February 2006
Ok, so what would make a good NEW car, for a new driver? He needs space, since it would be the main car for his family (his mum doesn't drive), but most importantly he wants style too.
Reliability would be a thought, as would a good equipment list. Insurance grouping would need to be low (I'm thinking 4, or less) and it's his first car.
My personal vote is headed for the new Yaris, I think, or perhaps the Suzuki Swift, but what do you guys think would be best? I did think of the C4 and Megane, but with their manufacturer's reputation for unreliability I discounted them...
NOTE: He is insistent on getting a new car, despite my advice that it'll just lose value and he'll probably dent it a bit. Read more
A friend has a E class that he privately imported from Germany.
It was initially registered in Germany on temporary plates in January 2003, he took it skiing in Feb, and returned to the UK at the end of Feb 2003, and finally had it UK registered in April 2003. When he enquired of the DVLA when the first MoT was due he got the answer of '3rd birthday of UK registration'.
Is this correct? Is it because it was viewed as a 'new' car when imported into the UK, despite the 3 month delay?
Logic says it should be the date of of first use that counts, or what is to stop you doing a world tour before returning to the UK with a personal import?
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pmh (was peter)
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The owner may post directly after his return from holiday, but the further you look the more interesting this becomes.
DVLA V5 shows the year of manufacture as 2003. The following text is taken from the VOSA website....
When should my vehicle take an MOT Test?
Vehicles should receive their first MOT when they reach 3 years of age.
If a car is registered with no prior use on the road, the MOT will be required three years after the date of registration. For example, a car registered "from new" on 25th April 2000 will require its MOT no later than 25th April 2003.
If a car is used prior to registration, as would be the case with an import, the MOT will be required three years from the end of the year of manufacture. For example a car manufactured at any time in 2000 will require an MOT no later than 31st December 2003.
There is no grace period given after these dates.
In this case the second para applies and my interpretation of this is that strictly the MOT is not actually needed until 31/12/2006!!! ie it could be upto 4 years.
Any comments?
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pmh (was peter)
How come petrol has an octane rating but diesel doesn't seem
to have anything equivalent? (At least not on the forecourts). Read more
More info:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cetane_number
Andy
I have chance to buy a genuine 8000 mile Laguna 1.8 auto May 2002 reg. for £4000. Everywhere i look says they are so unreliable i should not touch it with a barge pole but what do you think?
I know the full history and it has been trouble free but i also know HJ says low milers are to be avoided!
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Well, I have to say that we had a 1.8 Clio with an auto box for a while and the gearbox was no trouble at all. Very smooth change also.
The electrics on the car were another matter altogether.
Having booked flights for a short visit to a friend in Granada in early May, I find that the airport is Stansted which I have never used. The flight there in particular is at 6.50 in the morning and it may be difficult to get to the airport in time. Normally I would drive, but a look at the parking section in the Stansted airport website seemed to show that 12 days in the long-term car park there would cost well over £100.
Does anyone have a technique for getting round this? Am I just out of date as well as practically penniless? Read more
Have a look at www.airport-hotel-shop.co.uk they have lots of deals offering "free parking" for up to 15 days with a nights stay.
I have just done a search on drivethedeal.com and autobytel, to check on the price of the CVT version of these cars, and there are none listed.
Anyone provide an explanation for this? There seems to have been problems with the supply of the CVT ever since it was launched. Read more
I always remember a few years back at an NEC car show a chat I had with a ZF transmissions bloke on their stand.
We were talking about the then 6 speed auto box due to appear on the 7 series "Bangle BMW."
I mentioned CVT'S and he remarked about a test drive in a Ford Orion with this transmission. When he selected Drive, the car shot backwards!
And yet Ford still perservere with this transmission.
Am thinking of going to the monaco grand prix this year, am travelling from newcastle.
What's the best way to get there, would preferto fly I think, what is the nearest airport?
Any advice on anyone who has gone before or knows more than me (not difficult) would be excellent and then I can set the wheels in motion!
Cheers
Paul Read more
I have been to Monaco grand prix twice, both time used Motor Racing International.
They offer all types of tours including Day trip - which is too much hassel. Both times I have done the day trip, both times stuck at Nice airport trying to get a slot out. They quote in the brochure - back in Stanstead by 930 - 10 pm - never, both times very late back.
Hello
My name is Paul Walton and I am a journalist working for the Toyota magazine, In Front. I am compiling a feature on owners of high mileage Toyotas. They can be any age and model, but must have covered 250,000 miles. If you own such a car and would like to participate, please e-mail me (paul@paulwalton.co.uk) with your contact details and information on your car.
Many thanks,
Paul Walton
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I am being serious.
{HJ wasn't specifically refering to your post. He was making a general comment. DD}
Just a cautionary note, the road authorities are installing at least four speed cameras. Two northbound and two southbound. Between junctions 1 and 2. Read more
the Avon Ring Road F1 curcuit at anytime of
the day or night. The fastest bits are from Hicks
Gate upto Longwell Green and then from Warmly up to Mangostfield.
More fun from Hambrook to Emersons Green - got to beat the red lights!
Hi i was rearened and they wrote my car off because of its age (L) plate, the thing is i was behind with the payments and i still owe £600 will they do an hpi check if i sell it to a car breakers for spares? greeneyes. Read more
Shame to face potential criminal charges when wasn't your fault.
Browse
It's 4 for front impact.
I don't know about the C4, but I agree about the Jazz and long journeys - I already mentioned that earlier.
The other problem I see is that this car is for a (youngish) guy? So he may not be that keen on the Jazz. Although I'd like to expand the Jazz demographic, to increase its potential market for when I come to sell ours!