July 2008
This is a link to a site that will show you how your car tax will change over the next 2 years. (I know there's a thread on this but I thought it might be helpful as a stand alone topic).
www.parkers.co.uk/cars/road-tax/ {please don't make links to parkers clickable}
With a stated aim of punishing those who drive "gas Guzzlers", I was amused to note that my Dad's 1.4 Skoda Fabia goes up from £170 to £210 a year. Read more
I have a '92 Mk1 MX5 with 41,000 miles on the clock. Prior owners were two lady drivers. As it had never had its cam belt changed, I had it done at approximately 40600 miles. Afterwards it did seem smoother and quieter than before. However, a problem has arisen in that recently the engine cuts out when it is de-clutched and twice it would not immediately restart. It seemed as if the battery was flat and would not turn the engine over. If left for 30-40 minutes it restarts ok. I took the car back to the garage that did the cam belt, they did not think it was related to the engine cutting out and suggested replacing the spark plugs and HT leads which was done. They also said that the failure to restart may be something to do with the starter motor ie two different problems. For a few miles the car was fine but now the engine cutting out when de-clutched has started again and I have had one experience of the reluctance to start. As far as I am aware the battery is fine.
Do you think the cam belt change had anything to do with the current problems? Do you think I have two different problems or are they related? Any ideas as to what might be causing the engine to die on me and then become difficult to restart? Someone suggested that the 'idle speed air valve' on the carburettor might want cleaning.
I know it is an old car but I love its shape and handling and any suggestions would be most welcome.
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>>strangly enough, my mother in law to be has this problem too...<<
What, she dies when de-clutched? :)
From memory of changing cam belt on son's MX5, 1998 1,6 the only sensor which has to be removed is the cam position sensor. Again, from memory, it works on the inlet cam. Maybe there is a common error apearing.
I have the manual at home, post back if want any info.
I am going to drive further than Tescos for the first time since Christmas... just wondering how they're getting on with the M1 widening? Is it still hell-on-earth?
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I do J1-J8 and back at peak times every weekday and it isn't that bad on this stretch, prob 5-10 mins added to journey
"Magistrate Peter Mellor gave her four penalty points, which meant she was disqualified under totting up as she already had nine points for three previous speeding convictions.
"I am sorry she won't have a very pleasant memory of her first visit to Portsmouth," said Mr Mellor.
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/7499376.stm
Six months' ban seems pretty steep though.
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is the camera hidden or one of the usual glaringly obvious big things up a pole with a load of white lines on the carriageway?
Afternoon ladies and gents, I do hope that you're enjoying your lunch. I'm off to have a gander at a car that's advertised on Ebay (item number 230267923481 if you fancy a butcher's) and would be very grateful for any advice on what to watch out for.
Are there any known faults that I should pay particular attention to? Also, the seller has intimated that a price of £650 would be enough to secure the car. Is this reasonable?
I'd much appreciate your answers quickly as I'm off to look at it within the hour.. Many many thanks in advance.
Cheers. Read more
I did have a look at it on ebay before I replied. It did look cared for. The "local" Xantias I see tend to fall into 2 catagories, the just another old car to run into the ground, ie tatty all round, usually bouncing down the road with suspension as hard as rocks due to failed spheres, exterior trim hanging off, packing tape wing mirrors etc. and the cared for clean looking intact ones. Yours looked a definate catagory 2.
I've had mine just over 5 years, its now just over 9 years old and cleans up very well, except for the odd car park scrape(not done by either myself or my wife!)
It still feels "tight" to drive and I am very satisfied with it. I hope yours proves to be as good.
MJM
Hi all.
I was involved in an accident in March where whilst I was stopped at traffic lights a lady drove into me. Causing minor damage although the door hinges/area were allready suffering from corrosion, which when lifted by the accident snapped the remaining metal on the lower hinges. A cheap fix for me would have been knocking the bumper back into shape and repairing the hinges.
Anyway they wrote it off as a "category B" which means it can never go back on the road and can only be bought by people with the breakers license. I wanted to be able to buy it back which I could have done if they had done it to a category C.
I spoke to the engineer who was a pink fluffy dice, he said he thought it was too dangerous to put back on the road because of the doors. I told him it was ridiculous blah blah blah, he said he'd never recategorised a vehicle in 20 years.
Anyway I've appealed and now they are saying I can buy it back. Once I get it back I'll need to get it repaired, call the insurers back up where an engineer can assess the repairs and then reclassify the van as a category C if they think the repairs are to a sufficient standard?
Can they do this? Shouldn't they just give it me back as a Category C, as cars/vans are sold as cat c's without any conditions?
Regards
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If I'd have been nice with the insurance and agreed with what they say they'd
have kept the van they'd also try to pay me less for it aswell.
Where did I say that you had to roll over and take what they offer? You certainly shouldn't, but I guarantee that every time you shout at them you diminish your chances.
You'll only get a good deal if you've very firm, completely reasonable, and remain friendly and courteous with the poor sod who is having to hold their line. Shouting will put their backs up and make them far less lkely to cooperate. Simple negotiation tactics.
When I first contacted my insurers she hadn't admitted liability I didn't think that this
was a issue and contacted my insurers (first accident). What should I have done instead?
I've only dealt with my insurance.
You're trying to avoid personal loss where the other side has admitted liability. If I understand correctly, you're therefore entitled to be put back in a situation equivalent to that you were in before the accident - not just to be paid a market value for the vehicle.
I would put the case in the hands of a claims firm who will deal with it for you from now on. They will work towards getting a good deal for you, and presumably can get you the van back repaired if that is the option you prefer. It worked for me when I had a no fault accident and needed to sell the car before the insurance sorted the repairs. My insurance washed their hands of it at that point, but I did eventually get all my cash back.
On the cross member above the radiator that has the bonnet catch - there was two VIN plates when my vehickle went in for respray work to be done.
They have replaced this cross member (rust) and have not removed from the old unit the two VIN plates prior to disposing of it.
The repair centre is trying to tell me that they were not there when it went in (they were because when I purchased the vehicle I physically checked data on them against the log book).
They are now telling me that they are NOT a legal requirement and that the chassis number inside of the vehicle is sufficient?
I was under the impression that these two VIN plates as wll as the chassis number physically stamped in to the vehicle had to be present on the vehicle?
Where do I stand? Read more
The 2001 Astra G that I had didn't have any VIN plates on the crossmember from new.
Hi All,
Im a newbie so be gentle :-)
I live in Sheffield and found this company on the old google search: www.jenningsforddirect.co.uk got a good deal on a Focus exactly what Im after, my local dealer wouldn't match the price or the package (getting 2 years AA cover included)
HOWEVER ..... Ihave never bought something this big b4 online and a bit nervous about it was wondering if anybody had any experience of this company or had heard of them b4??
There is a 30 day moneyback garuntee but that sounds a bit unbeleivable to be honest, how easy would it be to take it back if its 200 miles away???
Has anybody here bought a car online before could give me some do's and dont's would be great
Any comments appreciated Read more
The Jennings Forddirect supersite is at South Shields, Tyne and Wear.
It is just that - a sales site, They refer servicing to their small chain of franchised Ford dealers.
Think they have a good enough reputation locally.
It may be the stock actually on site is exclusive to them, and not available via other dealers from the general database.
If the car is bang on the right spec and money, then there's no reason not to buy it.
Like other posters, I tend to think a local Ford dealer will be able to source something suitable off the database.
Some Ford dealers are prepared to get 'your' car on site without an absolute guarantee of you buying it.
The cars are pretty much as new and another way to look at is you would not see a brand new car before you ordered it, either.
hi folks, i'm just wandering if anyone has any adjustment or any info on a 2e3 carb, my car only starts by manualy pressing the choke valve, i've checked the vacume and i seem to have a sealed unit, but everytime i press the throttle she dies on me, i've checked the mounting flange for rips or cracks but cant find any oron any of the pipes, the thermo time switch seems to be working, it just seems that i havnt got anything to regulate the choke with the rest of the car.... please help.. thanx Read more
can anyone suggest anything please, i'm stuck and can't afford a webber... thanx
Mercedes-Benz is to launch an eco-friendly London black cab.
London's iconic black cabs will soon look a little different after it was announced that a new eco-friendly model will be hitting the capital's roads this summer.
The new lower emission six-seat taxi is based on the Mercedes Vito Traveliner.
The Mercedes-Benz Vito has sliding doors, electric steps and seating for six people.
( The familiar TX4, made by London Taxis International, seats five.)
It also has rear-wheel steering that lets it meet the capital's strict 25ft turning circle rule and is able to carry two wheelchairs compared to its rival's one. Mercedes claims it will also be more fuel efficient.
..... is expected to match the TX4's price tag of £34,000.
London TV had significant coverage.
Photo at tinyurl.com/6dqgcp
Will it catch on?
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What one wants in a taxi seating more than five is a stretch Hummer not a converted panel van. Forget rear wheel steering, a taxi with a wheelbase shorter than the limit for taxi turning circles is pathetic. Where is their sense of rebellion and rage? What about a stretch Unimog?
Browse
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Yes! I will pay £30 next year, £5 less than this.