January 2008
Does anyone have any experience of towing a caravan with a Mk11 Mondeo 2.0 Petrol Hatchback?
Is it man enough for the job and what was the fuel consumption like?
Help and advice gratefully received!
Pat Read more
I am migrating to Oz very soon. Is there a contemporary of Honest John down under? Read more
In New Zealand, there is an annual inspection for cars up to three years old. After that they are six-monthly. So far there are no emissions tests done, just visible smoke. Testers log the test and its result on an official website, so that you can't go shopping around. Results are then accessed when registration (road tax) is paid, to ensure you have a valid test cert. So far there is no compulsory 3rd party insurance here, but noises have been made about it. Radar detectors are still legal, but legislation banning them is due shortly.
Thevast majority of cars here are used imports from Japan. A few of us still have British cars, but only enthusiasts, not the average driver.
I have just started a new job where I often have to visit several sites in a day.
I handle a few different postal areas, eg: RG, SL, UB, OX etc and aim to cover a particular area each day.
My question is, is there a way of entering, say 6 RG postcodes into a computer and the computer deciding which order I should visit them in to minimise travelling?
Thanks,
Stuart Read more
Having been a multi destination driver for many years, the best advice I can give you is this. Ignore the computer and follow this simple rule ......go to the furthest point on your day's schedule first and work your way back to base / home. That way you are doing the longest drive when you are fresh and the shortest when tired. The added bonus is that you get home early !
Some of you kind people may remember my situation back in August when both cars were stolen at knife point from my house.
I can't do a linky thing, so I trust you may recall the incident.
Well, my wife and I have both been asked to attend as witnesses and needless to say I was a bit nervous about this.
I phoned the court on their advice line and the clerk said there were about 70+ witnesses for these guys so I guess they must have a long string of convictions against them.
All goes to show, it wasn't personal - they were in effect just 'doing a job'
In a way I feel a lot easier now ....
Best regards
jdc
"Linky thing"
Vol 1 : www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=55381
Vol. 2 www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=55450&...f
Follow Up
www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?m=643536...e Read more
Hi PG
My son is fine - still a bit spooked about noises outside (like me ..!) but generally absolutely fine.
He knows about the witness issue. We contacted the witness support unit to express our concerns and they have been great, really supportive and understanding.
Like I said, 70+ other witnesses from other events puts the whole thing in perspective.
Thanks for your concern again.
jdc
I'd like to pass a message to the driver of a silver Audi A4 travelling north on the M6 past Stafford at 6.25 thismorning.
There you were, pitch black sky, light mist doing about 80mph in the outside lane, nothing wrong with that except for all the interior lights on and your newspaper fully spread over the steering wheel, whilst you caught up with current events.
Printable words fail me, and i would imagine the driver of the nissan navara (i think) behind you waiting for you to pull over having nothing in the middle lane was amused and possibly in awe of your expertise in being able to control this vehicle and possibly do the crossword and maybe on a good day bake a cake simultaneously.
Oh how i wish that navara had been a range rover piloted by 2 large plods.
If there are any numerical experts reading, how far did the Audi travel during a sentence, or indeed whilst turning the page at a presumed 80mph?
I hope when you do get it wrong, its only you and not some poor soul trying to get home to their loved ones.
I know we see it every day, but this one's worthy of the pointy hat.
Read more
going to buy a corrado vr6 tomorrow.good idea?
{txt talk edited out} Read more
I had a 16v from new - major electrical problem with the loom rubbing against the block causing all sorts of shorts. I recall the dealer saying it was a common problem but don't think it was a recall.
World's most infantile question coming up: I now have a Honda Accord 2.0 automatic, which is 7 years old, has 24k on the clock, and has been serviced once in its lifetime.
It was used primarily for short journeys and I did an oil and fluids change the moment I got it. However, the fuel economy is absolutely appalling (even for an auto), with it struggling to get 28mpg on A-roads.
Having never owned a petrol car before, do these things still need spark plugs changing occasionally? Performance seems fine (although acceleration at about 70mpg is poor). Anything else I should replace? According to the book, the cambelt's due towards the end of this year.
Cheers,
David. Read more
Thanks all for the advice - I might do the air filter and spark plugs in a couple of weekends, but I think I'll leave the cambelt until after I get back from Phoenix as I'm out there for six months over the summer.
Hapy new year to all.
Going to buy a car in the next week or so and have came across a skoda octavia sdi - fully serviced and an ex - taxi.
Generally are ex-taxis to be avoided? Also to be model specific the tdi I know is the preferred option, but what is the sdi like reliability/economy wise?
Any advice appreciated, thanks. Read more
Am going to view a mazda 323 fastback, any thing I should look out for or any ownership experiences?
Ticks most of the boxes as far as I can tell!
F1 which was (or still is?) owned by Essex County Council since 1904 is arguably the most desirable mark ever you would think even though it failed to sell at auction in 2004. So what happened to it?
In the pub today a friend is convinced it has a new mystery owner (Bernie E perhaps) although i'm not so sure.
Anyone in the BR know what happened to it? (to settle a pub argument?)
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I wouldn't mind FU. But I'm sure it's not allowed. I do wonder if foreign swear words such as M3RDE or SH1ER are banned.
I find most of these vanity plates annoying, simply because you have to think hard to realise what the owner is trying to say. Okay, I know what they are saying, it is 'loser' because they can't afford a half decent plate. What's worse, advertising that you are stinking rich, or advertising that you are a loser? Well, I can't see anything wrong with the former, as the plate is probably on an outrageously expensive car anyway, and garaged in a huge warehouse attached to a mansion.
Hi there,
Just bought my first car from an auction, a Seat Leon 1.6 SX. Donno much about cars would love it if someone could help me out!
When starting the car makes a noise like when it is already started and you attempt to start it again, a sort of scream/growl which lasts for half a second then disappears.
This noise only occurs when I start it after a long interval (i.e. from cold) if i start and wait 2 mins then start again there is no noise.
Also today if wouldn't even start, but then I turned the key and kept it turned and it started.
Have heard this could be the starter motor and should get it reconditioned / replaced, any ideas? Any ideas how much the job would cost (I'm new to this country!)
Thanks a lot everyone. Read more
mate, it sounds like you starter motor 'was/is' sticking...I'm guessing the motor was stood for while at the auction site........
By sticking I mean the throw gear..... depending on where you are etc cost vary.....best to call around a few places........but I recon your best bet is to just buy a new starter motor off ebay, they are dirt cheap..£38 plus £10 with 12months GT..........
tinyurl.com/28w898 {Link to ebay shortened to restore page width back to normal viewing - DD}
regards
H
Browse
I used to tow a little 2 berth 13 cwt caravan with my old 1.8 Mk1 Mondeo Lx manual and it used to do 28mpg average (less against the wind and more with the wind)