July 2005

Badger

I've just done a trip down the M6, from the Lakes to Lancashire, in heavy rain. The main hazard was the impenetrable banks of spray put up by the HGVs.

This got me wondering. Wasn't there, at one time at least, a requirement for heavies to be fitted with 'skirts' or curtains alongside the wheels to reduce spray? Whatever happened to that? Nothing I encountered today appeared to have any such measure in place, and the levels of spray were unbelievable.

Or is my senile decay getting senilier? Read more

Badger

Sure -- it's overtaking that's the problem.

ndbw

Saw a DIY Kit in Woolworths for £29.90 has anyone had any experience of this,it apparently fits behind the numberplate.

ndbw Read more

chuck

Avoid anything from JML!!!

Follow the link to the ebay store and get some of those. I bought 2 sets and they're fine. Don't look to bad either.

jjp

Hi
Following the breakdown of my marriage with the ex getting custody of the car, I now find myself looking for a car, but not knowing where to start.

I'm not bothered about makes, but there's a few things which may narrow the search a little.

I've £5000 to spend
Safe - got two kids
large boot
easy to maintain - not mechanically minded!
low insurance group - never had my own insurance, only ever been named second driver.
to mainly use around the town but with 2 or 3 150 mile round trips a month
around 2 - 3 years old
cd player/sun roof would be nice but not vital

I think that's about it - does such a car exist or am i hoping for too much?

I do wonder about the insurance. Would my years of being a named driver with a clean driving record have any influence on the insurance, or would i be starting from scratch?

Your advice and suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks Read more

machika

It has always been the same with Ford cars in this country. Sometimes they have deserved the accolades and sometimes they haven't. I was told the same about every Escort that Ford ever produced. It was the same with the Cortina and the Sierra. They were always better than the opposition.

Jase

Hello,

A friend wants a family size car that must be comfortable for his daily commute of 60ish miles (mainly motorway). No frills but reliable and cheap to run. Shouldn't be more than £3k ideally.

I was thinking last shape Mondeo is tough to beat for value but he also mentioned he likes previous shape Astra.

So whats the sensible purchase please people?

Thanks in advance

Read more

Blue {P}

I would hazard a guess that a much better condition last of the old shape for £3K will probably give more faultless service than a tatty, high mileage early new shape one.

Bear in mind that at £3K you're getting amongst the best old shapers out there, at £3K you are getting amongst the very, very worst new shapers available.

That's my view on it anyway, if you can find a GOOD new shape Mondeo for £3K then go for that one, it is better vehicle and will probably last longer, but I wouldn't say it's so much better that I would take a 120,000 mile LX new shape over say, a 50,000 mile old shape Ghia or Zetec.

Blue

Robbie

I've had a problem with my Accord i-CTDI Tourer for over twelve months now. (I mentioned it here and it was moved to the technical forum where it met with a nil response.) Briefly, the fuse that protects the horn and brake lights has blown twenty-three times. It first started in May last year, when the car was less than three months old, and has been back to the dealer twice and on the back of a lorry to the Honda agent in Brive, France. None could find a problem and the French dealer merely replaced the fuse - again.

I 'phoned Honda when I returned from France and complained, and the car went in this morning. The fault was found to be a wire in the loom of the tailgate that had chafed, and was shorting out against a rough piece of interior bodywork in the tailgate.

The glow plug warning light started flashing every time the fuse blew and this had me confused. According to the mechanic, this happens if ever there is an electrical problem as it sends a signal to the internal computer.

I thought this may be of interest to other owners of an Accord Tourer.


Read more

Badger

This morning the mechanic got the fuse to blow when the tailgate was left open and he depressed the brake pedal.


You're too generous Robbie, and your patience does you credit, but that's precisely the kind of check that should have been carried out in the first place. This is not 20/20 hindsight -- cable runs through a tailgate, with constant flexing through opening/closing are a likely source of trouble in such a case.
Forum New cars
WillieBoffin

TAKE A LOOK AT THIS IT'S HOT!!

www.mercedes-benz.com

especially the SL-Class Roadster.. Read more

Ex-Moderator

Don't get me started.

I'm sure its a fantastic, well-equipped car beloved by all its owners, but for fun ? I don't think so.

You just don't see kids with their noses pressed against the showroom glass admiring it. In fact, I bet they don't even get stolen very often.

Wee Willie Winkie

Afternoon all,

Does anyone has experiences of the Garmin Streetpilot 2610 Satnav unit?

I've got the chance of buying one second hand - with all the latest maps etc...

Any opinions of this model would be great.

Thanks,

DB Read more

BobbyG

PU, does she travel a lot that she needs the TomTom?

Or have you reached the stage that you really can't think of anything to get her!

One of my mate's is buying his missus a set of alloys for her Corsa! He insists that she will be delighted with them!

Garethj

What's the law on this? For young children who would normally be in a kiddie seat, do they have to be in one when in a taxi, or as long as they've got seat belts on does it matter?

Would a taxi driver be allowed to pick up a parent and young child without a kiddie seat or is it the parent's responsibility rather than the taxi drivers?

The thought came to me last weekend as I saw a minicab with 4 children in the back, none of them belted.... Read more

SLO76

Google is your friend...

www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules/when-a-child-...t

Marky Mark

Hi all,
I will shortly be selling my trusty Pug 405 TD estate and to make it even more of a bargain I am thinking of getting a new 12 month ticket on it (current one expires early August). A certain well known fast fit outfit is offering MOTs at £25 when booking online which seems a bit of a bargain...but I am unsure if they are more likely to find "faults" to get the retest fee, extra work etc than a "proper" MOT garage.

Does anyone have any experience of using these places for MOTs, or am I being overly supsicious?

cheers all,
Mark Read more

Civic8

>>I keep meaning to check that lamp just to see if it even was changed!!
Bit late to worry now.But one reason their are only 2 garages where I live I use.In fact they are not local just outside my town
--
Steve

Happy Blue!

Seen today in Manchester...

BMW X5 4.4 blacked out windows (too black I suspect) driven by blonde aged about 30 on mobile phone no hands free. Rear window lowered to see child in car seat (Phew!) and middle aged nanny/grandma? sitting next to child with no seatbelt.

Can had 20" wheels with rubber band tyres and cuts and gouges in the sidewalls of both tyres that I could see.

How many offences is it possible to commit whilst stationary at trafic lights at one go. And I do mean real offices not those of taste of which there were several more!
--
Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive? Read more

mfarrow

How many offences is it possible to commit whilst stationary at
trafic lights at one go.


She could have honked her horn!

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Mike Farrow