February 2010
Now that the Santa Fe seems to have a good powerful engine, I think that most of the boxes are ticked. I am looking for a car that has some ability off road but not one that can drive to the top of a mountain. Where I want to go I have seen X5s and AllRoads get stuck, little more than a boggy grass field (and yes they did have proper tyres) and was wondering if the Santa Fe would meet the same fate. I don't think that low ratio is necessary, hence why not looking at other makes.
Any one know how these perform offroad? The X-trail is I believe quite good (for what I would be doing) but it is too small as I will need the space. Read more
I recently bought a Toyota Avensis from Toyota dealer, 2 hours drive from home a 58 registration. Within 10 days, I realised some noise on braking, though it has done only 8200 miles on the clock (I did 500 miles). Took to local toyota dealer who changed both rear brake discs saying very damaged (though changed under warranty). I should say, the dealer and sales person were very arrogant and rude, but as we liked the car and we wanted Automatic... we bought it. He said car underwent all checks successfully.
I am not very sure of it, from the way he spoke. When I spoke to them for other issue, they did not respond properly.
I am planning to take it to their boss like Toyota UK company manager or something.
Is there any way to do it... like fare trade sales...
I am really annoyed, paid around 12.5 grand. I am not sure that the sales person was honest or not.
Any suggestion is welcome please. Read more
Quite - just remember what happened to Lancia!
See HJ's road test.
I have never been a Nissan fan though the old (Datsun) 240 and 260zs were good in their day, the 280 and 300 less so.
The 350Z looks and sounds nice, I was following one in the ST the other day, lovely V6 wail as it revved.
And the 370, from £28k, a lot of car for the money!
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I was chatting recently with an AA man and his private personal transport was a 350Z which he rated very highly. However, we wanted a convertible and I (just) prefered the 330Ci. I think the 350/370 hardtop is a gorgeous looking car though.
I recently changed from a mk1 focus 1.8 tdci to a 1.8 petrol. Intitially I thought it was great, smoother engine, lighter steering and more relaxing. But compared to the diesel its like driving an electric car/milk float, very predictable and quiet but rather boring. I really miss the torque and the turbo on the tdci. A lot of people don't like the noise of diesels at start up but I don't mind it. In fact I think it sounds good - the rumble makes it sound powerful. Anyone else think this? Read more
Thanks but I was only thinking of spending about £60
Ah fair enough. I've been thinking for a while about getting bluefin for my 2.0 Focus (+13bhp)... and that's probably all I'll ever do :-)
Every so often someone here repeats the oft-quoted advice to idle or 'simmer' a turbocharged engine before switching it off. While I understand the principle that this allows the turbo to cool while the oil is still moving, I'm not so sure how often this will be necessary in real use.
Most journeys begin and end in areas where only low speeds are possible. My regular run features 75 miles of M40 but has a good ten minutes at either end where speeds are much lower. When I get to work or home, I reverse the car into its space. It's hard to see how a minute's idling is going to cool the turbo significantly after that.
In fact, the only situation I can think of where i might stop the engine before the turbo has had a chance to cool naturally is at French motorway service area, where it's possible to pull up, nose first, within a minute of travelling at 130 km/h. On these few occasions, I generally remember to let it run for a bit, but it's a tiny fraction of the times I've stopped my car. Does anyone here encounter situations more often where this technique is actually necessary? Read more
Back in the days of the Renault 18 turbo, early 80s?, the Garda in Ireland got a few of them and they, the Guards that is, had a reputation for wrecking the turbos.
Hi, I may look a doughnut here, but here goes.. just purchased a 1999 Fiesta zetec 1.2.
It has two keys with it, one a fob, the other without fob, but has red mark on it.
My question is, whats the key with red mark on it for??
Thanks Johnny. Read more
Aaahh...thanks Phil, better look after it then!!
Johhny
Hi there, I was wondering if someone could help me with a recent problem. I've owned the car from new without any real problems until recently. I haven't used the car since before Xmas but for the last three journeys the main beam light has come on without reason with different effects. First time main beam and ABS light came on for about 3/4 minutes and then went off, second time when the windscreen wipers were switched on they froze mid screen with the main beam light on. Today same thing happened, wipers froze mid screen and the main beam light on, then after everything went back to normal for a short while; after a short while the main beam light came on again this time with flashing red and amber lights on the dashboard and a message saying that cruise control was not working. The engine also felt lumpy and under powered, at this point I?ve driven the vehicle home and left it!
Has anyone any idea what?s happening, any help would be appreciated
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May be down to just lack of use. I suspect the battery was low and this can siometimes cause problems with the electrics. However I'm glad to hear all is now well. If it does happen again, check the voltage of the battery - it could just need charging.
Robin the Technician
my fiesta endura e engine has cooling problems temperature gauge does not work heater does not get hot the cooling fan does not come on anyone any ideas where to start? Read more
I changed a thermostat on this engine once, is a really doddle just be careful not to flood the block with water everywhere.
Can you get some pliers in the bolts? I have sometimes found that works with a bit of WD40 if not then you could perhaps drill it :(
I found when I did my dads the old gasket broke up so make sure you have a new gasket or some kind of sealent or you will end up with a leak.
The cooling fan should rarely need come on this engine, if the fan comes on then its pretty much close to over heating. At least that has been my experience with the five or so posh rod engines I have driven.
Hi all
Just made the transition to diesel and last Sunday purchased a Focus 1.6TDCI which I am told has a DPF fitted. Very happy with purchase but if honest, slightly dissapointed with mpg - averaging 42.7 and thought it would be more.
However, my biggest worry is that on a run over to parents on Friday (about 50 miles) we started to get bad suplher type smells (like a stale flatulence or cabbage) which then dissipated. twenty minutes passed and the smell would come back. Honest, it is not me or the wife! Funny thing though it did not happen on eth way back. Could this be the cat converter or DPF purging itself or something? All help with this worry graetfully recieved.
Thanks
Itchy Read more
Have a look at this
I have a 1.5 DCi80 (2003) which has just had a second hand engine fitted as the original one broke! The replacement engine is an 05 Clio engine with 38k on its clock.
The engine appears to be running fine BUT when I start the car in the morning, it starts no problem but ticks over at 200 or so revs for 30 seconds. Pushing the accelerator makes no difference during this time, it takes 30 secs or so and then appears to come to life and works fine after that. This problem is worse when the car is really cold, i.e. when left overnight in the freezing cold.
A number of sensors have been replaced by the garage so I don't know if that is an issue.
Also the fuel economy has gone to pot, it was doing 60 ish to the gallon and now it's only doing 45 ish to the gallon.
Any ideas would be great. Don't want to take it to renault as it will no doubt cost a fortune and I've already spent a lot of money on it. Read more
Browse
Spent some time in Belize and the Kia Sorrento and Hyundai Santa fe are quite popular ( along with the Land Cruiser Prado) with the well to do there. I've seen them on dirt tracks and abysmal roads there and they do fine although I'm talking about the
previous generation cars.