March 2024
Hi guys
After my old caddy has given up completely. I’m now looking for a new car but know next to nothing about cars and what to look for (the van was necessary for previous job and gifted to me)
Looking for a decent size hatchback. Something with a bit of go to it but I’m no petrol head by any means. Mileage is around 10k a year so petrol and I’m not fussed whether auto or manual.
I’ve been recommended to look at Ford Focus, Honda civics and Mazda 3 (have had a Mazda estate before which I thoroughly enjoyed) need something I could fit a Labrador in the back so don’t really want to go smaller.
Is there anything else worth looking for? Are these good cars or ones to avoid?
I’m probably looking budget wise around the 2014-2016 age although budget can flex a bit if needs be.
Any advice and recommendations would be gratefully recieved. Read more
Why is the ride so harsh on the 2019 Sandero and can anything be done to improve it? Driving on cobble stones feels like the dashboard is going to shake loose. Read more
Why is the ride so harsh on the 2019 Sandero and can anything be done to improve it? Driving on cobble stones feels like the dashboard is going to shake loose.
"Another issue that affected some Sanderos was related to the suspension. Some owners reported that the car's suspension components, including the shock absorbers and struts, would wear down quickly, resulting in a rough ride and reduced handling performance."...
Why are so many new cars appearing with the Audi style dynamic indicators. Even lorries are fitted with them now. When these first appeared, they were something different and unique to Audi. Now they are on everything and to be honest are becoming a bit boring. I have never seen any problem with plain old flashing indicators.
I am assuming Audi were the first manufacturer to use these in the uk but I may be wrong. Also, I am aware that there were similar indicators and brake lights used in the US decades ago but these used filament lamps. I am really referring to the current LED type.... Read more
My complaint about indicators is that they are often located towards the centre line of the car often rolled up in the headlight cluster.
IMHO the correct place for indicators is as near the front & rear wings as possible....
The background, coming back from seeing elderly in-laws in Bedford. Empty road at half ten at night. Speed limit is 30mph. The technology in the car is set for a visual and audio warning of speed excesses. 36mph should and does triggers these. It was quiet enough to hear the warning and distractions, such as lights, for the visual warning. Subjective I appreciate but my wife and I are convinced we were within the speed limit. So, what should we do? Who's technology is right? My friendly solicitor says to suck it up and ask for a speed awareness course, which I know is sensible and pragmatic. But the sense of injustice we feel makes me wonder what other courses of action could I explore? Read more
Just to circle back on this. I was indeed offered a course, which I will take. The car's speedometer was checked and comfortably within tolerance (over reading by 2mph at 70). And, most importantly, my wife was visiting her mother and took her shopping. Since she was close to the spot she showed her where I was caught speeding. And Sod's law, she is now waiting to see if she will join me on a course!
Hi Guys,
Im in a bit of a bind. Well, it might not be but I think Im just a bit panicky. Wondering if anyone else has been in the same situation or could share some advice.... Read more
Guess there's a learning point here. If you are going to repair a damaged car, take before and after photos. Maybe even take some during ones as well.
hi can anyone give me the book time for replacing an automatic gearbox on a vw golf 1.9 diesel-powered, please cheers max. Read more
There is a reasonable amount of disassembly etc. My mkII 1.4tsi 2014 Superb which has similar oily bits / suspension and has just had a clutch done requiring gearbox removal etc but no Single Mass Flywheel replacement had a book time of 6 hours - I would imagine a dsg and Dual Mass Flywheel replacement would take a couple of hours longer.
PS Is it 2013? I thought they stopped doing the Golf with a pd diesel 1.9 around 2009....
Hi, currently I've got a single child. But we are looking to have one or two more in next couple.of years. Therefore, I've decided to get a driving license.
Since, it's my first car it's a bit tricky to decide what to go for. On one hand I could go for cheap small car as its my first one. But I'm on the other I want my family to be comfortable on longer trips. My wife would like something woth higher seating position. Currently I'm leaning towards Mazda CX-5 or Honda CR-V with the budget for up to £13k. ... Read more
Despite the fashionable preponderance of the SUV, I would still go for a reputable estate car - the largest I could afford if imminently five up, e.g. Ford Mondeo, VW Passat, Skoda Superb. Buy wisely and keep as long as possible. Changing cars is costly and raising a family is usually the most expensive time of life, so it makes sense to spend as little as possible on cars. Two used Passats did us from 1984 to 2004 - a total of over 400,000 miles - cradle to graduation.
It is frustrating that modern cars don't have built-in phone holders. I do have a built-in navigation system, but prefer to use the one on my phone. The windscreen is a far way away and these Amazon phone holders seem to use both suction and glue. Making reposition harder.
I have seen the vent phone holder, but I am worried it will break the vents. I don't want to go over a bump and it makes the vent break? Or are my fears unfounded?... Read more
I have one that has a clamp that grips the vent slat. Works well..
I too use one of those, works very well www.amazon.co.uk/APPS2Car-Universal-Rotatable-Hand...6...
I know at least one of you knows a bit about these....
I am about to change jobs and will be going from a 60 mile motorway commute down the M5 to an office, to a 15 mile commute through country lanes over the Mendip hills and into the (quite flood-y) Somerset.levels. I will be based on a former farm with unmade roads. ... Read more
I am not sure how well a genuine Kei (i.e 660cc) truck would respond to having 350kg dumped on the back.
As it happens, the payload of a kei truck is 350kg!. But, you need to be aware that this hasn't much to do with GVW minus kerb weight, it is simply the figure decided upon (for whatever reason) as the maximum payload to fit into the taxation class of kei truck or van (in much the same way 64bhp has been decided the maximum allowable power). A Bedford Rascal dropside pickup has a payload of around 500kg, a (UK market) Suzuki Carry and my own Piaggio Porter is around 650kg. In fact for mainland European markets there were two GVW versions of the "standard" (as opposed to the Maxi with twin rear wheels) Porter, 1.5t and 1.7t, with the payload of the latter being as much as 850kg. so there will be no problem with 350kg. ...
Afternoon,
I have recently encountered a problem whereby I can not select 1st gear or reverse. On inspection, it appears that a small, plastic part has died a horrible death:... Read more
Looks like the part in the picture is just a vibration damper on the shift cable , it doesn’t actually make any difference to the selector mechanism. Perhaps one of the cables is broken off.
Browse
The vast majority of petrol Focus at that age will have the 1.0 Ecoboost engine, and you don't want that. Also, any automatic Focus of that age will have the Powershift DCT, which is also to be avoided. So better to give the Focus a miss if it has to be a 2014-2016 car.
Which brings me to another point, 2014-2016 isn't a budget!. Not only can prices of cars within that age range be very high (another current thread has a link to a 2012 Toyota Avensis at over £8k), but they can vary dramatically. So if you want help or suggestions (there may be many), you really need to tell us what you can spend. ...