October 2005
Hi,
My J-reg, Mk2 Golf (150,000 miles) is starting to show signs of rust around the rear offside wheel arch. The car (metallic green paint) has black plastic wheel trims, and the two rust patches are adjacent to this. Looks like I would have a better chance of treating it if I can remove the wheel trim. Do people agree? If so, are the trims easy to remove, or is this a garage job?
Thanks,
Antony Read more
Manufacturers are always on the look out for niche markets to fill with what they claim is a totally new concept in motoring.
One of the more successful recent niches must be the double-cab pick up, helped by a tax loophole that I don't know much about.
A niche that has yet to be exploited is the 5-seater van based on an MPV like a Galaxy or Espace. 2 rows of seats, 4 passenger doors but with a windowless rear cargo compartment with removable partition. Ideal for caravanners, campers, police forces. A wheelbase extended behind the rear passenger doors and a longer rear overhang would provide a useful rear cargo space suitable for carrying bikes etc.
This type of vehicle could also be used as a combined taxi / courier van - think, it's driver would be a new breed - White Van Cabbie!
The nearest I can think of to this idea is the Mercedes Vito.
Cheers, SS Read more
IIRC, Kia used to offer a version of the Carens MPV with a partitioned-off luggage compartment with blanked out windows.
Any other such vehicles I've seen looked like after-market conversions of vans, usually Transits or VW Transporters.
Regards,
- Grommit
I am in the market for a small car.
I want good handling, a good ride, and a car that has character and is fun to drive with reasonable performance.
I don't need E/windows, alloys or E/mirrors, but would like remote C/L.
I have driven the Polo, Fiesta, and Corsa, all of which I found uninspiring and bland.
I recently drove the new Micra and was impressed by the ride and performance. ( I'm not mad about the styling however)
The yaris looks like it might fit the bill, but I have not been in one yet. I thought I might get a good deal on one as the new model is due soon.
Any suggestions?
Read more
If you want fun and excitment what about a Clio 182 (or earlier 172 as a used buy) or slightly more sensibly, either a Seat Ibiza or Skoda Fabia both with the 130bhp diesel engine.
I used a grey primer on my ford fiesta and when i spray about 5 coats of java blue matallic, it still dont hide the grey primer and looks like a lighter blue.
even after 24 hours drying its still not dark enough. how many coats of colour paint over primer do you need to make match or closely matcht the original paint?? Read more
Its so often true that the solution needed is simple, but it can be a complex task to find the simple solution.
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I read often, only post occasionally
i have a budget of around 9k to buy a second hand car. i am currently driving a peugeot 406 (R reg) and love the ride comfort. I would like to stretch this money to consider a premuim model possibly volvo s60 (D5) audi A4 (tdi) or a jag X type (2.0 petrol.
Reliability and quiteness are the most important. what do you think? Read more
Ride comfort will be lacking in any of these cars with the sport suspension and in the Audi the time probably. The Merc C class has a better ride.
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Espada III - well if you have a family and need a Lamborghini, what else do you drive?
Hello, Could somebody please advise me on a couple of problems I have with my omega. Firstly i have a battery drain, what happens is if i leave the car for a couple of days i need to jump it using a jump pack. I have checked that their is no lights staying on. I have already put in a new battery from vauxhall also a new alternator. Second issue is when i start the engine the revs jump up and down until the engine is warm and then it is fine.
any advise on these two problems would be a help..
Thanks Paul.. Read more
Just a short update on the above problem. I am happy to say I have found the battery drain, it was my passenger side vanity mirror light.
Thanks for all the sugestions.
Paul..
I know RF commented on it, but I'm hoping for some other opinions too.
Basically, my mate's looking at these. Found another one, in yellow, 52 plate, with 32,000 miles on for £7,795. Looks absolutely spotless and he's pretty interested in it. Before he makes the plunge, what are these cars like in general? He's been for test drives but was hoping for some other opinions on it.
Any thoughts/opinions/advice would be much appreciated.
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I agree with Paulb's comments, good and bad. I've got one of these cars and it's a hoot.
Plus points; performance/economy combination almost too good to be true - would cruise all day at 100 mph were it legal with only 2800 rpm on the tacho in 6th gear and averaging around 50 mpg. Lowish insurance group. I love the curvy styling (even if some people think it looks like a Daewoo Lanos!). Front tyres can last for 20,000 miles despite all that torque, though a re-balance at mid-life point is necessary.
Minus points; ride a bit joggly and stiff over poor surfaces. Tends to understeer if pushed hard into bends (might be the heavy engine, though familiarity teaches you how to compensate for this fairly well unless you are travelling at silly speeds). Paint rather prone to stone chips (presumably a result of "environmentally-friendly" water based paints that VAG uses these days). Some people report interior trim problems but I've not experienced any.
I might get the Cupra TDi version next though I'm rather concerned that the low-profile tyres might make the ride unacceptable to my bad back. My 130 is an import with standard profile tyres.
Overall I recommend it highly.
Anyone see the review in the Sunday Times Motoring Section re the £30k Pug 407 2.7hdi V6 coupe?
Would you want to spend nearly £30k on a Pug? What would it be worth after a year or 18mths?
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Well Adam, saw one in the flesh, so as to speak, last Friday at work. I can endorse HJ's words on looks and the interior has a quality far in excess of other current models. Take an open minded look at one when they hit the showrooms in January '06.
Deserves to do well and to sum up I'll repeat there's a lot more car for the money than the equivalent BMW or Merc.
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Was Charles {P} but someone c o p i e d my name with spaces.
Article in todays Sunday Telegraph about allowing motorists to drive the wrong way along an autobahn to escape a traffic jam.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2005...l
Is this something new as I have had experience of Police directing traffic back down a closed motorway one the section affect had been closed to further traffic.
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Roger
I read frequently, but only post when I have something useful to say.
You should learn Read more
Ever tried reversing for a mile Cliff?
A breakdown firm was presented with an unusual challenge when it was called out to fix a 91-year-old car in trouble in the Yorkshire Dales.
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/north_yorkshire/430182...m
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Some companies used to have a block on how many calls could be made annually for vehicles over a certain age.
Seems too many car owners were using the breakdown service as a repair centre...:-)
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
Browse
The black arches are easy to remove. On my G reg golf the arches were riveted onto the wheel arch through the arch lip. I just used an old chisel and hammer to shear the heads off the rivets. There may also be glued on (mine were not), but yours is a J reg, so may be slightly different.