March 2017

Indecisive_Car_Picker!

Hi,
A few weeks ago you kindly gave me some advise ref a new (to me) car. I have still not bought my car as A, I am too indecisive and B, there is a possibility of a job change which will change my commute from 25ish miles and more than half of that motorways to 2 miles and small roads.
I have two cars in mind, a 1.25 Ford Fiesta, for the 8 grand I have to spend I can prob get a 2015 with around 10,000 miles on the clock from a main dealer with some warranty left or a Citroen C1 (I like the look of the Citroen over the other two although the warranty on the Aygo is tempting). To get a similar age/mileage c1 I could prob spend closer to 7 from a main dealer.

I was thinking the C1 would be a good choice if the job change goes ahead, looks fun to drive etc. Although the fiesta is a lovely drive (had one as a hire car for a week). I was wondering if a fiesta might be just as good a choice if it is a short drive to work. If I don't get the job change I was thinking that the fiesta would be better for the commute due to motorway driving, not sure the C1 would cope. I do like that the C1 has a free car tax and, I think, it will be cheaper on fuel (not sure by much though)

I am going to hire an Aygo (as I can't find anyone with a c1 for hire locally) to see if I like it.

The car will need to occasionally fit in both my children (teens) but it is mostly just me as my husband has a V40 so we are ok for a bigger car.

Fiesta = sensible choice
C1 = fun

Are the C1s as hardy as a fiesta? I do intend to service appropriately ect.
I have had a good few cars for hire while making this choice...Nissan Juke (awful!), Hyundai I10 (nice little car but don't feel it is me), Ford Focus estate (too big), fiesta ecoboost (felt it almost had too much energy for me) and the fiesta 1.25 (nice solid drive) I also had a short test drive in a Yaris but not sure about that one, I don't like the big X on the front really.

This car choosing is hard work. I want to still be driving it in 10 years if I possibly can! Read more

daveyK_UK

I find the ride on the current VW Polo (with sensible wheels and tyres) to be very supple compared to any other modern supermini I've tried in recent years. It's light years ahead of the 59 plate Mk II Honda Jazz I sourced for my mother. We bought the Polo for commuting so economy, comfort, high speed stability and the ability to take a pram safely in the boot with the parcel shelf in place were the priorities all of which the Polo 1.2 TDi fulfills. However the engine range is the weak point with the Polo with the 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 normally asperated units lacking midrange pull for motorway use and the excellent later belt driven 1.2 TSi still commanding strong money. The 1.2 diesel is a good for distance driving with enough torque to keep pace with motorway traffic and a characterful 3cyl engine note for a diesel. No use at this budget though and DPF issues are almost guaranteed with low mileage use. A loan of a new VW UP! has reminded me just how good the Polo is regarding ride quality, road noise and straight line stability at speed.

I would avoid the 1.0 ecoboost ford engine in anything out of warranty, increasing number of horror stories.

Dont get me wrong, its a brilliant engine when working, I recently had a 1,0 eco boost in a Fiesta as a hire car and it would rev upto 100mph without a problem, I enjoyed it except the seats were not very supportive on a long journey and the lack of an arm rest made it tiresome....

Jevgenijs kaupuzs

Hello,

Out of the blue, my automatic gearbox, whenever i shift while stationary into R (rear) or D (drive) mode, would as if kick itself, so it can be felt throughout the car. At the same time ESP turned off and won't come on again. Any ideas, what might be the root of this problem?... Read more

medview

Hi

Your transmission is not a DSG, it is an Aisin 09G which is a conventional torque convertor gearbox. They are generally very reliable....

davesaw

goo.gl/photos/RgFTUgeBubM6qRKf9

goo.gl/photos/NCijJr3zoXthr1AS9... Read more

Peter.N.

The only place you usually find a magnet in a gear box is attached to the inside of the sump plug, its there to pick up stray bits of metal and keep them out of the oil. Have a look at the plug and see if there is a fitting to hold it.

Peter

graeme ager

mot fail on

... Read more

elekie&a/c doctor

You won't get a warning on the dash if it is a mechanical problem.could be a seized caliper or handbrake brake cable.

Stanb Sevento

Interesting report on the BBC News web site.

Diesel cars seem to be portrayed as the main villains. Is that fair?... Read more

Andrew-T

<< I don't know where you live, but its been affecting our weather for years in case you haven't noticed, >>

I said 'bother us' (which it doesn't), not 'affect us' (which it does, a bit). At least here....

SLO76

Had the pleasure of taking our Polo 1.2 TDI in for a service, timing belt and water pump at our local main dealer this morning. Quick walk round with the service receptionist to show any body damage before they took possession and the flaking paint on the poorly painted rear bumper was duly noted. I bought the car cheap, it had been leased to the NHS but the keeper obviously had parking related issues but otherwise it was a full dealer history low miler for £1,500 less than dealer money.

Anyway, I received a call from same receptionist later on to tell me that the car was ready and that they had stripped down and cleaned the rear brakes free of charge after my report of a sticking handbrake which was nice of them considering I'd negotiated £60 discount on the job in the first place to match a quote from a local backstreet Joe. They really are top notch and much brand loyalty is dependent on good service from dealers.

Then she tells me that there's been a problem, a bollard sneaked up from behind while the valeter was moving the car scratching the already flaky paint on the bumper and they want to keep the car to properly paint the bumper I was just about to have done myself. Result! Am I the first person to have his car bumped by their garage who's delighted by it? Poor guy was much relieved by my response.

Read more

Avant

Spam deleted which led to the above comments.

RobJP

A number of years ago, we helped out my sister-in-law with changing her car - she got a petrol manual Corsa (R reg), and it's been great. Her partner (a HGV driver) and son (tractor mechanic) have maintained it well ,and it's really done well for it. No real faults, reliable.

However, it's now reaching the end of it's life, a fair bit will be needed for the next MOT, and it's generally very tired.... Read more

catsdad

We have a 2010 Corsa 1.2 three door as a second car. Its quite nice to drive except both of us (5'6" and 6') find the seat belt cuts too high across our chests. Its also built down to a price with several well known issues such as seats prone to internal failure, a very expensive heater control if it fails and a wiper that slaps the windscreen pillar - again an expensive fix if you cant live with it.

I know HJ reports few faults but the ones I've listed are frequently reported on other forums. Its not in the same league as a Jazz or Yaris.

si5000

I have a 2007 Ford C-Max 2.0 petrol Automatic.

... Read more

Markshark2020

Did you find out the issue as we have the same issue have tried all we and machanic can think of ? Thanks mark

barney100

Anyone any idea when the M3 work will be finished?

Read more

daveyjp

The limit does increase as they near the completion of the works.

Happened on M62 a few years ago and the M1 late last year.

chesterfieldhouse

Hello, help & advice would be much appreciated as to an annoying sound that has developed, which can best be described as a dull groan, similar to a door being closed, when the steering wheel is turned. The vehicle is a 2003 2.5 BMW Z4, which has been garaged over the winter period, only being used on the occasional dry days. Is this simple a lubrication issue? Thank you. Read more

Peter.N.

Does it only do it when you are moving or can you reproduce the noise by turning the wheel with the engine off?