June 2019
Hi there, I need the radio code for my car, (2001 Ford Fiesta Ghia 1.25), and don't where to get it? With my old Land Rover I just called a dealership and they gave it to me immediately for free, I called a Ford dealership and they said £40? Read more
Hi,
After a recent addition to the family, I'm looking to buy something a little more family friendly than my ford fiesta zetec 06 plate. I drive 60 miles a day, so looking for something that doesn't eat fuel, and isn't as difficult to overtake. I've been looking at a Ford focus, and my budget is around £5000.... Read more
On your budget I’d avoid a diesel and aim for something with a simple non-turbocharged petrol motor, preferably of Japanese design.
The Focus is fine with the reliable 1.6 Yamaha designed petrol but it’ll be worse on fuel than your Fiesta. You’ll get 40mpg day to day with a gentle right foot and more on a run but it’s a lovely thing to drive and rarely goes wrong. Do not allow anyone to talk you into the 1.0 Ecoboost, it’s notoriously unreliable and I’d leave the 1.6 diesel at this money as it too has a poor reputation.
Auto Trader:
www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20190517803...9
A Mazda 3 1.6 petrol is another good option but again it’ll be around 40mpg at best and a bit lacking in overtaking urge. Fun to drive and reliable though.
A Honda Civic 1.8 petrol from 2012 onwards is manageable for just over £5k and will do slightly more to the gallon while offering better performance. You could possibly risk a 2.2 diesel if you’re willing and able to spend a bit more at £6.5k. I wouldn’t buy one any cheaper or the previous shape as the newer DTEC version of the 2.2 diesel is much improved and less likely to suffer EGR or timing chain issues. It will do 60mpg and goes like stink. It matches your requirements but care always needs to be taken when buying a cheaper diesel. Look for full Honda history if possible and make sure you service it at least once a year.
Auto Trader:
www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20190601855...9
Which make and model do you recommend for urban driving and daily school runs?
Economy isi a priority but also a roomy space for kids car seats- we currently have a 1.0 litre Jazz 2003 model, unhappy with the gears, and find engine cuts out regularly, but this is probably irrelevant as I didn't know how to do proper checks when buying it a few months ago.... Read more
Thank you all, I really appreciate your help and tips - I really need it!!
As noted in the news section of the site, handy reductions on fuel prices, which have resulted in only 1p difference in the two fuels, currently in Kettering Diesel is 124.7 at Morrisons and Asda., last week i noticed Diesel at 154 at some MSA's.
Handily i had a fuel voucher from last week's M grocery shop which i used filling up on the way home, so an extra 5 p off per litre, not a fortune saved but better than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.... Read more
3 shell garages in a mile radius of me and all 3 show the price on the pump before lifting the nozzle.
Same with the 3 Shell stations near me, all pumps have LCD displays showing the prices of each fuel....
I am looking for a used mpv with a torque converter automatic gearbox. Must be petrol and have a budget of around £10k. Any recommendations?
I am disabled and have three teenagers. Currently have a kadjar and the knees of the passenger behind me is tight. Needs to be high seating position for ease of exiting. ... Read more
The CRV is 2WD most of the time, the centre/rear diff only kick in if it detects the front wheels slipping. I think the newer ones are a bit better on fuel economy; my Mk II gives about 25 mpg round town and 35 on a longer run. It's a second car so it only does low miles.
Hi,
I've recently come across a few issues with my 1.0 EcoBoost Focus. ... Read more
I would say the engine control system has detected a fault ,and has limited the engine performance. There may be a turbo overboost condition .
What sort of cost is involved and basically is it worth it ?? I'm all for fun and appreciate it would likely be even quicker but does it decimate fuel consumption ??
Thanks... Read more
A remap will damage the engine, put added stress on a gearbox that wasn’t designed to take it and often costs drivability by altering the power curve. More power at the top but possibly it’s less tractable elsewhere.
I found this out to my cost when 'tweaking' two stroke motorcycles in my teens. They never lasted long.
Looking for a 2nd estate car, for the other half and the dogs. I have found a 2014 Astra 1.6 SRi 'Sports Tourer with 33k on the clock fro £6.5k from a local main dealership. Looking to steer clear of a diesel
Its a long time since I've had a Vauxhall, always found their engines pretty good. Any advice on the Astra J and this model in particular, it looks pretty good value compared to similar models. I don't want to spend much more.... Read more
We have a vague intention to replace our horrible Corsa with an Astra estate. So it will be interesting to see how you get on
Electronic parking brakes were troublesome on early versions so were dropped and are best avoided. Also the 1.6 petrol is belt cam while the 1.4 is chain, as is our Corsa. Our indie says the rattly nature of our Corsa engine is normal so I would go for the 1.6 and haggle for a belt change or price reduction to cover the cost.
There are plenty around so you can afford to be picky but 5 year old cars will be rarer at main dealers so it could be a good one if they are retailing it rather than sending to auction.
Hi, My daughter is thinking of buing a vehicle whilst in this country for travel twice a year for up to a month each time, between Manchester and North Wales and then to and from Devon,the vehicle would need to be able to put two baby carriers and one child seat in the back and have room for four other adults AND luggage which would consist of two large cases, two medium cases and a double pushchair ! Have you any suggestions please !
Maybe something like a Galaxy (or any similar 7 seater vehicle) with a large roof box or trailer for the luggage?
I have a 600L roof box I put on top of my E Class estate when I need to shift a lot of kit. It'll take 4 large bags.
I've also seen tow bar mounted luggage boxes but no idea how usable they are.
Saw my first 'Cupra' today, just looked like a Seat Ateca with a decidedly aftermarket looking badge (has a whiff of 'Transformers' about it!) and wheels. Not really sure what the point is?. Fords Vignale brand, i kind of get, because it is a more luxurious offshoot. Citroen's DS brand, i get that too, as not only do the cars look different from the Citroen's, they are also more luxurious and distinctive. But the Cupra brand seems to just be a sporty Seat, and given Seat paints itself as a sporty brand anyway, i just don't see the point. Can't really see Cupra doing much, certainly in the UK.
Looked on the Cupra website, and there are two models, the Cupra Ateca and the Leon Cupra. Note that Cupra comes after Leon, that is because the pics on the website show the car badged as a Seat!,... Read more
For me, the obvious strategy is to make models that don’t look like models of the ‘parent’ brand. A Cupra Ateca looks too much like a Seat Ateca with a more expensive paint job. However, as mentioned above, a future Cupra model will be purely Cupra (I think it’s the all-electric one) so maybe they do have the right idea.
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Despite what you say, it should be possible to release it and pull it out far enough to see the label. there should be a pair of small holes to the right and left of it. You need a pair of small tools to release it - like these: tinyurl.com/y5g8b7wq
Before doing that, have you tried pressing (and holding) buttons 1 & 6, or 2 &6 and seeing what numbers come up? You may see V or M plus six digits - allow the display to cycle through various numbers.