August 2007
Recently I was given a new Suzuki Wagon R+ as a courtesy car by Suzuki dealer.
Although I don't have any problem with the car, few things surprises me!
The dash design (dials and temp/time display) resembles those of Vauxhall's (Corsa,Astra etc.) The rear gear shift uses a ring to push on left (rather than right below). I opened the bonnet, and there is no Suzuki mark on the 1.2 L engine! In fact "GM" marked stickers are everywhere! In fact, coolant cap instructions were written in English & German.
So, basically the car is Vauxhall Agila (at least engine & gearbox say so).
So, why does Suzuki sell a Vauxhall car in their own name? Read more
Having just watched robbie coltraine finish his b road driving extravaganza and his imploring of the good people of these isles to explore these oft quiet roads for themselves, can i please ask that you dont, as i like them for myself ,quiet ,serene and off the beaten track,please please fellow motorists keep to the motorways
............................................ i thank yee Read more
I was just about to post the link when Billy beat me to it.
I see no mention in there of a MK 11 or a Mk 1 version of the XK140.
Andy may well be correct but when he mentions the motor that Robbie is driving is definitely a Jag MK 11 , I am sure most people including myself think of the classic Inspector Morse Jag.
Try Googling for Jaguar XK 140 Mk 11 and you will get either an XK140 or MK 11 but not both in the same link.
was walking back from the shops toward said motor and noticed the car at a very slight dip drivers side , is it common for that to happen like the springs to take more aggro from just drivers weight ? Read more
Worth jacking it up though, and chceking that the spring is not broken - hardly unknown these days....
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RichardW
Is it illogical? It must be Citroen....
Hi thanks for all the help with the with the alarm and wiring got all of them working the only thing I did not check was the heater the blower works fine at all speeds but no warm air I was wondering if anyone had any problems with this thanks Neil o
{subject header altered to make less vague - DD} Read more
Sorted it blocked matrix so it works again
Neil
I'm buying a 1966 Series 2 Land Rover to keep me out of mischief for a while. It's a complete wreck but I am paying someone to fully restore it for me using a galvanised chassis. It will cost me £5000 with most parts renewed or renovated. I shall keep it as original as possible but am having the later Series 3 engine put in as most enthusiasts reckon it's a tougher engine.
I shall try and post some pictures but I will need one of those photo account things first.
Slow, noisy, uncomfortable, thirsty, crash gears. Happy days again - can't wait :-) Read more
I think it has a drum heater. I will have to check. The restoration should start next month...
I will post some more photos as the work progresses.
Don't often go up the east coast.
From central London what would be best A1/A1M or M1?
tia
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So does that mean that they have finished the work on the A404?
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All the work on the roundabout and the slip road is finished as far as I am aware.
Going north on the A404 as you approach the roundabout there is new slip road onto the M40.
Coming south on the slip road from the M40 there is a new multi lane road through the middle of the roundabout.
This makes things much simpler to in effect turn right onto the A404.
A vast improvement over the old lane switching confusing around the roundabout route.
I used it a couple of weeks ago to/from Oxford. I was very impressed.
I'm looking to get rid of our V70.
I want a diesel estate - needs to have good legroom. I'm 6'4 and I want people to be able to sit behind me. OK mainly children, but still....
I've not been impressed with the volvo, too many faults. I dont want a mondeo or a passat
I've had a bit of a think and the options seem to be
Honda Accord
Mazda 6
Saab 95
Any of these would be 2004-ish
Anyone been through these options or comment on them? Or indeed offer other suggestions (but see mondeo comment above :) )?
The honda and the saab are chain cam which is a plus.
I was not impressed (a few years ago) with an early 95 - but I understand there was a significant rejig round about 2003 ? That improved the rear legroom and handling?
I know very little about the honda or the mazda. Im told the mazda is a bit plasticy?
thanks for any info. Im going to look at them but Im really short of spare time in the day to look at them and I would rather not mess private sellers about doing initial looks/test drives before I've decided what I want.
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We have a 2001 Saab 95 estate - plus points are that it is really comfy, an "effortless motorway crusier" as they say. Lots of room, really comfy seats. Five star ncap rating - HJ called it the safest estate. Very good value used. These were our priorites, plus we just like Saabs.
Down side is that there issues with reliability, though Saab fixed ours under the 8 year engine warranty thing. Saab owners club will tell you more. Dealers are very pricey, so you need a good independant specialist. Ours is petrol; OH dreams of 30+ mpg.
If you can get a good, cheap one they may be worth a go, though I am not sure that the Saab diesel engine is well thought of.
I would be interested to know why you are getting rid of the V70 - we considered these but they seemed a bit more expensive by comparison.
If you have a speed table, and by that I mean a road with a raised platform across both lanes that is about one car length (so by the time the rear wheels are on the speed table the fronts are on the way down) do they have to be marked with a white arrow or such like? I ask because one near me is made out of the same road surface as the road and in the dark merges into the road surface nicely. If you hit it at the speed limit in a car it would give you a bit of a jolt but a cycle would be a bit of a bone-shaker! Read more
Thanks DVD. From memory all other speed tables in the area have some markings (usually a pyramid shape).
Just been on holiday in Cyprus and have noticed that not having one or even two number plates is very common. I think it must be a combination of climate and useless stick on plates but nobody seems to care.
Actually, maybe a good thing, as things still seem to work over there despite a general disregard for all sorts of laws. Think I'll go and live there! Read more
We hired a tatty old Astra in (Turkish) Northern Cyprus for 3 days last year. Cheap to hire and as it was rough to start with they weren't fussed about what condition in was returned in- which actually is a relief- no worrying about minor scratches..
No particular problems with the roads or other drivers although it was off season. We drove up the 'panhandle' and were amazed by the mile after mile of unfinished housing developments on that stretch of road. Beautiful villas by the thousand, all empty.
Browse
It's not new mine was called that by all at BT when I worked there.
The Suzuki was better spec'd than the Vauxhall originally as in it could have A/C as an option mine did. & also Suzuki did an auto which Vauxhall didn't. However Vauxhall offered ABS as an option which I wasn't fussed about. Then the Vauxhall & Suzuki versions were different, I think since around 03-04 they've become the same with Vauxhall running gear.
Mine was a 2000 model 1.3 Auto & A/C bought for £9150 & I thought it was great, the wife murdered it at 22000miles & 20 months the insurance paid out £6,600. It had a few issues on delivery all trivial & all fixed at first hit by dealer. The wife wouldn't have killed it if it had ABS as she locked it up on a corner & dumped it into a ditch. Inexperience & incompatence by her!