January 2010
In this weather I am jealous of 4x4 owners who have that bit of extra grip and traction to possibly go where others can't.
Would be interested in any tales of how your vehicle has done in the snow, is this the first you have used the 4x4 properly? If you have a part-time set up like the CRV did you find it kicked in during your snow driving or was the normal set up enough? Anyone raised some money or goodwill through towing the neighbours out of ditches? Did you go out in your car purely to test its capabilities? Any 4 wheel drive power slides in deserted car parks?
And please, no anti 4x4 brigade discussion!!!
And don't be afraid to let us know of any embarrassing mishaps as well! Did you have to get towed out a ditch by a Toyota Aygo?? Read more
Hi there,
I'd like to buy my first car to get me to work and back. I'm 30 years of age and prepared to pay up to 7 grand. I want a car which is low maintenance, economical and which holds its value well.
I'm currently looking at 2005 1.6L honda civics with under 70000 miles on the clock. Is this a good starting point? What other models, years, specs, etc. should I consider? I'm willing to spend more on the car if its worth it in the long run regarding economy and problems etc.
Thanks very much for your help!
Barry Read more
Hi Baz,
I noticed this posting last week. I've owned a 2003 Honda civic and now have a 2006 Mazda 3. To compare the two is fairly straight forward, the Honda engine is better and the car is more useful and more spacious inside. The Mazda is probably better to drive, especially if you're going to be on motorways and looks nicer (I think). The extra space in the Honda is really for people in the back seats, so that might be worth bearing in mind. However they are both good cars but you should definitely take a look at the Jazz - it'd be cheaper to run I think.
Also, I think you should be able to get a civic with lower mileage in your price range.
Hope this helps.
Hello all,
Someone please help me choose. Time to get my son another car. He is autistic so driven around, and I love for him to be driven around in comfort. I would like him to be driven round in style, too, if possible which hasn't really happened yet.
He needs a big car because he likes his own space. Has to be roomy in the back where he sits. No sun roof - he finds them scary. Needs to be high up so he can see the world from the side window (so no Qashqais). I think that this year he needs to have some off road capability so he can explore the quieter parts of the places he goes, get down on to beaches, into wood edges etc. He might also have the chance to help on a farm and he needs to be able to get there.
He has many food allergies so it would be great to have a power socket in the boot for plugging in his fridge cooler bag in summer giving him independence.
His last two cars have been Zafiras. We are bored with them and fed up with their door problems. I was thinking about a Freelander or a Volvo of some sort. Must say we still miss the Santa Fe we had a year ago and find we need it almost every day. So 2010 Santa Fe would be a contender. But I never sat in the back of ours so have no idea what it is like for rear passengers. Also, I am little and found my neck bowed by the front head restraints. Have they fixed that?
All suggestions for luxurious SUVs or nice MPVs or high up other cars. Volvo, Hondas, Toyotas? Others? New Freelander price and downwards ish as the budget. Would love to hear your suggestions.
Many many thanks.
Ali
Read more
4wd touran.
Is there such a thing?
Hello Everybody
This evening I misfueled my Mondy diesel - I added 3.4 litres of unleaded in error !
A couple of technicians from a Mercedese garage next door thought that it would be ok if I brimed the tank with diesel.
I therefore took their advice and used BP Ultimate Diesel and added half a bottle of Millers (thinking I needed as much lubricant as possible).
Have driven the car 8 miles back to my house without any ill effects.
Can you please advise if I should take it to my local Ford garage to drain the tank ?
The AA's website says that adding less than 10 % of petrol should be ok providing you fill up with diesel before starting the engine - I calculate that 3.4 litres is 5.8 % !
Thanks in advance.
Matt Read more
Almost certainly it will be 100% fine. I wouldn't worry yourself about it.
I am possibly going out on a limb here but I was wondering if anyone had performance specifications or web links.
For me this was my first car (1049cc in CL trim) and it went like stink.
I even beat 1275cc mini's
Handling wasn't as good as a mini but it was still entertaining sliding sideways around corners.
Hence I was wondering what the 0 to 60mph figures were.
goodness knows how quick the 1303cc sport version was. Read more
I had a red 128 Sport and that was a great little fun motor for a 1300cc ...... Fond memories of holidays in Cornwall and blasting up the A303 .
Like all Fiats of the time ( 1970's ) the tinworm got it.....
Any Peugeot dealers around who can tell me exactly what these features do. I think that they enhance stability by applying braking to certain wheels but any advice is welcome.
Thanks
Am thinking of buying a 3008 and maybe will wait for one with Grip Control. Read more
I've just been reading up on these systems as my newly delivered Citroen C5 has ESP plus traction control that is biased towards grip/stability in snow (the gearlever surround is engraved "Snowmotion"). Today was the first time I've been able to test it in snow.
Some folks here with other makes have grumbled their traction control on snow just ends up cutting the power back so you go nowhere. The C5 Snowmotion allows a fair degree of wheel slip before it cuts in (light flickers on dash) but that works well and allows you to get moving well.
When in running on snow they say...
"The Snow Motion system relies on information collected by a number of sensors and related to road conditions, steering wheel movement and acceleration. Depending on these details, the system automatically generates a set of optimized settings, adjusting the vehicle behavior on the road by applying more or less brake force and traction control on a certain wheel."
The 3008 has a further advanced system called Grip Control which has a selector for Normal/Snow/Sand/Mud/Off with slightly altered programs for each situation.
They say if you add winter tyres to a Snowmotion /Grip Control car the performance is close to a 4x4.
The key Fob stopped working recently. I can still lock car manually but the alarm sounds when I re-open it until ignition is switched on.
Have tried changing batteries on Fob with no joy.
Have tried my other Fob with no joy ( this hasn't been used for many years however)
Anyone have any clues as to whats wrong?
Is there any way I can immobolise the alarm ?
Many thanks Read more
The procedure above is for the P12 (2002 onwards).
96 was a model change. If you have the older P10, it's a Nissan job.
If you have a P11
www.nissanprimera.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=85...2
Not sure on the alarm. Try asking on nissanprimera.net or npoc.co.uk
Despite having 4WD my Subaru is not great in the snow and as I live on hill with a steep drive down to a main road this is not good. It is better than 2WD cars, but not that much better. I have worked this out as partly due to tyres which are getting close to being worn and secondly for having tyres which are designed more for high performance than cold winter slush and ice.
So, any recommendations for a tyre which can cope with the potential high speeds of my Outback and the better grip needed in the winter. Many of you may remember my accident last winter. I have had two almost repeats of that in the last three weeks and want to avoid another one. Read more
If you can get Nokian WR2s in your size (i bought from mytyres) they're ace.
My mate has Bridgestone Blizzak's and in the current snow / ice they're a step up on the Nokian WR2s. Supposed to be good in rain too.
As title really, is it the same bare block? Obviously the TDCi has commonrail, but is the block the same or is it uprated for the extra bhp?
Thanks Read more
I suspect that the water pump is leaking as (although i cant get under the car as its snowing) when I checked the header tank it was near empty and after refilling I found a constant drip under the car which looks to be coming down by the auxillary belt.
Is the water pump on the fusion 1.6 petrol driven from the auxillary belt or the cambelt?
Also is it normal to have air being expelled from the oil filler cap if removed while the engine is running?
Thanks Read more
Thanks for the speedy reply, at least I now now that it'll be a cheap repair as I didnt really want to try changing the timing belt myself
Browse
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Deliberately provoked a bit of tail wagging in an empty bit of my leisure club car park tonight. The Squashy only puts power to the back if the front has traction problems. It hangs out nicely and you can catch it easily with a bit of op-lock but I did hear what sounded like the abs chattering at the same time even though I wasn't touching the brakes. I suppose that must have been the stability doofer doing its thing ?