July 2004
Hi,
2000 Vectar 2.0Di. On setting off the car judders slightly a couple of times and then sets off as normal. This only appears when setting off at normal/fast speeds. If I set of slowly, the car sets off fine. All other gear changes at all other speeds are fine. Been like this for the last 300 miles, hasn't appeared to got any worse. Strangley, it appears be slightly better when the car is cold as opposed to hot, although it only does it slightly.
I'm just wondering what could be causing this. Could it be the clutch on its way out? Someone else has mentioned it could be a small oil leak which has led to the take off judder.
Any help advise greatly appreciated
Thanks in advance Read more
Hi all
Ive just been granted permission to build an extension to my house and am hoping to carry out a lot of the work myself. I am looking for something cheap and reliable which I can use and abuse for loadcarrying (rubble, plasterboard etc) for the duration of the works.
I've seen a volvo 760 estate on 88E with 140k for £200, but not had a chance to check it out yet.
Would this type of vehicle make sense (i would keep my main car and only use this at weekends and evenings) does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks
Jonathan Read more
My Girlfriend's 2001 1.4 Tdi Polo has started to make a high pitched squealing noise from, I think, the front driver's side wheel. It apparently started very intermitently but is not far off constant now (she's only just told me about it!). There is nothing visibly out of place (by just kneeling on the drive). I have exceptionally limited mechanical knowledge passed changing a tyre or 2. Could it be a wheel bearing? If so, how urgent is this? Thanks.
Spunky Read more
Squeaking brakes?
Waterpump squeaking?
Wife has had slight prang with bus (well the other way round actually!) damaging headlight front bumper and drivers wing. Insurance co. want to use "nationwide crash repair centre", the vehicle is a BMW 528 and I want a decent repair. Am I being unnecessarily picky thinking that they may be a bit of a volume rather than quality place. I can take it to a place the local sytner bmw place use for their repairs which I assume should be a better indicator of quality but there is more aggro (estimates, engineers, replacement vehicle) this way, however the vehicle is still driveable so don't mind a few delays delay. Any views on these captive repair centre vs still approved but more independent places. Thanks Read more
Do a quick search for a thread started by me, called
\'think I\'ve seen the last of my car\' volumes 1 and
2.... and if the place is in Walsall and uses red
micras as courtesy cars, run away as fast as you can!
Ta-da!
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=15487
&
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?f=2&t=16...4
No Dosh - Backroom Moderator
mailto:moderators@honestjohn.co.uk
My wife has just got a new job in Keele. This is all well and good, but I work in Hull! Therefore, my annual mileage (my wife can't drive) is likely to skyrocket from about 5000 to somewhere around 30,000. I am sceptical that my 9 year old Rover 200 (excellent car though it has been) will be up to the job and, besides, the petrol costs would be astronomical.
I am now thinking about getting a diesel car. I am not all that bothered about prestige etc. and I think that fuel economy will be my primary concern. My current thoughts are a Citroen C2 1.4 HDI, which has massive fuel economy, but I'm not so keen - a bit of a kids car perhaps? how refined would it be on the motorway, I'm not overly keen on being deafened by the engine! Others might be a Skoda Fabia 1.9 TDI, which seems to be well regarded for refinement and comfort, or the Toyota Yaris, which is reported as being fairly noisy. I am keen on the Toyota's chain cam engine though.
I would be grateful for any suggestions from those 'in the know'. Read more
I would seriously suggest the Xantia along with a few others.
Only consider the petrol as well, it will be less economic to run but the 2.0L 16 valve is great on the motorway.
Personally I would look to find an 8 year old 16v 2.0L with OK mileage and SH for 3 figures and run it till it dropped, then get another.
When I was trying to sell it, my 16v Xantia VSX was being ignored by people who were parting with serious money for TDs, which were often high mileage rubbish that was likely to land them with a huge repair bill within a few months.
The chap who bought my car paid £600 for a 73k with good service history and all the comforts including electric windows, sunroof etc. He homself admitted that he couldn't have asked for a better deal.
Hugo
I've just got back from a couple of weeks working on reducing the Wine Lake.
Anyone going to France from 30 October (I assume that's when the clocks go back) should be aware that for an experimental 6 month period they will be insisting you drive on dipped headlights at all times. Motorcyclists are not amused as this will make them less obvious but they look like going the way of the Nordic countries after an experiment in Les Landes prooved encouraging.
Should catch quite a few booze cruisers out!
--
Terry
Read more
>>Dipped headlights could improve safety in low-down sun conditions. When the sun's low and you're driving towards it, the reflections off the top of the dash onto a steeply sloping screen, the glare from the usually invisible film of grime on the inside of even a 'clean' screen, plus human eyesight's dazzle factor can make it difficult to see ahead. If cars coming the other way have dipped lights on, there's less chance of not seeing them.
Following a holiday in Norway (where the sun is always low), I am inclined to switch my lights on under exactly those conditions.
Hi I have held a full licence since April of this year and am finding it a nightmare trying to get car insurance.
I am thinking of buying a new car; a 'cheap-to-insure' Kia Picanto for use only by me. I have been driving a b/n Micra for 4 months and have had no accidents etc and consider myself a careful driver but obviously have no NCB. All quotes are creeping up on the £1000 mark which I cannot afford.
Can anyone suggest any better places to look? Read more
1. Buy an older car that doesn't require fully comp cover. With a huge excess & the loss of no claims, an accident will easily cost you over 1k if you're insured.
2. Buy a 25cc scooter & keep it in a shed. In 12 months' time you will have a 1 year ncb.
"Police forces in Britain and the US have ordered tests of the new system that delivers a blast of radio waves powerful enough to knock out vital engine electronics, making the targeted vehicle stall and slowly come to a stop."
www.guardian.co.uk/life/news/story/0,12976,1259139...l
Sorry, but if a vehicle travelling at 100mph in a persuit is hit by this beam, and the engine stalls, how will it "slowly come to a stop"?
And if it takes out the electronics, what are the chances of it screwing the ABS, or activating the airbags?
Read more
I must design that tonight and get it patented.
Give me a call when you're ready if you want some help!
(that will also put garage bills in perspective!)
We have a Formula 1 race car cluttering the reception of our office. While looking at it recently it struck me that the car doesn't have low profile tyres. When I purchase a car I try and avoid tyres which are too wide, and low profile. I feel it upsets the ride. This in turn upsets the handling and the car and skip off line when it hits a bump. Finally low profile tyres don't protect the rims when my wife is perfecting her new found hobby of extreme kerb polishing with my nice new alloys.
So here is my question. Why do high performance cars have low profiles tyres and F1 cars don't? Is it just fashion and the part of high performance cars?
WipeOut Read more
I think also with the very rigid suspension set-up they use in F1 the bigger sidewall of the tyre provides some of the give they need to make the cars driveable.
A Gas van ran into the back of my Fiesta this morning. It doesn't look like there was any damage however I have concerns. Could there be any hidden damage? Has anyone any experience of this. Also my bumper is colour coded could it have caused any damage to this . I.e will the paint peel or anything? Am gutted have only had the car for 3 months. Read more
Am taking it in to the Ford accident repair centre tonight and they are going to check it for me. Fingers crossed its ok.
Browse
If you're that desperate to save money, then running 2 cars is an expensive hobby.
You'll probably find that it'd be cheaper to sell the 626, and run just the one car.
Or stick that towbar on the back, and then you'll always be able to use it.
I'm with hiring a skip & getting deliveries made to your house. With wear & tear on your Volvo filled with rubble (that wear & tear will cost you £200), & the petrol from large number of trips you'll have to make to the tip as it's only a small car; & the time; plus when you've bent your back loading & unloading it etc. etc.
Alternatively, what about a cheap pickup - £500 off eBay, still worth £500 on eBay at the end of the job, no matter how much tattier you make it. Easier to load & unload, bigger load carrying capacity.