February 2009
As a young, fairly enthusiastic motorist, I am interested in investing a little time and money in pursuit of becoming a better driver. It is quite difficult to know where to focus my energies as I would like to do something that would be good fun as well as making me a safer driver.
I have heard people mentioning the 'IAM' exam, what does this consist of? There are also some tempting courses available at various rally shools and racing circuits, things like skid-pan training and advanced on-road courses appeal too.
I'd be grateful for any advice on what would offer the greatest benefit to me. Like I've said, it's difficult to know where to begin! Read more
Got some prices from DrivetheDeal.com but how good are they?
What worries me is they don't seem to do Part-Ex and I don't want the hassle of having to sell my old car privately, plus the fact I would have to find another £4k to cover the purchase until I sold my old one.
Their website has no email address which is a bit worrying.
Read more
I was impressed by DTD last year, although it's a qualified endorsement because I didn't actually buy from them. They were also a little cheeky in including in their on-line quotation a rebate from Toyota UK that was conditional on taking a certain Toyota finance package that I didn't want.
Buy they were quite open about this when I discussed it with them on the phone, and still offered a good price and the colour we wanted. I eventually bought from a local dealer instead, but DTD's willingness to stand by its price was a big factor in dragging the dealer down to a level I was prepared to pay. I would happily talk to them again.
I first came across this firm when a link was posted to their web-page on this forum a while back. I am now looking for 4 new tyres and I was wondering if anybody here has also used them? If so, did you save any money? Read more
I've used them a few times now - no problem at all with the service. The fitter's always turned up on time, given me a call just before arrival, and does a good job every time. Prices elsewhere may be better sometimes, but for the convenience and reliability of the service I'm prepared to pay the extra.
I currently have a Mazda RX-8, which I bought in May last year. Love it, fantastic car!
The problem is, 3 weeks ago I've gone from working 12miles from my home to about 75! I'm getting expensed, which just about covers the cost of the fuel/oil but I don't think the RX-8 is the kind of car you put 500 miles/week on and run into the ground.
It's an 04, done about 30k. I want a more fuel efficient car that I can put the miles on and don't really want to spend more than my trade-in plus a couple of hundred quid.
Looked at a BMW 118d or Lexus 220d but I'm not sure they're quite in my price range.
Does anyone have any suggestions? For the first time I'm really not sure what to be looking at... Read more
I drive 600 miles to work and back each week. Did have Xsara, now Megan Estate, 1.9cDi - 55+mpg, 130bhp. all the toys like CD, cruise control etc. Yes its a big-ish car just for work, but occassionally carry fellow workers and the odd box of stuff (including filing cabinets) so great all rounder. Handles roads well - from twisty B roads to long M-way stretches), 18 months old, 36,000 miles and part from headlamp bulbs blowing 9I drive lots at night) no problmes at all. Thinking of replacing in Sept when it turns two years old.
hello im looking at buying a scenic 1.9 dti on a v reg for a very good price but has the following problems,the blowers dont work and air con doesnt turn on and also bonnet wouldnt open but the pull looks ok.
Would you buy a car like this or should i not bother?its immaculate inside and out!
Any ideas what the problems could be?the lights work etc but there is no stereo!
cheers guys! Read more
Just recently my ABS light has appeared intermittently & I have been told my brake lights have failed. Can anyone tell me whether this is electrical fault please or what? Thanks Read more
Thanks DD will check. Let you know what happens Jon
Hello Everyone, This is my first time posting so apologies if this exact question has been asked a thousand time already (which it has) . I am about to take my theory test in the next month or so and am going to buy a used car pretty soon after (or even before if I see one). I was directed here by a petrol head I know who suggested that it was a good place to get advice, which goodness knows I need as I am ashamed to say I dont know nearly enough about cars.
Right, firstly my budget is around 2.5k. I would rather not stray over that and anything cheaper will be great as it can then go towards what I assume is going to be a rather nasty insurance premium.
I am a 26 year old male (yes, I am perfectly aware how lazy I have been) and I live in a small village in Lancashire. I am looking for a "grown up" car really. Something with 4 or 5 doors with a reasonable size engine as I may have to do a bit of Motorway commuting for work
Not very sure how many miles per year I will be doing as my work is a little random in where they can send me, might be three miles down the road, or Inverness.
My Partner is 25, a teacher and she has about 4-5 years no claims and runs a 97 Clio.
My questions are thus:
1) What sort of car should I be looking for on my budget?
- My initial thoughts, based on ignorance and google, are towards a Mondeo of some sort or an Avansis
2) How do I stop getting murdered by the Insurance?
- I was thinking that the smart play might be to have my partner 'buy' the car and drive on it as a named driver. Any thoughts? Read more
>>and when work requires a much longer journey, to hire a suitable vehicle for a short term.
Probably not possible for somebody who has only just passed his test. And to be honest, half dozen trips in a hire car would surely pay the difference to upgrade the insurance to a decent car anyway.
You may have read my earlier woes with this van. I've worked my way through the faults one by one and I have now got all the lights to go out but I've come up against a problem that I can't get any further with. The engine wont rev above 3000 rpm even in neutral The air filter looks new and I've put some injector treatment in the fuel and it hasn't made any difference. The van seems to produce plenty of power at low revs but looses it above 2500 rpm.
This equates to about 60-65 mph full-tonk. Not very good.
Any ideas where I should be looking next?
Thanks. Read more
Will definately try that and let you know how it went. Thanks for that.
I've owned a 300crd since April 2006 and have only had one problem. After 18 months I had all 4 wheels changed under warranty because of corrosion around the centre of the wheels. The alloy turned white and was uneven to the touch. I've now noticed the exact same problem is effecting these wheels too.
Whenever possible I've checked other 300C's and all of any age also seem to have the same problem, which seems to indicate I'm not just unlucky.
I intend to go back to the dealer to complain even though the car is now out of warranty but I'm not sure how I stand. I'd obviously like to be prepared before contacting the dealer so I'd really like to here from anyone with a similar story.
The car has done K17 miles and is garaged the majority of the time it is not in use.
Thanks Read more
Result BW. In theory this could continue for years to come.
Thanks for updating us, hope the car continues to please.
Hi all,
Wife currently has a 2003, 03 plate Rav4 NV - the three door 2 wheel drive version. Its done 64K miles and is in reasonable condition considering its use as transportation for various horse related items!
The thing is in the last two years its done less than 6K, and spends half its life sitting outside - my wife now has someone 'sharing' her horse so does not go up to the stables everyday as previously.
I'm looking at it thinking whether getting rid for a cheap runabout would make any sense. To be honest my wife does not like driving particularly and would not have a car at all if she didn't have the horse, so make/model/fashion status does not matter particularly (I bought her the Rav from a dealer mate on a whim to replace her previous motor which was one foot from the grave).
Any suggestions?
1) as to what the Rav might reasonably be worth
2) a suitable cheap replacement - mileage not important - condition and ability to start after several days sitting outside will be!
Just seems a shame to see the Rav sit there losing money and condition needlessly. Unfortunately I have to have the garage for all my work gear otherwise I'd let her use it. Read more
The 8 valve TU petrol engine used in many 206s has been around for donkey's years and well proven, easy to work on, and tough if even half looked after. There are a lot of good 206's out there.
The most offensive thing about this car in my opinion is the plastic on the dash. I think they sent someone out to find the cheapest, nastiest stuff they could find, and then asked the manufacturer to make it cheaper and nastier.
Browse
Contact your local IAM - you can always stop if you don't like what you get. What you will get is some good instruction that increases your observation and improves your positioning on the road. A little, um, 'progress' (speed!) naturally follows, safely. It will definitely improve your enjoyment of driving. Possibly the best performance enhancement you to make to any car is to improve the driver. The finer points of handling are equally fascinating but I would say that you must get the basics first. To go on an off road handling course could be disastrous when you inevitably try and replicate what you've learnt, on a road. My friend has just passed his IAM at the age of 40 and loves what he's learnt, now describing every drive as a pleasure. It would be, he's drives a Maserati. But the point is the same. I used to ride bikes with my neighbour who once commented that I never took us into a bend too fast, even on new roads. Gradually brought him on with some explanations and he became an excellent rider. Anyone can learn a bit about driving.