September 2016
Hey all,
I'm sorry for the generic "what car should I buy" post, I'm sure you get hundreds of them, but I've been hunting around for weeks and I'm really struggling to find something suitable. ... Read more
As a classic car enthusiast I often scan the ads. One term that is starting to irritate me is "barn find". In reality it just seemd to mean a car that has been laid up for a number of years - usually in a garage or lockup. Do people think it adds something to the car. In reality the majority of barns around here were converted to large detached properties years ago and those that remain are in use or falling down. The last genuine barn finds I saw were two cars that had stood for decades and were covered in dirt and birds' droppings. This combined with a (at times) damp atmosphere meant they were very rotten and probably only fit for spares (unless someone is very brave and has deep pockets). So why is the term so overused? Read more
One of the motorbike magazines once did a tongue-in-cheek guide to the real meanings of phrases used in car and bike adverts:
Barn find: should be left there...
Put the caliper back together and putting "new" hoses on.
... Read more
Our Jazz is on its original hoses after 13 years. No issues.
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Just got back from Mexico and the driving there is amazing. The roads themselves in the Cancun area are pretty good but the speed limits appear to be put up for decoration. A bus ride is quite an experience, the drivers put the foot to the floor and swerve in and out with gusto. Pedestrian crossings are a bit of a mystery, seems if one driver stops for you then others will but it's a bit nerveracking. Traffic hurtles round in built up areas but the locals seem to manage very well. Taxis included Nissans with huge mileages driven very hard but they are a great advert for nissan longlevity. Read more
Some interesting glimpses of driving worldwide, I hired a car on Malta and gave it back 3 days early due to nerves shot through.
Hello Everyone, I have receently bought a Mk2 Focus 1.8 as a second car.
It seems to have a slight running issue.... Read more
Thanks for that, I hadn't heard about it.
I will do a bit of research, but certainly hot starting isn't a problem on this car at least....
Hi all,
I have a Vauxhall Vectra 1.8 vvti Sri, Petrol, 08 plate,
On start up only when cold I get a bit of tapping rattle like its a diesel starting up..
On for 2-3 seconds but if I start it up straight after turning it off it don't happen...
Help... Please and suggestions. Read more
Does that sound right to you?
As before he did the head gasket the car move really quickly.
Had remap done on our Passat 3weeks back (140tdi Bluemotion estate 2013 )everything seems fine if anything the mpg has improved even when towing a caravan. Read more
If you are searching Volkswagen head office contact number click on corporate-office.co.uk/volkswagen-group-head-offic.../ and get all the useful number and email in list.
My daughter is threatening to trade her old corsa in for a new car. By that I mean brand new.
... Read more
I took the plunge earlier part of this year and purchased my first PCP deal (I wont say brought a new car as it's really leasing it).
I have a few options towards the end of the deal in four years time....
Can anybody tell me how to completely switch off the tyre monitoring system? A friend enabled it without my permission against my wishes. I don't want to reset it, I want it switched off as it was when I bought the car. Many thanks!@ Read more
Yup. The number of times I've witnessed a car with an obvious (both visibly and audibly) flat tyre is extraordinary. If I'm on foot and it's in town and possible (due to the person waiting at lights, etc.) then I'll always tap on the window and inform them of it. Always to their complete shock.
HOW TO TINT YOUR WINDOWS
WHAT DO I NEED
1. A Heat-gun (cheap from diy store)
2. Stainless steel cutter (preferably Olfa blade - NEVER USE CARBON BLADES TO CUT ON THE GLASS)
3. A Squeegee of your choice (Bluemax preferred)
4. A Hard-Card of your choice (felt edge 2 sided card).
5. Tumble-dryer sheets.
6. Paper towels.
7. Water Baby shampoo mixture (more baby shampoo = more slip = less stick).
8. Tape-measure (not vital but it helps)
1. CLEAN THE CAR THOROUGHLY
Seriously, this is the most important part, if the car is not clean now you will have a dirty, dusty result at the end which will be a huge waste of time so make sure everything is spotless now. Never use the same things to clean the inside and outside of the windows as the outside is much more dirty.
2. CLEAN THE OUTSIDE OF THE REAR WINDOW AGAIN
Once this is clean you can go ahead and wet a dryer sheet and rub it over the whole glass to create some anti-static. Allow this to dry. Now wet a paper towel and draw a horizontal line across the middle of the glass and cut off enough film the cover the rear window completely, with some over-hang. Lay the film onto the glass and use the squeegee working from center to the edges to secure the film to the glass along the wet line. Check that the release liner is facing up.
3. PRE-TRIM AND GRAB THE HEATGUN.
You can trim some of the overhang off at this stage and also cut around the rear wiper blade if necessary at this stage. Warm the heatgun up and get the felt edge card in your other hand.
4. SHRINKING
The hardest part - take your time. With the heatgun on full power - working from the flat center line moving down evenly across the whole width of the film - begin to heat and shrink the film and smooth over with the hard card until it is all laying flat against the glass ( at this stage you will probably get a crease somewhere on the film, this will not come out so if it is too large or in the i would consider starting again from step 1).
5. CLEAN THE INSIDE OF THE GLASS
At this stage the inside of the glass must be absolutely spotless so take your time here and clean it 2-3 times to be sure no dust hairs are left.
6. WET THE WINDOW AND FILM
Wet the inside of the glass you're tinting, then remove the release liner and spray the adhesive side of the film thoroughly.
7. APPLY THE FILM
Apply the film to the inside surface of the window (be careful not to crease the film). Use the Squeegee to smooth out the film and then go over again to remove all of the water from behind the film. Check from the outside for any left over bubbles or water. Also look along the edges for any 'fingers' popping up.
And that's it, now all you need to do is clean down the car and enjoy the tinted windows.
If you need any additional advice or guidance pleas visit
(Link deleted - we'll have your free advice but you're not getting a free advert.) Read more
The sub 2k car market can be very hit and miss. You could have a few years trouble free usage or over £500 in bills during the first 6 months. Sometimes it’s better the devil you know at this level. Keeping your current car could be the better option, I guess it depends how reliable it is and if it’s still suitable for your needs.
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