October 2009
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If you want to bin your old lid. Read more
Just thinking of changing my car. In a fit of madness, I bought a 3 door 2005 Polo Twist SDI in 2006 from a car supermarket with the idea that I was going to be frugal, saving a fortune in fuel and tax but ended up buying a barge that can be easily overtaken by a milk float.
I'm not a petrol head, but i supposed I was slightly swayed at the time by the the fact that it was the 'newest' car I had ever bought and the reputation of german reliability.
But with the 15,000 miles a year I do on the motorway is terrifying when you are trying to overtake in a car that does 0-60 in about 16 seconds.
I'm upto 63,000 miles and it's time for a cambelt change, probably £350. I've already spent £250 on new Pirelli tyres 6 months ago. Last week, some charming individual decided to kick a side panel with no motive causing £350 worth of dent damage (£100 excess, but no protected NCB).
I can't say for sure what the car is worth, but I might get £3500 for it, more if the damage is repaired. I'm not sure what the part-exchange value is.
My previous cars have all been Mondeos (circa 1995) and an Accord that I owned for years that was deadly dull but oh so very reliable.
I would like 5 doors, size not important but I have no kids, no need to lug anything around. No desire for a convertible, MPV or four wheel drive. I want to buy second hand as I don't really have a large budget to finance the replacement, maybe £2,000-£3,000 max. I really dislike mini-mpvs, especially a hire car Vauxhall that leaked oil over the new drive a couple of years ago.
Before I get the chequebook out for the cam belt, I would welcome any wisdom you might share in choosing a replacement car, should I go down that path. Alternatively, I could drive it into the ground and hand it to the nephew for his university transport.
Here's my criteria (in order of importance) for a car:
1. Has a turn of speed when you need it (overtaking, getting into gaps on roundabouts - that sort of thing)
2. 5 doors
3. Very reliable
4. Not too costly for tax and repairs, nothing too old 4years + (but this is flexible if the car warrants it)
What would you choose, would you private sale, part-ex, buy from a dealer?
Welcome any feedback you might have. Thanks to all. Read more
if you want to sell your car, motorhouse 2K in Cannock.
they have a new website just opened a month a go - wewantanycar
they will buy your car cash, leaving you with readies to go purchase another private sold motor and knock them down a little.
you really want a solid motor driving on motorway.
something with a good protective shell around you.
old volvo T5?
Makes you wonder how some people get a driving licence or maybe they're all drunk...
tinyurl.com/ykowwtq Read more
I am not much better but then I simply park in the furthest most easiest space :D
Hi All
Tomorrow im travelling to Edinburgh for the weekend.
Im Travelling from Darlington so my thoughts where just to nip up the A1 past Newcastle etc - however my dad seems to reckon that its better to go along the A66 (W) up the M6, that way, what do you guys reckon is better ( i have been to Stirling going that way before and i really enjoy the drive, and my dad reckons that there is no point going up the a1 because its single carriageway past Newcastle (more or less) and you will just get stuck behind lorries and it will take just as long
If we where to go up the M6, can anyone recommend somewhere nice to stop and eat ( i dont think i will be taking the "tourist route" that is signposted unless someone could really recommend it
As always Thankyou in advance, and i really apreciate it
Ste Read more
We seem to have gone full circle, Humph, I wont be around long enough to see what will replace the trams when these new tracks are eventually ripped up. Our planners are really on the ball, as usual. Will be interesting to watch the car / tram interaction in the early days of the trams. At least I have easy public transport, (wash your mouth out), links to central Edinburgh.
PS
I searched, said there were nowt about Read more
They're still going; I've got a friend who works for them. I think they're concentrating on heavy vehicles rather than the smaller private vehicle market.
I have an air noise sometimes coming from the brake pedal, but it goes if I gently "TAP" the pedal.
It doesn't seem dangerous, what is the problem and is it expensive to cure, please.
many thanks Del. Read more
At least one of the two internal valves which control the operation of your brake servo is sticking. Modern servos aren't repairable, so, you need to replace the servo.
Sometimes, servos can be damaged by leaking master cylinders, so, check for the presence of brake fluid in the brake cylinder "side" of the servo's diaphragm chamber, and, if any is found, renew the master cylinder too.
Why?
Are they deemed to be an excuse for inattentive driving
Am I meant to crash into someone else instead?
I feel like getting a "six million active sperm on board, please drive into someone else" sign made up.
would that work? Read more
Most vehicles with "Dogs in Transit" signs aren't Transits!
One thing about Ford USA they know how to build classy looking pickup trucks. Not!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIU6hOOCUig -
Still pictures- tinyurl.com/yj4wcdn
saying that I could see myself in one Read more
I am planning a visit to the Berwick via London due to serious illness of B-i-L.
Have two options on travel time: 1. Leave London at midnight on Friday and with two drivers, go overnight. 2. Leave London at about 5 am on Saturday morning. Both returning on Sunday as co-driver is expected at work on Monday.
Anyone know of any major problems on the A1/M1/M18/A1(M) or more minor roads between Newcastle and the Borders?
Thanks - and yes, I know flying would be more sensible but am taking stuff up that my sister needs. Read more
...The TyneTunnel has major works going on until Dec. 2010 with the addition of a second tunnel so is not really an alternative...
Well, the works are the building of a second tunnel, so the existing one remains fully open.
I wold rather go this way than the A1 Gateshead Western Bypass, but it's one of those where you could get stuck either way.
I don't know whether it's my age, or are others also noticing the variations in taxi speeds depending on whether they have a fare or not? It seems to be getting worse and worse.
Taxi with no fare, and he'll zip along at 40 in a 30, cut you up, swerve in front, pull out on you, the lot.
Same taxi with a fare, and he'll do 20 in a 30, slow right down at zebras just in CASE that pedestrian might get near it in time, slow right down at green lights, willing them to go red, and generally faff about.
I assume it's becasue the longer the passenger is there the higher the fare, but I know if I were a passenger I'd be pretty grumpy about the ridicululously exaggerated "perfect" driving.
It's got to the stage where I won't let a taxi out in front of me just in case he has a passenger. I won't BLOCK him, but I'm not going to make any effort to allow him, that's a sure thing.
Sorry, grumpy this morning. Read more
They are making a living so thats okay,its the rest of the fools who clog up the roads that
annoy me.
Browse
I use one of their R1 helmets.
Cracking piece of kit for touring with the flip down tinted visor inside. Very quiet and light too.
My other helmet is an Arai and is quite heavy in comparison but gives the impression (possibly wrongly) it is more substantial due to the extra weight.