June 2020
Nearly £20k for a non-performance Fiesta. Utterly ridiculous. Read more
Due to a new job I now have a commute of only 5 miles each way so I’m guessing my ‘63 Passat Diesel won’t be ideal. At this time I can’t see any longish journeys in the future so I think it’s time to change it.
I’ve wanted an auto for a while so now seems like a good time to get one. Budget is £12000 max. My first choice is an Avensis but they seem to be rarer than hen’s teeth in Petrol and auto. The only local one ( South Hants ) I can find is £14k and the dealer won’t budge one inch on the price. Wouldn’t mind a Prius but again they are rare and expensive.
So I’m looking at all makes. Are there any auto boxes to avoid other than the DSG and Powershift. I need a largish car as I have 4 children and all their assorted clobber can easily fill the boot of the Passat.
I saw a nice Mazda 3 locally but it was sold before I could even look at it.
Citroen C4 cactus may fit the bill. Are the 1.2 engines reliable?
Any input appreciated Read more
Honda or Toyota are the best bets...Toyota CVT in the Avensis (multi drive s) is supposed to be good, but costly if it goes wrong. Honda autos post 2010 are more conventional but likely to be cheaper to maintain and will be reliable. Wouldn't touch French or german stuff unless you like spending out on repairs.
My son is interested in a 16 plate Diesel Phaeton.
Grateful your opinions especially about the auto box. Would this be a DSG ? Read more
I think I would go with a similar size, spec and performance Merc or BMW.
Not because they are necessarily going to be any more reliable, but there are likely to be far more independant specialists out there, and a far more extensive sources of s/h and pattern parts. Avoiding main dealer spares prices and labour rates will save £££ in ownership costs.
In February 2020 I booked 3 nights B&B accommodation for October 2020 direct with a hotel in London and paid in full on my credit card. COST £380.... Read more
I'm glad to hear you got your money back and that the company felt it was the right decision to make. And, as you said, if you don't ask you don't get.
My neighbours car was parked so close that when I opened my door it hit the side of their car.
They’re aware I am disabled.
What is the law in this situation please? Read more
Aha yeah I’ve gotya.
Thanks
Just bought a Corolla and found the right drivers door speaker doesn’t work.
Tried the balance controls etc and rear speakers both sides ok.... Read more
You were right again Elemis doc . The speaker was open circuit.
Many thanks again.
Hello all
I had another thread recently about haggling on car prices another option is cazoo.... Read more
I bought my car on CAZOO some months ago. The car was as described and there was one problem which was quickly fixed.
You have plenty of time to reject the car of you are not happy with it for whatever reason. Would I do it again, maybe.
In the light of many people likely being a bit hard-up in the coming months and possibly the next few years, some may be looking to part worn or retreaded tyres as a cheap alternative to buying new tyres.
To that end, please find a link to a test from Polish magazine 'Motor', as reported in the Tyre Reviews website back in May:... Read more
While not everything my Dad used to say about cars has stood the test of time, he always said never to muck about skimping on brakes and tyres. I reckon that's still good advice; presumably I could save a few pounds per corner by not buying Michelin Cross Climates (or substitute whatever your own preferred brand/type might be) but it's nothing in the overall cost of running a car responsibly.
Seems hard to believe its 6 months since we bought it. To recap it was 18 months old, low miles and the top spec 1.0 TSI 110 SEL with some options. Paid £9000 plus the 11 and a bit year old Focus.
What is there to say, very little really. Had the included service just over 2 weeks ago and there was nothing commented on. Done about 3500 miles so far and averaged about 50 mpg. Its very quiet, rides well, is spacious front and rear and the boot for a small car is brilliant, the full size spare does not intrude.... Read more
Hello everybody,
I bought my mazda 6 not too long ago and I was wondering how can I take a good care of my car so it can hopefully last some good time. Unfortunately my knowledge about cars is almost none and I have been told in the past by some of my friends that I was being ripped off several times I took my car to the garage where x part was replaced for no real reason. For that reason I was reading a lot across this and other forums about several different basic components that I can clean/repair/replace myself to maintain my vehicle health.... Read more
So far it hasn't been changed, only topped up when the cambelt and pump were renewed after 10 years. Colour is still the same. I was wary of the maker's claims, but so far so good.
On our Mk 1 1.8 petrol Focus and Mk 2 1.6 diesel Focus the coolant was changed along with the cambelt and pump. Cannot honestly remember if the Mk 2 1.8 petrol had a coolant change, chain cam so not done with a cam belt but I would be stunned if I missed getting it done....
Browse
The claimed 52.3mpg will probably come down to the mid-40s in real-life driving conditions...and just goes to prove once again that a major manufacturer doesn't have clue!
My old '64 plate Vauxhall Ampera PHEV, designed in the US TEN years ago as the Chevrolet Volt, did 40-odd miles on battery, and after 50,000 miles had a lifetime consumption of 140mpg. Marvellous car, it's a shame that so few were sold and that the Chevrolet Bolt (electric) won't be made in RHD and sold here. So I have switched to a Hyundai Ioniq Electric, which is brilliant...