July 2023
Vauxhall have seen fit to issue a guide to motorists on how to ""behave"" when you own an EV If you have a mind to go looking it is easily found.
Why the need is any ones guess but to me reading the thing it only serves to highlight how to complicate a simple life of owning and driving a motor car. What amused me was the first point ""Respect the queue"" someone is certainly expecting folks to have to que to charge, but wait this is GB so it will be "no after you, no after you, I insist after you"" and so you wait for ever while this goes on and the inevitable fight and argument breaks out. There is also a bit about ""helping your fellow motorist"" I wonder would that be about which one of some 30 apps to use. I would now post an emojjie thingy if I knew which one might be suitable, how about the one with the big smiley face!!!... Read more
In layman terms what's the difference between larger wheel sizes and smaller? My current understanding is that larger sizes (less rubber, less air) are more "posh" and hard, and smaller sizes (more rubber+air) more comfortable? The car I am pondering about has a range between 17" to 20" and while the luxury trim I have in mind suggests 20" I'd rather choose 18" (if it's possible to downgrade, will double check on that). Read more
<< Councils are still giving planning permission for new builds adjacent to motorways and other busy routes. You have the road a flimsy fence and then the houses. Common sense would say I don't want to live here but people do ... >>
Sammy, with all your green leanings I think you should not be implying that green belts should be left alongside motorways simply to reduce (slightly) pollution levels for house dwellers. There is an equally important need to conserve what 'countryside' we have left, partly because it is nice, and partly to make use of it for growing things we can eat - instead of living on other countries' production, with all the transport cost that calls for.
So the CMA has at last confirmed that the retail fuel market has in the last few years doubled its profit margins and how quick retailers put up prices and are slow to reduce them. So what possible good would their recommendation of a "pump watch system" do to help the consumer. The supermarkets in particular seem to work as a cartel with no real differences in their prices and priced in an area not particularly worried about independent retailers. They know that store visitors will probably buy their fuel so they will get a good market share whatever. So if they decide to hold their margins only GOV are going to get them to change their ways. So nothing will change will it? As to motorway fuel prices these are ridiculous but people are buying fuel at these prices! Read more
With the school holidays about to start just watch the fuel prices UP!
If demand goes up and supply is static prices go up too.
Just read this. I know Toyota have been reluctant to enter the pure EV market as they see the current battery tech as wholly insufficient for the job. If they’ve got this right as they’re suggesting then they may well have the game changer here. Fingers crossed. Lower prices, greater lifespan, faster charging and much improved range are all being promised by a car maker which rarely gets it wrong.
m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid08Jv3aduL...6 Read more
Similar thread already running here www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/192602/toyota-ev-b...s-
so locking this one....
Here's one for the 'Toyota don't believe in EVs' camp and those all-important people who like to drive 700 miles in one go.
www.theguardian.com/business/2023/jul/04/toyota-cl...s... Read more
“ All too often, promises of new tech come and go. So much for EVs being 'affordable for the masses' the cut-off date of 2030...” I predict that the 2030 cut off date will slip. It was overly ambitious but it may well have served a purpose in forcing manufacturers to pour money into battery tech.
The problem is that it was seeming done at a time when policy makers of all hues must've known that a prolonged inflationary period was upon the world (especially industrialised nations) and that doing this sort of thing would just make motoring even more expensive and the preseve of the very well-heeled as nations were forced into transitioning from ICE to electric.
Given the lack of car sales generally, and seemingly EV sales at best levelling off after the initial surge during 2021-22 (I've read articles stating that VAG are seriously worried now about oversupply due to stagnating EV sales) - presumably because most people who can afford an expensive new car and especially an even more expensive EV (not many second hand affordable ones around or that ordinary people can make use of) have now bought one....
Current fixed deal set to end in Dec, but I got an email from the broker who arranged initial mortgage deal and most recent one. I was expecting to have a bit of a jump from current 2.79%, but the ones offered by current provider (NatWest) seem higher than they should be (according to Martin Lewis, who says should be 5-5.5% on average at the moment) ranging from 5.54% (5 year, £995 product fees) to 6.24% (2 year, no product fees).
Went on Money Supermarket and offered 4.59% on a 2 year deal (Chorley Building Society) with £995 product fee (which can be incorporated into payments, adds about £7 per month)... Read more
The link between inflation and interest is now kind of broken. In spite of BoE raising rates over & over again lately, the inflation didn't go down that much.
The current prediction is rate may rise up to 6% (or 7% if pessimistic) and after that it will fall....
Could you recommend a make + model + trim combination for this feature set?
Highly desired:... Read more
Genesis GV80, available in 7 seat as well as 5 seat version.
Drove wife, dog and self and a very full car off to the Moselle region of germany, including a stop south of brussels on the way, and back via Bruges, Just ona 1000 miles all told.
Fuel consumption was about 34 mpg, traffic horrendous most of the time, except for driving across luxembourg.)... Read more
Yes, I drove on the Spa francorchamps circuit many years ago driving up from the Alps tp Antwerp. Bruges was nice but full of mosquitos so had to close windows, (too late ....drat )
Traffic on the Brssels ring was slow and plenty of roadworks everywhere....
The head unit in my BMW turns itself off and back on again every now and then. It can go weeks without an issue, and then other times it can swtich itself off several times in a day.
I've been led to believe that a software update by BMW would be the best possible option. But they are saying there is always a chance that the Unit could completely malfunction when doing the update.... Read more
Hi
I have bought a 2011 aygo and there is an annoying rattle that sound like a loose bolt rolling around it seems to move from behind the steering column and the radio, I have taken the trim off both of these but can’t find any thing. I have seen other have the same issue but non offer a resolution to solve the mystery. Any suggestions welcome Read more
Hi I have bought a 2011 aygo and there is an annoying rattle that sound like a loose bolt rolling around........
Sounds similar to our problem with Mrs F's new Peugeot 2008.....
Browse
I once saw an MX5 driver blocking the queue to get the pump on the side they wanted. The filler's almost in the middle!