December 2007

Imagos

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/7131687.stm

Could be 2500 brand new write offs all over again, like that one a few years ago with the Volvos and BMWs (that ships name escapes me) Read more

Baskerville

Google makes geniuses of all of us....


At best Google puts everyone in a Chinese Room. Google it.
Happy Blue!

I was overtaken by a Honda Goldwing this evening, and together with the thread about a car for tall bloke with a dodgy got me thinking.

I don't need a big car but I have got used to luxury and fine mechanicals. What I would really like is a small car which does the following: -

> Seats four people in comfort (but only need luggage space for two);
> Easy access into the cabin and good visibility;
> Absorbant ride but not too soft that handling is compromised too much;
> Superb interior trip quality;
> Full range of goodies that you would find on reasonably well specced Merc or Lexus; and
> Quality mechanicals including small but sweet engines (why not a six cylinder 2.0litre?)

In reality, if Mercedes produced an A-class with a better interior, engines and ride, it would be great. If Subaru produced a smaller, more space efficient Forester with better interior. If BMW produced a more space efficient 1-series. If the MINI had four doors, a better ride and better engines. If Lexus simply produced a 'mini' IS250.

Considering the number of retired people coming out of large executive saloons, I would have thought that a manufacturer could clean up a car with the attributes noted above. Do you agree? Read more

Collos25

Isn't a Nissan Note just a repanalled Renault .

Forum {p}
hillman1 {p}

Hi All,

Have always wondered what the {P} stands for after some peoples names.... Read more

Dynamic Dave

One quick forum search

www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=14568
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=48013
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=13499

Locking this as it only generates the same discussion as previous threads on the subject.

hillman1 {p}

Hi there,

Recently got a 56 plate Scenic 1.6 and have a query. When driving at night there is a noticable dip in the headlights when I change gear and the engine revs drop. At the same time the blower also slows noticeably.

Does anyone have any suggestions. The headlights dropping are quite noticable, especially as a fair bit of my journey is through winding country lanes. If for example I am sitting stationary they drop and as soon as I touch the throttle a little they brighten again. It is beginning to be annoying!

I had a 2.0 Grand Scenic several years back for about a year and it didn't do it with that.

Many thanks,

Nick Read more

hillman1 {p}

Car went in again yesterday and I received a call at 10.30 to say that it was done and ready for collection.

Apparantly the problem was the alternator was only pushing out 13.5v on idle and should have been 14.2v.

Anyway, the problem has gone, and the service I received on both occasions was, I think, very good. Kept fully informed of progress both times, and collected a fully valeted car both times as well. I have written a letter of thanks to the Service Director... I was that impressed!

I assume I can say the dealer was Davis of Sevenoaks

Robin Reliant

What's wrong with locking and unlocking the doors one at a time? It didn't exactly ruin anyone's life when we had to do this for nearly 100 years before some over-qualified design engineer with too much time on his hands decided to fit a load of extra electrical garbage so we could open all four at once, did it?

Anyway, the central locking went on SWMBO's Saxo today. Only the drivers door would open and the other three were jammed solidly shut. She had to take it to a dealer.

£205.91p.


--

According to the Urban Dictionary the word I've replaced in the subject line is for cowards - wouldn't want anyone to think you are one so I changed it ! - You know what I mean !
Read more

nick

I see from Subaru's publicity that the new boxer turbodiesel due next spring will have 150PS and 258lb ft of torque, with CO2 emissions below 150g/km. It's supposedly as smooth as the petrol engines, very compact and light.
Not being a lover of the evil fluid, how does that output compare with other manufacturers' diesels?
If it's as reliable as most other things Subaru make, the cars should sell well. It'll be in the Legacy and Outback in the Spring, next generation Forester in August and the Impreza towards the end of 2008. I wonder if there'll be a hot version?
Has anyone had a sneak preview anywhere? Read more

bathtub tom

>>Not quite, flat 4 engines have free moments of the 2nd order

I stand corrected, although I don't really understand what "free moments of the 2nd order" means. Please don't try to explain, I never understood the maths of Lanchester shafts.

Mapmaker

A parked Auto was pushed forward a couple of feet when driven into by a car. The auto was in 'P'.


What is the likelihood of considerable damage?

Read more

maltrap

in reply to NONE i think the loud ratcheting noise he heard was a stickshaker type safety device to warn you you're trying to do something silly. imagine what would happen if you popped it into park whilst doing 70 down the M6!

Vansboy

Caught a few seconds of interview, on Local Radio today, the guy who was Thunderbirds character voices of Brains & Gordon & ....PARKER.

Said he was possibly going to do Lady Penelope's right hand man, as a sat-nav voice option!

Not sure if he was just 'touting' the idea, or it's going to happen.

Certainly be a wiser choice than Brains!!

VB Read more

bignick2

A friend of mine has her satnav voiced by John Otway as she is a leading light in his fan club. She told me she was giving him a lift home from a gig once and it was rather confusing!

carlover

Hello,
I have a 90BHP tdi passat with 165,000 miles up on the clock. I noticed sometimes when I start the car the engine revs up to 1200 revs and stays like this for about a minute or two. I also noticed when I wait for the heater plug symbol to disappear from the dash - it sometimes doesnt disappear until 20 seconds, when it should ony appear for about 3 seconds when starting the car from cold.

Has anyone came across this before?


Cheers,
Michael

{Year of car obtained from a forum search - will correct if wrong - DD} Read more

carlover

Thanks Screwloose!
Fitted new part and problem is gone!


Cheers,
Michael

jeff_porter


Hello all,

I'm going to venture in the world of diesel, and it seems the Honda Accord is good diesel.
Well according to the reviews I've read + I've test driven one. And whilst its not the same a good old petrol, it seems ok.

So I've been hunting around for one.
Ideally a 2005 (55) Executive.

I know the 56 plate models had the 6 speed box, instead of the 5 speed, but I've only got 13 and bit K to spend.

I've looked through autotrader, Honda website and Ebay.

Where else should I look?
I can't seem to find a decent owners forum in the UK, does anyone know one?

Thanks
Jeff Porter Read more

Falkirk Bairn

www.bobgerard.co.uk
Used to be a Honda Dealer now does imports

No Diesels in the Accord Stock list but I am sure they could get one - might up the budget a bit BUT a new motor is better than a 2 yr old one!