January 2009
I was contemplating things on the trains back from Liverpool this lunchtime (it is so much easier and cheaper to get a day return from Manchester to Liverpool than drive in and park for an hour's meeting) and pondered the question of interior space.
For argument's sake I want to buy a new or nearly new car which has the following criteria: -
1. Saloon or estate only - no hatchbacks
2. Lounging room for four passengers, with a fifth passenger not necessarily being the poor relation
3. No 'high' cars - so so SUVs, no MPVs, just regular saloons or estates
4. No need for very high spec or particularly fast cars, just something that will cruise comfortably at 80mph with the usual creature comforts
5. As short as possible.
Of all the cars that met these requirements in the last 20 years that I can remember was the Passat of about 1988 (which had acres of rear legroom) and the Peugeot 605 which was very long, but used the space well and was effectively a mobile lounge for all inside. The overall internal space of the Outback is quite poor in comparison with its length and would be interested in what experiences other BR member have had.
PS I do not intend to buy a Merc S-class!
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My Rover is giving me a lot of trouble. It has just done 120,000 and has been quite reliable to date. Apart from the head gasket going a couple of years ago.
When my car has been parked and locked for a few hours the alarm goes off for thirty seconds. If I just turn the alarm off by the time I come to drive it again the battery is flat.
I replaced the battery yesterday and this morning the alarm started going off again.
Any advice or suggestions will be gratefully received. Read more
Yes might just be worth a try. At least it will prove or disprove my theory and the car will be locked!
A report on your findings would be appreciated, if you can find the time.
Hello everyone, I've just registered to the Back Room and am very impressed with the amount of expert advice that comes from this community! I thought I could then get my first ever question answered by those in the know, so here we go.
I'm interested in buying an early 2004-on Subaru Legacy estate 2.0 petrol and was very close to actually committing to one, but have read somewhere else that this engine is not powerful enough for the car, and so much it struggles apparently that is "dangerously slow" in 4th and 5th gear on motorways. I need a 4-wheel drive car that would be relatively economical (the 2.0's claimed MPG is around 35 and CO2 emissions are 183 g/km, which is not bad for any 2.0-litre petrol estate car) and therefore bigger or turbo-charged engine versions are out of question. I don't drive fast, but don't want to buy an underpowered car either, so would appreciate any real-life feedback from owners.
Many thanks in advance,
Adam Read more
Hi Adam,
I just registered too, simply to respond to you!
Really just backing up what others have said. My dad has an 04 plate estate 2.0, and the engine is more than up to the job. I've driven it a few times, and it's surprising how quickly it can get up to speed even fully loaded. Motorway work is a doddle for it, and it's such a relaxed cruiser, but with plenty of feedback for the twisty bits.
He averages 36mpg (calculated from fuel in and miles done rather than the on-board mpg-ometer). It'll do a bit more on a long motorway run.
I'm longing for the day he replaces it... then I can buy it :)
Why do some vans (eg VW Caddy) have a 60/40 split rear door?
The smaller door can't be opened without opening the big door so it can't be to ease access in confined areas. Read more
Following my experiences with my wife's C30, I have been asked to elaborate upon life with the car. See technical section re loss of power steering assistance.
Basically it is my wife's car (it replaced an S60 D5). The C30 is an R Design Sport SE with the D5 engine. Pulls like a train and whilst I admit I live in a rural part of Scotland, any runs of any length will easily return over 50mpg. It is even more economical than my V50 which has the 2.0D engine.
Yes the boot space is nowhere near as big as the S60. However it will take the weeks' shopping no problem. If you are thinking of buying one, remember it is only a 4-seater.
One other aspect that we like about the car is that being a 2 door, the B post is further back giving a much wider line of sight at junctions.
Would I buy another? Probably yes when I no longer have no need for an estate car. Mind you if the new S60 ever appears, that would tempt me too. It would have to come with the D5 engine. Read more
Ignore me I was thinking of Kirkcaldy.
hi all,
This primera has a strange intermittant faualt where the abs light comes on when you turn the steering wheel to the left from the straight ahead position, it has had the n/s drive shaft replaced some time ago. it does this while the car is satationary or moving mainly while stationary
many thanks Read more
i might be wrong but i thought the light would only come on for a speed sensor fault when the car got above twelve mph. this seems to be a steering angle sensor fault but not sure if a car this old would have one.
many thanks
Enquiring about the whole range of diesels - advised best not to buy any of them due to DPF`s and wifes ultra short journey use.
Top marks for honesty from the sales guy - who consulted the service manager while I was on the phone. But what a choker for a desperate industry that needs to sell new cars or face going under.
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Top marks for honesty from the sales guy -
Not really - if you mentioned short journeys and they still sold you a DPF car then you might return it as unfit for purpose. VAG have quietly taken back DPF equipped cars sold to taxi firms.
Hi
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Kind Regards
Al Read more
Maybe because you used a word that tripped the swear filter. Anway this one locked. No need to shout in the subject line !
I am looking for suggestions as to what the best ford ever could be? I have my favourites such as the Daddy (ESCORT COSSIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!). The MK3/4 RS Turbo, and the MK1 Cortina. Read more
Just remembered..it MUST be Ari Vatanens Group 4 black Escort, seen up close and personal on many rally stages...the Manx International being my most fondly remembered.
I am looking at three saloon cars, 2007 reg . either 1.4, 1.5, 1.6 petrol. Mazda 3 Renault Megane sports saloon or Toyota Corolla (1.4 only as HJ has noted 1.6 can use one litre of oil per 600 miles). Would appreciate any advice regarding which one to go for. Many thanks. Brian Read more
Browse
Quite right Rattle, the Mini was a marvel of packaging in its day, as big inside as a Minor 1000 but much smaller externally thanks to Alec Issigonis's radical transverse engine with gearbox in sump and compact (and cheap) Moulton rubber suspension. The 1100, Maxi and Morris 1800 used the same design features in bigger sizes, the 1800 being enormous inside although quite compact. Of course safety legislation hadn't bloated cars as it has more recently. The Mini used every cubic inch of its internal space and didn't even have door trims. The doors were seen as useful containers (hence the slightly tiresome sliding windows). 2CV Citroens, also very spacious for their size, used a different system with split windows whose bottom half hinged up and was retained by a simple rubber grommet and plug. The later, more designerish Dyane used sliding windows a la Mini.
I can also vouch for the size of the Jetta's boot. A son-in-law who is a jazz drummer could get his whole drum kit, anyway most of it, into the boot of his much-loved Mk 1 Jetta.