March 2005
A strange thing happened to me on Thursday. I nearly reversed over a Lotus Elise.
To spare the details - I was sitting in on-steet parking. I reversed back slightly and bumped something. First thoughts were I had knocked over a small child or dog, as I didn't see anything in the rear view mirror.
When I got out of the car I discoverd I had bumped into a Lotus Elise which was parked close behind me, my rear window being reasonbly high, I just could not see it.
A stunningly attractive brunette female stepped out of the car for a look while I explained how I had came to hit her car. Neither of us could see any damage to either car thankfully. She told me her dad had commented that he almost did the same thing to her car. That made me feel slightly less foolish.
I was shocked by two things - firstly her attitude - very amicable, and reasonable. She actually apologied for "parking me in". Secondly just how completely invisbile those cars are when they are parked behind you. If your parking sensor beeps and you cant see the obstruction - stick your head out the window and check it may just be an Elise!!!
Leon Read more
The Parkers guide seems to think so but I was just wondering what you chaps thought?
A mate has suggested haggling to £5500.
I appreciate any suggestions.
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Mike Farrow Read more
Last chapter in this little tale.
The one from Rochdale is the one he bought eventually. Specs:
- SE trim
- 32,000 miles
- Light metalic green
- Pre-facelift model
- £5495
Engine sounds sweet and I think he's pleased. Had been serviced and MoT'd before he got it. Looks in good nick. Alloy wheels and has a full-sized spare.
Thanks again!
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Mike Farrow
As I came upon another set of faulty road works traffic lights (working one at end, not at other, with one end of roadworks not visible from other), I wondered what regulations apply to the people responsible for operting such lights.
Do they need a permit? Is there an individual permit holder who can be fined if they have not taken reasonable steps to ensure that the lights are working properly or have been repaired following a fault?
Cheers, Sofa Spud Read more
Authorities of all type seem baffled.??.
www.expressandstar.com/articles/news/es/article_73...p
It was my birthday on Monday and Leoness has agreed to allow me to buy another impreza. yaay! think it will cost me in the long run - noticed travel brochures in the house!!!
I sold my old impreza (1995 - Jap Import) some years ago in a moment of regrettable haste, and have longed to have her back ever since. I think I have found one which meets my criteria.
No mods, UK Car, Low Mileage, FSH & careful owners. Aside from the lightweight bodywork which is easily bent, what areas should I be focussing my attention on with the newer models?
Incidentally I checked with the local police if the car had any adverse history ie - stolen or stolen & recovered - I was told that they could not release this information under data protection - Surely data protection only applies to data about people??
spoke to a local deslership who told me nothing major ever goes wrong with the engines unless you habitually red line her, or dont warm and cool the engine. They recommended 10,000 mile services using semi-synthetic oil as they said fully synthetic introduced a knocking sound to the engine. I was aware of the other things he stated, poor quality aftermarket parts, mods done on the cheap, poor chip mods etc.
I think the wheels have been upgraded to 17" x 7" alloys shod with 215/40 ZR 17 Potenzas. If I recall correctly these cars are very offset specific and 55mm springs to mind as a figure. Can anyone confirm or assist with this? Are these larger wheels / tyres likely to catch an arch when on the pace???
Any comments on the factory fitted security? these motors are obviously inherently attrictive to the workshy chavs, and the steal to order outfits. Have about a grand in my back pocket to upgrade security and do a general tidy up. Was thinking about fitting one of the tracker devices for peace of mind.
Any comments as always most welcome.
Leon Read more
I have owned a '99V Impreza turbo (standard, unmodified UK car) for 2 years, and can recommend them unreservedly.
During that time the car has been literally fault free, I have only had to pay for routine srvicing.
In my view, the most important factor when looking at Imprezas is to buy the right car in the first place. You should buy one with a full, traceable history that has been fastidiously maintained by a mature, sensible, knowledgeable enthuisast owner. If you find the right car and continue to look after it properly, you will have no worries.
It is unfortunately the case that many 'classic shape' Imprezas are now falling into the clutches of the wrong type of owner, ie the Max Power brigade, with inevitably adverse consequences for image and values. Sad.
Incidentally, you refer to your old car as 'she'. Surely, if any car on the road is red-bloodedly male in character it is the Scooby?
HI i wonder if any one can help, i was driving down the road when suddenly i had no brakes, brake pedal stiff but no brakes, have had no problems before brakes where very good only had to touch pedal to stop, now push as hard as i can with very little effect, hand brake seems to operate fine just no front brakes,any suggestions Read more
Hi update on the brake problem i have, well it turns out to be the vacum pump where it fits on to the end of the cam, found out this is common fault on fiorino`s design fault, but never as i am aware recalled, the shaft on the vacum pump does not fully reach the end of the cam where it wares away the cam end or the pump shaft breaks and leaves you suddenlly with no brakes, lethal glad i was not doing 70 mph you just get no warning going to see a fiat dealer tommorrow to see what can be done, does anybody know if this problem was rectified hope so as this is a death trap and how many other fiorino drivers are going to be caught unaware
Specifically, on a 2000 1.8 16v Mondeo? I'm looking for one one of these as my next car, and as the belt is due up for changing at 5 years, i'm guessing there won't be many that have had it done.
Why so often though? My 1.25 16v Fiesta needed it done every 100,000 miles or 10 years (Not that I'd leave it that long you understand!) But still...I thought bigger engines were supposed be less strained?
Anyway, I'm rambling - has anyone done this? Is it best left to pro's? Read more
i would recommend 80k
/8years for black top and 60k for the silver top
Why? If Ford guarantee the belt for 100k then let them treat you to a new engine if it goes snap!
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Mike Farrow
Why do people insist on towing caravans?
Answer A) They enjoy holding up traffic
Answer B) They enjoy looking daft
Answer C) They enjoy driving slowly and a caravan helps their addiction
Ansers on a postcard please to:
Fellowship of Antiquated Road Transport Society (you work out the acronym)
Old Git Lane
Pratts Bottom
Kent Read more
"6 birth sleeper" - blimey, quads was bad enough... :-)
when i get in or out the car the brakes on the back make a squeaking noise. it also makes a noise when i release the handbrake - sounds as if its coming from the back, maybe the brake pads.
any ideas on how i can cure this. i had new pads on the back about 6 weeks ago - it was making this noise before as well.
audi 1.8T 1998
Read more
good point - il try pulling the handbrake up further and if not then il just live with the noise!
My '97 306 meridian is stalling occasionally, usually when idling or parking. Any pointers? Read more
Replace the stepper motor. Cleaning it will just drag the problem out. Get some carb cleaner and clean the housing where the stepper motor resides then insert the new stepper motor.
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306 2.0 SE Cabriolet
hello i have a 323 1.5 gxi on an n plate. my car came with just one chipped key and this is broken in half and glued to a new key to work the immob. can anybody tell me if the imob.can be disabled or the cost of replacing said key. i live in the isle of man so i'm not too worried about the car getting stolen ,many thanks
Read more
thanks for that .does anybody know if i can disable the immob. or is it too much trouble
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was she fit sir
i mean would you like to do it sir, with her sir, would you?
ooohhhhh suit you sir.
did you ask her to bend over in front of you sir, to look at the damage sir, well did you sir?
ooooohhhh suit you sir, did you bend her over sir did you?
ooohhh suit you
please excuse me, been watching fast show.
;-(