June 2009
Following a reverse attack on the rear passenger door of my Mazda and a rational discussion with the van driver responsible, I called in at my local bodyshop for an estimate to repair the damage. The aim being to to see if it could be settled in cash by the other driver without resorting to the dreaded insurance companies. At an estimated £490 the answer was no, so I notified the other driver and called my insurers to report the accident. All fine so far. Later in the day I received an unsolicited call from a mobile crash repair company requesting an appointment to call and repair my vehicle at the roadside. This would include respraying, drying, body repairs et al. I expressed surprise at this being possible, but was assured that its happens all the time and my insurance company had authorised the repair. I replied that I hadn't even had a form to complete as yet and I wasn't about to let them loose on my 12 month old Mazda. Does anyone know if this is a scam or am I just getting even more cynical as I get older? Read more
Whilst fitting a new rear window and re-synchronising the motors my trimmers think they have blown the fuse as neither of the motors now run. I have checked the owners handbook and in the 'fuses' section no mention is made of the electric hood. The fuses are not see through so pulling them out one by one doesn't help. Does anyone know what number fuse it is or is there one hidden somewhere else? Read more
Thanks, I'll have a look tomorrow.
This is a van 1.8TD and I've just bought it. When you try to accelerate hard or when doing about 70 the engine pulls then doesn't then pulls, so in effect your lurching forwards then slowing then going??? Any answers, could it be the pump as the vans been standing in a garage for a year. Read more
Check also for any leeks in the fuel lines.
While you're at it look for parnsips, sping onions and radishes :)
After my abysmal 57 reg Corsa was written off, I decided to go back to known territory - safe and sound. I decided to buy a Skoda and after about 4 weeks of various information gathering exercises (I wasnt going to repeat the disaster of buying a Vauxhall on impulse) - I set my sights on a Skoda Octavia Elegance 1.4Tsi. Unfortunately they are as rare as hens teeth and a 20+ week wait for new. All discounts also seemed to evaporate at the dealer when I tried to order. So instead I spent a frustrating afternoon on the phone to several Skoda dealers to see what else I could get at short notice.
Everywhere without exception were not interested in negotiating price. No part ex and cash didnt make them interested in fact one dealer even said that cash was not particularly of interest to them! In the end I got a tiny discount (plus the VAT free offer) on a Fabia.
How Skoda scrappage costs them nothing:-
They advertise £2500+ off a Fabia. (£1000 off the government and £1500 from Skoda) Well, the long standing standard deal is a "VAT free" price. That discounts from a "list price" by about.....£1500. So scrap deals are selling the cars at the real list price minus £1000 which is the Government bit.
This scrappage thing has cost me money and choice. The Fabia is a stopgap measure - I'll look again once this scrappage rubbish burns out (September by all accounts) and the car dealers realise what a deep hole they've dug for themselves. Read more
SWISSTONY - If you want to quibble.....
>> ? noun 1 money in coins or notes. 2 money as an available resource:
The key here is "money as an available resource" which in a modern context means
"Currency and coins on hand bank balances and negotiable money orders and checks."
If you are a car trader SwissTony then it doesnt surprise me you try to
manipulate facts to suit you. ;)
1/ I dont want to quibble, I was trying to point out the real meaning of the word 'cash'
2/ I am not the one trying to manipulate facts to suit me.
the OED is quite clear on the definition, you however miss out ' he was always short of cash.' which is an example of usage (noun 2) which allows you to bring in money orders and 'checks' surely you mean 'cheques' or did you find an American definition?
At the end of the day, 'car traders' and most people who take money in exchange for goods and/or services mean 'cash' for folding stuff, 'credit' for a loan, and card and cheque payments are straight forward to understand.
I dont wish for you (or others) to think Im being difficult, or manipulative, because in fact I try to be as straight as possible, and Im one to call a spade a spade...
BTW Im NOT a trader, but I am IN the motor trade, and I do see a lot I dont agree with......
Time to let this part of the thread rest I think.... we may have to agree to disagree?
BTW the anti laundering limit is why I mentioned cash in the 1st place ;-)
We are thinking about changing one of our cars later this year or early next. I am getting together a short list of suitable cars and would welcome comments, both positive and negative, from owners of the following cars:
Audi A3 Sportback 140 S-tronic
By the time the options are added it gets quite expensive.
BMW 1 Series 118d auto
I have heard that the run flats give a harsh ride and that the interior quality isn’t great.
Volvo V50 Powershift
Some people complain about the poor economy and, according to one of the magazines, is due to be replaced next year.
Skoda Octavia 140 CR DSG
Not currently available with the CR engine apart from the 170 VRS, but huge alloys and low profile tyres put me off that model.
Toyota Avensis TR auto
We do like Japanese cars, our CR-V is great but don’t like the idea of the electric handbrake. Also a little bit big for our needs.
Are there any others I should consider with the following criteria?
Budget £18,000-£20,000
New or pre-reg with delivery mileage
Diesel – we really like diesel so it would have to be a really compelling reason for us to change to petrol.
Automatic or good automated manual.
Must have options:
Automatic Climate Control
Alloys
Xenon headlights
Desirable options:
Cruise control
Parking sensors
Powerfold mirrors
Fog lights
iPod connection
No saloons, MPVs or drop tops
No French, Italian or Korean manufacturers
No huge wheels, low profile tyres or sports suspension
Thanks in advance for any constructive comments.
Read more
I thought they were very similar !! the powershift just edged it for me but would not influence my decision to pick a Volvo over a VW if I preferred the VW as they are both very good boxes!
Hi,
I was looking about a motorway diesel hatchback / sedan for some serious mileages.. 40K / year. Would it be feasible to keep the budget under 2000?
I browsed through autotrader and came up with few Fabias, Octavias, Almeras.
Could you suggest some frm your experience..
Cars already done 100k plus whether would be worth considering?
Your replies would help me decide..
Cheers! Read more
I had a Xsara (not the MPV version, just straight hatch) 1.9 TDi and both the hatch and estate versions were comfy and apart from a misaligned belt once, were relaible. Now have Megan Estate for work trips which after 18 months and 36K is going well
My wife needs to lend her car to our daughter for a week. Contacted ins co and asked price to add her for a week. Answer was about £15, but no-charge if she was added as a normal named driver on the policy. One guess as to which offer we accepted. Read more
My renewal has just come through and as I may change my car this year I was interested in admin charges. They charge £10 for a change of vehicle (plus any extra premium), but if you have been with them for 2 years all charges are waived.
The renewal is also within 5% of other quotes so LV= will get my money for the 4th year running.
Looking through last month's new car registrations, one set of figures that jumped out at me was Renault, down 64% on May 08 (2941 cars this May vs 8191 cars last May).
Is there any specific reason (model change etc) that would cause them to be so down so much?
(Maybe worth a trip to a Renault dealer to see if there are stonking deals to be had!). Read more
Both of which appear to have suffered a sound thrashing from the ugly stick.
As have the new Megane and even more pig-ugly Laguna. I mean, how many have you seen on the road? Me - not many.
Hi,
I have a Renault Trafic 2.1 diesel which requires a cambelt kit fitted. The kit came with a belt, tensioner and a idler. The belt and tensioner have been changed - but the idler pulley seems to be difficult to remove. It has no bolts - it appears to be pushed on with a thick pin. The mobile mechanic who came to fit it couldn't work out how to remove it.
Any ideas. I assume it needs some kind of puller to take it off - and something with pressure to push the new one on ?
I'm guessing a special Renault tool ? Read more
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>>>>>>>how do they stop the fly getting through and sticking on your new paint though?
as theres always a fly of some sort ,P(