April 2005
I was a trifle disconcerted to see that Jason Plato on Five's 'Fifth Gear' the other night was driving the BMW from Spain to Blighty with only one hand on the steering wheel. This may have been an easier way when talking to camera but I got the impression, from his general demeanour, that he might be a serial one-hander driver except, of course, when he is using his doubtless skills on the track.
My parnter insists on driving her car with one hand on the steering wheel with the other varioulsy on the gear lever (horror of horrors - as was Jason!) or on her left leg. Where and why does this habit originate from?
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Considering ideas for my 25th birthday in August, I was thinking do companies hire out sporty cars for the day? or even the weekend? I was thinking cars as say a Civic Type R? Focus RS? Subaru Impreza?.
If anybody has any information if any company provides this service I would be very grateful.
Thanks in advance
Rich Read more
Only problem you may have is your age.
We do car rental at work and at 25 your ok to have standard cars such as Corolla's and Avensis but you need to be 30 to hire the MR2 or Celica.
I've just had a look on Hertz's website and thjey've got the same sort of restrictions
"Age Restrictions and Exceptions
The minimum age for rentals in the United Kingdom is 25 years of age for all vehicle groups except for Luxury Automatic (H), 4 Wheel-Drive Special (L), Special Special (S66) and Hertz Prestige Collection for which the minimum age is strictly 30 years old."
I have been regular Autocar (nee Motor) reader/buyer now for 15 years or so and have regarded it as the number one car magazine , but is it?
Quick scan of my local newsagent middle shelf reveals many other periodicals devoted in one way or another to the car industry. Some i've heard of, some i haven't
So which is best? What's your favourites and why?
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Nobody will own up to Max Power, then?
Max Power wasn't too bad when it first started, but then very quickly became a boy racer mag rather than a car modification magazine, now it is just a jazz mag that the supermarkets insist are sold in sealed wrappers.
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This note removed for being pointless. Puppetland, go away and bore someone else please. You add nothing to this forum and only ever come here to post your latest whine about Rover.
Mark. Read more
Hi there,
I've got my mind set on the Nissan Almera, as it seems to be a good first car buy (95-98 range) :
- Cheap insurance (£860 from endsleigh with 0 ncd)
- Cheap
- Late 80's styling but practical , so theft chance low
- Reliable from all reports read
- Comfortable
- On paper , 40MPG for petrol 1.4
My main curiosity is how the car runs on the motorway. Since these cars really are as rare as hens teeth where I am (Newcastle), I was wondering if anyone on here has much experience with them on the motorways.
How is the noise levels, and ride quality? Also, if you know this, what sort of MPG can I expect at 70~ ?
Thanks,
td Read more
JohnX: "I have driven the 1.4 as well,and would strongly recommend the 1.6 if you are doing a fair amount of driving on motorways.More engine noise on the 1.4 and the difference in acceleration is much more than what you would expect it to be for only a
0.2L difference in engine capacity."
Absolutely! It was the lack of power from the 1.4 that finally made me sell it before I should have done. If you possibly can, get the 1.6.
Not sure about the AC, though. Even given the reliability of that generation of Almeras, it would be getting on a bit now and could prove expensive if it needed fixing.
Does anyone tow a double horsetrailer and horse with a Nissan X-trail 2.2 diesel. Looking at the specs it would seem to be feasible. If so, what is it like if you have to park in a field? Read more
Mrs faddy (5ft, short legs) and I (6ft, long legs), are looking for a car that is a reasonable compromise for us both for access to controls and visibility.
We'll probably end up buying privately, but need to try out a few models for size, not test driving, just sitting and trying out seat adjustments. Would "car supermarkets" be a good place to do this? Do they have their stock unlocked so you could do this without being pestered by salespersons? Read more
Supermarkets have the advantage of a wide range of makes. Saves a lot of leg work round the various garages.
Just humour me on this one...
Can I post a creme egg to New Zealand, or is it banned as it's kind of a dairy product?
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Had a similar case a few years ago where I paid in a very small expenses cheque for £8. Ten weeks later a letter came from the bank saying there had been a mistake and they had credited £800 instead.
I made some checks stating what had happened but I had no legal or moral right to hang onto the money.
Made a fuss anyway and paid it back interest free over several months.
Subject = Citroen AX 1.4 D
Problem, cooling fan fails to come on ?
Tried new thermostat, new fan switch, shorted connections for fan switch and fan operates, any ideas ? I have a small leak somewhere behind the dash which I presume is the heater matrix but this will have to stay as it involves to much work. This however has caused me problems on several occasions with airlocks as I tend to have to top up every 3 days, but is this the cause of the fan not operating when needed, as I have tried many times rectify this problems ?
Any advice welcome Read more
It is also possible you could have a blockage in part of the radiator and hence it is not getting the fan switch hot enough to operate. When you car is warming up carefully place your hand across different parts of the radiator and ensure it is fairly evenly warm all over. It may bit a bit cooler towards the bottom but ensure there is no cool spot in the vicintiy of the fan switch.
A lady friend of mine, bought, last August a 53reg Megane with 12K on the clock from an independent dealer. Last week she took it into the Renault main dealer for a service at 14K. They failed the tyres stating they were illegal, I checked them and at best they are only 2.00mm, so they are well worn. The tyres are Continental 205/50/17.
She feels she was conned, as the car has only done town work and with low mileage, the thought that there should be more tread on such low mileage tyres. She being suspicious thinks after she amde the decision to buy the car the tyres were swapped from an older car, as she and her husband feel the tyres they saw had more tread but after eight months she cannot be certain.
However, do the BR's think she has a complaint, do Megane tyres wear that quick and what should she do. Write to the Dealer and or Trading Standards?
Thank you. Read more
14k would not be considered unusually early for the front tyres to wear on a front drive car however they can last 30k plus. Wife's 1.6 Clio has nearly done for it's 2nd set of fronts (Firestones) in 12k, the first set (Michelins) lasted 18k, neighbours Megane 1.6 has lots of tread left after 18k.
Wheel alignment (tracking) could be a factor.
Reckon no chance of come back on the dealer. Also can't believe a dealer selling nearly new £10k plus cars would swop wheels around between car after a deal had been done, too easy to be caught out.
Browse
I invariably drive with both hands on the wheel but only steer with one hand because my right elbow is attached to the arm-rest.