July 2007
As there has been much Leggy related chat on here recently, here's some personal reflections after 40,000 miles in just over 2 years.
Interior - definately not a 5 seater for long journeys. Boot big, cover arrangement on the Estate leaves a gap through which some of the content remains visible. Seats good, easy to get a comfortable driving position, especially with elec adjustment of the drivers seat. Standard fit radio isn't outstanding but good enough for me.
Climate control highly efficient but Mrs W describes it a draughty. You can't manually close the centre air vents which is a pain, but you can do it through adjusting the flow on the control panel. The huge sunroof is a big plus especially in the winter (brightening the interior!) but rarely use it for its intended purpose.
Fuel - averaging 32 mpg over the 40,000 miles - 25-27 round town/B road 'making progress' through to 37 on motorways at 70-75.
Servicing - 1000 service cost £40. 12,000 - £155. 24,000 - £275. 36,000 - £300. Body Inspection at 1 year cost £140. These are main dealer prices - my local(ish) dealer, Westaway in Spratton is excellent. Tyres ran out of life after 34,000 miles - replaced the original Bridgestone's with Goodyear Eagles which I find better. Sometimes uses half a litre of oil between services, but not always.
Performance - not a ball of fire with the 2.5 engine but more than enough for everyday use. Keep thinking I should get a Spec B or a 2.5 Turbo Forester but I think the performance/economy compromise is probably about right for me. Ride/handling compromise is generally fine - it does understeer a fair bit, hence my interest in some possible tweaks which Aprilia has suggested.
What's gone wrong? Not much - seal on a headlamp failed at 6 months - replaced under warranty with no quibbles. Clutch pedal started squeaking - attempts by the dealer to lubricate it were only partially successful initially but problem has now gone. Paintwork seems to scratch easily.
Biggest surprise - never thought I'd use the Hi-Lo gearbox function but I do - very useful for motorway jams crawling along at walking pace. The 4WD was a big plus on some snowy/slippery transits through back roads last winter.
Summary - not the cheapest car in the world to run, but I didn't buy it expecting that. I like the fact that you don't see that many others around (at least in the South/SE).
Would I buy another? Yes but a second-hand Spec B :o) Read more
Just picked up a brand new Ford Focus 1.6 Sport for "her indoors"... I reckon I got a cracking deal, but no doubt someone on here will spot whatever it is that I missed......
Brand new.
Not pre-registered or anything silly like that
Metallic Paint (colour of our choice)
Sport spec (alloys, elecs, aircon, leather sw, front fogs etc etc).
List price (which I know nobody ever pays) was £14k + £350 for the metallic. What car/etc target price £11.5k (+£350). I paid 10k. Ford main dealer.
So go on then..... what am I missing? Read more
Check the tags on the seatbelts and the date stamps on the plastics.
Already checked the seatbelts (first place I looked) but there's nothing obvious that relates to a date.
Can't find any plastics that easilt detatch.
Under the bonnet would be the easiest place to look if it wasn't piddling it down with rain.
But as per previous post, the boot floor mat has a sticker on the underside which says "04/2007" so assuming this was fitted to the car when it left the factory, the car can't be any older than 3 months...
The Technique at the Pump thread prompted this:
The 'queueing on the filler cap side' mentality IMHO is simply a further expression of lack of 'space awareness' The other prime example of this is drivers who, on a two lane road that can easily (and I mean easily, not just squeeze by; not 'you could get a bus through there love' ) take four cars abreast, will stop for oncoming traffic when presented with a car parked on each side of the road. And as for those who take a dozen goes to parallel park...
rgds
Reginald Molehusband Read more
>>... The other prime example of this is drivers who on a two lane road that can easily ... take four cars abreast will stop for oncoming traffic when presented with a car parked on each side of the road...
That's me.
Not much wrong with my spatial awareness as far as I know but what about the other twerps in play?
First click then nearest litre?
I just read mention of this in a very old thread and have no idea what this could mean - anyone enlighten me?
Read more
I'd have thought that was obvious 007. There is still the risk of it touching your paintwork when extending or retracting the hose however.
tinyurl.com/2olxet
He was brave to try and take that down there. I remember in my youth trying to break the land speed record down there in a diesel Maestro van...
For the record, I didn't manage it. Read more
I am sure there is a bit of irony there in that a huge transporter, almost empty apart from one or possibly two 4x4s, gets stuck in a ditch!
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2007 Seat Altea XL 2.0 TDI (140) Stylance
2005 Skoda Fabia vrS
I have a lot of sympathy with these ideas ...
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politics/6904821.stm
... though "This group should also be banned from carrying passengers aged between 10 and 20 from 11pm to 5am" is a difficult one, it would effect people using a car for work between those hours and their ability to give lifts / car share. Also a sensible young driver would not be able to pick up his teanage sibling from a party etc. Read more
"you can tweek a 125 motorcycle to go 100mph"
Of course, but the point is that until you've passed the necessary test, it's illegal, and I'm not aware of very many derestricted 125's with L-plates. As ever, enforcing existing laws about taking your own test (instead of paying someone else to do it for you) and being taxed and insured would go some way to reducing the problem...
Have noticed that alot of the new police patrol cars around the Strathclyde area and in the Met area are silver, they seem to be a little less conspicuous on the road,could this be the reason. Read more
Up to a few years ago all of my cars were white. Now I can't get one in that colour because the dealers are not selling any. Perhaps that is the reason.
Light coloured cars are much 'greener' because they reflect the heat from the sun (insolation) which otherwise would make the interior of the car much hotter and hence need more ventilation / air conditioning.
I have bought a car from a private seller as a total loss (cat d) with engineers report. The car is a cat d but i have just done a HPI that came down as finance owed (don't know how much as they could not tell me, due to data protection) As this car is a total loss will the previous sellers insurance pay the finance company when paying for the car?? and will the finance company take back the car even though its severly damaged?? please help guys!!!
Tweaked Subject Line - PU Read more
Bellboy,
You have just cheered my morning up with your comments up. Made me smile.
Against all advice, and in full knowledge of the HGF probability, my dad has gone and bought a 1.8 petrol Freelander. In fairness, it's a lovely example (99V one owner, 75k FLRSH) and is in very good nick and drives lovely. It is however due a cambelt and major service in a few thousand miles, and I have volunteered to do it for him.
The belt swap looks lovely and easy from an access point of view (tiny engine, huge underbonnet space), and I've done belts on Ford Endura-DE, Pinto and Ford Zetec before, but never worked on a K at all. Will track down a manual, but any practical experience / advice welcome.
Cheers as always
DP
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04 Grand Scenic 1.9 dCi Dynamique
00 Mondeo 1.8TD LX
97 Ford Fiesta 1.4 16v Chicane (for sale) Read more
This month's edition of 'Car Mechanics' has an article on changing this cambelt.
I have a 2005 Megane 1.6 VVt which has recently started to occasionally make a strange 'rattling' noise on startup. The only thing I can it sounds like is a bit like a football rattle!
When the noise occurs the car will generally start (sometimes takes a second attempt) and then runs fine for remainder of the journey (apart from some initial hesitation when cold - a trait of these cars I believe?)
The cars under warranty and is going back to the garage, but knowing Renaults poor dealer reputation I reckon knowledge is power and would be interested if anyone else has had a similar problem? A little bit of web searching brought up mentions of a dephaser pulley - all a bit too 'Star Trek' for a car!
Tweaked subject line - PU Read more
Thanks for the info. MPG seems to be OK (around 38 on average) and the car runs fine otherwise.
I'll see what the garage try and fob me off with!
Browse
Much obliged, Wilco. 42 in (107cm) is the one that matters most - I don't often need a van but I frequently carry the family and a full load behind the seats. That's about the same as a Saab 9-5 estate. I've always liked the Legacy as something understated and unorthodox; it may yet gain a place on my 'To try' list.