July 2006
Looking for an economical car to commute in about 40 miles per day. Looking for good fuel economy, nice ride, cheap tax/insurance and something that looks O.K.
What do you think of the Toyota Aygo - would like to know ?
Ta,
Ferris (P.S would rather have a 1961 Ferrari GT250 !!!)
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My friend is a director of a Limited Company. There are 3 employees,all of whom are directors.
She has had a Preg Civic since new and now wants to change for the new style Civic.
What are the pros and cons of her buying privately as opposed to leasing? Is there any tax benefits either way? What would be the implications if they decided to go down the company car road for all 3 directors?
This may well be one for their accountant to analyse but any thoughts from the backroom would be appreciated.
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Interesting few points Mark, I don't think her business mileage will be that high as she lives in Scotland and most of their clients are in London so most of her commute is flying!
Car: Daewoo Leganza S reg
The air con on our car stopped working about two years ago and we have never bothered to get it fixed, but its so hot now, we decided to have a look round about fixing it.
We have brought a R134a canister and tested the pressure, which was low. We have topped the pressure back up to where the guage says it the correct level.
When you switch the air con on, the symbol shows on the display and we can hear a click noise coming from the front left of the car, the compressor ? so it sounds like this is working .. but still no air con
Any ideas ?? Read more
You would probably need at least 2 cans of refrigerant to refill, if the system was empty, so you have either buy another can and possibly waste another £30 (or whatever it costs) or let the experts see to it. BTW the R134A refrigerant is cheaper on Ebay if you already have the gauge and connector for filling up.
I need a vehicle for work and family, my work requires that I carry scientific equipment, and i really would like to buy a car that I can easily load equipment weighing up to 30Kg without having to heave it in and out of boots/trunks
I do not want an estate car!
my solution is to buy a hatchback with an estate type flat lip at the rear to make the loading and unloading easy
but havent found any yet?
can anyone help?
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Why not simply fit a false floor (made out of plywood / MDF) that is at the same height as the raised lip?
Hi
Has anyone got any ideas
when i lock my car i press the big button on the key fob then the little button about 5 mins later the alarm goes off
if i only lock the car with the large button this doesnt happen ???
Pug 306 1996 XTDT
cheers Read more
HI
Thanks for your help i will test these ideas
Just had a quick visit to Gatwick via the M25 / M23
I filtered into the M23 with serveral vehicles also filtering on my left.
I moved into the outside lane as there was nowt behind, to avoid any shuffling of the joiners.
I then discovered a happy fellow in front of me so I slowed down and down to 40 mph to avoid rear ending him.
A quick flash of the lights had no effect. Perhaps He had a sick motor and he will go for the hard shoulder?
No, the happy fellow was in his own world. I backed of further so I could gain speed , filter in and illegally undertake.
I considered this better than getting rear ended by a road warrior.
I eased past and watched him in my mirror. Half a mile later he decided to try the middle lane and nearly side swipped another vehicle undertaking him.
How do they survive?
Approaching the next direction sign, to a works only site, the vehicle in front signalled left, then cancelled it.
At the one mile to LGW sign the left indicator went on again for 200 yards, then off agian.
At the half mile sign the indicator went on and stayed on.
Traffic was light but it was nice to get such early warning,
I do not like going to airports with the mix of regulars and happy wanderers.
Rant off. Read more
Hi
We're thinking of upgrading the family saloon (406 HDI) for something with a bit more space. It's just about big enough for the three children and all the paraphernalia, but something bigger would be nice. I like the Avensis (particularly the estate) but we're toying with the idea of an MPV. We like the Previa but worry that a) it would be a bit pricey to buy and run and it would be a lot bigger than we would actually need 90% of the time. The Toyota Verso looks like it might be a good compromise but I'm a bit confused as I've heard of Corolla Verso, Avensis Verso - are there different ones? We might actually keep the 406 as it's reliable and well-maintained.
Whatever we go for it will have to be a diesel - the fuel economy is important. We are currently doing about 12000 miles a year and I don't change cars often (every 5-10 years). I don't really care about it being a bit on the slow side - I'm past all that now and comfort and reliability are much more important (yawn!).
I've been a bit put off by what I've read on the likes of Sharan/Galaxy/Alhambra and I don't see e.g. Zafira offering much above an estate car (except the 7 seats, but there doesn't seem much room for the two at the back) although I may be wrong.
Any advice would be much appreciated, and if anyone has any tips for good websites/dealers/independents that would also be most welcome.
Thanks, Read more
No-one's (unless I've missed it) mentioned the Skoda Octavia - 2.0 TDI is excellent. Depends on how old the children are - a Honda Accord Tourer is longer but there's more room inside.
Try a Mazda dealer and you can compare the 6 estate with the 5 MPV - the 5 has sliding rear doors which you might find useful. Similarly you can compare the Accord Tourer with the FRV - the |FRV has 3 seats in front, 3 in the back (like the Fiat Multipla, which you could also have a look at).
All the above are available with excellent diesel engines. Those, plus the Passat, would be on my short list. I have a Mercedes B-class which would suit you well for space but unless you can get the good PCP deal that I got, it's expensive, and in mine the diesel engine is far too vocal.
hi i have a 99 vectra v reg.and the temp goes quite high there are two fans one in front and one behind the rad. how can i test both of the fans are running correctly.i think one is for the air con, but whitch one and some one has told me they have differant speeds on them ......so can some one tell me how to test each one .
many thanks
dave Read more
hi elekie&ac doctor
thanks for your help you have been a great help.
fan was broke so got a second hand one from scrap yard for £15.00 and tested it as you said ..bang on.so its being fitted tomorrow at the garage as my car is in for a service..
once again thanks
cheers
dave
Are there any "Rent-A-Wreck" companies around the Heathrow area, the only one I knew of was at Shepperton, but they no longer operate their rent-a-cheapie service.
I would like to rent a "used" car for a couple of days, I don't want to pay nearly seventy quid to a big brand hire company, especially when I can insure a wreck for £10.50 a day with NU.
Tried Yellow Pages but can't find any help, any ideas? Read more
You are an absolute star! Cheers!
Took a trip around Masham and Thirsk yesterday. Visited Kilburn for a visit to the White Horse and the 'Mouseman' furniture centre. We then decided to quench our thirst in the excellent Forresters Arms which is located on the village square, so ample parking - two issues really baffled (in one case annoyed) me and Mrs Daveyjp. The car was parked in the Mouseman's small car park and I decided to move it to the square. There was a Focus already parked nose in facing the pub (no bays marked) so I decided to park next to it, leaving a decent gap as we have the car seat to get in the car. As soon as I sat down for my drink the Focus owner left his table, got in his car, reversed in to the square, then drove forward again reducing by about 70% the gap I had left between our cars - he was so close he could barely get out (there were about 8 cars in the square with room for over 30 so space was hardly an issue!)! When we left I had to move my car and put the baby seat in and once again the Focus owner got back in his car and moved it to where my car had been! What was all that about?
Whilst sorting out Daveyjp junior another couple left the pub and went to their car. The woman was driving, her husband duly got in the passenger seat, unwrapped a packet of Hamlets, wound his window down and threw the wrapper and an empty hamlet packet out of the window littering until then a pristine village square. This really rattled me. As the car approached the edge of the square to return to the main road I asked the visitors who gave them the right to litter a beautiful corner of Yorkshire. The driver looked non plussed as she hadn't seen what hubby did. On explaining she duly reversed back and made him get out and pick up the rubbish - well done her.
In both cases the couples in question were in thier 60s whio no doubt complaim constantly about the yoof of today! Read more
It was a Sunday Lynch.
How much rope??
Browse
Id look seriously at the Kia Picanto - I drove an automatic one a while back and while it wasnt the fastest car on the road, it felt very solid and the gearbox was very smooth. I have never driven a small car that impressed me quite as much at that price. I bought a Smart ForTwo in the end and regretted it ever since. I should think for a 40 mile journey, the Picanto is a relaxing drive, plus its quite well equipped too.
The dealers are also pretty good too which cannot always be said of Citroen/Peugeot much of the time.