May 2006
Are these so called Motor Journalists that stupid or what.
Example: Today in the Sunday Express and in previous Auto Express
A feature about the new Fiat Sedici and talk of fiat doing this and fiat doing that, then in the logbook lowdown. The rivals they claim:- Suzuki Grand Vitara, Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage.
But who makes and manufacture this Model ??
Answer: Suzuki in Hungary
Suzuki markets this themselves as a SX4, same engine, same interior, same radio and same everthing except the Logo Badge's and Hub caps.
So why do these Journalists go off on the beaten track talking about bigger vehicles as rivals than its sister rival.
The same happened a few years ago with the Ford Fiesta, when Mazda put their Logo on them. Read more
Hello all,
I was thoroughly humilated yesterday when trying to park outside SWMBO's mother's house. She lives on a street where there's no off-road parking. I tend to avoid such things to prevent alloy to kerb contact, but this time there was no excuse as I was driving SWMBO's steel wheel clad Almera. What made it worse was that SWMBO's mother (SWMBOEMS? (Even More So)) was in the passenger seat.
After nine shuffles, I managed to get into the space. The road had cars parked on either side and space for only one-way traffic. What should I have done? I don't remember parallel parking in my L test (it was in '85) and I've never had the need to practice it... until yesterday.
Any tips/helpful advice anyone? SWMBO may just have to do all the driving next time we visit SWMBOEMS, unless I can a) perfect my technique, or b) invent a "Beam me up, Scotty" device.
All the best
CV Read more
Agree with BP
8 times out of 10 its a perfectly coreographed work of art that ends with a glow of pride and smugness.
2 times in the 10 it goes wrong from the moment i look at the gap, and turns into a complete nightmare and deep embarrasment..
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TourVanMan TM < Ex RF >
Hi i brought my laguna estate (1998) last year. And all has been fine, but on trying to open the boot from the outside it wouldn't open. My daughter had to climb in and open it from the inside. As i am usually quite a good problem solver i took the panels off the rear door, found the part that had come loose but was at a loss at how it went back together. I will probably end up taking it to a garage but i am really intriged to see if i could fix it myself. Read more
i was thinking of getting a older 60s-80s american car that needs the odd job doing on it..using it for 6 months to a year and then sell on with the odd jobs done and tidied up and get most of my money back
any suggestions on american cars that would sell on quickly? i dont want to get stuck with somthing
Read more
Quite a lot of 70s and 80s Cadillac Sevilles about. Nice motors of their kind I believe and reasonably compact, sort of Granada sized but a bit fatter.
Hi, I have a problem that is more annoying than anything else.
The car in question is a Ford Focus 99/V 2.0l 16v Zetec.
When I am driving at a constant speed, say 70mph, and lift off the throttle for more than about 2 seconds, it is very jerky when throttle is reapplied.
I have tried hundreds of variations in throttle use, from "flooring it", down to easing power back *very* gently and progressively, and *every* time the car "lurches" back on the power again (seems more noticable when at normal operating temperature).
Is this a problem with the 2.0l 16v Zetec engine on 80,000 miles? It has clean air filter / oil & filter changed 2000 miles ago.
Any suggestions what may be causing this? P.S. I do not have this problem in any other car I have owned / driven so do not think it is my throttle technique!.
Thanks in advance
Pete. Read more
If this car has a throttle position sensor/potentiometer couldn't this symptom be caused by wear in the idling/low revs portion of the sensor be to blame for this ?
Due to an op on the old plates of meet I havent been driving for a while.
I am now looking for a motor and while the healing process continues (about 18 months) I think it would help if I drove an automatic.
I only have about £1300 so I was wondering what you good peoples views are on the best made automatic car/gearbox out there is?
I'm looking for a family size car.
Cheers for any help. Read more
As others say, buy or look on autotrader and exchange and marts website, One of those even has an automatics section.
For £1300 I think you'll be limited to what there is, as there aren't too many about. Small far easter cars such as Dihatsu Charade are often automatics. Good luck.
i have just purchased a car off someone who have just moved abroad. the car is an X reg mondeo with 46,000 miles on it. yet i have just found out there is still £5000 still owed on it. gutted!!!!! after paying £2500 for it.
please help what can i do?
{Subject header amended to something less vague than "please help" - DD} Read more
If you have a receipt from the vendor,my money says you are in the clear,unless you have been economical with the truth.
My faithful 2.4 5cyl LWB High Roof is no longer required, as I am selling my business and the new owners do not want it.It is a '97 P plate, bought when 6 months old as an ex demo/parts van and driven with mechanical sympathy ever since. For the last few months Autotrader have had nothing similar, and with 98k on the clock, FSH, 2 new tyres and 12 months T & T,will provide someone with a wonderful workhorse.My local VW van dealer (where it has not been for the last 8 years)tells me it is only worth what anyone will pay.Fair enough, but is that £400 or £4,000?
Any ideas anyone?
ps the signwriting may not be to everyone's taste, hence my normal considerate driving!
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sounds cheap to me full vw service history less than 100,000 miles one owner since 6 months old sale due to retirement offers around £1295.
is the paintwork/ murals bad then?
Looking at a car in Leeds for my sister to learn to drive in - a staff member at the university is selling his Seat Cordoba for what I reckon is a good price for the car. The ad is below, it's got 2 new front tyres, service receipts from local independent, and had a timing belt change at 60k.
1997R (Dec) SEAT CORDOBA 1.9 TDi Diesel SE 4dr Saloon,
74,000 miles, Metalic Red, MOT and Tax 11/06.
Excellent condition, reliable powerful and economical
diesel engine, a pleasure to drive, owned for 5 years,
1 previous owner, electric windows,
A/C, Radio/CD ,Driver's Air Bag. £1,395.
Read more
Just bought a Vauxhall Astra 1.7TD, P-reg, 90k, 995 pounds. Looks to be in excellent condition and the dealer will put 12 months MOT on it.
Brakes are a bit squidgy but I think they always are on an Astra. They still stop the car fine as tested at a set of traffic lights which turned red as I started moving. Stopped fine but the white van driver behind me nearly didn't! Look of horror on dealer's face etc, though assume if I stamp on brakes to avoid going through a red light and someone hits me from behind it's not my fault...
Bit of blue smoke when he started it but none under heavy acceleration, though it's interesting how much more enthusiatic my Xsara is in 3rd gear. Very nice car though, in that sort of posh champagne gold.
Considering buying a Subaru legacy or forester but have been told that the mpg on these vehicles is horrific.
Can anyone tell me accurately what mpg they have been getting - i.e. from brimming the tank, and logging mileage and volume of fuel filled with.
a local mechanic said his 2.5auto struggled to get even 25mpg on a long run, and range with the fuel tank was rubbish as tank is really too small for these vehicles with their poor mpg.
I would be looking at a forester 2.0 auto , or a legacy 2.2 or 2.5 auto.
I need an estate or small mpv that will occaisionally tow a large 4 berth caravan, but still nice for the "man about town" to drive the rest of the year.
Car must be auto, but can't have anyting too huge as driveway at home is short, as is parking at work, I'd rather not have anything with a raging thirst.
Caravan is my sisters, I'm going to be allowed to use it over the summer, but can't borrow her towcar as its husbands company car (needs it for work everyday, I can't be insured on it)
My current car isn't big enough to tow (toyota corolla) and needs a big service, so either spend money on it or change for something that can tow...... Read more
HectorG
Back again; I cheat with the dogs and the leather seats by which I mean I have fitted tough seat covers which are very effective but of course they negate the 'luxury' of the leather. One reason I chose the Outback instead of the tourer is the extra ground clearance, there are some terrible roads in e.g. Sheffield, Hull, Manchester not to mention leeds. As you seem interested my car is used a bit roughly, often heavily loaded, full use often made of the available power and not cleaned very often. I service it in accordance with the makers schedule with the addition of an intermediate engine oil and filter change every 5000 miles; it has not one squeak or rattle and has been totally reliable. I would definitely buy another if I was'nt heading for my second childhood with a boat and the "call of the sea" again after 25 years. Silly old sod.
Bon voyage old boy...