June 2012
So, there is a proposal to up fines by 50% and to increase road fund licence or whatever it is dressed up as nowadays by a minimum of £20. Well I'm not going to fall for the one on rfl to spend xthousands extra, including x thousand extra VAT to drop my rfl a bit. The epica has done well, given it's low purchase price, just had 2 weeks of purely urban motoring and minimum36 mpg, normal is 40+ and motorway seems to be about 46, just passed the 1st mot, no problems, so feel no need to change. For the speeding fines etc, (using mobile phones etc) not bothered as now retired, so don't put my self in situations where i'am stressed or in a hurry anymore. Read more
Just read the review of the new Ford Focus ST: www.honestjohn.co.uk/road-tests/ford/ford-focus-st.../
What a smart plan to make an estate version! If I had a bunch of children/dogs/stuff to put in a car but wished to keep 'driving' instead of 'transporting', it'd be a great bet if cars like the BMW Tourings were out of my price range.... Read more
"23mph per 1,000rpm in 6 th"
That's far too low a gearing for 6th gear, with so much power & torque available driving long distances would be more comfortable and economical with longer gear ratios.
Hopefully Ford will rethink the gear ratios and offer a more sensible choice of ratios, after all, these days it should be & is possible to have both performance and fuel economy in one package.
The estate does offer superior rear view visibility verses the hatch version, coupled with a big car feel this is load carrying car for those who want (but don't need) the extra performance. (and yes I would like one except my diesel uses half as much fuel with enough performance to pass an ST whilst the ST is being refuelled).
Earlier in the year my husband was driving his vanand he had a small amount of scrap metal from the garden in the back. He was on his way to the tip when he was stopped by the police for a "routine check". He had TPFT insurance on the van with More Than.
... Read more
What were the conditions of use on the old certificate he had?
So presumeable he was also given a FPN for no Insurance or Court case?...
I currently get the train to work although my office is relocating for 12 months to somewhere that would mean I would have to get 6 trains per day due to the amount of changes as it is in the middle of nowehere.
As the office will be moving back to a central location in approx 12 months I will then get the train to work again.
So the easiest option for me is to get an old banger for 12 months to see me through as I cant afford too much as we have just brought a new house and have very little spare money.
So I have been hunting on ebay etc for a £500 car or there abouts. The main ones in my price range seem to be Fiat Puntos, Fiat Secientos,Rover 25, fiestas.
It seems I could get a car with lower milage if I was getting either of the fiats.
Could anyone give me some suggestions of reliable cheapys or if you think either of these are any good or what would you do!? (I cant ride a motobike!)
Thanks
Jamie Read more
Look for low mileage with long MOT, but always long MOT. You don't want to be having to do repairs as soon as you get it. I've had two old Fiestas in a row and they have both been very reliable and cheap to run.
My Jazz has an indicator which tells me when to change up/down. It indicates 5th gear at about 22mph and it travels well at that speed with no hint of labouring. At that speed the revs are around 1200 - well below the maximum torque figure. The engine piston frictional losses increase with the square of the revs so the highest gear would seem to be the aim, but would mpg figures be better if I stayed in 4th up to say 35mph, where the torque is potentially higher. Perhaps I am talking rubbish. Read more
They do what they say on the tin.
Obviously driving in third at 30 is more convenient-but if you want to chase those mpgs, you have to do your bit....
I am replacing my increasingly unreliable Peugeot 407 sw (HDi) and have a budget of £11k.
I'm looking for a 2l diesel estate with a 6 speed box, less than 40k miles and decent spec. I'd rather steer clear of anything french or using the PSA 136bhp engine or low powered diesels.... Read more
Avensis, Mazda 6, Honda Accord.
Any one know what the maximum safe wading depth of a Trafic is? I live in Bognor and have occasional need to drive through floooded roads. Read more
also most people forget that water finds its way through gearbox drive shaft seals & the gearbox breather vent, the water then contaminates the gearbox and few months later it fails !
water pentrates the clutch housing as well and drys it all out and causes corrosion galore and a sticky plate....
My daughter's Charade had the sensor replaced at its last service.
She thinks that idle speed seems maybe 200 rpm higher since, whether hot or cold.... Read more
just done 49k plus miles... why smoke and oil spray coming out when i remove engine oil cap while engine run.. this happend now, after the garage done the changing of seal on injection(four injection on top of engine)... though no smoke coming out from exhaust.. Read more
You used to take the cap off for a good smell and look for blue fumes.
You did indeed, but after you had switched off the engine. Otherwise you would have got a face full of oil at 80 + degrees C whilst you sniffed and then a visit to A & E.
What's a decent quote for End of Life scrapping a 2001 Micra? Location is Yorks.
Just called up a bona-fide "authorised treatment facility". Quote was 120 quid. I was expecting at least 140. Read more
At £100/tonne less the tyre disposal costs - sounds about right to me.
Browse
These 'accident management' companies seem to be the cause of most of the trouble. I know several people involved in quite minor bumps who have been subject to pressure by these kinds of companies to claim for whiplash and suchlike. ...