Seat Ibiza 57plate 1.4 petrol sport 85 PS

Hi all,

Dad has picked new car up today. As part of his works policy he can have a new car every 6 months for a reasonably monthly fee. He originally wanted an ibiza 1.4 tdi 75PS for the better mpg having had the jetta 1.9 tdi 105ps before. However the lease co made a admin error and delivered the petrol 1.4 in same spec. SO having found out the diesel couldnt be delivered for 3 weeks (had to be 08 plate) he decided to take the petrol.

Just a query about the mpg really. On the 80 mile trip home the avearge read 42mpg. I know cars have to be run in and what would he expect after that? Any owners or not experince handy here.

He drives normal and work and back in week and possibly a day trip at the weekend Read more

My reverse lights are not coming on and I seen advice that the reverse light connections were underneath the gearbox so I had a look under there and found the two spade connection wires, which I cleaned some oil off.

I have found that the reverse light will stay on if I keep the gear stick pushed forward hard enough when I put it in reverse. Does this mean that the problem is not with the wires underneath the gearbox (which look OK) but with a contact somewhere on the gearstick??

I don't see how pushing the gearstick forward would make any difference to the wires underneath the gearbox. If I take the gear stick cover off, what kind of connection am I looking for and is it in an obvious place? I can't see it in the Haynes manual. Read more

hi i have a sti subaru that will not go through the mot emmisions test, garage are not being very helpful because its an import does anyone have any ideas? Read more

Dear all,

It's a sad little tale. Got our new Mazda 323F 1.8SE (2001 Y) just after christmas. Nice car, 70k miles, all working, really liked it. From a dealer in Maidstone, gave us a cracking trade in for Mrs APM's MX5, although we did pay a little over the odds (£3400). Mrs is pregnant, due August, so change in lifestyle beckons, change of car one of the first steps.

Anyway, early Jan, the Mrs, bit hormonal possibly, bumps a guy in a micra at a roundabout. Damage looks minor- bent bonnet. On inspection, however, seems the damage is more extensive- bonnet, bumper, rad (although it's not leaking), ac rad (although this is working too), sundry other things bent. Official cost to repair is about £2800, too close to the value of the car for ins co to pay. They've offered write off value (IRO £3200ish) or £2k as payment in lieu, car isn't written off- very reasonable I thought (impressed by Admiral generally- really helpful & understanding, actually).

Anyway, we're having our trusted local garage have a look at what the 'real' cost to fix would be, ie not an ins job, should know tomorrow or weds what this will be.

Here's the thing. I like the car very much, it ticks all of our boxes, would like to repair & hang onto it. The Mrs, however, is wary after all that's happened, and doesn't like driving it, even though it's perfectly safe to do so (Garage have reassured on this). I'm not sure if she will want to drive it even if it's fixed up properly- she's saying she's happy with our £600 150k volvo 940! If we take the cash, one problem is, the 323 of that era is rare, the SE even rarer- we'd be lucky to find such a nice one again.

So questions are:

1. Anyone been in a similar position? Is the wife likely to change her perception once the car's fixed?
2. If we can't find another 323, what are the alternatives (same size & age, japanese if poss)
3. Would we be mad to use a 15 year old Volvo estate as a baby car?
4. Depending on answer to 3, would it be worth hanging on to the damaged car post payout, using it until MOT & kicking straight what I could to keep it going?

Advice gratefully received!!

Many thanks,

Alex.

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I'm thinking of buying a set of Mont Blanc aero roof rails and a pair of Barracuda bike carriers - they come in slightly cheaper than the equivalent Thule. Anybody got any experience/comments ?
Cheers Read more