May 2008
I'm about to change company car. Both outgoing and new one have non-lockable glovebox, which got me thinking... Is it actually worth having a lockable glovebox (LGB)? I haven't had a car with an LGB for a decade now and am used to not leaving even *minor* valuables inside the car. A decade ago I didn't actually own goodies like an iPod, Sat Nav or decent mobile phone, anyway, and I do not currently own a firearm.
Some manufacturers convert the LGB into a fairly efficient fridge and some LGBs are actually a decent size, despite airbags, but in the main we're faced with a flimsy, mean little shelf, maybe two, which would barely house a pair of gloves anyway.
Are gloveboxes, lockable or otherwise, going to go the same way as ammeters? Read more
Other half is considering a good deal on a late 07 Astra 1.8 VVti Design. Are they any good? Any faults and what sort of mpg can we expect? Cheers Read more
HELP!!
Does anyone else own a peugeot 406 with a misfire? If so how did you cure it??
I have tried better fuel, replacing the knock sensor, cause that's what the diagnostic machine said to do, replaced fuel filter, plugs, and it still does it.
Any advice?
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spider
Not necessarily. What make of plugs are fitted? [Only genuine ones work reliably on French cars.]
Just confirm the exact registration date and engine code; it's in the middle of the VIN, RF - something?
Some of them still had a hose to the MAP sensor on that year - all OK there?
I'll try and keep it brief.
X (it's not me - honestly!) was parked facing oncoming traffic. X pulled out and was hit by a car approaching from behind, which was speeding and overtaking another car (and was hence, on the "wrong" side of the road). The insurance have said that X is still to blame for the accident, even though Y clearly played a part with his silly driving and overtaking on a 30mph road.
After the accident, X and his friend parked the car again and walked over to the other, much more badly damaged car, which had hit something big and concrete after glancing off X's car.
The driver of that car, Y, visually uninjured, said that he did not want the police involved. X assumed that it was because Y had something to hide, like no insurance. They agreed to each pay for their own damage, no insurance companies involved, and X and his friend drove off.
After X drove off, the theory is Y went round the pubs where the accident happened and said "Did you see that accident! The guy has just driven off!" Y has a couple of witnesses and of course, no insurance details were exchanged. Quick thinking Y also claimed injury once the police arrived.
X questioned an hour later by police. Accused of drink driving, hit and run, failing to report an accident. Cleared of the drink driving down the station.
X answered bail today. Told that there will be a preliminary hearing at a magistrate's court. What does that involve?
Moral of the story: if you have an accident which you think is partly/mostly your fault, and the other driver says "don't worry about it", don't be so quick to think it's your lucky day and drive away. Read more
Get a solicitor now.
Apart from anything else, he won't wind the Mags up. No-one actually likes seeing litigants in person - there are too many holes for them to fall into. PU I am sure will agree... It also means that his point can be put across calmly and dispassionately and not in a shouty sweary way, which can happen if X gets flustered. I don't know whether that is in X's character, but better not to find out in the box.
Whereabouts in the country is it?
Pervert Course Justice is another potential offence for "witnesses" though also for X and the other motorist.
You may then get a costs order against the other side if you win - but first, concentrate on sorting X's own non-conviction out.
Oh, and another thing.
Get a solicitor. Now.
I have to park at my local station (Norfolk) to get the train to work. I've just paid to renew annual parking, which is now run by NCP (they have taken it over from the train company, National Express East Anglia).
The cost has gone up by nearly 10%! Given the general rise in motoring costs of late, paying through the nose for parking wasn't appreciated.
I got a standard reply from NCP, fobbing me off and trying to justify the rise but it seems pretty extortionate to me. The train company doesn't want to know as they no longer run the car park. Who can I complain to? Is there a parking regulator or something similar?
Cheers,
Antony Read more
Manatee - couldn't agree more with your points (and don't get me started about the service on the trains themselves...)
The car park at Diss station is sufficiently far from the centre of town for most people not to park there to go shopping. I'm quite happy to pay to park at one of the council car parks (50p/ day) instead of parking in a residential street. If I go to Norwich, I use the park and ride, it's a couple of quid and very well run.
In response to some other comments:
L'escargot - you're absolutely right, £624.80 is much cheaper than all the costs of driving in. But if you add on the eye-wateringly expensive train fares as well...
mk124 - I would happily catch a bus to the station if there was one. I will write to my local council, but I'm not hopeful! Everybody's just too displaced - that's country living for you. (I used to live in London and used the bus/ tube all the time without need for a car.)
apm - I am seriously considering a scooter for precisely the reasons you mention.
Thanks for all the good points.
Has anyone got any experience in refitting one of these please?
Mine packed up t'other day and I'm now £150 lighter in pocket but can't get the new blighter back into the tank :-(
I've tried the "piece of string" trick to hold the telescoping pump bit up, but try as I might I cannot get the whole assembly to stand vertically so that the top gubbins sits flat with the tank opening.
There is a yellow low sided thing in the tank and I'm assuming that the pump etc should sit in that - but maybe it should sit outside?
Any thoughts welcome as I'm not too happy having the car sitting in the drive with a 3/4 full fuel tank of petrol that's not properly sealed...........
Cheers,
Andy Read more
Hi, well done with the refit, I may have this as a second problem with my 1989 740 volvo, I am with the help of guys on this site sorting out an idle speed problem, not got it cleared yet,, but i see you paid mega bucks for an in tank pump,, I found one on ebay for 45.99 new,, I have not purchased yet,,until the idle prob sorted,, was your car struggling to drive under load and with low fuel but ok on lower speed and gentle driving or did it pack in altogether Wittsy
You'd think new motor cycles would have better anti theft equipment these days. A colleague lost his Triumph Street Triple (currently a 9 mth waiting list to get one....unless you steal one!) in less than a minute. CCTV shows thief in full riding kit walk up to the bike, use slide hammer on ignition, fiddle around for a few moments, then ride off. £6k gone....whoosh! This was in a supposedly secure company car park with access controls. Thief just walked in through out barrier as a car came out. Oh, genius! Read more
In the company car park where I once worked, a motorcycle securely fastened by chain was stolen - they'd used a gas welder/torch (The tarmac was badly burned-up)
Same place, all 4 alloys gone from a BMW
The place was 2 mins from the M3, so any easy/quick getway....
MVP
Hi. Just testing Shoespy's theory (see Forum layout thread) ! Read more
Thread locked - point proved I think.
It might seem a silly question, but does anyone know if the Vauxhall badges on the back door of an Astra van are glued on or if they have locating lugs. Thanks.
\'Kernow am byth\' Read more
Debadging the boot of an Astra covered here - scroll down a way for topic header www.astraownersclub.com/vb/showthread.php?t=96753
Well its back to the drawing board for a new car and I think after some calculating finances we are prepared to spend around 10K on a chic car for SWMBO. We have had a MINI so preferably that one is out, the Fiat 500 is not her cup of tea and a bit too small.
We have both seen pictures of the MiTo and like the look and as a closet Alfa fan I am more than happy to spend some money on a car for her that I like as well!
Does anyone have any info on when its likely to come to the UK, prices etc? The local dealer is confident that they will have specs etc in the next 4 weeks but was a bit clueless for the rest of the info we wanted.
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Best thing to do is when test driving have a look on the trip computer for the fuel consumption since last reset - its not overly accurate but may give you an idea. Dont not buy from our experience alone, although I dont think you will get many people arguing that its a frugal car on fuel, unless its a diesel of course.
Im sure the newer ones will be better on long runs as they have 6 speed boxes rather than revving at nearly 4K at 80 on a pre 2006.
I think the tax on the TF is about the same as the MINI - its very strange that the 160 model we have has better emmisions and mpg than the lower 115 and 135 models - work that out :-)
Relax, Halmer. I wasn't commenting on the spelling. I was merely saying that they are sometimes referred to as oddment compartments.