September 2022
I am considering buying a 40+ year car as it is free to tax (and a good inverstment) and buing a twin axel I-for-Williams trailer and using it for storage and parking it up on the public highways
Legal or ilegal? Read more
A new series of Bangers and Cash! Started last night on Yesterday and will no doubt be repeated endlessly. Slightly different format in that more cars were featured in the episode. And Derek celebrates his 70th birthday.
I love that, they way they turn the cars around is miraculious. A friend of mine wanted to do it, and I pointed out to him,it takes months sometimes years, you have to have the time, expertise, the space and the money. Not just for the car itself but the specialist tools you need that can only be bought by trade. I saw a program once and the guy said that 1 piece of equipment cost him £50k, and was not available to the public.
Having changed to the Skoda Karoq from a Freelander due to health issues, I am finding that the Karoq is not coping well with the poor roads in the countryside of Herefordshire / Welsh borders.
Creaking noises from the rear, suspension crashing over potholes (19' wheels!) failed front wheel bearing, new discs / pads at front and pads at rear, soon to come new tyres all-round at approx £700.... Read more
Could be right, never thought about the wheel size
Car is surging like someone tapping the brake pedal..no RPM chance.
No surging coasting at idle downhill..wondering if ABS gripping the brakes.... Read more
Could be a faulty throttle pedal (they're electronic).
A Diagbox diagnistic will probably give you the answer. Google "Planet Owners Map" to find a local fellow Pug owner with the kit.
I have received an invitation from one of our local dealers to attend an 'exclusive' event where I can buy a brand new car at their cost, plus £1. What's the angle here? Are they just shifting pre-registered 72 plates? Read more
I would suggest you attend and get the figures
Like others have stated, I assume they will push you heavily towards finance which will take it from their cost +1 into a far higher price bracket with the interest payments.
Again, as others have stated, the ‘cost’ price doesn’t reflect any volume incentives the dealership will receive. Not a problem but it does mean the price they show you doesn’t take account of the real cost of the vehicle to them.
I think like most people that if you put your foot down you use more fuel BUT If I travelled say 70 miles on a motorway in 1 hour at 70 mph would I actually use more fuel than if I travelled 70 miles in 2 hours at 35mph?
I would by cruising in top gear at 70 and assume the fuel ratio would always be optimized by oxygen sensors unlike carbs of yester year.... Read more
Peak torque itself of course also requires WOT (wide open throttle) so it isn't quite as straightforward as keeping it around peak torque rpm. You will rarely need that much power and probably not at all if you are going for best economy, the only potential opportunity being to use it in the acceleration phase. If a turbo is fitted it must get even more complicated - I suspect keeping that around peak torque rpm is probably a good idea as it will bring the turbo into the equation, and provided the temptation to use wasteful amounts of power is resisted.
In general a light throttle, minimising the wasteful use of brakes, higher rather than lower gears, and very moderate speed will yield a decent mpg.
Happy to report that on our recent trip to Austria via France and Germany, we have averaged nearly 50mpg in a 1.5 litre (manual and un-turboed) Mazda MX-5. I'm pretty light on the brakes but other than that very free use was made of the upper rpm range on some very nice roads. Austria is not noticeably flat.
Hi,
I was hit by another driver who I didn't manage to speak to at the scene.... Read more
You'd need to read the small print in the documentation you got with your insurance.
Do you have that "motor legal assistance" add on? It sounds like not if they won't help....
Bought a car recently that started to make a lot of noise within 8-10 weeks of purchase.
Turns out after ringing the garage that serviced and repaired the car it had previously had a snapped cam belt .We had not been told of the damage to the engine and the report said cambelt worn .... Read more
Given the high mileage I am assuming you have a diesel engine, If so, I might hazard a guess that oil change intervals may have been too long for the engine's good. The service history may appear 'normal' (i.e. meeting the maker's schedule) but we all know what that is intended for.
I don't think we can help here.