January 2008
After owning eight generally reliable, well built and comfortable VW's am thinking of getting rid of the old 2001 Passat Estate S PD (6 yo and 106k). Well actually SWMBO said I can.
I want to buy new - yes -I have been through the almost new route in the past with some niggles.Having read the enthusiastic Autocar write up I have been checking the Skoda on -line brochure.
I was also taken with a Roomster when I saw one earlier this year.Thinking of the 3 cylinder 80hp diesel as a gesture to reducing my personal emission levels!
So- initial budget of around £13,000 and I guess the trade in for the VW will be pretty low.
Any other suggestions for a versatile ,comfortable and reasonably economical - but new-vehicle?
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Just had a brief look around a brand new Mazda 2 Sport.
Tried to sit in it , but even with the seat right back, my knees were against the steering column. 31" inside leg isn't so long.
Interior room compared to SWMBO Getz seemed very tight.
Generally looked very attractive though- and it isn't even a VW ;>)
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Have no experience of the old Mazda 2 but the new one certainly has a
reasonably sized footrest to the left of the clutch which seems to be an exception
for a car from this class.
My 03 Fiesta was the same - no room to put your foot next to the clutch and a pain (literally) in the leg resting on the clutch as the footwell air vent was blowing right onto my calf.
Plenty of room in the old one (Mazda 2/Fiesta) though - I'm 6'3" and I couldn't drive with the seat right back!
Hi all
I wonder if you would be to help me with the following questions:
1. DO I have to reset the car alarm or anything when I replace the car battery?
2. How often does the battery need to be changed?
3. Are there different types of coolants?
4. I have not changed the gearbox and brake fluid for 3 years, is it time to do so?
5. How can I test whether it is the battery or the alternator that needs to be changed?
Many Thanks for your help
Sumit Read more
1. No you shouldn't have to. Just make sure that the system is disarmed when you disconnect the battery. Make sure you know your radio code, as you'll have to re-enter it when you connect your new battery for the radio to work.
2. How long is a piece of string? Battery life varies with many things such as the type of journeys you do (long or lots of short trips). Change it when it fails, or perhaps when the engine begins to turn over more sluggish in the morning.
3. In a way yes. What we refer as coolant is a mixture of anti-freeze and water. Different manufacturers recommend different strengths, but 50/50 is usually the strongest. A general rule of thumb is don't mix anti-freeze of different colours, unless the manufacturer assures it's safe to do so. Also change it every three or four years.
4. It's a good idea to change the brake fluid annually, but unless you are competent get a professional to do it for you. Brake fluid absorbs moisture which leads to corrosion and evaporation. From here problems can set in.
It's a good idea to change the gear oil once in a while too. Every three or four years is sufficient unless the car manufacturer recommends otherwise.
5. Use a voltmeter to measure battery voltage. With the engine running charging voltage is ideally between 13.5-14.5 volts. Switch on all electrical loads and the voltage must not drop below 12.2 volts minimum. If it does then the alternator is not coping with the load, and the battery and charging system needs to be checked.......
My wife and I have owned a Yaris II D4D for just over a year. We enjoy the car in all respects except for the ride quality. Over what masquerade for road surfaces in this country today the Yaris gives us what we regard as an extremely harsh ride. Some of this is attributable to firmer springing to cope with the extra weight of the diesel engine, but even allowing for that we still find the ride too harsh. Another factor which must contribute to this harshness is the tyre pressures. Why is it necessary for the front tyres to be inflated to 36psi? Has anyone any experience of running at lower pressures and has anyone found other ways of improving the ride quality? Read more
Tyre pressures are set so that the tyres do not give too much side bulge for the weight they carry, if the Yaris has alot of front end weight, the pressures will be high, sometimes common on heavier diesels. However you maybe to get away with dropping the pressure 1 - 2 psi. Another option is to change to a softer tyre, but may not last as long. If the pressures too much on my ford, tends to affect handling, cornering and wear patterns on tyre.
I'll start by saying that my daughter's 1999 1.6 GL Polo WILL now be going in for a full service this weeek, BUT, it overheated to the point of flashing warning lights and the smell (and smoke) of burning oil last night. I had visions of a blown engine, but this morning I put water in the system, ran it up to working temperature, took it for a small local drive and left it to tick over for a while. All appears to be fine and dandy now. No souring temp guage, no strange noises, no funny smells. I've checked the oil level and taken off the filler cap. No signs of any water in the oil.
Are these engines that good that they're self healing overnight?! Professional opinions are most welcome as it'll help manage both mine and my daughter's expectations as to the upcoming size of garage bill.
Many thanks.
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Oh yes, I forgot. Whilst chanding the waterpump, the cam belt was changed as well. Not the best bill I've ever been shown!!
Just discovered that I have won 10 quid on last nights Lotto. Just as well really because it's MOT time again and every little helps !
Yes, dear ol' "Betsy" ( yeah I know it's lame but we spend a lot of time together ) is going in on Tuesday for her MOT. Six years old and with 135k I guess I can't expect miracles although I'm not aware of anything untoward. I always get MOTs done 30 days early so that you get in effect a 13 month ticket and also get a month to arrange any work which may be required. It always occurs to me that it's a bit like going to the dentist ( which is also coming up this week )....you hope that the inspection fee is going to be the sum total of your outlay but you also know that if they do find anything wrong that it will probably be unreasonably expensive.
It's the inverse lotto effect. You buy a lotto ticket in the knowledge that there is a small chance of a profit. You book an MOT test or a dental appointment in the knowledge that there is a good chance of a loss !
Isn't January rubbish ? Having just got over the shock that everything SS jnr wanted for Christmas costs hundreds of pounds and involves memory cards ( whatever happened to airfix ? )....We now, as with many other self-employed people have to pay 2006/2007's tax bill.......oh and my VAT's due as well !
Just wanted to offer my services as a "wheelman" if there are any good bank jobs going down this week ? Would be prepared to throw in the use of the Mondy provided it gets through its test ;-) Read more
Got £90.00 back on the tax of the BMW, SWMBO got done for speeding the same week. The only Karma to this was that Tracker refunded a full 12 months subscription despite me having renewed 6 weeks earlier. Fair dos as they say.
I see quite a few threads on this and other forums where people have bought cars and are very unhappy with some aspects of the car.
One theme that comes up quite often is the question of clutches that are too fierce, or the automated manual clutches that don't really allow you to close manoeuver. Obviously there are lots of niggles other than those but they are an example.
One particular car supermarket, which i wouldn't use ever due to the hard sell methods they employ, is situated just off a dual carriageway, their idea of a test drive is up the road one junction, back to the dealer and sign here.
My question is why do we allow ourselves to be bullied into only having a 5 minute test drive instead of an hour or so on all road surfaces and in traffic and close manoeuvering? Read more
My latest experience (6 months back though) - all for 1-yr old used cars
Honda - 1 hr accompanied drive
Suzuki - 30 min to 1 hr accompanied drive (depending on dealer)
Kia - same but 30 min
Mitsubishi - same but 45 min
Hyundai - same but 30 min
Toyota - 1 hr unaccompanied drive with £500 excess in case of damage
A car supermarket - 10 min unwilling accompanied drive
Finally I bought the Suzuki who offered me 1-hr drive (mainly because price suited me). All dealers were willing to offer a 2nd test drive though.
When I sold my car privately, I never allowed anyone to drive more than 15-20 mins.
I personally find 30 min test drive is required at a minimum level. 1-hr is preferable and anything beyond that is a bonus. I also won't buy a car unless I've tested it on dual carriageway/motorway (70 mph).
In the latest Telegraph, Honest John mentions that a Yaris D4D does not qualify for the 30GBP VED. I cannot speak for the Mk1 Yaris, but ours (Sep06 registration) definitely does.
whit5892 Read more
Mark II D4D emits 119g/km of CO2, regardless of transmission, so does fall into Band B and the bargainsome £35 VED.
Just seen this petition which is to raise the speed limit for commercial vehicles on A roads to 50mph. I think this is an excellent idea as the death rate on A roads has climbed significantly since the HGV40 limit has been more heavily enforced.
petitions.pm.gov.uk/antislow/
teabelly Read more
On the A9 trunk road in Scotland, most of the big supermarket HGV's are now doing 40 mph. They have to because of their tachographs and GPS systems - the 'big brother' effect has meant they trundle down this road at 40 causing enormous tailbacks, especially in summer. Their jobs and licences depend on compliance. As a truck driver myself, I think it was safer when we all sat at 50 because the traffic passed more easily. Instead of car drivers braking down to 35-40 and having to accelerate hard to get past, they just backed off gently to wait for a gap in the traffic and then breezed by and back up to 60.
Yesterday accidently put about 40p worth unleaded into the tank before noticing mistake. Guys in petrol station said as long as I added loads of diesel (I added £30) nothing to worry about. Car ran OK yesterday. Have I done any lasting damage ?
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Now we know whay the Volkswagen ads used to try to remind you that they're diesel - it's not because of the vast number of miles they can do to a tank, it's to stop people going unleaded!
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That would tie in with the 60000 mile limit on the warranty then!
Thanks.