October 2022
This is to let you all know that for personal reasons ORB has decided to leave the Backroom and therefore will no longer be acting as a moderator.
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Today's other test drive. This was the standard 4xe, not the more powerful Trailhawk.
The setup in this is different again. This is a 4wd with the electric motor driving the back wheels and the petrol driving the front. If the charge drops too low, the petrol engine works as a generator to keep the electric engine going and maintain 4wd at all times.... Read more
Here is an (IMO) alarming fact about the Jeep Renegade PHEV. Despite being quite a small car, it tips the scales at a scarcely believable 1770kg.
For some perspective, that is more than twice the weight of our Suzuki Ignis AGS (auto), it is heavier (by 25kg) than an entry level Tesla Model 3 60kWh (325bhp), and more than 100kg heavier that the Skoda Superb PHEV (not exactly lightweight and emphatically not a small car!). ...
Following my go in a Leon the other day, I have now tried two more PHEVs. The first 9f these was a Renault Captur.
Initial impression is that the PHEV set up is MUCH better. The switch between the two motors is pretty much seamless and I didn't have the same kickdown issue as in the Leon. The engine itself is a little noisy when it does start. ... Read more
I had a snoop at a couple of Arkansas. It looks quite nice, but the reviews are mixed. None are PHEV. I'm not sure I actually want or need a PHEV, but it's an appealing concept so I'm exploring my options.
Right, I'm still looking for a new car. Following my disappointment with the Leon, though, my parameters have somewhat changed. I no longer believe that there is a 'perfect' vehicle for me and I think (especially in the current market), £25k spent on a car that will always be imperfect is pointless. So, new parameters:
- £10k-£15k
- Auto
- Can tow a small trailer
- Can seat three in comfort
- Reasonable (circa 400l+) boot
- Must be reliable
- Must be reasonably economical (circa 40mpg +)
- Comfortable on the motorway
- Cruise control
- Fun to drive (not necessarily sporty, just fun).
- Not really dark inside
- Use will be mixed short local and long family trips
Vehicles I have driven and liked:... Read more
......a triumph of style over substance and practicality. I wonder how much more back pain is caused by having to lift stuff into the higher boot area - and then out of it, often over a lip when you get home.
Curious comment given how frequently you sing the praise Mrs F's crossover?...
I just had a test drive in one of these. I wasn't planning to buy one before, but my local garage is an excellent Seat franchise, so I thought it was worth a look.
A very odd car. Very comfy, but the interior is all a bit...grey. The much-hated heater controls seem absolutely fine to me. It's got unnecessary emergency braking, but no adaptive cruise.... Read more
I think most people on here have a modicum of mechanical sympathy. I’d never drive a petrol or diesel car hard on a cold engine. With my current Kuga PHEV, I try to do the same. I can get from home to work on battery, but there are only a couple of places where it’s safe to overtake and you really want the extra punch of the petrol engine then, so that you’re minimising your time on the wrong side of the road.
I get the petrol engine to kick in a mile or so before I’m going to get it working hard, so that it’s at least a little bit warmed up first.
I’ve got mine (company car) for the lower benefit in kind taxation than a conventional petrol or diesel, but I do plug it in. We get reimbursed for business mileage at the HMRC rates, which vary be engine size, so the better the MPG I can get from it, the better for my pocket. I’ve average 119 mpg over 24,000 miles so far. To be fair, that doesn’t reflect the cost of home charging, but on an EV night rate, it’s still only around £1 for a full charge, which gives around 30 miles range on winter and up to around 45 miles in summer.
I saw a car for sale. It is a 2017 Honda. I was a bit surprised to see rusty bolts. Even the metal piece, north of the radatior cap shows low level bubbling. Why is this happening?
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If this Honda is like this after 5 years. What else is going to be rusty?... Read more
I have an ancient bottle of Kurust for just such superficial early corrosion. Apply with tiny paint brush. I wouldn't waste it on big bolts, though. They just get a dab of old engine oil.
I have had my car in a local garage for about 3 weeks getting a head gasket replaced, new rocker cover and spark plug and and skim etc.
I got my car back yesterday and there is now a trickling/liquid sound coming from the car. Doesnt seem like there are any oil leaks in the engine bay and it would appear the coolant is stable. I have also noticed that the engine appears to be very hot when you stop (have been checking for leaks etc periodically).... Read more
Sounds like air in the system. Some cars (VW Golf seems to get special mention) are difficult to fill
My 2001 1.4 16v Octavia(same oily bits as similar Golf) was a doddle to fill after a new radiator was fitted - After filling kept squeezing large hoses and topping up then run up to temperature (fans running) with the header tank cap removed. Checked level and replaced cap - job done - perfect thereafter. Header tank is high up with pipes feeding from many places.
A previous Fiat Punto was a nightmare to bleed as the "header tank" was at low level next to the radiator feeding the cooling system from the bottom. No wonder head gaskets used to fail shortly after a coolant refresh!! It had bleed valves near the heater matrix. Myself I chose to refresh the coolant live - filling and draining at the same time. Wasteful but no air introduced in the system....
I remember Ford selling Focus dual fuel cars in France back in 2006. Never took off due to limited opportunities to refuel.
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How can E85 be making a comeback, in the UK we have never had it and the cars sold here are not capable of using it as far as I know.
Companies need to invest in the technology people will use in the future and not this nonsense....
So i've been looking for a used car for a while and see that most cars are out of my price range. I'm shocked at the prices nowadays.
The car i own now is pretty old. Citroen C3 1.4. I bought it 11 years ago and it was 8 years old. I paid £3200 back then. Which i could just about afford. The car had low mileage of about 53, 000 and it was in great condition. I bought it because it suited my needs at the time and I bought almost straight away when I saw in on the forecourt. No long searches like now.... Read more
To the OP,
I share you frustration and so do many others regarding prices .
My good friend this week purchased a Cat N car which means it’s been in a crash but not structural damage (that would be a cat S car).
He got a Suzuki Celerio 18 plate with 36,000 miles and a service history including the copart report and photos of the cars damage so he could examine exactly where it had been repaired.
The car came with a fresh service and a brand new 12 month MoT all for the price of £3900 m which is considerably cheaper than the cheapest forecourt price for a similar aged and mileage of around £7,000.
He would never consider a car that had been in an accident and repaired but current car prices and his budget determined this to be the best option.
There are pitfalls, it will be worth less than a non recorded car when he sells it but he paid far less so no big deal.
You do have to be careful, any seller not wanting to disclose the post accident pictures should be avoided or spend £10 for a car check which normally will link you to the copart auction sales picture of the car in a damaged state.
A full test drive is a must, likewise make sure you know what your looking for and even consider spending £50 on having your local mechanic attend to give his thoughts,
Also you need to choose more simplistic cars that are easier to fix.
Why?
A simple Suzuki Celerio has cheap parts, plenty of bolt on parts and not many gizmos or gadgets to go wrong.
The more technology and higher the original price of the car, generally the more difficult they are to put right after an accident regardless if they are Cat N or Cat S.
I was watching a YouTube video today of a salvage mechanic who had purchased a fire damaged Audi A1 and was having to replace the wiring loom for the entire car which involved stripping out the entire interior! A huge undertaking,
Hi fellas,
Looking for a used automatic petrol car for family use under £7000. Since my wife will be mostly using it within city from home to office, want something which is:... Read more
I appreciate all the replies and insight from fellow members.
Due to budget constraints I have decided to go under £6000 because I didn't know I would have to pay such high premiums on insuring a first time driver....
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Very sorry to hear of ORB’s departure. Let’s hope he returns; his posts were always well worth reading. When the likes of Gordon Bennett, SLO76 and now ORB leave the forum it’s a little like a friend moves away. Hopefully they’ll all be back.