October 2008
You know the stuff. On sale at a large retailer near you.
Toilet flush blue is OK to minus 5c and antelope liver red, down to minus 7.
Of course the colour in the mix doesn`t just de-materialise, it leaves a scum on the screen, outside the wipers arc.
Given that this stuff is ready mixed. What`s the point? unless it`s form over function again?
I know that if you try hard, the clear stuff can be found.. but its seemingly not popular.
If its not ready mixed and its that nice little main dealer earner.. that`s different. Maybe blackwater fever - black, or pale yellow will be the `attractor` in a future decade.
The latter perhaps encapsulating things perfectly...
So clearly, marketing bods decided that *ready mixed* has to have the the same colour characteristics as *concentrated* despite it performing no function other than to degrade the product, by reducing it`s transparency on un-wiped screen areas....
Anyway, here`s the question
(didn`t think it was about screen-wash did you? ;)
Using the above as an example. What else have you encountered in the motoring and care related sphere - that caused you to think that a carefully crafted lure had been dropped before a shoal of Cod?
oilrag
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I was having a chat today with someone from work, who like me, is an avowed petrol head.. and he asked me the question "What will be your next car then?"
and surprisingly, for the first time, I haven't an answer
I don't know whether it's my age (45), but there's nothing I really hanker for..and yet all my motoring life, i've usually lusted after something.. and when younger went out and bought it.
Don't get me wrong, a bit of inheritance or a lottery win, would have an Aston Martin of some sort and a Jag XF, no problems, but once back in the real world, anything sub 30K doesn't really interest me and I can't afford anything more than 30K.
I'm wondering whether it's the fact that everything nowadays is such a compromise i.e. fuel costs have made V8's and V6's a no-no unless you're doing seriously limited mileage and/or the new tax classes.. a diesel is practical but boring, so for the first time if i can't get what I want, i'm not prepared to take a big dive on depreciation etc, so i'll keep what i've got
I do spend more than is probably prudent keeping my 9 yr old car in tip top condition (just had both bumpers re-sprayed re minor parking scrapes), but have never been anywhere near to being a champion of bangernomics
what's happening to me? am I normal? are there any more of you out there? can I be cured?
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Been pondering this thread for a couple of days, i thought it was only me that found all these newer cars as boring as i do.
Nothings really different any more, we have French cars pretending to be German with solid suspension instead of their wafting ride and quirky controls, i like different.
I used to like older MB's as they looked like no one else's cars with lovely solid interiors, now they appear to have followed the crowd, and those new wide jawed grille's...hideous, and as for that bent banana shaped CLS, truly awful thing.
Agree about the E39 5 series BM, lovely sleek well proportioned car, replaced by a battle cruiser with mock up grille and headlights that were left on by mistake.
Think how refreshing the Accord in the 90's was, same basic model as the rover 600 of the time, and again they have slab sided eurorep clone's currently, not saying they arn't a good car, far from it, just so...boringly identical to the competition.
Your own S type WP, lovely individual design, to my mind spoiled with the facelift.
I really liked the rover 75 too, luxurious place to be, comfy seats and unusual pleasant dash.
Diesels that sound universally awful, and with few exceptions tremendous torque but only if driven in a certain way, as against old fashioned diesels that would pull for ever but were impossible to stall and as simple as possible to the point that once started you could remove the battery and it would run all day.
I know they are so much better apparently, but i hate this tremendous surge, i want constant torque from my diesels.
'oh look i like the lovely sleek look of that new mondeo', or is it a mazda/honda/hyundai/whatever they all look the same and up to a point drive and sound the same, take the badge off and you'd be pushed to know.
Interiors are the same, acres of black plastic mostly with some imitation plastic aluminium surrounding the controls, boring, gloomy and bland, with few mainstream exceptions.
Been trying to think of a new car that i've driven recently that i really liked compared to the usual standard boring mainstream, the only one that stands out is the 407 coupe 2.7 auto diesel i delivered yesterday, mind you don't deliver many larger engined new cars at the moment and even fewer proper auto's.
For some reason the Jag XF leaves me cold, not saying its not good, its astonishingly quick, but another large Eurotoff barge with a bosch washing machine dial as a gear lever..;)
Think i may have the real reason for the hilux..;)
can the 1st part of the air box be removed to incresse air flow as i am putting a k & n panle filter in and can only see that it is just restricting air at the moment
thanks philip Read more
>>k & n
Why are you ruining your car with this nonsense?
You'll find all the K & N increases is noise, and the number of damaging particles being injested by your engine.
Please accept this as positive helpful advice - the best upgrade you can make is to your own driving skills (consider training from IAM, ROSAPA, etc.). It's an upgrade which you instantly transfer to any vehicle you drive, and if you can look beyond some of the pompous old git aspects of it, the training will help you make fast, safe, legal, progress - and you might find an insurance premium reduction too.
I am not really a fan of small cars but have always liked Ford's Ka. Everyone I know that has owned one has been very happy with their purchase. The only small car that I think is 'funkier' is the new Fiat 500. At last though the Ka is getting the recognition it deserves and is starring in the new Bond movie - Quantum of Solice. It will be interesting to see what effect, if any, the movie has on sales.
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The old Ka was an object lesson in small car design. Light, simple, fun to drive and cheap.
What it was not, was an object lesson in small car build quality or rust proofing.
Overall though, it was and still is brilliant, IMHO. Perky in town, not out of its depth on the motorway, and a grin a minute on a good B-road. More balance and feel than some cars costing five times as much.
Cheers
DP
I'm struck by the number of surveys, statistics & anecdotals showing people adapting to rising fuel prices by using their vehicles less frequently and/or driving them more efficiently when they do.
The latest surprising statistic is that the 'school run' is losing favour - apparently more kids now walk to school - good for the kids I say. Cycling is up, roads & mororways are less congested (esp. at rush hour/ school run time), more car sharing, less fuel spent in jams etc. etc.
Personally, I find myself driving even more efficiently than I did & cutting out the driving equivalent of 'snacks', e.g. not dashing out to buy one thing, but being a bit more planned & systematic & 'multiplexing' utility/pleasure trips where I can. All in all, I think my fuel costs have actually gone down - with no apparent loss of function or pleasure.
It's almost fun being more frugal & getting the same (lifestyle) for less.
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We've NEVER used our cars for less than a ten mile journey;it's feet or bike.
Was telecast on BBC2 on Sunday evening. Repeat on 19:00 hr on Thursday.
Alternately you can watch online at
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00dtl3f
I must admit, I was spellbound. Especially the flying SkyCar can is a reality!
This was far more enjoyable than comical Top Gear! Read more
I like the way he incorporated his catchphrase into his plane's reg.
G-OCOK
Looking at buying a nearly new diesel. Just seen this offer from Drive the deal - 407 1.6hdi for £10000 (08 with del miles)
Is this a good offer? Other dealers are advertising 57' plates with 20k on the clock for £13000. Ive looked on autotrader and they are going for around £3500 for 2005 models so they loose value very quickly.
Whats this model like to drive with the 1.6 engine? I do like the 407's - nice drive. Ok the build isnt Lexus but they are pretty cheap and do the job.
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I've got a 407 coupe, which I bought new 18 months ago. Admittedly built on a separate production line to a higher standard (allegedly). It's got electric everything. Not a single problem. No squeaks or rattles whatsoever.
Still love it.
My daffy sister in law lost the keys for her ford fiesta, she then got a new steering lock assembly from a scrap yard,which I fitted. However although everything else works. the key will not start the engine.I think its because the new key does not match the vehicles vehicle immobilisation coil fitted around the lock barrel. Does anyone know how to overcome this without having to pay the £200+ she was quoted by a ford dealer to recode the key. Read more
The dealer's bill would have had to include recovery charges.
Call in a mobile auto-locksmith.
Hi,
my Fiesta has recently started making a creaking type noise that seems to be coming from the rear wheels when braking.
The noise only happens when stopping from low speeds (eg pulling up on the drive) or when stationary. When the handbrake is applied no noise is made.
A couple of weeks previous I changed the front disks and pads.
I would appreciate any information as to what is causing this noise or if it is something that needs checking out ASAP.
Thanks
Mark Read more
Have you had damp weather like we have here?
It can be the rear shoes catching on the drum, best to remove check the wheel cylinder are not sticking and hand brake release ok?
Don't worry if one shoe is worn more than the other there like that when new.
Also spin the wheel and check for any noise like wheel bearing, fell for any play. good luck..
My Almera 2.2 (136) Diesel has recently started making a noise like air being forced through a vent. It only happens under fairly hard acceleration and doesn't seem to be related to engine revs or road speed.
It sounds as if it is coming from the left (passenger) side of the engine bay.
I've had it from new in January 2004, and it's done about 40,000 miles, regularly serviced at Nissan dealers.
Any ideas? Read more
Any loss of performance? Could be a split intake hose especially if its a turbodiesel.
Browse
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The thread`s now on track
not screen-wash at all
a puzzle to crack?
just an intended catch all
metallic paint
clay bar
time to faint
scratch on the car
alloy wheels
snake oil
what a steal
what a foil
air-con
central locking
space suit on
prepare for docking
electric handbrake
powered glass
grip a grass snake
down that pass
engine flush
high power coil
no more slush
blocked - no oil