October 2009
One of the most notable new features of the new Astra would appear to be its rear suspension
Doesn't the latest Astra share its platform with the Chevrolet Cruze?
Does that mean the Cruze also has similar rear suspension with a Watts Linkage?
Apart perhaps from its slightly overdone front end, the Cruze is also quite bold and modern -looking. HJ reckons it is "a really good-looking car" and rates it decently.
(and yes it's a saloon, but there's a hatch coming)
I know it's a dangerous thing to compare LIST prices (especially with the availability of the likes of 12 month-old Astras at supermarket sites), but the cheapest Astra is £15675 for a 1.4 with 87 bhp.
The cheapest Cruze is £11,995 for a 1.6 with 113 bhp and 3 years' servicing included.
Was even only £11,495 during the launch offer.
Seems a surprisingly large amount of car when you consider the list price of the lowliest spec and engined 3-door Fiesta is about £10,800.
(And if the Aveo is anything to go by, it might start showing up at supermarket sites before too long too)
Might even have a temperature gauge (?)
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I've noticed a growing trend recently of pedestrians with their players on and completely oblivious to anything around them, especially when crossing the road... I have to turn into a side road near work to get into our car park and if a pedestrian is anywhere near the junction and heading that way I now sound my horn... I do get some glares but after having nearly caught a couple in the past I'm not taking the risk any more...
As an aside, but on the same basis, we've noticed on the trains that we have the same problem... they have their earphones on and can't hear a thing... one of these days there will be an emergency and they won't hear the evacuation message... doesn't bear thinking about! Read more
:)
At least I know who's advice I can trust and who's I can't! ;)
It was my misfortune to have to drive through London on Wednesday. I don't need to do it very often, but have got used to the congestion charging zone free route that takes you round the back of Buck house and Victoria.
I noticed the large, temporary, matrix displays warning of congestion around Victoria when I got to Grosvenor place, but by then it's too late to change your route if you want to avoid the congestion charge.
It wasn't until I got to the end of Bressenden place that I saw the first sign banning a right turn, forcing me into Victoria street and the congestion charging zone. I assumed charging would be waived because of the roadworks. My passenger directed me round the back of Westminster cathedral and onto Vauxhall bridge road.
Later that evening I looked up the TFL website www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/congestioncharging/12602....x that showed a free route. At no time did I see the diversion signs mentioned.
I thought I'd better pay the fee to avoid a penalty, but wondered if I would have been 'picked up' on that route.
What chance do you reckon of obtaining my money back from BT open reach (the perpetrators of the road works), or TFL for inadequate signage? Read more
You are not the only one caught up in this mess that is generating PCN's that should never have been issued. Your dispute is with TFL congestion charging. There are several large signs en route saying that you won't be charged if you follow the diversion route, and it is noted on the site. However people are being charged when the cameras should have been turned off. See
forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=258...3.
If you followed the diversion signs exactly then appeal. If you have already paid you'll have to take your chances. If you diverted from the route then you'll have to pay.
Other than in BMW/Mercedes, orthopedic seats at a swinging price.
Plus i am firmly convinced that too many car designers are now designing cars for WOMEN with short legs therefore a short seat squab.
which leaves a goodly portion of my legs unsupported
plus why is Volvo about the only manufacturer to recognise that the seat squab need to be tiltable, fore & aft as well as height adjustable
Me I still got a good old fashioned big bottomed businessmans seat out of an old Vauxhall Carlton, this bolt into an old 4wd.
but man it's still a quare proper comfy seat
Grrrr Read more
>>>> You are not saying that becuase you are selling it due to a new company car are you ched?>>
Nope, not selling, so dont even bother with an offer RF !
Filled the tank to full done around 30-40 miles and when i looked at the fuel gauge it was on three quarter full. Whent and refilled and it took 12.15L to take it to full again .
Cannot see any leaks anywere or smell of petrol. I have had no problemslike this befor please can any one help. Read more
This short test is not enogh to know if there is really a problem - you need to run a full tank through and see what that gives. However, Renaults of this vintage are prone to coolant temp sensor failure - does the exhaust still smell like it's running on choke when it's warmed up? If the consumption is still looking high, I'd be tempted just to change the CTS - it's cheap and easy.
Driving south through Glen Coe in Scotland I met several racing cars on trailers going the other way.
The cars I could identify looked mostly to be from the 70s, a Talbot Horizon, a VW Golf and several 'Roger Clark' rwd Ford Escorts.
None looked to be heavily modified and reminded me of the cars you used to see in Rallycross events on television.
But where were these off to? Clearly a meeting of some sort, but there's no racetrack in the Highlands that I know off.
I stopped for lunch - ham sandwich, salad and a few crisps - in Crainlarich and made a few inquiries of mine host.
He had been watching the cars go past his premises most of the day, and told me they were heading for an event on one of the islands, almost certainly Mull.
There's no track there, but the roads are closed to enable a series of races over the weekend.
Can anyone confirm the location and add a few details?
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I was in the 6th form at QEGS in Blackburn with Neil Molyneux, whose father used to run the Mull Rally and, I think, has since died, and Paul Tattersall.
These guys drove like loonies but loved going up to Mull for the rally.
Neil appears to run the event now.
Good luck to him.
The mechanic rebuild the head on this motor 178K and the motor would not start. He killed the battery, recharged it and got running. But at different times the compression now fails sporadically on various cylinders. We took in because number "2 cylinder had no compression. It died on the way.
Mechanic pulled head, had it rebuild, motor would not start. Finally got it running fine and the compression losses started randomly in different cylinders. He used two separate equipment to confirm it. So after rebuilding top end, new fuel injectors, swapped cold packs, many confirmed tests, we have a mystery motor.
Any suggestions on tests he can run? Will a new computer module help fix the problem.
We are stumped and will have to sell the car for parts if we can get a solution.
Any help is greatly appreciated.
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Remove the plugs and place the cylinder at TDC compression stroke and connect a compressed are line in the spark plug hole. Listen for air in the inlet or exhaust. I would also suspect blocked hydraulic tappets. If you leave the piston there for 10 mins does the compression return ? Regards Peter
I posted a question about this a couple of days ago. Anyway I took my Ford Focus to a Ford garage today and the mechanic noticed when he turned the steering wheel from side to side that he could hear a clicking type noise which he said was a bearing in the steering rack that was faulty. He said that it is not dangerous to drive the car with this problem. The rack already had a slight leak - would this be related to the bearing going ?
Also as I intend to part exchange the car soon would I do further damage to the rack if I don't bother to repair it now (i.e. a complete new rack) ? Read more
I posted a question about this a couple of days ago.
Unless you've another alias, the date of your last post was on Wed 26 Aug 2009.
Entries due in by 8.00pm Tomorrow ! Read more
please can anyone be of assistance i require wiring diagram for above vehicle and location of relays. Eng code Ayq bosch ecu 038 906 013 an
best Reguards Mickeybo Read more
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No, no, no ... you could not interest me in some DaewooChevyKoreanAstra clone!
£2000 cheaper you say?
Tell me - what other colours does it come in ;)