My father has admitted that his Mondy (2002, 1.8) is too big and expensive to run for his infrequent use (he has a company van and only uses the Mondy to drive my mother to the supermarket, and to take my grandmother shopping). With the road tax exceeding 200quid, he wants something 'more reasonable to tax, run and insure'.

He has to take my grandmother's wheelchair out occasionally, and has recently got a dog... and is now trying to tell me that he's thinking of a 1.4 "Fiesta or Focus" (as you can tell, he seems to stick with what he knows).

My immediate thought was 'Jazz'. He's not sold on the idea, though... (nor is my Mother, who despite not driving seems to think that Japanese cars are 'expensive to maintain')

Mind you, this is the gent who once decided he was buying a Fusion, until he sat in the thing. He's 6ft3 and not small, so he needs a car with enough space to fit him and everything else in.

Plus it must, apparently, "not cost more than 100quid, or thereabouts" to tax, must be cheap to insure and service.

I offered him my 2004 Almera, which he half-considered, but apart from that, what else would you suggest; style really does not matter (!) Read more

I need a new cam belt + bits for my 56000 mile Audi A4 1.9TDi which will be nearer 60000 miles when I get the job done.

During the warranty period I had services done at a main dealer I found OK (nowhere near London, but convenient when combined with family visits) and failing finding a decent independent - it might be the same main dealer again.

Can any one save me a few bob by recommending someone within say 50 miles of South London. Presumably VW, Seat or Skoda will do as well, as they're all the same?

PS If they're any good I might (just this once) venture north of the river as my visa application is pending and my passport is up to date. Do they still drive on the left north of the River Thames? Read more

can anyone tell me where to locate the temp sender on a 1999 1.3 enduro fiesta Read more

Hi,

I had an interesting discussion with a couple of friends recently. Both
are owners of fairly high-performance cars, and they tend to be driven
'enthusiastically.

In and around the conversation, the subject of using speed as a safety measure
came up. The general gist seemed to be: if we see someone driving 'like an idiot'
on the road, there are instances when it is safer to accelerate past the other car,
thereby leaving a safety gap between us and them.

At face value, this seems to have some merit, and I was given some examples of
where this principle had been used. But in every case, I was able to demonstrate
how driving more slowly was the safer option. Simple, really: slower speed=increased
time for reaction, smaller braking distances, less risk.

The guys were unconvinced by this; I'm sticking to my guns and trusting in Mr Newton.

Anyone have any opinions, examples...?

cheers

theterranaut Read more

Hi all,

I have had a look at brake pads on rear of this car and they are very low and need changing however and not sure if pistions in caliper wind back or lever back any info would be great. as I am going to do this job myself and the handbrake also operates on rear discs any thing particular to watch out for when doing this job? Read more