February 2007

Dirk

Hi Everyone,

Hoping someone can advise me what I can do in this situation.

First off, due to previous financial ?indiscretions? whilst self employed, I?m restricted to what the industry appears to call ?sub-prime? lenders.

Through one of these, I was able to locate a car within budget, that they were happy to lend on.

At first viewing, I put down a deposit on the car and sat in the dealership while the finance was arranged and agreed. I signed the paperwork which was faxed back, and I arranged to come back about 6 days later to collect it.

On the day I was due to collect it, they called delaying me because the finance company were dragging their heels. They ended up cancelling and putting me off until the following day.

To cut a long story short, since then both the dealership and their finance department have strung me along for just over a week, giving me different excuses each time.

First it was that the finance company had requested a HPI check on my part-ex, which was then carried out (despite me already being billed for this) by the dealer and faxed to their finance department, and then on to the finance company

When I called the next day, they claimed to have not received it from the dealer, so more delay. Next excuse was that the HPI was for the wrong vehicle, which in the same conversation was changed to ?it wasn?t sent on the right headed paper?

In between this, the dealer has been adamant they are merely waiting for the finances to be transferred (I?ve heard this at least 3 times from both the finance department and the dealer) because with ?sub-prime? lenders, it takes longer, and the dealer needs to see the funds

So here we are, 2 and a bit weeks after handing over a deposit, for a car that is sitting on their forecourt, and still waiting to collect it. Last I spoke to them was Monday, whereupon they told me they were frustrated, but??yes, waiting for the funds to hit their account.

So basically I?m sick of being misled and messed around, they?ve each contradicted each other, and it feels like I?m being scammed, if it weren?t for the fact the dealership is a large nationwide network or somewhat reputable origins.

Does anyone know why they?d deliberately delay? Assuming they aren?t in fact utterly incompetent, which is what I think. Are they hoping I give up and forfeit the deposit? Do they like to keep the money in their account for a week?

And also, tomorrow I?m going to call and give them 24 hours to have the car ready for collection, or I will cancel the agreement.

Would this count as a non-cancellable agreement, and would I be entitled to my deposit back? (£250)

I?m quite prepared to take them to the small claims court if necessary
Thanks
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Armitage Shanks {p}

If you are party to an agreement re the purchase of a car and a delivery date is not specefied as an element of it I think you are stuck. The dealer has the car, you want it and he wants the money. You are raising money from a finanace company, of your choice(?) so your finance company is the problem.

Fiesta Fanatic

Hi all

I need to find a cheap third car for my daily commute to work and was wondering if any of you guys could recommend anything?

I commute 40 miles per day and require something thats pretty economical (>45mpg) and cheap to insure (
Any advice/recommendations welcome!

Cheers. Read more

J Bonington Jagworth

Thank you Jase - so far, I'm still getting my head around the fact that such things can be so undervalued.

"All the Japanese efforts at producing a big BMW/Merc rival seem to fall flat in the UK "

Indeed, but perhaps it says more about us than them. Toyota seem to have had a bit more luck with Lexuses (Lexi?) which suggests that we're far too badge-conscious. I'm sure the Xedos would have done better if Mazda had taken their own badge off, so naturally I'm rather glad they didn't!

Crinkly Dave

Hi

2003 fitted with 110 non-PD turbo diesel

last week I fitted an air filter, which involved removing and replacing the MAF. No probs

This afternoon I removed and replaced the top cover over the engine whilst looking for an oil leak. Then I drove it 2 miles to the local garage and back to have the tyres rebalanced. On the way back I decided to boot it, to check if there was vibration at 60mph

Suddenly the engine note went flat, and it refused to go above 3500rpm

Any ideas?? If I had trapped or knocked off a pipe I would have expected the trouble to start immediately (assuming of course, I actually noticed anything when I was driving to the garage...) Read more

sgarre13

Likely the MAF sensor is dead. They can be a little fragile. It could also be the MAP sensor but since you disturbed the MAF it's more likely that end. Had this on a TDI Passat, same engine. Fault code readout would suggest you need a new turbo (something along the lines of "boost pressure measurement out of acceptable range"), but that won't be the case. VW tried to stiff me for a £1000 new turbo when a £27 sensor was the fault.

mk2pologt

hi.

the problem is starting a 1991 polo gt engine.

I have fitted a new starter motor, i've doubled up on earth straps, the solenoid has a strong click so the ignition barrel is ok, the starter just doesn't turn.

note: this is a temperamental fault, sometimes it fires right up with no trouble.

any ideas?? Read more

mk2pologt

Looks like i'll have to get a new bush then.

Thanks for your help.

Jimbo Asprilla

Hi,

Got problems with my 97 Chrysler Voyager SE 2ltr, my speedo and rev counter needles both have died, the odometer still clocks up the milage but neither needles move, I performed a test cycle by holding in the trip and trip reset buttons, this moved temp and fuel needles though high and low limits but the Speedo and Revs didn't move.

Any ideas ??? Read more

barney100

I found some little rust spots in various places on my 7 year old Mercedes 220. I contacted a local main dealer who asked to see the car and the service record...up to date... they inspected the car and it seems the whole lot will be done under warranty. I am really impressed. Read more

No FM2R

>>I am unimpressed that your overpriced 7 year old car has become rusty .

Your bitterness over owning a Rover rather than a Merc is showing through. You'd have to pay quite a lot of money to over pay for a Merc, whereas I guess about £5 will have the same effect with a Rover.

sony

I am thinking of getting an Audi A3 2.0tdi on a 04 plate. Are Audi's really as well built as most people say? Is an A3 really a cut above current golf? Worth the premium? Where are Audi's made these days??! Read more

scott1s

Yet for the price of the german mobile you could have a Lexus IS. Now there IS no comparison. The lexus is a class act in every way.

Spospe

Got a new neighbour with 5 vehicles, only one of which is parked off road on their driveway. The garage is full of household material, so the other 4 cars park on the road. The road is quite narrow and as they park on both sides it becomes narrower still (2 outside the house and 2 on the other side).

They show some consideration to other road users by parking half-on the pavement, but usually facing the wrong way.

Is it legal to park half-on the pavement and if so should the lights be on during the hours of darkness?

Any suggestions as to what can be done (slashing tyres, breaking off door mirrors and ?keying? the cars, whilst attractive are not legal), talking to them just produces a ?what can we do, we have 5 vehicles?? kind of response.
Read more

deepwith

Friend (a young widow) lives in the end house in a long cul de sac, all chalet bungalows have parking for at least three cars (if they don't mind shuffling) in their drives plus a garage - yet both sides of the road are parked on every evening. None on the pavement. This leaves no room for an ambulance or fire engine and no verges to cut across.. It made the last year of her husbands life even more difficult as he had to be taken into hospital on several occasions as a night time emergency - two years on many of those neighbours who had to be woken to move cars still treat her appallingly and will eventually force her to move, although it is too soon for her yet. I presume they won't see the light until they need an emergency vehicle. Brilliant traffic calming though......

Beaks

Anyone got any suggestions as to the best tyres for a 2005 mondeo tdci on 205/55 v15s ??? Not too bothered about the price .... Read more

paulb {P}

Mine (55-reg TDCi 130) has Bridgestone Turanza ER30s (205/55 R 16 V). Given what is asked of the front tyres in particular (heavy car, heavy engine, 243 lbs ft of torque), and the fact that neither I nor the Hertz customers who preceded me have driven the thing exactly gently, I am mightily impressed that they have lasted 25,000 miles. The rears have loads of life left. Would recommend.

Question 406 Fuel Filter
backatthepostbox

Afternoon all,

I have what I fear is a rather muppit like question. I am trying to change the fuel filter on a 406 HDI (90)(2000) but cant get the fuel hoses off the top of the housing. The Haynes manual is of little use saying to "insert a small screw driver to release the hose." I have tried this and it does not seem to work and I am cautios about applying to much presure on it. There seems to be a little ring on each hose (one green and one white ring) holding it to the top of the fuel filter house, I have popped the screwdriver under these but cant seem to release them, any tips?

Thanks again and apologies for the dumb question.

Regards
Max
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Frogeye

From memory you push on the small coloured square and the pipe will release. Little force is required.