October 2008
Well, the time has come to replace my Punto. 2001 (first reg. 2005), 42k and full Fiat service history; I'm looking to get about £1300 part exchange.
Option 1: Put the money from the p/ex plus the same again into a deposit for an i-10 (with monthly payments of about £70 for 3 years). The thing that I like is, of course, the 5 year warranty and £35 tax and low insurance. So, overall spend of around £3500. But then car isn't ever really mine... It's really the only new car option that I can reasonably afford.
Option 2: Stick said £3500 into a used car. Now, I know it's the other end of the spectrum - I've always fancied a '3'. Seen a few 320 and 330ds with relatively high (ca. 75k+) mileages for not much more, from dealers and with a service history. Would I be letting my heart rule my head (and potentially be out of pocket with servicing or potential problems? Higher insurance, true, but then the car is mine. I've read H.J's car-by-car for both.
Suggestions/critiques welcome.
Thanks!
AA Read more
On holiday in Canada last summer, our Dodge Avenger had a fantastic satellite radio which could pick up over 100 stations - everything from classical music to rock to comedy ? and all without advertising.
Is there any reason why we can't have a similar system in the UK? Are there plans to introduce satellite radio here?
I tried a Dab converter in my car but it was absolute rubbish. I think there is a small subscription for satellite, but I'd be happy to pay a few pounds a month for such a great service.
I suppose some of the content would upset a lot of people here. If you think Russell Brand is rude, try listening to Howard Stern! Read more
I still prefer a couple of seconds of bubbling mud every hour ( which is what I get with a piece of bell wire hanging out the back of my Pure dmx-50, never mind a proper aerial) to the constant background hiss of a less than perfect FM signal. I'm no 'golden ear' audiophile but I can tell the quality difference between Planet Rock at 128K bitrate and Classic FM at 160K; but I'd still rather have the wider choice of stations that current MP2 coded DAB allows.
Of course if we were to start again from scratch things would be different, but they aren't; this ""failure"" has an installed base of over 6 million!
>>No, that's because they don't pay for it. They have spent the equivalent of that in commercial time pushing bubbling mud.
So it's a number someone's made up to suit their agenda then....
To keep vaguely motoring related I reckon it's the lack of cheap in car DAB availability that has held DAB back, and I can't see that changing.
Hi , Hope you can help me out here , going round in circles at the minute and spent roughly £200 pounds so far, and no problem solved yet. i have a few codes here that came up on the computer. The problem is after ten minutes of driving i get a restriction on the amount of revs on the gas.
p0402- Exhaust-gas re-circulation Amount out of range
p1198- Fuel pressure regulation faulty .Has been changed.
p1113- Rail pressure sensor signal improbable Has been changed. Read more
I'd suggest that you take it to someone with far better equipment, technical data and, at least, a rudimentary understanding of how an HDi works.
Codes have nothing to do with replacing parts; they merely add information to the diagnostic process.
You appear to have a fuel pressure problem that's causing both the limp-home mode and the stalling. There can be many reasons for that and "poke-and-hope" parts replacement guesswork isn't going to find them.
The fuel feed to the pump; the state of the fuel filter; [any dodgy fuel been used?] the HP pump itself and the injector leak-off rate all need testing before even the outline of the problem can be established.
The EGR flow issue can be investigated once the major problem has been solved.
I was once told by someone who should know what they are talking about that the 20mph zones that are springing up are unenforcable, as the lowest speed limit in the UK is 30.
The argument was that there is no law on the books to say that doing less than 30 was illegal.
It may be a load of rubbish, but does anyone know the truth, and has anyone been prosecuted for doing less than 30. Read more
what does me are the local authorities who put speed limit signs up at illogical numbers, one was at 23 mph or whatever - because it represented a round number in kilometers p/h. Head of transport must have been a europhile bully!
Hi all.
I'm asking for advice on tyres for my 04 plate Forester. I have been told that all four tyres need to be replaced and that the price is going to be about £80-120 per tyre!! I have a brand new Michelin spare which can be used, meaning that I will have to only buy 3.
Alternatively, there is a brand 'Phate/Phates' that are roughly £40-50 per tyre. I just don't want to buy tyres that are going to squeal and give a poor ride, equally I don't do too many miles but sometimes there is a need for that extra bit of ground clearence and traction.
I'm not a stranger to vehicles and going 'under the bonnet' but my last 2 cars have been V Corsa's. The most recent bought 2/H in 04 (circa 17,000 miles) and traded this July with 32,000 miles.
Due to this lack of mileage you can see why I would like to know if it's totally necessary to pay £300-£350 for tyres, and yes, I did know about maintenance and upkeep before I bought it :o)
Many thanks
Henry. Read more
Thank you!!
Hi all,
Situation is as follows.
Existing policy with 5 years NCB commenced on 1/12/07.
Ive bought a new car which I'm taking delivery on 1/11/08.
I've contacted the old insurance company to cancel the policy as I'm starting a new policy with a different insurance company. In the last 11 months since the start of the policy I haven't had a claim.
I'm still entitled to take my 5 years NCB to the new policy right ? and will the old insurance company send me proof of the NCB i currently have ?
Many thanks
Richard Read more
Exactly Jonathon,
I wasnt going to fork out the extra money when it wast going to make any difference....
Noticed that only half my HFS was working. Spoke to Ford for advice. Took off wipers and windscreen trim at base of screen. Saw the problem. The ribbon like electric connection was broken. Cannot be replaced as one end is bonded to the screen. Can anyone advise with a heath robinson way of connecting the two pieces of ribbon safely and able to make it work again. Otherwise it will have to be a £75 insurance job. Read more
Hey Ben10, did you ever have any luck with this? I have the exact same problem, also an ex-hire car. Though they claim the windscreen is now causing an unspecified electrical fault (this is the third supposed 'cause', I think they're having me on!).
Astret.
I want to fit a car alarm on my P reg Fiesta. I'm living close to some neigbours from hell and I'm concerned that once they see I've got another car and one in pristine condition it will get vandalized. So I want one with a shock sensor, an interior sensor, a blinking led light on the dash, it must be DIY to fit and not too sensitive that it goes off if a cat jumps on the bonnet. The car is parked on the road.
If I hear the alarm at least I can dash outside and be a witness, which might deter them anyway. Any recommendations please.? Read more
One of my empoyees has just found out that the specs. cameras at the Warwick junction
of the M40 covering a 50mph limit work, he's had a n.i.p. for 57 mph. Read more
But then I was told that at night they can't identify the driver. Somehow that
doesn't ring true. But is it?
They don't have to identify the driver, they just need to identify the vehicle and they are quite capable of doing that. It is the registered keeper who is supposed to identify the driver...
See the link to HJ's test to the right --->
Though why introduce a 2.0 dCi 150 / 180 producing 157g/km and 172g/km respectively when there is a 2.0 dCi 175 @ 150g/km in Europe?
Also I think they may have done better distancing it from the Laguna hatch / tourer by using a different name.
Looks great though, nice looking wheels on the test car.
Read more
What a pretty car.
I'll have a V6 diesel in black, please.
Cheers
DP
Browse
Am i reading that right...2 and a half years servicing for £500, i've heard Hyundai servcing can be a little pricey but that seems ludicrous.