November 2021
Drove a Q5 with matrix led headlights tonight in that awful weather. Have to say they are pretty impressive, particularly on auto full beam. Didn’t get flashed once on the M6 or a roads either so I assume people weren’t dazzled by them. Read more
I don't drive a hybrid at the moment but I intend to get a hybrid as my next car.
I find one of the most baffling part of driving a hybrid is to interpret the HSI (Hybrid System Indicator) gauge. This example is from Toyota but all hybrids have similar HSI.... Read more
We have a CR-V hybrid which doesn't faff around with pretend gear changes. The engine revs just rise and fall like your Jazz, but the transmission just works seamlessly, which is actually one of the nicest features of the car. Can't imagine there is any technical reason for your "gear changes".
Most of the time the Jazz doesn't faff around either. It was just on this one occasion where I kept my foot flat on the floor, going up hill for about a mile (which is something I don't normally do).
I think I have found the perfect vehicle for me to move into an EV for my work. Perfect regarding its dimensions (similar length and width as a Honda Jazz!), its payload, its range(*), and its looks(!).
This is a German company who have come up with a brilliantly simple modular light electric utility vehicle concept. You have the base architecture which includes the chassis, running gear and cab. On to this you choose from 8 modules, whichever suits your needs best, but the beauty is (if you have the space) you can choose more than one and swap them at will. Apparently no special tools are required. ... Read more
The solar roof seems to be a trick other manufacturers have missed (as far as I know).
One of the videos I watched on the XBUS featured a few cars/vehicles from other smallish German start up companies. One of these was the Sono Sion, which is a family car covered in solar panels. It does give it a kind of unfinished look, but I'm sure plenty of folk wouldn't worry about that!....
I'm contemplating selling my Mercedes W124 estate. I'd not realised until this morning the 406 estate was available with the V6 engine. Does anyone have experience of driving either an auto or manual? Interested to know if the V6 suits the car's handling etc. Read more
Actually I wouldn't have one even if they were VED free.
We want a 4x4 and we have maybe what some will say an odd choice. It will me shared between my son and I, so decided on one or two cars
1. Buy a cheap well maintained 2.0 CRV ( around 2005 ) for £1500 plus a cheap petrol car for around £1500... Read more
Consider a PCP finance lease on a Duster
There are a few petrol with LPG versions in stock if your not fussed on colour
Lease it for 3/4 years then hand it back.
Easy motoring
Having bought a diesel car this week which is 9 years old and has about 66k mileage i was wondering what people's thoughts are on looking after the engine, is it worth adding fuel cleaners occasionally when i fill up? Is Shell Diesel really better quality and better for the engine than supermarket diesel?
It's a bit confusing as you say i'd almost certainly have a major engine repair? Yet others say diesels engines are far more longer lasting providing they are serviced on time etc
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Looking at a Mazda 6 estate around 2013 2014 diesel. Most have done around 90-110k for around £7000-£8000, Not too bothered about manual or auto but what should I be looking out for on these? Not interested in the petrol version
Thanks Read more
Right well the general consensus is a no then! I realise any car can have issues from 120k super car to a £2000 banger. However l, I will continue my search!Wise and yes any car no matter how well made or robust the design can go wrong but when shopping used and on a limited budget it’s wise to limit that risk as much as possible by keeping things as simple as possible. I would stick with petrol unless you’re looking at cars under 5yrs/50k old but if you absolutely must have a diesel estate at this money I’d point you to the Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi (manual) the Honda Accord 2.2 DTEC or the pre-facelift Toyota Avensis 2.0 D4D. These all can still go expensively wrong but they’re all equally capable of big miles if looked after. Just don’t expect not to be stung with the occasional big bill. All three have engines that've proven themselves but that in itself means that most are taken by the taxi trade or used as mega mile workhorses so finding one with sensible miles up is a challenge. The Avensis with the 1.8 VVT petrol is very decent on fuel and mechanically bombproof but it does lack torque meaning a quick flick of the wrist and a fair bit of revs are required for overtaking.
Silly me. got a low account balance warning and noticed one of my old cars had crossed, so went and deleted from my account. The £2 i've lost isn't worth the hassle..
Lesson learned. all deleted now. Read more
No tag for the Humber Bridge - it's all number plate recognition....
My elderly father purchased a 67 plate VW Golf earlier this year. We are now having to sell it due to his failing health.
We had the car MOT’d and discovered that the last MOT mileage is nearly 14000 miles more than the current Odometer reading. The ECU mileage is more than the mileage on last year’s MOT so that points to the Odometer being wrong.
The car was purchased from a VW main dealer and the bill of sale indicates a mileage lower than the current Odometer reading. I thought modern cars could not be clocked? I believe that the dealers should have verified the mileage at the time of sale, I have asked for official VW Service records but the dealer is proving a bit elusive.
Where do we stand and what remedies are available to us? Read more
As a previous mot tester, the mileage recorded on the test certificate is the one displayed on the Speedo. Is it possible that the odometer on the car had been set to Kms , if that is possible on this model ?
Many VW models can easily be switched between miles and km by the press of a button on the display menu.
Hi i have recenty bought a 2012 Citroen C1, the advert said that it has a height adjustable seat but all i can find are handles which change the angle of the seat. Can anyone help with this or advise where you adjust the seat height? Thanks Read more
The seats from the the 2nd generation C1/108/Aygo can be retro-fitted into the first generation C1/107/Aygo - some 2nd generation seats are height adjustable.
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My Mokka e has the "Intellilux" active LED headlights. Yep if they need replacing going to be painful. That said they auto dip to avoid dazzling people but are superb bright coverage. Its the coming thing because they use so much less power and with EVs that's important.