Wife is learning to drive and needs to practise but finds my car Rover 416 a bit hard to drive, so was thinking of buying a car that she could practise in and drive when test is passed.

Budget is £600 to £800 and at the most the car will be covering 8,000 miles a year, looking for something Vauxhall Corsa or Astra size and low insurance groups

Any suggestions please Read more

Remember this?

www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?v=e&t=46...2

Well, I was driving past said individuals house, so I thought I would pay him a visit.

I Introduced myself to him then told him that as he was responsible for my loss I was seeking reimbursement from him. He immediately apologised and accepted responsibility.

He then went to a scrap vehicle that he owned and started to remove a same size wiper for me. I pointed out that whilst I apprecated his willingness to help, I had already replaced the wiper and that the one I had lost was quite new, not second hand.

He agreed then to establish how much he could get a new one for and I suggested that he either give me the cost of a new blade or a new blade. It's his choice. I passed on my number to him.

I also politely pointed out that his actions that night were most unwelcome and pointless and that he should refrain from being a nuisance in my area in future. To give him his due he apologised again and did point out that there was little else he could do other than apologise. I pointed out that he could undertake to refrain from baing a nuisance from this point on as his actions only served to inconvenience, and hit the pockets of others. I also mentioned that I didn't feel why I should have to fund the consequences of his behaviour. I agreed with his assertion that his owning up to the offence was commendable but responded that we would have all preferred that he had not done it in the first place.

He used drink as an excuse and said "We all do stupid things when we've had a few" I then suggested that he should stay off the drink if he couldn't be sure of behaving himself when he's drunk.

He admitted that the Police had suggested the same to him as well. This obviously hit home to him as he seemed even more embarresed - he further admitted that the police had given him a 'written warning'. I know he's got a caution for this and another offence.

I thanked him for his time and mentioned that I looked forward to hearing from him soon, then left.

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I have done a forum search and have not seen an answer to this question (apologies if my search has been clumsey, if so please direct me to the relevent thread)..

Has any backroomer personal experience of having a car fitted with an imobiliser being stolen by the thief driving it away?

I know of no one who has had a car stolen without the keys and / or the car loaded onto a transporter. What I am really asking is, can the average (or not so average) thief overcome a modern imobiliser? Read more

Not sure if this should be in Technical but here goes anyway. Mother in law has an old Uno - C prefix reg (1983?) with (I think) the 999cc Fire engine. She does very few miles in it , once or twice a week to shops and visits to her brother etc, maybe 20 miles per week. Up til now she has been able to buy LRP locally to her (Wirral) but the source has now stopped stocking it and she can't find anywhere else within reach. I have said that she should be able to buy Castrol or some other lead replacement additive from Halfords (though I am not sure) and add that to her petrol at each (rare) fill up but the thoughts occurs that
a) I am not sure that the engine requires LRP petrol - though I presume it does (Google has not helped with a definitive answer)
b) would much damage be done to the valve seats at the mileage she does or would the exclusively short journeys make the problem worse? Would pinking be really noticeable and cause further probs?
The last thing she needs is the expense of having to get a "new" car - she is getting on a bit (!) and for the mileage she does would not be warranted, while at the same time the loss of her car would be hard felt. Lugging shopping on and off buses wopuld not do her much good at her age.
By the way, the Uno has served her faithfully for about 12 years, never failed to start and passes its MOT each year with only minor costs. Maybe something to do with the fact that after every use she garages it, covers it with blankets and tucks it in until needed for next weeks shopping!
Thanks in advance for any advice
--
Phil Read more

First post so hello to all and hope still early enough in January to wish you all the best for the New Year.

I do a 75 mile each way commute Mon to Fri - A303, M3, M25. Am now looking at changing my 1.8 Mondeo petrol Hatchback workhorse that has given sterling service for the last 10 years to the most economical, assume diesel, replacement.

As per normal I am looking for the most I can get for the least outlay so anything considered as long as it is reliable, will get me to and from work in relative comfort and at the least cost.

Also happy to listen to any recommendations of what you think I should be looking for even if you do not have a vehicle to offer.

Located in Andover, Hampshire so something in the locale would be ideal although willing to travel reasonable distance for the right motor.

Many thanks

Pity the N Plate Citroen Xantia for sale on these boards is not a diesel really.

{Moved from the classifieds forum - DD} Read more