May 2006
A couple of my neighbours have disabled parking-spaces on the road outside their homes.
Their cars don't have orange badges, though. Are they breaking the law? Read more
I was a passanger in a car of a relative of mine yesterday adn they had a habit of putting the car into neutral when ever the speed or oppotunity took.
On one stretch of the journey, it seemed that we covered a number of miles on a long downhill stretch in neutral, with speeds upto about 60 mph.
His argument was that it saved him fuel....
Apart from that reason, what sort of wear and tear damage can he do that would give him repair bills that outway the fuel savings?
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>>It uses more fuel on fuel injected cars, as when coasting they shut off all fuel, whereas in neutral, it has to fuel the engine to keep it idling.
Coasting is in neutral,ie clutch disengaged,no drive from engine.
engine is ticking over,it also has no effect on braking or power steering as its all running on tickover driven by engine,So where is the problem?
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Steve
Ive just agreed to buy an ultra low mileage Renault Clio off one of my customers ( im a valeter ) but i have no idea of its true worth. Ive offered her £350 for it because it doesnt have MOT or Tax and has been sitting in her garage for 6 months and only got started up when I came round to clean her car.
Im hoping to make a few quid as I have a classic Mazda that is in the process of being dragged through MOT prep and could do with the extra funds!
What I want to know, is what should I sell it on for once ive MOT'd it and put 6 months tax on. Im also going to get it serviced as its overdue for one now.
Its a 1995 M reg Clio RT Automtic in a lovely green metallic with 15,000 miles and one elderly owner from new. Aside from a pin dent in the front wing, its virtually mint.
I cant find a similar one for sale anywhere so its hard to judge?
Any ideas on what I should advertise it for? Read more
No mate, he's at Uni, costing everyone money!
And now back to motoring!
DD.
If you've been reading my recent posts you'll know I need to get another car. I have up to £20k to spend but if I can get away with less I'll be happier. Trouble is, I like too many cars out there,coupes,cabriolets,sporty ones,automatics,luxury saloons etc. but mainly interesting, reliable, low depreciating ones!(if there are any!).Looking at new(hopefully with big discount)or recently used.Current favourites are VW Eos,merc slk,Hyundi coupe,Astra cc,BMW coupe,Mazda rx8,Focus cc,.Jag x type,merc c class saloon and coupe.I am in no rush and would appreciate any ideas on interesting cars that might fit my 'needs'. After all the nasty problems people seem to have on this site I thought it might be good to have a'nice'problem for a change! Thanks.
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You would be a looney to spend 20 grand on a
Ford.
Adam you're wrong I'm afraid. The correct spelling is loony;-}
As in the thread title, I'm interested in peole's opinions on this car as I like the look of it and have received the brochure through the post. (just when I though I'd settled on a Passat saloon!).
The spec of the SE (diesel, naturally) looks good and the brokers offer a good saving.
I've read HJ's comments and a couple of on-line reviews, one of which criticises it for noise and lack of space in back seat/boot, allo of which are quite important to me.
Does it use the Ford diesel engine, and is it relaible?
Any thoughts etc much appreciated.
Cheers
Pat Read more
I think the consensus among road tests has been that the larger-engined V50s are nice to drive, but it's not very good at being a Volvo estate. Not much room, and no clever seat folding arrangements.
A Mazda 6 estate looks quite similar and the seats are better designed: a Skoda Octavia estate might be better value than either, and certaily more roomy.
What kind of cars could I get from an auction for £7k, typically? I'd be looking for one with as long a warranty period as poss. (2 years?) and is cheap to run. Preferably I'd want something not much smaller than my Focus or less fun. Is this possible, realistically? Read more
I'd want a TDCi (115?) though, and I'm not sure I could get one at this price could i?
A mate of mine is selling this lovely Fiat. I would appreciate it if anyone out there with time to kill ask a stupid question through ebay, it would make my day! I have asked every forum I am a member of to do the same and tomorrow could be interesting.
Anyone know what it is actually worth, or does it have a negative value?
tinyurl.com/rvco8 Read more
Interesting to see if it sells and how much for. I'd guess it's worth less than £50 and it's only worth anything because Fiat 500s are rare now.
I've had my current Passat TDI 115 PD estate (sport trim) since new in 2000 (pre-face lift) and am looking to change within the next 6 to 12 months.
I really like my Passat (the fuel economy has averaged over 50mpg throughout its life), but I am not at all attracted to the new model. It looks too big and to "Americanised" with all the chrome trim etc. I also do not particularly like the look of the Audi A4 Avant. A Merc. C class estate is quite appealing, but is probably a bit too pretentious for my job (I'm a self employed specialist electronic engineer and work on-site a lot) and the smaller diesels are not over fuel efficient. I do not like the look of the BMW 3 series. The Honda Accord diesel has fantastic reviews, but the estate is REALLY ugly (IMO).
So today by chance, I see the new Civic in a Honda showroom and all of a sudden I think "do I need all the space that my current Passat offers"?
I probably carry too much stuff around that I don't need on a day to day basis and I could always use a roof rack on the odd occasions that the kids bikes need to be transported!
Does anyone else agree with my sentiments (or otherwise).
The new Civic really is a looker and I've owned their motorbikes for almost 30 years with no major problems.
Do you think I'll miss the space by downsizing from the Passat?
Replies on a postcard please:-)) Read more
I've had my current Passat TDI 115 PD estate (sport trim)
since new in 2000 (pre-face lift) and am looking to change
within the next 6 to 12 months.
I really like my Passat (the fuel economy has averaged over
50mpg throughout its life), but I am not at all attracted
to the new model.
As a massive fan of the Passat, I am inclined to agree with you. The new Passat styling is a bit iffy to say the least, and there is evidence of cost-savings on the build quality too. The old Passat in a way was better than it needed to be, but I think there is now quite a rift between VW and Audi in terms of build-quality.
I have a BMW 323 E46 which I took into the BMW dealer yesterday before the BMW extended warranty runs out. I bought the warranty when I purchased the car 3 years ago from the BM dealer.
The dealer called yesterday stating that the car required a coolant and brake fluid change, these however were done only last year by the dealer !!. They also stated that the water pump required changing which would be done on warranty. This morning they phoned back saying that the suspension bushes had deteriorated so badly that the car was not safe to drive,and would not be under warranty. How long do these last, as they were changed 2 years ago (approx 18K miles) ? Also I am suprised that they were not spotted by another BMW dealer during the MOT done less than a month ago (40 miles). When I purchased the extended warranty 3 yrs ago there was nothing about excluding the suspension. I would appreciate your advice on this matter ? I don't want to pay many 100's of pounds to the dealer. Read more
The actual rubber bush is available separately from the wishbone as well and are available from dealers
Hi,
I have a problem with my Fiesta, in that when I turn into a corner the back end feels really "loose". By that I mean I turn the wheel, then there is a slight delay before the car bites in and turns. It feels as though the front is doing its thing, but the back is sliding out, before digging in and gripping. The car is also tramlining like never before on the motorway, but it's the rear that feels unsettled.
I've had the car on stands, and can't find any excessive play in any of the suspension components. I've checked bolts are tight, that the shocks aren't leaking (they're only 6 months old anyhow!), and finally checked the tyre pressures which were as per the owners' manual.
Basically I'm confused, and can't understand why a normally fairly nimble little car, now feels quite imprecise and slightly unnerving to drive.
I'd be grateful for any suggestions as to the cause!
Cheers,
mr-fiesta Read more
Micheldever usually do a four wheel alignment and you get one of the most comprehensive printouts (complete with values for factory setting, pre-adjustment settings and after adjustment settings) I have ever seen.
I got my Mondeo done a couple of months ago and after a bit of surgery on the front it felt like it took about 50,000 miles off the car. Sharper, weightier steering and tracks beautifully.
Well done.