bike rack outside some shops only 100 yards on, so i D-Locked my bike to that and ran the rest of the way to work. On returning that afternoon i discovered that someone had stolen the quick-release saddle, and had tried to steal the quick-release front wheel but couldn't as my lock passed through it. Do some people have nothing better to do than cause problems for others?
2. Dogs
Cycling has the advantage that i can take a shortcut through a large park on the way to work. This park has a designated bike path through it, which i used. As usual the park had a number of dogs being walked in it, and i was approaching a man walking his dog near the park's exit. The dog was on about a 30ft lead ahead of the man, and as i could tell that the dog had not noticed my presence i slowed right down to walking pace and hoped the owner would alert his dog (and ideally call it back to him or to one side). Err, no. I coast past the dog at less than 5mph, it suddenly sees me....and digs it's teeth into my leg, drawing blood. The response of the owner was to yell at me to leave his dog alone (i didn't kick it or anything before someone asks) and that i shouldnt be cycling through the park (erm i'm on a designated bike path). At the time i was too shocked to respond, but in retrospect he would have got a number of choice words from me.
3. Motorists - Roundabouts
Approaching a mini-roundabout on a straight road, one turning on the right. I'm aware from past experience that people do not always stop when they should do here, and i ensure that my arm is very clearly showing my intention to turn right. I arrive at the roundabout a second before a car going straight on from the other direction, who merrily continues on a collision course with me until he's almost hit me. Luckily i expected him to do this so i am able to take evasive action. He stops his car (he has no choice i am right in front of him and starts yelling abuse at me. I inform him that as i was on his right and also reached the roundabout first that i actually had priority and that he should have stopped (or words to that effect). His response was to swear blind that cars had priority over bicycles. How could attempt to reason with somone who believes that???
4. Motorists - Left turns Major road to minor road
Exactly what possesses the 5 or 6 people every day who feel it is necessary to race past me and then cut me up by turning left half a second later? They are going - or should be going at - no more than 30mph, whereas i am usually travelling at around 20mph, hills permitting. Am i really going to make them late for work, and is it worth the daily risk of a dangerous driving/manslaughter charge?
5. Motorists - Priority chicanes
On my route there is a straight chicane with priority to one direction of traffic. In the actual chicane 'piece' there is a speed hump. This morning at 7.40am (no other traffic) a motorist decided that even though i was coming towards her in the priority direction, she could squeeze past me. Oh, and also go squarely over the speed bump. This left me no option but to ride into the kerb and just about manage to not fall off.
Now when i say 'motorists', i admit that a mostly mean car drivers - buses and lorries usually treat me courteously.
Cycling will never take off in the UK to the extent that the government would like it to because the mentality is simply not there in the general public. All of these factors above (experienced in just 6 days) added to the dangerously bumpy/potholed roads means that no sensible person would take to cycling to work over using a car.
In contrast i have spent a fair bit of time in Holland in the last year, and have cycled around towns there. The motorists treatment of cyclists there is soooo much better - in fact cyclists have priority at road crossings, which i think is perhaps a step too far - but in general it is a much nicer, safer experience than in this country.
Unless this institutionalised poor treatment of cyclists is vastly improved, the numbers of cyclists on Britains roads will not increase, and the number of car users will not decrease as the government wishes.
Sorry for the mammoth post, but hopefully this will spark some interesting discussion... Read more
How about this one....
I was riding my bike on the pavement when the police stopped me and was in the process of booking me!
He didn't believe I was who I said I was, so he asked for some ID. I said I don't carry ID when I'm cycling but I can get some though.
He asked, "Where do you live?"
I says, "Just there!" As I was right outside my house!!! ;-))))
I'd only gone onto the pavement to get to my house!!! Ha-Ha!! Should have seen his face!! The guy had absolutely zero humour!!!! Maybe that's why he's a cop?
Cycling Tip : Don't put your arm out when turning left or some idiot who is also turning left will carve u up big style!!
Is it just me, or have other BRs noticed an increasing number of birds, usually pigeons or doves, congregating on roads and refusing to budge when a car comes along? This leaves the driver, especially if he is being followed by another vehicle, with no option other than to plough on, with fatal consequences to the bird(s). Distressing to the driver and passengers, too.
What do you do in such a situation?
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Are the birds suicidal or just a little mentally slow?. When I was learning to drive about a year ago, we were travelling on a long, straight and exposed piece of road with a 60 limit. From the left I saw what looked like a pigeon flying at the normal height above the fields. But as the road has been raised upon an embankment style construction, it is somewhat higher than the field. However, the bird did not adjust its course and flew at a right angle into the traffic. Bird ping-pong ensued, where the oncoming Clio 172 batted it with its windscreen on to my side of the road. As I had nowhere to go (single carriage way) there was no other option but to plough on, whereby I gave it a swift boot with my headlamp, resulting in it somersaulting over the roof, spraying blood and guts over the windscreen.
Volkswagen 1: Bird 0
Browse
"I last had this car running in 1980"
- and just around an empty car park at that -
"It will therefore require some minor work such as a new battery"