Enjoyed that Mark Nicholl. Clearly you're a much improved up-dated version of another opinionated Motoring Media~Class example like clueless Clarkson. Only this younger version comes from further ooop Norf than JC with lots a skin ink implants and with a not far from the Nor East o' the Country part of the UK axint ... the land where the wild black and white striped "Toon" roams... init pet.

Have seen a sudden increase in these Chinese MG ZS when out and about. Several that vibrant red like the one featured and other easy on the eye colours too. MG now one of the few marques with increasing sales in a depressed market which looks like continuing although from a lower starting level. Punters like 'em! Tell you why I believe that. Spoke to two owners recently.

Pulled up alongside a red one in a local supermarket as the female owner was loading that massive load space with piles of shopping. Me in my red MG ZT-T.... not made in the Orient. Got talking as you sometimes do and the woman told me several remarkable things I did not expect to hear. She always buys new Fords apparently. Not this time. To pull someone away from such strong brand loyalty takes some doing. She went on to say it's the best car she's ever had! Plus, many thousands less than the equivalent Ford. Rare for any female to talk so enthusiastically about any car in my experience.

Move on to another owner, this time a male and ... much the same feedback. Folks like them.

Clearly, car consumers with A to B needs have different values than traditional MG buyer of now fast departing decades. Looks like the good word is getting around because I do not see any or much TV or other meejah advertising .. correction... have not seem any ... so possibly the best sales tool is playing a part here.... word of mouth recommendation.

At least our friends in the Orient hold the once British owned marque Mark in much higher regard now than far too many did now and in the past in the land where the UK's indigenous MGs first appeared. Plus those shrewd Orientals know what most consumers Worldwide, not to be confused with car enthusiasts... want.

THAT'S WHY IT EXISTS! All clear now ...;) Read more

Have a noise which sounds like the pitch of a tuning fork when I touch the accelerator pedal. The noise is a brief but can be every time my foot touches the accelerator say on a motorway at 60 mph etc. Not my shoes or the pedal! Noise stops when I take my foot off. Car seems to drive fine and low mileage and FSH, any ideas appreciated, thanks Read more

So Newcastle have seen the coffer-filling potential of a clean air zone - and will be rolling that out as soon as they can cover the city in ANPR cameras.

What a farce, as usual the justification is emissions, and their answer is to charge EVERY car a fine to drive through the city. They even claim to have considered (briefly I'm sure) fining more polluting cars only, but there's no money in that, as people will gradually upgrade and replace their cars with more efficient ones. Its such a blatant money grab, as I can understand the idea of a clean air zone, but that's why you'd tackle the biggest polluters, and over time reduce the tolerance to compensate - i.e in 20 years time the tolerance could be less than 50g carbon emissions as EV's will be a lot more commonplace by then.... Read more

Not sure where I should post this but my wife has a 1.6 focus company car so I wanted to look at buying a cheap car or classic car to just use occasionally

... Read more

Just had my renewal through from the (three letters long ) popular breakdown service. Been a member since 1991. It's been getting progressively more expensive. So just joined Auto A#d. 60 quid. Looks to be about the same cover.

Anyone else use Auto thingy? I've tried really hard to avoid naming companies! Read more