February 2022
Having been car-less since selling my 52 Polo, I've been flirting with the idea of going French and small. The second gen Clio, particularly the pre-facelift (1998-2001) has caught my eye, after spotting a nice W reg online for £1.2k (now sold). It looks nice (better than facelift to my eyes) and should be cheap to run, and so far as I'm aware it's supposed to be one of the mechanically better and more reliable Renaults of the time, no? Anyone here with experience of that car willing to help please? Read more
Just wondering what people's responses would be. If you had the choice between average spec c. 2002 Focus and a Fiesta, both in similarly good condition and same mileage, what would you choose? Read more
If the same age, condition and mileage then I would take the Focus. But that is rarely the case so it would be all about condition at this age.
Well looks as if my A4 B6 will see me out according to this clip.
And a tribute to regular servicing !... Read more
I sold a Mondeo TDCi estate at the end of 2010. At that point it had just shy of 200,000 miles on it. It still shows up as having a recent MOT and has just over 400,000 on it now.
Hi guys
My car just passed its MOT like 2 days ago.... Read more
As suggested above more than likely to have picked up a stone
Surprising to see Mazda s commitment to diesel after all the negative comments reported by owners on this site about major problems whilst shortly out of warranty .
Lets hope they have finally sorted the DPF issues as the road tests indicate that the extra power from the diesel gives it the performance lacking in the petrol. Read more
The motoring press have just been driving the updated, 2022, CX-5, including diesel, so it looks like they’re continuing with compression ignition with both petrol and diesel.
I remember Mazda saying that they wanted (presumably because of their large-scale investment) to continue replacing the spark-ignition petrol cars with the Skyactiv-X compression-ignition combo, where that tech could be reasonably up and downscaled to replace their 1.5 and 2.5 SA-G engines at least.
I suppose as we now don't get any of their much large SUVs that only the CX-5 and (where sold) the BT-50 (I think it was still a rebadged Ford and will/is now a rebadged Izusu) will be diesel-powered for the next few years....
My battery died from Warrington to Liverpool, I had to get the green flag out the engineer said check it out with a Kia main dealer, would it be on the 7 year warranty, steve Read more
I’d guess it’d be the 12v battery. Surprisingly common failure on hybrids. Can’t see Kia paying for one on a five year old car. Although the main warranty is seven years, I’m sure stuff like batteries, clutches (where applicable) and some other bits and bobs are warranted for a far shorter period.
I agree - it's a wear and tear part just like the clutch, and 5 years is well outside the (longer) warranty window that KIA provide for a clutch. If it's the hybrid battery, then that I would of thought would be covered, if it was maintained via the main dealer network on schedule.
I also distinctly remember someone commenting (at least) once about similar issues with their Yaris (?) hybrid, supposedly because they only did short journies and never did enough mileage each time to recharge the 12V battery after the start-up drain....
Inspired by the SLO one.
Make mine a 5 seater. If I could afford one of these I'd sell the van and car. ... Read more
Inspired by the SLO one.
Make mine a 5 seater. If I could afford one of these I'd sell the van and car. ...
To open gates for ‘surge pricing’ Smart meters are to automatically send energy suppliers half-hourly updates on their customers' power use in a revolutionary move that will allow "surge pricing" in millions of households' bills.... Read more
I assume the EV will have internet connectivity.
Rather than programming the smart meter, the EV could be programmed to accept a charge based on price, time of day....
I appreciate in the bigger scheme of things this may seem trivial but I would genuinely like some considered feedback. I run a small advisory firm and over the years we have worked hard to become recognised as the leaders in our field. Seven years ago a number of our clients took me aside and explained that I needed a better car for when I visited their head offices (I was driving a Discovery 3 at the time). After much debate with my colleagues I bought an M4 convertible as that was, in my opinion, of sufficient status to satisfy our clients. I deliberately chose a dark blue colour and it was easily mistaken for a 3 series cooking model. Now, the same has happened again but the suggestions are centred around an Aston, Bentley, 911 or Ferrari. Because of my Italian heritage, and love of Italian cars, I am drawn to a Ferrari. However, I am thinking of the Portofino (again in dark blue) as it is the smallest and most discreet of their range. So, at the risk of opening myself to negative comments, what does our esteemed panel of enthusiasts think? Read more
I just wanted to update you on the Portofino M. I did indeed place an order and am sat in what appears to be a lengthy waiting list. This suits me just fine. I should have made clear that not all of our clients are car enthusiasts, but the ones that are always start a meeting with a question of where I am in the queue. The benefit is that even highly technical meetings always start with some light conversation. So I currently have the kudos of ownership but not the responsibility. One of the previous replies (Manatee I believe) had mentioned the financial risks are containable and that is surprisingly true. The service costs are covered (7 years), the warranty appears solid, and depreciation is rather modest. So a point well made and I took that on board. And I forgot to reply to Alan previously, apologies. Yes, when we upgraded all of our cars previously there was a noticeable uptick in business. We are now perceived as being "better" than our peers. Shallow? Of course. Luckily we do provide an excellent service but we know we have a target on our backs I have never been one for such obvious status statements but the evidence is clear and compelling for us. It isn't my place to judge and horses for courses I guess. Many thanks again for all the comments. They really were very useful.
hi,
I've found a vehicle online reg - BD05 WMF and discovered its had two plate changes. ... Read more
Many cars get two number plate changes - first, when the original registration is changed for a personalised one and second, when it's changed back to the original* before being sold on.
* usually changed back to the original unless that's been re-allocated.
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Well spotted! But different threads because in the case of the Fords I was trying to look for public opinion on what people would pick, notwithstanding the condition etc. (and there's an abundance of them unlike Clio). I know the first Focus is well liked but I wasn't sure whether that Fiesta is of similar good quality.