August 2021
Can you help med with the code to the radio
The number is v031905 Read more
Watching an episode of Grand Tour about the death of the Ford Mondeo and the family sized blue collar car itself as horrid top heavy SUV’s and prestige brands took over left me thinking about what was the greatest affordable performance car of all time? I loved the big spoilers and huge TURBO badges of the 1980’s, the daft digital dashboards and the school canteen bragging rights of those whose dad owned one but which one was the best?
Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth 4x4 - Post £7000 price cut.
Peugeot 405 Mi 16
Vauxhall Cavalier GSi 16v
Nissan Primera ZX
Ford Mondeo ST200
VW Golf Mk II GTi 16v
VW Jetta GTi 16v
Peugeot 306 GTi-6
Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9
Renault 5 GT turbo
Renault 19 16v
Renault Clio 16v
Renault Clio Williams
Renault 21 Turbo
Honda Accord Type R
It’s a tough one but I’d probably agree with Clarkson and co and say that the Mondeo ST200 is the best all round family performance car. It was fun yet practical. It could run to 150,000 miles yet beat most hot hatches down a twisting B road and it wasn’t too expensive to buy, especially used as everyone sought out people carriers and premium badges with piddly 4cyl motors. I’ve had many a pleasant journey behind the wheel of a 90’s Ford and sadly with the future turning increasingly green I doubt I’ll enjoy the same again from one without buying a retro classic.
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Back in the 60s people used to make their own performance cars out of what was available on the parts shelf. My first personal experience of this was a rusty old Ford Anglia 105E whose engine had been swapped for a stage two tuned Cortina 1600GT mated to a Lotus gear box. It had a go (even) faster side stripe a la 123E Anglia. I have no idea of the 0-60 time but it was satisfyingly rapid. It met a sad roly poly end when I hit a patch of ice on a bend just east of Gargrave hurrying back to Leeds in the small hours after a wedding party in the Lake District. Heigh ho - happy daze. Fortunately it landed the right way up and I was able to nurse its battered frame and squealng boss-eyed front wheels back as far as Keighley where I abandoned it in a garage forecourt. It was particularly annoying because it had recently thrown a piston ring and I had just rebuilt the engine. It was back to the bicycle for some time :-(
Apologies for the rum induced nostalgia moment, but what was the car which instigated your lifelong interest in cars? For me, after a childhood of dozing in the back of a series of Volvo 340’s my dad suddenly went a bit mad and turned up one night in a 1985 C plate (2 years old at the time) Saab 900 16v Turbo 4dr in metallic burgundy with tan interior and all of 175bhp which was a huge number for 1988. I was so impressed and it awoke the petrolhead within. It led to a series of interesting, slightly left field choices which followed, from Volvo 240 GLT, 440 Turbo, Audi 80 16v Sport and Honda Civic VTi. He didn’t half waste money on cars from that Saab onwards but I am today grateful that he did. Read more
Magnificent seats too (front and back)!.
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Just about to take delivery of the above and it would appear that the oil filler cap is set back from the normal way of filling and you would appear not to able to fill in the normal way..
Do you have to acquire a special filler to top up oil as required?... Read more
Funnel with a flexible spout?
Not so much of a leak but I am struggling having replaced a lift pump which sits under the car below the fuel tank. When I removed the existing pump and disconnect the fuel line into the pump, it was dry, no diesel came gushing out, which was good (given I have a full tank of fuel). Having installed the new pump I noticed a leak when I started up the car. So I removed the pump to resolve the problem but now I'm getting a constant stream of diesel from the fuel line coming from the tank. Makes no sense to me as it wasn't doing this when I removed the old pump. Even though I've done my best to block the quick connector, it's still dripping and I don't really want to drain the entire fuel tank whilst I'm waiting for a new part.
Any ideas how I stop the fuel coming out of the fuel line ?... Read more
Mondeo diesels are not fitted with a lift pump below the tank . So not too sure what is leaking .
That's strange - ebay is full of adverts selling replacement electric fuel pumps for diesel Mondeos.
Just picked up my 2011 Accord today, which I’m very happy with. Only came with one key- can anyone suggest the most cost effective way of buying and programming a spare- I assume there is a better way than just going to the main dealer and paying £££? Read more
Timpson is still a family owned firm and the old man has a regular interesting column in the Telegraph.....
and his son James has one in the Sunday Times. A fine example of a 'mittlestand' business....
Never looked under the bonnet of an EV.
What’s there instead of dipstick, oil filler, oil filter, fan (belts), alternator?,plugs, “engine”…
..is it just batteries and screen wash bottle?
…what else ? Read more
Presumably an ev will wear tyres more quickly due to the weight.
More likely have bigger tyres which will last as long but cost more....
I need 4 new tyres for my Sorento. I drive on gravel tracks and main roads - occasionally motorways.
I am willing to pay for quality tyres with good grip in the wet, quiet running and reasonable fuel economy. Falcons have been suggested. What would your reccommendation be please? Read more
To add to davey's post, you might find the tyre Reviews website useful. Below is one of many group tests (gleened that time from a German car magazine) and the section on Yokohama tyres with the variants davey has recommened with their real life user reviews:
Summer 2021: Vacation nightmare.Car broke down after refueling. Supermarket states no other complaints received and not accepting liability. Financially only £150 out of pocket but holiday ruined.. Internet search shows history of appalling responses to victims' significant bills over the years. Trading standards and Citizens Advice logging the complaint but unable to pursue it. Read more
so pleased to hear this from you.The vehicle actually travelled 25 miles after filling up before the car eventually gave up the ghost. Loss of power previously on inclines. Was so annoying as I had done 290 motorway miles earlier that morning. A fuel additive helped and after average performance for 100 miles I filled up with fresh petrol and performance returned instantly, "nuff said ?"
Went to the show today and it was excellent, some of the stunt driving was awesome. Loads of new cars and classics with interesting stalls and experiences. Met Mike Brewer who sold me a car, sorry, typo, in fact a cap. Nice bloke who talked to all and sundry. Read more
For anyone interested in boats, there will be international boat show in Southampton next month.
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