May 2008

DP

I just love the sound a Ferrari makes. There's a distinctive whirr somewhere from the bowels of the things (cam / valvegear??) that they've always had, regardless of engine configuration. Reminds me of the hours I spent with goosebumps on my neck listening to Mark Hales giving Nick Mason's F40 the absolute treatment round Donington on a free audio cassette with Fast Lane magazine back in the 80's. Some of the "drive by" clips were astonishing with the thing echoing off the armco. Barely silenced at all. Just heavenly.

It's nice to hear they're still managing to retain the magic in spite of the EU noise regs. I heard an F430 start up only yesterday and it brought an entire street to a virtual standstill.

Amazing machines.

Cheers
DP
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mike hannon

Seems a shame that even Ferrari has to lean on 'heritage' to name its products these days.
The only real 'California' is a gorgeous short wheelbase 250 GT Spyder from more than 40 years ago.
Still, I guess it's better than the ludicrously-named 'Enzo'. It would be like Ford naming their Mondeo replacement the 'Henry'.

gsb

Mrs gsb has decided it is time for another car. Considering either of above 1.4 petrol (not 16v) 5dr between 1-2 yrs old. Would expect to keep for long term, had current 405 for 10 years. Always been happy with the various pugs owned and leaning towards the 207.
Views on any real pros/cons appreciated.

Thanks Read more

djt100

My other half has a 2002 polo 1.4 se, so i think the same shape as your looking for ,My honest opinion on it is not allit's cracked up to be, The seats are not comfy for long distances, ok arounf town but after an hour i get back ache.

The engine is very underpowered or feels it anyway, just does not feel like it has any get up and go that a 1.4 should have, 1.1 punto felt more powerful, and a ford KA deffo was.

No experience of the 207 but hope the above helps.

RaineMan


I am going to a gathering of the extended family on Sunday. Many of us are meeting for lunch. After lunch we are moving on elsewhere. Herein lies the problem. Many are arriving via public transport and will not have cars. This means we will have to use a number of taxis to avoid frantic shuttling back and forth. As there will be a number of children, and a few babies, there I wondered if the child seat rules applied to taxis? If they do we will have a logistical nightmare! Read more

RaineMan


Thanks. I will ask the people that live in the area to give their local taxi firms a call. Might even get a discount for a block booking?

Paddyboy

8< SNIP.

Duplicate posting deleted (to avoid repetition) and any replies moved to original post over in Technical Matters.
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doctorchris

Noticed one of these this morning parked up near Asda in Sunderland. Not in a very good place to make much money because it was on an uphill stretch and not far from a roundabout so you would have to really be gunning it to get caught. However, good for them because this is a bit of 30mph dual carriageway in a residential area just where folk cross from Asda with their shopping so it was acting as a safety camera not a revenue collector.
Any way, I digress. After seeing this van I realised how much they look like ambulances and even more so like Autoglass vans. Not a criticism, just an observation. Read more

mr.freezer

>>Who is actually paying for all the extra freebies they get north of the border?

The same people who give extra payments to Northern Ireland and London (both areas get more subsidy than Scotland including the Barnett formula)

I obviously help out by getting parking tickets and speeding penalties

Mapmaker

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7397867.stm


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Optimist

Now look here, Bruce, Oz is OZ, right? A man's got a right to spend more time with a sheep than with his wife, wear a hat with corks on string, and take good care of his beer. How can you be sure of a chilled tube later, otherwise? Kids? Every time I go home the wife seems to have another one.

Thing is, Bruce, unlike this HJ mob, we're not a bunch of pommie pooftahs. Seen the way they go on and on about cars? What's wrong with a truck if you want to go somewhere? Now where's me tucker bag?

niceguyeddy

Always the same (cue violins) the sun comes out the sales enquiries drop off.

B&Q seems very busy though.

Or am I imagining all this.
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grumpyscot

Has B+Q got a sale on yet?


No - but I bet DFS does!
Glacier

Hi

My wife gets a good deal on lease cars and is due for renewal.
Any clues on how they come to their monthly price.
She is after something 5 doors and Focus, Astra sized and obviously wants to pay as little as possible.
I've heard that resale value comes into it, so a higher valued VW might not necessarily be more expensive than a lower value Kia.
And I'm guessing emissions and "green" credentials will keep the cost down because of the tax.
A recent example would be one of her colleagues who got an Audi A3 1.9 TDI for £150 a month all in (tax, servicing, insurance).
Any tips on which way to go?

Many thanks
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Bill Payer

>I'm sure they just make the prices up.
It's worked out on lots of things though


A key factor is the "support" (discount) offered to the leasing company by the manufacture. This changes all the time, usually quarterly, but can be *very* substantial. Sometimes they'll subsidise both the price and the finance (to the lease company) rates.
maz64

Sorry if this is a daft question - I was going to pick up our new (used) car on Thursday, but in fact my wife is to be the owner. Does she have to be present to sign the V5 before we can drive the car away? Read more

niceguyeddy

The salesman wont give a toss however she could sign it before you went to collect your new car

rbtw1

hi,
today whilst driving on the motorway at high speeds 70 - 80 mph, i heard a large droning noise which appeared to be coming from the front drivers wheel. the noise got louder and louder although driving was it ok i was worried and slowed to 50 - 60 in the inside lane.
I will get it checked out by a garage in the next few days as its a concern. But does anyone have ideas about what the problem is likely to be? It came on quite quickly and there was a very slight vibration in the steering wheel.

any help / advice much appreciated.
cheers Read more

rbtw1

Cheers thanks for your help. got it booked in.