I am looking for a place to teach my daughter how to drive before she is 17 (16 currently) so that she is a much better driver when taking on-road driving lessons and will hopefully take less time (and money) to pass the practical test. Are there any companies or personnel that offer their private land for driving? I am looking for a place i can teach my daughter myself in my car as opposed to the driving schools which charge extortionate amounts for driving experiences or basic training.

Any responses greatly appreciated,
Thanks
Nina Read more

I've had a Berlingo Multispace as a hire car a few times, and quite fancy one as my next car.

Want an old, cheap one, with a pre-ruined interior and some scratches and dents, as that would suit my style of vehicle ownership.

I've read the car-by-car breakdown entry for it - and I know the head gaskets always go on the XUD diesels and with French cars you always want a base model with as little electrical stuff as possible - but I'd be grateful for any other tips or advice peope had.

Is it worth seeking out, or avoiding, one from after they changed to the canbus multiplex electrical bus? Or doesn't it make any difference?

I see there was a 1.4 petrol and I can only imagine it was dire - anyone had one? Was the LPG conversion any good. I'm not going to do a mega-mileage so could stand it being petrol but generally prefer diesels. I don't care how slow it is really. Have driven the HDI (which is lovely) and XUD (which is slow and thirsty but perfectly adequate) versions.

Any advice gratefully accepted. Read more

I've recently seen a 1997 Boxster 2.5 advertised for o.i.r.o £8500. It's done 43k miles, had a full Porsche service history from the main dealer since new, and has been checked out in the Porsche database as having had all its recall etc work done.

I'm 25, and am keenly considering buying this car, as I've always wanted one, and before responsibility takes its toll on me am best of having a 2 seater now!

I can afford the purchase, and the insurance, but am concerned about any issues I may encounter if I buy which will cause me major difficulties. I've tried to get quotes for after-market warranties, but thus far it seems to be impossible for this car. Porsche main dealers quote £400 for annual servicing on the current Boxster, so I assume that a specialist would be cheaper. Parts also look fairly reasonable on general items like brake pads etc.

What should I be aware of and wary of? Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated.

Spottsy Read more

Good evening gentlemen.

I've been lurking in the corner of this virtual pub for a few months, soaking up the words of wisdom, but I now need some advice.

I live in a suburban area with my Focus parked off-road overnight.

This morning when I went out to get in the car I noticed some small pieces of black rubber, about half an inch across, lying just in front of the front wheel. On inspection I realised they had come from the end of the " rubber " strip along the bottom of the front valance, where there were what looked like teeth marks.

There was also some damage to the other end of the strip.

I am suspecting the foxes as they had left some other less pleasant calling cards !!

Has anyone else experienced this?

If they will chew this rubber will they move on to tyres and hoses?

Thanks for any replies. Read more

I am about to purchase a property, which has a small, disused and empty electricity substation located at the back of its garden, which takes out a small, square chunk of what would otherwise be a square plot.

This chunk of land is enclosed on two sides by brick wall, which face in to my future garden and are, according to my solicitors, my responsibility regarding upkeep. One of the other two sides is a padlocked wooden gate upon which is mounted an information plaque regarding ownership of the plot and an emergency contact number (although there is no equipment inside and the plot is bare earth). The final side faces on to a neighbours driveway, and I don't know who has responsibility for that.

I would like to take ownership of this small plot and incorporate it in to the garden, not for reasons of making the garden larger, but to prevent the electricity company from using it in future for electrical equipment or, worse, licencing it to, for instance, a mobile phone company to install a mast. Although I'd be a bit surprised if the plot were suitable for that, as it is surrounded by very tall trees subject to protection orders, and I'd guess these would interfere with signals.

To this end I have contacted the owners with a view to purchasing the plot, however this approach has been rebuffed. The reason they give is that they wish to keep the plot for possible future use in relation to the local power supply. However they have stated that they would consider licencing the plot to me, although I would think they'd be able to take possession back at any time should the desire arise.

So I have two questions which experts on here may be able to help with.

Firstly, if I remove part of the wall for which I am responsible and enter this plot with a view to using it as, say, a vegetable patch, would I be committing an offence and would I be able to claim squatter's rights over the plot after a period of time, should the current owner not challenge me? The fact that the plot is bare and not overgrown, however, may suggest that the current owner does periodically visit and maintain the plot.

Secondly, as the owner has stated they may want to use the plot specifically for the local power supply, would I be able to use this against them in any objections I may have to any alternative use they may put the plot to, such as the dreaded phone mast?

I am putting these questions to my solicitor, however some alternative views from anyone who has expertise in these matters may be useful. Read more