February 2006
my mondy seems to be eating fuel. any iders Read more
The government is currently consulting on proposed changes to the Highway Code.
Worth a read.
See:
www.dsa.gov.uk/content.asp?id=13014
Read more
Gard.
it happens. I nearly ran one of these down on a dual carriageway with a 40 mph limit. It was dark and, of course, he had no lights on. It was tit for tat because he'd nearly got me as I walked into the supermarket as he came out. I wondered why he was wearing an old motorcycle helmet.
JH
Well, I narrowed my search to following models:
Vauxall/OPEL ASTRA G 1.6 gasoline 2001
FORD FOCUS 1.8 TDDi or 1.6 gasoline
They seem to be best-buys, but would you recommend something else and what would you choose?
Today I tested both and found Astra too firm and hard on road and Focus excellent but cheap looking dash-board.
What I dont know are technical info of those two and which would be cheaper to maintain? I need a car that is economical,joy to ride, for mostly city/suburb use. What is recorded consumption in litres for those models?
ADVICE PLEASE.
Thanks
Read more
Where are you in the world. I guess not UK because you use the word gasoline and want consumption in litres.
I ask because there may be other better choices in the local market.
I've had my last two alarms fitted by microtechnics but they seeem to have disappeared - their website goes to somebody that just does tracking systems so I am on the look out for someone else. If they're close by then I don't mind going to them as they don't usually take more than an hour or two to fit.
I'm getting another car and it doesn't have any alarm or immob on it. It did have a cllifford for it has been disabled (they often go wrong)
Or does anyone know if sempal alarms/immob in worcester are any good? Their website is www.sempal.co.uk/
teabelly Read more
Evening all,
Over the last couple of weeks I've noticed my driving getting a bit more...."frantic". I've been getting angry at people and driving pretty fast. Not dangerous but just not particularly polished. I noticed my gear changes getting a lot more jerky because I was rushing to get everywhere really quick.
The last straw was driving down the motorway last week and not noticing a fully marked Police Range Rover on the other carriageway on the hard shoulder until I had gone past it. (Normally I could tell you what reg it was before you even realised there was a Police car anywhere near)
So, deciding I didn't like this new Adam style of driving and much preferring my smooth, observant "Dad taught style" I thought "Enough is enough". I sat down and read my 1974 copy of Roadcraft. Deciding this wasn't enough, I then imagined Dad was in the car with me constantly whether I was alone or had friends in it. I then decided that if someone pulled out in front of me, so be it. I didn't have to make it my mission to overtake them because they were going 20mph than the limit.
So far, it's been a resounding success. After a day of consciously trying, I've become smooth and observant again without even thinking about it. I was following a mate today in his car and saw a tree cutting man...cutting branches off a tree ahead. One fell off and I saw (and moved over to avoid) long before my mate in front even saw what was happening.
I've no idea how long it will last. Petrol consumption has remained completely unchanged and I still have fun on the twisties but I'm a lot more relaxed about doing it.
No doubt I'll crash tomorrow having said all that but I thought I'd share it with you anyway.
Read more
Thanks for everyone's helpful replies. I'll address each one in turn.
Lud - sorry - I've been busy with coursework and it's only going to get worse with only 7 weeks left at Uni! You are right though - I get there much more relaxed and happier having been relaxed about it. It doesn't even mean you have to drive like a doddery old man - you can go quick but just be more observant. I do hope it lasts as I lke it!
Mike - I didn't know that. 10am is pushing it but in the interests of safe driving I may give it a whirl. And I'll be tactful too!
Snaily - I got it given to me by a friend. I've got a 1994 version somewhere but that seems far more political and law-like than the '74 version. (E.g. instead of make good progress whilst observing the road ahead a la Roadcraft 1974, you get "You must never speed under any circumstances". It seems more like another highway code rather than how to drive properly.
Chris - I'd hate to drive through a city every day - a bustling town is bad enough - you can't get anywhere near the speed limit let alone exceed it! (Probably best) But I see what you mean - yesterday I was pretty late but decided not to rush and made up the time on the motorway (safely!) and I got there in just the same time as if I'd have been driving like a crazed loon!
The only thing is - I've found myself shaking my head at a lot of things. Still - better than yelling at people I guess.
Thanks again for everyione's contributions.
Adam
After 3 days in the garage I am told that my Polo squeak ( www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=37755 ) in the offside front wheel area is "probably" caused by the brakes needing deglazing due to "driving style". This will cost £220 as it is not covered by the warranty. Head office have repeated this "driving style" excuse when I spoke to them. I am confused as to how a squeak can be caused by shiny brakes when they are not engaged and secondly why this fault should occur at all after about 6 months in a brand new car. The frequent soft braking style will be used by anyone driving in London. Because the brakes don't come under the warranty I have to pay for deglazing or try hosing the brakes down along with a series of hard braking manouevres, neither of which option will permanently cure the problem. I am not sure where to go from here with the complaint ? If all brakes have this problem then surely 99% of cars in any city will develop the fault after a few months ? Read more
If not brake related,would suspect a wheel bearing being dry.but not neccesarily from that wheel unless they or you is certain?,of direction of squeek
--
Steve
I am hoping to buy a Mondeo/Vectra type family car during the next few weeks. Probably be an 05 reg car. My question is does the number plate change (06 on 1 March) tend to have an immediate effect on used car prices. Might it be worth me waiting a couple of weeks to see if i can get a better deal.
Grateful for any advice.
Thanks - Andy Read more
Thanks vansboy,
I took my medication this morning!
The 406 was (and is) a very popular towing car. However, I would not buy a French car. My Father-in-law was, until recently, a MOT mechanic, and he said I should avoid French cars. Only his opinion, of course, but I tend to do what he says.
The Mondeo is a getting a very good press in the caravanning world. "I didn't know the caravan was there" is the often used comment by Mondeo owners (probably not the view held by people following the caravan, of course). My only worry is the clutch which some say is not up to reversing the caravan. Very expensive to replace as well.
Cheers - Andy
Thinking about new car options, has anyone any experience/thoughts on the Hyundai coupes? I think they look great, the 5 year warranty obviously appeals, and discounts of £2000 plus on the 1.6 makes it seem a bargain!
Read more
2009 it says here.
tinyurl.com/r672m
I think some of the worst drivers are middle-aged. They've lost the quick reactions possessed by younger drivers and have yet to acquire the prudence possessed by older drivers.
--
L\'escargot. Read more
In my day to day driving its usually the drivers of estate cars that seem to do the most dangerous things imaginable. Like overtake 3 cars on a single carriage way with oncoming traffic and and forcing the the traffic to brake because they won't move out of 5th gear.
Just booked the car in for it's MOT, and the garage said that I now have to provide the V5 when I come for the test, is this normal? and if so why hasn't this been publicised more? Read more
I would suggest the reason they have requested this is so they can fastrack it through the chassis/engine trim specs on the new siemens computor system rather than faffing looking at the car,
I do not think it would speed things up significantly.
I had my first computerised MoT certificate yesterday.
They put the VIN in and it came up with the correct matching info. Then a further choice of six parameters which included impossible engine options for an original spec car.
The lads said they did get 900 option offered on one vehicle.
I watched them trying to isentify the code for a brake failure.
They finished up ticking 5 boxes that did not really match the fault.
Whereas in the past they would replace a bulb or tweek a headlamp adjuster it is now a failure.
They said that if they did not log enough failures it would tend to flag up and provoke a "quality check"
Expect some wonerful stats to appear in the future!
Another system produced in isolation from the real world?
Browse
.jpg)
mpg has gone down and don't know when the air filter was changed last. i've had it about 4 months.