January 2017
The Vauxhall Crossland will soon be followed by its bigger brother, the Grandland. Not exactly sparkling names, are they? (Even with that all-important "X" suffix). In a touching gesture of solidarity, the Opel models will use the same names.
Not to be confused with... Land Rover. Land Cruiser. Citroën C-Crosser. Seat Cross Sport. Subaru Cross Sport. Charing Cross. Grandstand. Handstands. Bandstands. Poundland. La-la-Land. Read more
To me this is a diesel engine, albeit one that runs on petrol! I imagine it would sound like a diesel too. After all, normal engines make a sort of diesel sound when they're suffering from pre-ignition, or 'pinking'. I don't see why the author of the article thinks engines with high compression ratios aren't suited to turbocharging - most diesels are turbocharged and they need high compression ratios to work at all. Maybe the compression-ignition petrol engine would need a much higher c.r. still.
Given all the development going into electric cars, and particularly batteries and fast charging, I reckon this Mazda idea will go the way of hydrogen power, rotary engines and automotive gas turbines....
As I am now actively looking at replacing my mk1 Mazda3, I've been researching many different makes and vehicles, but one that suddenly jumped up was the VW Scirocco (given I like the Golf GT 3rd in 1.4TSi 150 form [manual]).
Normally it would not be on my list, as I thought the 1.4 122bhp would be a bit slow for what it costs, and the 2ltr 180bhp or 210bhp more performance than I was looking for and more expensive still, however I suddenly came across two 2.0 180s on Motorpoint, one in a not-so-nice 'Post Office red' (the one that apparently fades on most cars painted that colour), the other a dark metallic blue, with only 950 miles on the clock, but a year old (probably sitting on some forecourt as a demo or unwanted purchase that fell though).... Read more
Quite impressed with the A3 Sportback S Line we tried in that engine configuration. Almost silent on tickover, but pulled well. Drawback was no "nearly new" available though they tried hard to get us to buy a discounted one from stock. Went Toyota instead....
What do you think influences the purchase of luxury branded cars?
When making that all important decision of buying that new luxury car, what motivates you to choose the £60,000 car, over the £10,000 economically friendly purchase?
They both do the same job, don’t they?
... Read more
Obviously very touchy though, it was meant to be a joke!
:(
hi john just recently my central locking system has started playing up. When i press unlock (three button key) all locks disengage then instantly engage again every time i repeat this operation it does the same thing, if i grab drivers door handle quickly i can open the the lock still engages i get in the car and it starts but the door is locked ive tried resynchronised key procedure sometimes it works sometimes not. keys (both) still work in manual mode i recently had a new battery fitted on one key but the problem exists on both keys when usin the remote mode, one other thing whilst driving one day recently frosty then wet the electric sunroof opened on its own whether this has any connection to the root cause of the problem?. Read more
Red will be ignition suppy wire.Pick up from fuse box under dash.Black is earth,to a nearby metal bracket.White wire connect to brake light switch output live when pedal pressed.Yellow wire needs a road speed signal which could be linked from the cruise control module.Your biggest problem on this car is going to be running the cables from the underbonnet area into the cabin.Access is very awkward.
thank you very much.
My breakdown recovery insurance is due next week, has anyone tried Autoaid who charge £42?
There is a cheaper one called 2Gether for £36 but I would go for one on recommendation. Read more
After unsatisfactory service from AA and not much better from RAC we joined Britannia Rescue over 30 years ago. They would cover wife and I for less than AA/RAC, we also have cover as passengers in other cars.
We have called them maybe six times and usually waited less than 30 minutes (they use local agents,as do Green Flag, hence rapid response)....
Been told that this is a system problem which will always exist as automatic car feel been fobbed off as did NOT happen on demo car I tried.
Brakes on all 4 wheels have been stripped off by dealer and problem still exists of creaking when starting off and after braking plus grinding noise when applying brakes.... Read more
The brakes on our Ceed were the noisiest of any car we have ever owned after the car had stood for what I would consider a short time i.e. overnight. They would be red rust, most other cars take several days to get like this. But after 5 years it was still on the original pads and discs and they worked just fine. After a few applications the noise went so clearly nothing wrong, just a strange material choice.
I'm looking for a large SUV (just for the look of it) for our family of 5 which might need an extra seat occasionally, so a 7 seater with fold down seats at the back. Budget around £25k- I would pay the tax on its original list price.
I really like the look of the Volvo XC90 and have heard very good reports; I could get a used one. New, I like the look of the Peugeot 5008 SUV due out this spring.
Interested in opinions regarding which would be a better bet. Is it risky to buy a new model that hasn't been tried a great deal? Is it worth buying the Volvo with its extra tax costs? If so what's best to get- new with higher mileage or slightly older with lower mileage?
I don't do a lot of mileage myself so it's mainly about style, reliability, safety and whether it is worth paying the extra tax for a second hand Volvo because of its original cost. Read more
Thanks I'll look at that too. I've realised I've definitely got to shelve the Volvo idea because of the costs. Maybe a 5 seater would be ok too...lots to think about.
Hi
I have recently had a problem with my car stereo not auto switching off when I turn the ignition off and lock the car, this is now causing the battery to be flat and requiring a jump start. It has never done this before. I have turned off the ignition logic to stop the battery going flat but want to sort the problem. What could be the fault and how can I fix it? Thanks for all your help. Read more
Does the remote central locking work from the key fob?
The headline used in your email bulletin (which is still showing in the URL of this article) is hugely misleading. Seven out of ten drivers won't pay more ... only seven out of ten new car buyers.
By the way, I love that the government's new scheme steals cash from pious buyers of the dullest cars imaginable, yet gives a bonus to buyers of high-performance tools like the 370Z and the Subaru WRX. Hilarious own goal. Expect that loophole to get closed up pretty sharpish, just like what happened with tax-free classic cars about 15 years ago. Read more
So, it wasn't about the environment after all! it's all about the money, money, money!!! Nice to see people being discourage from buying low emission cars, the same week London has been having smog alerts. back to the 50's, madness!!!
Browse
Some names sounded absolutely ridiculous and still cause mirth today - a textbook triumph of marketing over reality. Montego Bay, Jamaica, could not be further from the minds of owners battling with Lucas electrics and cringing at the creaky self-disintegrating dashboard and fuming over the month-long wait for those infernal replacement, uniquely-sized, TD tyres. And how dare British Leyland imply that the dire 1 litre version of their very own Mr Blobby would convey driver and passengers along the M1 in a "fast, quick and bright" (i.e. Allegro) fashion?
Full marks for name silliness inevitably falls to the Japanese, though abominations such as the Mitsubishi Lettuce, Isuzu Mysterious Utility Wizard, Geely Rural Nanny, Daihatsu Super Naked and Nissan Homy Super Long were mercifully kept for the home market.
Special mention to the Kia C'eed, a name which turned out to be unpronounceable in almost every world language, a truly awesome feat.