May 2024
Hi.
I'm considering buying a 2020 Grandland X, 1.2, 24K miles, FSH. I am aware of the horror stories regarding the 'wet cam belt' design in these engines, which is also used in various Peugeot and Citroen models, for example. It seems pretty clear that there IS an 'issue', with early 'wet' cam belts - say 2017-2019 models? - being susceptible to deterioration and breaking up, allowing the resulting particles to block the oil pick-up pipe; no need to mention what this can do. What I don't know is whether this issue has now been resolved?... Read more
Hi, I am looking into getting a used Ford Connect as I have previously had several Ford Cars and really rate them. However I have been warned to avoid those with a wet belt, (for reasons I have researched) but I am struggling to find a way to tell which do and which don't. My local garage suggested it is only in the Eco range, is this correct?
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Connect diesel isnt wet belt. Petrol is though.
I'm a lone shy woman and I don't have anyone with car knowledge to go with me to buy a car. My 17 yo Citroen C1 Cool is on its last legs and I need another! I know the car I'd like (Toyota X), but it's so daunting to buy one. I just don't think the sales guys take me serious when I go.
My budget is max £13k which I have saved for these past 17 years. Any advice please/or car make suggestions? ??. I just want a good reliable car of course, as I've had to pay £500 on my current one for one thing or another and I don't think it's right to keep paying so much on an old jalopy! ... Read more
Over 40 new / nearly new cars in 57 years of driving.
1995 - complete change from the usual Ford/Vauxhall/Peugeot - our 1st Japanese car (made in USA) sold 2003 93K and really no repairs and "never left at the roadside"...
We're looking at getting a 7 seater automatic MPV and I was considering the S Max or Grand C Max but obviously Google has horror stories about the Powershift transmission. Just wondering whether there are any versions that are more reliable, or whether people say it's a blanket no to all. I would only be buying a vehicle with a service history with receipts, and I've had DSGs for years with no issues so am well versed in the importance of maintenance schedules for "problematic" gearboxes. Obviously the risk is not knowing what's come before - would there be recommendations on what to look for in test drives?
We're a family of 5 and often need space for friends/family, and I'm restricted by an automatic license so no real leeway on the requirements (I dislike SUV types). I was originally looking at the Touran and the C4 Spacetourer but have seen a few Fords that looked decent nearby. If it's a definite no to Powershift in all cases then I'll stick with leaning towards the Citroen, which no doubt has its own problems. Read more
I’m not convinced by the newer (also Fiat designed) 1.6 diesel either, I’ve heard too many problems with them. Good friend at work had to put a second hand engine in his Astra at less than 100,000 miles with said engine despite a full service history. Ask anyone that’s tried using one as a taxi in a Zafira or an Insignia and you’ll usually hear plenty of expensive misery.
Hi
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Another fan of the Jogger here, possibly the ideal family car for those on a budget (and who don't feel the need for excessive amounts of power and/or a prestige badge!)
Re ground clearance, the info I can find says 200mm for the Jogger and 205mm for the Duster, so very little difference. ...
Hi all,
I'm looking to buy a Automatic SUV and was looking at this Mazda CX-5, Its top trim but has over 100k miles but will full main dealership history and is only 5 years old (2019). What are your thoughts? Would there be alot of service stuff to pay as it done over 100k? Sorry i'm not very experienced on this.... Read more
A shame that Mazda main dealers tend to be so variable in quality on the post-sales front.
Can that not be said about all makes though?...
Like most people I know I was hanging on to my 10 year old diesel KIA as long as possible having heard how bad the UK car market is today. Sadly someone driving on wrong side of road hit me head on writing the car off and nearly killing me just before Christmas. 4 months and a lot of hospital time later I've received 3K for my old car from the insurers and need to replace it as it was written off. I've had terrible issues with second hand cars in the past and have bought ex demo cars from dealerships to avoid this for the last 20 years with success. However, I visited a few of the cheaper local dealers (Kia, Skoda, Ford) and the prices of new or nearly new budget cars is now insane (30-40k new, not much cheaper for ex demos). All dealers try and push EVs, I don't want an EV. Or they try and push hybrids, see EVs. Most dealers no longer even know the actual price of their cars and instead quote monthly payments under PCP deals that benefit only the dealer not the buyer. Most dealers I visited were empty of customers as a result. I'm desperate for a new car living in a village with no public transport and I need it for work. But it's been so disheartening I've given up trying. My wife and I both work full time on professional salaries and we cant even afford a budget brand, How other people manage I've no idea?
I'd welcome recommendations for any dealer or car make that was different? By different I mean doesn't push what customers don't want, doesn't only offer good deals to PCP customers and welcomes someone who can afford to pay cash by offering them good deals on diesel/petrol cars.... Read more
One of these maybe;
Hyundai i30 Estate...
Hi everyone,
I'm looking to replace my current vehicle and have my eye on a Suzuki Baleno SZ5 1.0 Boosterjet. Seems to be quite roomy compared to other superminis and decent amount of features. I would like to keep the car for a few years, the extra space whilst still being a small class of car is appealing as I'm a young driver and would like to keep the insurance premiums down. I suppose my question is, has anyone had any experience with the Baleno, namely negative ones? Or perhaps should I be looking elsewhere, such as the Dacia Sandero? My budget is £7,000.... Read more
The Toledo is underrated and a decent car and better than the Baleno except for mpg. It's also much better than a Fiesta 1.25 and Dacia. 105bhp 1.2 tsi is a great engine.
Thing is, while the Toledo/Rapid are based on the Polo/Fabia/Ibiza platform, it isn't really a small car (other than width). It is nearly half a meter longer than a Baleno (nearly as long as a Focus estate of the same age) which may make it unsuitable or undesirable for the OP.
I know the general advice is to avoid low mileage vehicles, as they could have done a lot of short runs, whereas higher mileage ones have been used consistently and probably for longer journeys...
But if there's a significant difference in the mileage, am wondering if there will be less "worn" or "coming to replacement time" parts on the lower mileage vehicle...
Looking at a Nissan Qashqai 1.3 DiG-T 160 N-Connecta 5dr DCT [Glass Roof Pack] 2020 with 21595 miles on the clock at £15777; only one service by Nissan at 5,902 miles on 03/12/21 and again by dealer selling the car at 21,592 miles on 19/02/2024 (1 owner car).
Vs
Nissan Qashqai 1.3 DiG-T 160 Tekna 5dr DCT 2020 at £15,640 with 50012 miles on the clock or Nissan Qashqai 1.3 DiG-T 160 [157] N-Motion 5dr DCT 2021 at £14,957 with 46359 miles on the clock, both with full service histories. ... Read more
Nissan Qashqai's are not regarded as being particularly reliable. DCT transmissions
Indeed. My friend's Qashqai transmission packed up around 80k miles. Luckily, he had extended warranty which paid for the repair. The extended warranty didn't cover cars over 100k miles so he got rid of the car at 95k miles.
l know it's a case of test driving however, l would be interested in peoples opinion.
The SX4 S-Cross is a car, on paper, l like. It's not full of technology & seems to have a overall good reputation. Like others, these days l'm not willing to shell out too much on a car & want to keep things relatively simple. l don't want the complications of the Allgrip 4 wheel drive in the later 1.4, so that leaves the older N/A 1.6 & the 1 litre Boosterjet. Both have similar power, mpg etc with the 3 cylinder having the edge on torques. ... Read more
Its generally accepted in automotive engineering that, all things being equal, increasing engine Specific Output (kW output power per litre of displacement) will negatively affect durability and reliability. That is because the engine will be operating with higher pressures loads and temperatures. A small forced-induction engine is typically going to deliver 30%+ higher Specific Output than a NA equivalent. And then of course the turbo engine will have many additional components. So as a rule of thumb a bigger naturally aspirated engine is a better choice if you're concerned about long life and reliability.
I worked for 36 years at a turbo manufacturer, which experimented with passenger car turbos but concluded it was a better plan to stay with the type of diesel used in trucks, buses, and industrial gen sets, where weight and packaging factors were less restricting. A significant improvement they made was to variable geometry turbocharging....
Totally agree, with a turbo and wet belt it’s vital that the car is maintained to manufacturer recommendations.