I've noticed that many dealers are offering very long warranties. Some are 5 years, one is 7 years, and one is now doing a 100,000 mile lifetime warranty.

A lot of people sell their cars after just a few years because they think it's going to start costing lots of money. I wonder whether these warranties will make any of these people keep their cars for longer? Replacing a 3 year old car seems like a big waste if it has another 2+ years warranty. I suspect these people will still continue to replace their cars every few years though. Read more

I saw this comment on a forum earlier

"Yeah, everyone who drives a car probably trusts their own ability more than that of a coach driver."

Someone also told me that because I drive coaches, that I am banned from the outside lane IN MY OWN CAR and restricted to the same speed as the coach because I would not be competent at typical third lane motorway speeds in my own car. Is this true? Read more

We go back and forwards to France quite a lot. Usually once a month for a few days. We take stuff there and back and can usually fill a good size estate car. We have a SAAB 95 2.2tid at the moment which serves quite well, and it has a proper spare wheel to avoid silly happenings with the space-saver on the wrong side of the Channel. It will eventually give out, due to starship mileage.

What would be a good replacement ? I don't want to spend more than £10K (I'm like that) and would ideally like something that can be fairly easily fixed when something goes wrong i.e. not too many electronics. And I would rather stick with a car that doesn't have a cam-belt. Any ideas ?... Read more

A couple of times recently the radio and the courtesy light have come on while I have been in the car with doors shut, ignition off and radio off.

Any idea of the cause? I have only 3 months months warranty left, should I be worried?... Read more

First post for me although have been an avid reader for many years.

I live in Spain and the time is coming to change the old Xsara Picasso 2.0HDi, probably for a C3 Picasso 110HDi. I like the way a diesel engine drives and diesel is cheaper here in Spain than in U.K. The question is does the warmer climate have any affect on the regeneration cycle of the almost inevitable DPF/FAP ? The engine reaches operating temperature very quickly, so for most of the year (it can be very cold in winter here, even on the mediterranean coast) the exhaust will be operating at a much higher temperature than in U.K. I do reasonable length runs and because of the relatively low traffic density it is easy to maintain speeds of 90/100kph on "A" roads and the occasional "Italian tune-up" doesn´t seem to generate much black stuff from the exhaust. The alternative seems to be to go for a lower powered version which currently does not have the dreaded filter fitted. I realise that this could a "how long is a piece of string" type question but any relevant advice will be much appreciated.... Read more