September 2019
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-49635176
This won't be feasible everywhere.... Read more
I've just seen an advert on TV here in Spain, which also appears on the website. A limited run of Fiat Tipo 1.4 "Street" models are up for grabs for €11,350 (obligatory 5 years of financing at over 10% APR adds another €4000 and you have to trade in some kind of working motor vehicle in return!) but the interesting detail is 10 years of roadside assistance and a warranty (2 years "Legal" and a further 8 years "Commercial" - whatever that means.)
Whatever the ins and outs, I can't recall ever seeing a 10 year guarantee on any car, ever. Is it just a sales gimmick? Could it be some kind of toe-in-the-water experiment, or is it the sign of things to come? If so, watch your back, Kia! Read more
Yup, I’m often finding myself trying to talk friends and work colleagues out of binning a perfectly serviceable car that has some relatively minor issues. I’d understand it if they were spending thousands buying something substantially newer and better but mostly they’re talking about getting shot of a good old car they know and replacing it with another old car they don’t. It’s daft to replace an old banger with another one for the sake of a repair bill of a few hundred quid unless you know it’s absolutely rotten underneath or has some terminal fault and won’t make it past another Mot. Juggling old cars for the sake of a change is s road to disaster unless you’re handy with the tools.
The problem with today's 'throw-away' culture...
Morning all.
Have a well maintained, C5 2.2 MK1 Estate and it's time for a service. Milage about 140k from memory on an 02' reg. So not been hard used.... Read more
Yes, like Dieselnut I had one of these that I sold at 140k miles. (It's a very nice car to have found yourself with, especially as you say it's been well looked after). The 2.2 diesel did indeed have a DPF from the word go and should have fully synthetic oil that meets the various standards listed in the handbook. Don't muck about to save a few pounds and there's a good chance it'll give plenty more years of supremely comfortable, surprisingly swift 'magic carpet' motoring.
By the way, I don't know about the 2.2 being less well regarded than the 2.0. I never drove a 2.0 so have no personal experience; however, the 2.2 did seem well matched to the big estate, with strong torque. It was not particularly economical for a diesel (I usually got about 44 mpg) so maybe that's what gets it a bad press. But, hey, it's a large car that does not hang about!
30,000 reservations already so no discounts yet then!!!! I'll stick with my old very economical car (70 mpg.) and save the world from all the pollution of building lithium batteries and new cars, also the cost of installing hundreds of thousands of car chargers around Europe and the world. Last month in the UK we experienced a major power cut, with these likely to increase as the electric companies are more interested in shareholder profits than increasing their electrical output. More demand means higher electric prices. Read more
I agree, I have Picasso...to change the temperature you need to switch from satnav or whatever and hold your finger on the temperature and let it go up or down a few degrees at a time, then repeat for the passenger side.
Technology over common sense. ...
There are always some idiots that park like, er, idiots and block the pavement. But equally there will be those same idiots that park opposite other cars in the more narrow streets that won't consider whether a fire engine or other large vehicle can get through. Either way someone with suffer. Read more
There is no short or medium term solution to this problem that will work.
Far too many homes, from those built today, to those built 150 years ago, have no off road parking, narrow roads and on a nearby estate, all corners. Seriously, every road in a 5,000 house estate is curved like a snake with indigestion.
I park "up" the pavement when it is clear the road is too narrow for a fire engine otherwise, when possible I leave enough space for a double buggy.
As others, one of the local councils "traffic calming" measures is to double the width of the pavements; in some cases this causes chaos at busy times, because there isnt enough room for a large lorry and a car to pass each other without one or the other mounting the kerb.
Way to go m****s.
In fact, modern homes are often worse for this than a street of Victorian houses; minimal front gardens, every street an "exciting curve", and in many cases, not even enough off road space to park a standard "family" sized car.
Where my son lives, the residents have to share a carpark with a supermarket, and there arent enough spaces for 1 car per apartment even before customers start taking them; so there are cars parked haphazardly on every flat piece of ground.
How did the developers get planning permission for this ?? (built in 2015/6)
The consequences of emergency services being unable to get through are potentially far worse than the inconvenience of having to cross the road to get around pavement parked cars (one possible short term measure, allow pavement parking on one designated side).
I have seen fire engines unable to reach a burning Victorian house where people were reported trapped, because both (narrow) roads leading to it were blocked by parked cars.
Totally silly money. Will come down soon as nww VW e car (not the one mentioned in the Video) will undercut by around £7-8k. Read more
Overpriced like all cars these days. I'm just pleased the PCP bubble car economy is coming to an end.
Evening all, I am looking for a crew cab pick up, which will be my only vehicle. I have just started self employment as a tree surgeon and really don't want to run two vehicles just yet. I have a budget of about £6,000 and short listed the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger and Isuzu Rodeo/D-Max. The Nissan Navara I have ruled out due to chassis corrosion issues. Does anyone have experience with any of the makes/models I have listed? Thanks in advance. Read more
All good advice there, many thanks indeed. From looking at things, the Ford Ranger seems to be a good bet, as they appear to be good value. This is looking quite tempting:
Hi everyone hope someone could help me with my ford focus 2001 zetec se engine. I'm having issues with my engine running hot but my gauge showing it halfway (checks on my friend diagnostic and showing 110c and higher). I have disconnect the temperature sensor inbetween the 2 spark plugs and the fan kicks in on default mode. Change the temperature sensor and it still the same. Coolant level hadn't moved. Fuses are fine. Not sure what else to check? Read more
If there is no overheating or coolant issue , then probably nothing wrong. If the car has working aircon , the fan(s) should cut in with the system switched on.
A couple of times recently I have found that some idiot has spat chewing gum out onto my car paintwork. Once dried(disgusting!) the main bit knocks off but it has left a visible nasty smear. Has anybody got any handy hints on how to remove this without damaging paintwork?... Read more
Thanks!...
A few weeks ago I found myself behind a Honda Concerto. Haven't seen any of those for a while. Read more
What is a Renault 11 Gordini?. I'm familier with Gordini versions of the 5, 8, 12 and 17, plus the Dauphine, but not the 11. I used to have a Renault 11 and as far as i know, certainly in this country, the performance version was just the 11 turbo....
In addition to a loss of Brownie points, offenders are also (at least according to a Fireman in the family) going to lose their wing mirrors and a nice pristine, scratch and dent-free side of their vehicles if they need to get to an emergency....