April 2024
After several hundred miles, lots of test drives and a bit of drama, I have now purchased my latest car. You may recall that the aim was to buy something around £15k with good ground clearance, 4wd and relatively.low running costs. These were my findings:
Fiat Panda 4x4 Cross 0.9 Twinair 2019ish- I drove two of these. They drove identically, although one has a slightly odd noise coming from the clutch. A good, torquey engine which seems to get quieter the faster you go so surprisingly good on the motorway. Ride and handling both pretty good but not startling. Seats are not amazing. The handbrake is a bit weird, but actually.quite nice - it's more of a lever than a handle. .The engine note is very distinctive and really quite loud. At idle, it sounds like a tractor.... Read more
I thought this might be of interest to a select few. When I took my Karoq DSG to a Skoda dealer yesterday, the Sales Manager took it for a test drive and repeatedly floored the accelerator whilst on the move. His explanation was that he was testing the kickdown.
I thought I'd mention it partly to assist anyone thinking of buying a DDG with a quick test of some sort. Secondly, I was wondering what the point was (yes, I should have asked him). My best guess he he was checking the mechateonic unit was OK. Read more
I have never purchased an automated manual but every time I test drive a torque converter automatic I have always tested the kickdown, slow steep hill starts and cycling it slowly through the selector. I do it because a non- responsive kickdown or a judder etc would indicate a problem that might not be revealed in relaxed driving.
Sorry, bit of a scroller ...
I tried a BMW 3 Series M Sport 320i 2017. I can only describe the steering as horrible. Far too light, not responsive and no feedback at all. I was told it has EPS, so I looked this up and felt very sad.
"Ultimate driving experience" ? Nope, that wasn't it. It was slow, lethargic, docile. If a car could have a labotomy it would describe this car perfectly. The car was generally unresponsive and dull. If Matchbox ever made a real car, I imagine it would feel like this.
I have a budget of around £12k and I'd like to buy a car that offers a genuine driving experience. I had an Octavia VRS TFSi 2010 - 0-60 5.9, but it was getting a little old. But, now I wish I still had it. It didn't have all the techno-electro-gubbins, but it did have an after market system that did the job pretty ok - it sounded better than original.... Read more
... I'd like to buy a car that offers a genuine driving experience.
There are a few (almost) showroom-condition Peugeot 205 GTi cars for sale in your budget which would give a very genuine driving experience, without any of that 21st-century electronic gubbins ! Thing is, I suspect most owners only take them to events and rallies ....
Hi, can anyone suggest DIY kit for repairing minor scuff/scratch on alloy wheel?
Usually how much does it cost to get it repaired professionally for a single wheel - minor scuff/ a thin scratch line? Read more
How much do financing companies deduct for any wheel scuffs in case don’t get even repaired?
If they are anything like hire companies, as much as they can, perhaps based on the cost of a professional refurbisher.
I haven't bought a car for several years but have recently returned to the market. It seems to be a thing that before taking a car out for a test drive you have to sign an insurance agreement to indemnify the dealer for the first £000s of any damage caused to the car.
When did this become a thing? So far I have declined to sign these documents and in every case the salesman has allowed me to take the car anyway!... Read more
Seems more common for dealers to provide unaccompanied test drives for a period of time up to around 1hr. Though the fuel availability has limited this in some occasions. I have only come across excesses up to £500.
When I enter the site, I've several logon details as a result of 'fat fingers' and have to view down them to find the correct one. Anyone tell me please how I can delete the spurious ones? Read more
Tom. Email me on moderators@honestjohn.co.uk with any redundant email addresses.
Cheers...
Hi, I appreciate that this topic may have already ben covered previously, but was wondering if anyone have any particular advice here.
On 23rd Dec 2023 I bought a 2017 BMW X3 M Sport with 47,000 miles on the clock from an independent dealer. Took it for a test drive beforehand, seemed ok. Paid via bank transfer - £18,000.... Read more
Insurance companies are not their to donate money to their customers. How would you like it if you were forced to pay a speeding fine incurred by a previous owner of your used car?
Recently had my car declared a total loss cat N. I chose to retain salvage of the vehicle as I believe it can be fixed pretty easily. Once it has been fixed and passed its MOT; do I legally have to inform my finance company or do I just continue my monthly payments as normal?
... Read more
I do not believe that financing documentation generally have clauses requiring that repaired damage should necessarily have to be notified. But read it and check.
If you hand the car back at the end of the agreement, rather than opt to pay to buy the car, then a professional check should pick up the damage and establish the status of the car and the Finance Company could charge a fee, but that isn't a definite.
I am getting conflicting advice from friends about this issue. I am hoping somebody can end my confusion.... Read more
If you are dealing with the 3rd Party Insurer they cannot write-off your car - they had no interest in the damaged car until after their customer damaged it..
They are a 3rd party and are offering to pay out the car value instead of painting the car which is not quite the same....
When I bought my car in 2016, it was taxed on the 31st, so ended up paying for a whole month of tax just for one day.
When I sold my car, it was sold on the 5th, but apparently I got no refund for the month. So the Government has mugged me twice.... Read more
Agreed, in the grand scheme of things, the additional cost seems minimal. Especially considering a year of road tax is spread out over several months anyway. focusing on the overall value you got from the new vehicle is likely a better use of energy!
Browse
I like “her” Renegade a bit too much. Just been out in it and I love it every time. Can’t really say why to be honest, but I think it’s because there’s just more to do than in my car. Everything has to be operated rather than relying on automated systems.
It’s just fun I suppose. It’s way slower than mine on paper, but it feels nippy enough. I guess I’d still prefer the big car for long haul use, but for dashing about locally it’s actually a close run thing.