I had my MOT done at the weekend which the car passed with no problems, however within 100 miles the catalytic converter section fell off from under the car at quite high speed.
I took the issue up with the garage who advised that because I only asked for an MOT they are not obliged to tell me if something like that is hanging off if its passable at the time, however had i asked for a service aswell they would have recommended i get it fixed.
you can appreciate my annoyance with them as i thought it wasin ok condition, where do i stand? Read more

I?d be interested, as usual, to seek the counsel of the BR.

Yesterday, I plucked up the courage to seek permission from the Household Financial Committee (ie SWMBO) to replace the family W reg petrol Vectra (105k miles, clutch possibly coming to end of life, brake disks thinning, MOT in September and a new cam belt at 120k) with a newer means of diesel transport. Much to my surprise, the request was granted in principle! Wohoo! So, here?s the issue.

As a commuter knocking up 480 miles per week, we need a diesel car which will waft me in comfort and safety and will double up as the family car for weekends and holidays for the two of us, a nutty 4 year old boy and a more sedate 1 year old girl.

I?m currently thinking of a 12 month old 150 bhp Vectra or Signum Elite, but can?t figure out the practical differences between the two. From the research undertaken thus far, they appear to have the same chassis, engine and interior? Is it this very reason that has led to the Signum to be considered a rather odd placed car in the market place?

I?d like to try out a 1-2 year old Volvo S60 D (SWMBO likes Volvos too), but this is probably outside of my budget of £13kish plus px ? isn?t it? I have also thought about a TDCi Mondeo, but the 155 bhp versions may, again, be outside of the budget. Any others that I should be considering?

As usual, many comments on the above.

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Top Turkey - the fastest hands in Brum Read more

When I was playing with Jeeps at West Harptree a couple of weeks ago, one of the offroad instructors told me that a customer had got a discound of £12.5k off the £30k commander.

Apparently he traded in an early BMW x5 and paid just £7k on top.

Can this be right? Read more

I am looking at a caravan (I can hear the boos and hisses already). My knowledge of them dates from the 1970's - i.e. 2 litre car tows a5 berth caravan.

2007 - Apparently not or at least not with my 2 ltr car.

The problem is that a caravan to meet the family needs is around 1500Kg +/-

A budget for a tow car with say 3-5,000 miles / year (not an every day car) I wanted to be <£10K.

I had thought of a Honda Legend (3.5V6 - 2001/2003 vintage from say £7K), A Lexus GS300 (Staright 6 Yr 2000 Around £9-11K). Honda Accord Coupe3 Ltr V6 (£3-5K for 2001 and low mileage)

What other come into the category of "worth considering" category - not really wanting a CRV/RAV4 as this they struggle a bit on hills with a caravan on the back and the bigger 4x4 are just to ungainly/van like IMHO. Read more

If I wanted to purchase a new "stereo" for the car. would there be a technical term to describe a system that can be controled by the steering wheel controls. Almost all the specs that I have looked at just seem to list a vast array letters that mean nothing to me. Almost forgot I would also like to keep the dash display (02 Astra). Thanks Read more