September 2008
EU motorcycle laws cost Britain millions in new test centres ... just so riders can do emergency stops at precisely 31mph
tinyurl.com/6qjsyh
So, Britain is spending millions of pounds to build new test centers as test can't be taken at quieter streets of limit 30 mph.
So, for extra 1 mph we are building new test centers??? @#$%!
A subject should be taught at schools as "Common sense"...
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hi all, just a quick post looking for a little advice. i have a 2000 x reg fiesta that has suddenly developed a knocking sound occasionally when being put into gear whilst stationary, it also appears more often when moving off from a standing start. i can't really describe the fault much more as it has only appeared in the last few hours. i have been driving on a motorway and the car is driving fine apart from this noise appearing, i'm just looking for a quick reply on what this could be as i've got to drive 150 miles back home tomorrow and i'm a little concerned as to what this could be. thanks in advance, rach Read more
rach
Lot of possibilities in that area; broken engine monting; exhaust; gear linkage etc.
You need to get someone to take a look.
Well, to give me some experience for the first 6 months or so.
I know to go for a 1.25 LX or Zetec from around 1998ish, but what do I need to look out for?
Thanks,
Luke.
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For £500 you should be able to get something with a years' MOT, and some tax too.
Look on Autotrader, search options = anything near your post code, private seller, any make/model/type/mileage/fuel type, up to £500, any age/colour/number of doors/manual transmission, keywords MOT tax, and see what comes up.
When you see the thing, if it doesn't sound awful, doesn't burn oil (observe, ask), isn't filthy or rotten, and hasn't had the engine taken to bits and been mended or modified, and it's got reasonable tyres, and everything works, and also assuming the vendor/location doesn't look iffy, vendor doesn't refuse a test drive, vendor doesn't stand obstinately in front of some part of the car when you're looking at it, just buy the thing!
Had the pleasure of hiring a two month old Ford Fusion for a short road trip in Arizona. They're very cheap at Hertz (I got mine for approximately $30/day).
Spec:
3.0L 221HP V6
6 speed automatic gearbox
Sports pack
Climate control
Cruise control etc.
Microsoft Sync with Sirius Satellite Radio
I think the Fusion is a USA specific car, but it's broadly equivalent in size to the Mondeo. Cabin is roomy and comfortable with enough cubbyholes and sufficient buttons to keep most people entertained.
Ride comfort is exceptional with no engine noise at cruising speeds and minimal impact from poor surfaces. The only time it was sketchy was when I did 70mph down a gravelled line on the motorway, for some reason they like to dig the road up but leave the lane open.
The V6 coupled with the 6-speed autobox is excellent. Goes like the proverbial off a shovel but is grunty enough at low revs to keep the speed up on hills without dropping a gear. Even when it does, the close ratios mean you don't get the jerk my Honda gives me. Would go back to it over a diesel if fuel costs weren't an issue, and I never thought I'd hear myself say that.
Economy was surprising given I wasn't driving lightly, with 32mpg (imperial) overall, and that was about 60% freeway at 75mph, 30% singletrack road, and 10% town driving. Especially considering I climbed 7000ft on the motorway before dropping back down via the scenic roads. Easily bearable with petrol $3.47/gallon.
Handling is fine, didn't push it far anyway. Stuck to the road nicely.
The Microsoft Sync technology is very impressive. There's a USB socket in the glovebox which you plug your iPod or memory stick into, and then everything is done via voice control - "Play track Sweet Home Alabama" etc. She's a bit petulant if you don't label your music properly, but there were no issues with the pronunciation of artist or song titles, and she fell for my British accent. :-)
The only issue was with the interior lights. They appeared to be stuck on permanently, but it turns out that rolling the dash lights switch to maximum brightness switches on the interior lights too. No idea why.
Shame they don't make these cars in England, as I particularly enjoyed driving it. Thumbs up from me. Read more
No wonder Ford USA loses money
Does the manufacturing arm lose money making cars? I really don't know, but many people would be surprised how little it costs to make a car. It's the cost of providing pension and healthcare benefits that is hurting the big auto makers.
The real cost of Fusion is lower than stated - the range starts at $18K and there's curently $2500 cashback available. Most new cars are available in the US for thousands of dollars under list, or for personal lease prices that seem insane to Brits. With about $4000 up front payment you can lease a 328i BMW for $299/mth so something like a Ford Fusion is probably less than $200/mth.
Hi,
Today was the day I dusted off the spanners and gave my Pug 406 a service. When I got the service items I wanted a fuel filter only to be told there were two types - Bosch and another which i think began with Tec??? As I was not in the Pug to check which one was fitted, I thought I could leave it until I'd done the rest of the service, identify the type and then change it at a later date. Well, I've looked at the filter and I can't see whose make it is. It looks mighty complex with no easy method of removing the fuel bowl. I'm sure its easy when you've done it before but can anyone tell me how to identify which type i have and how to remove it? Do you have to bleed it - I couldn't see a bulb to squeeze.
As always your advice and guidance is much appreciated.
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Thanks for the reply 659. I assume the best thing is to remove pipes and electrical plug from the top, take off the whole unit from the block then take it to the workshop for strip down and rebuild. Does the bottom unscrew from the top as there doesn't seem to be any retaining bolt? Having spoken to my local Partco ( i work for Unipart - part of the same company) they offer both the Bosch and Tecafiltre filters. I want to get it right first time as messing about with diesel and my hands don't go together particularly well (even rubber gloves get ripped at the wrong time).
Thanks
A question for the DIY oil changers here. Where do you dispose of the old filter?
I've always thrown mine in the household waste bin, although I think I may now be breaking a law. Down at the Household Waste Recycling Centre (Tip) there's somewhere for the oil, batteries & tyres, but I've never seen anywhere for the filter.
Any ideas? Read more
I just bin them - no filter recycling facilities round here.
Hi ,
I was wondering if anyone had rented a car through Ryanair (Hertz) at Dublin airport.
I'm getting a tempting quote of £86.15 for a week for a VW Fox or similar.
I haven't rented a car for ages.
Are there likely to be hidden charges on top of this ?
I cannot find any mention of "excesses" on any damage etc.
easycar.com offer a car for £77.10 but then offer a 'zero risk option' for £41.93, i.e total of £119.02.
Any experience out there ?
Thanks
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I rented from Europcar at Dublin airport last week. Booked at very short notice, to attend funeral. Easy website, no queue at desk, very efficent overall. I didn't have time to compare prices but seemed very reasonable. Rented Mondeo, no cost upgrade to virtually new SMAX. Also rented from Europcar at Geneva twice, each time with free upgrade. Seems like a good company to rent from.
Talking about 58 reg's and the downs of the motor industry they feature a Rover 25 (really) in their picture!
tinyurl.com/6frq9e Read more
Walking through Leeds today waiting to cross a junction. We were waiting for a car to turn right - a 58 reg MB C class Coupe. In turning right the driver threw half a cig out of the window, just missing me and my 2.5 year old daughter.
After turning right the car had to wait at a set of lights and the window was still open. How tempting it was to pick up the still lit cig and walk over to the car and drop it in the drivers lap, or on the back seat informing her she had dropped something - I didn't, but I would be very tempted next time. Read more
Pat, you are cool.
Unlike certain others out there.
I often read that stolen cars [mostly luxury brands] are exported to East European countries.
How did they ever manage to do that without being caught? And why would some one there are interested in RHD cars??
Wouldn't it have been easier to nick something from continents rather than an island?
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I thought it was mainly for the parts. Indeed the mercedes theft ring round our way was only exporting the engines and gearboxes - the rest was being scrapped.
The story implies that test centres are being built because aspects of the test are to be carried out at 31mph rather than 30mph (i.e. massive cost due to 1mph speed difference - 'bonkers EU' type stuff) and that ministers failed to notice this. This is inaccurate. The speed is a red herring (e.g. parts of test could be done on 40mph public road if speeds above 30mph are required) - the test centres are being built because half of the test has to be done off-road. Its just propaganda.