I know this is very common on these cars but can some well tell me because the one i have just bought is very badly rusted on one side but the engine is superb drives great and the interior is immaculate can it be repaired to a good standard thanks Neal Read more

Hello All

I am a car salesman and have worked in this industry for roughly a year. I have met the good, the bad and the ugly since starting!

I have read numerous topics about the bad experiences people have had in here with car sales people.

I feel its unfair that we should all be categorised by the actions of the few and want to set the record straight!

Whilst I recognise that there are many cowboys in this industry, I feel many people have misplaced views on a lot of us.

I work for a large, prestige brand and regularly get treatment from customers that I feel isnt justified. They often come in with this misconception that I am going to rip them off,steal their car and give no customer care after purchased.

I pride myself on what I do and work a lot of hours (usually 55-60 hours) - 6 days a week, often coming in on my day off to be certain my customers are completely satisfied.

Many areas of selling cars needs to be looked at, however the main one is when you want to 'do the deal'.

When it comes to the negotiation part, there are MANY MANY topics and guides which state that a salesman ALWAYS knows how much margin is within a car and 'makes the deal'- often using the manager as a get out. Let me assure you this isnt always the case. Sometimes the salesman has to literally haggle with the manager to get the price you want...as the manager gives them no idea of margins in each vehicle.

Also, your part exchange price is not just something which is thought up and pulled out of the sky. Most decent dealers take the time to properly assess your car and look it up in professional guide books such as Glass's and CAP.

My priority is to sell you a car. I work on a salary heavily reliant on commision...and that is not always based on profit - usually on volume. If you have issues with the deal its in my interest as much as yours to gain the business.

So please...dont take it out on the sales people! believe it or not the Industry has changed dramatically and it is very cut-throat in many dealerships for the staff. Some of us do want your business! Read more

I think I might have a leaking heater matrix, but I want to know what you lot think first.

About a month ago, I had the Polo (see profile for specifics) in for a service, part of which was a coolant change. When I got back, and a few journeys later (no more than 100 miles) I checked the fluids over, and the coolant level was low. It was about .5 inch under the minimum, so without delay, I added some water and it took no more than 300ml to replenish the level to 'max'. I thought this was just because with having it changed, it would still be dispelling any air in the system.

All was well until Thursday. I drove the car to a mate?s house, and after an hour and a half, when I returned, all the windows were steamed up. When I say steamed up, they were really damp and took some demisting. Even the heated rear screen struggled to clear it on the 20 minute journey home. I thought this was because the weather was cold and damp on that day.

Used it again today and when I returned the passenger side of the windscreen was damp again, as well as some of the door window. It was in exactly the same circumstances (same mates house, same journey). What I find odd was the seemingly precise location of the dampness. The rest of the car was fine (but the side that steamed up was the lower side, with the driver side being parked on a path) Checking the coolant, it had dropped again (but nowhere near as much)

BUT.....thinking back to Wednesday, I took the folks to the cinema. The weather was very bad, lashing it down with rain, lots of standing water etc etc. On that day, all was well, its just after that when we've had trouble.

Me and my dad have had a look at the heater in the plenum chamber. It was all dry, all connections were secure and there was no evidence of water whatsoever. The carpets are also bone dry. Windows demisted quite well too once the fan was on. The system was pressured too, so any leak would have reduced this wouldn?t it? Incidentally, we cant see the matrix itself as the motor and other parts cover it. There is no mayo in the engine either, so HG seems ok.

My dad seems to think its just the appalling weather of Wednesday which had done it. Water will have been dragged in on shoes etc, and some water may have seeped in through the vents etc. We?ve decided to leave it ?as is? and monitor the whole situation for a bit longer. Only thing is, I don?t want to top up with just water anymore incase I dilute it too much. How much water would that take, to dilute coolant too far?

Sorry this is so long. Just want to give you all the facts

What do you think?
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There's something about this which is making it really difficult for me to be cynical.

I don't think it's anything to do with someone buying an old Fiesta and driving their Porsche on the third party extension. After all, there are limitations of use aren't there?

I mean - look at it this way. My Dad would have to insure himself on his car then name Mum on his car. Mum would have to insure herself on her car, then name Dad. Then of course I will have to insure myself on mine, name Dad and Mum (not forgetting where my sister comes into it all).

It's rare - in fact, since Mum got her car it's only happened once, that one parent will drive the other's car yet the insurance company are getting more money for the policy just on the offchance that one parent would need to drive the other car.

I'm willing to bet that thousands upon thousands of people are going to either not bother, or be so confused they'll be driving around unknowingly uninsured.

After all, what the hell do the insurance companies care about safety? They're losing out on money from people using the DOC clause to drive other cars aren't they?

Thoughts please.
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I want to buy a Nissan X-trail, has anybody had anydealings with the import companies HONDASUK or NISSANDIRECT. If so, what are the pitfalls dealing with companies such as these.

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