July 2024
Having read on here about serval problems with insurance - Axa declining business and the Lexus NX300h having some sort of easy to steal fault - I was concerned as renewal time is at the end of this month. I had been with LV who suddenly became too expensive a couple of years ago and switched to Axa. Now they decide not to renew my policy.
Quite by change an email arrived from LV prompting me to get a quote, around £770 - ouch! Last year I paid £435. Onto the comparison sites and Alliance came in at £575 and LV £602, for exactly the same risk (NX300h with self, wife and daughter covered). ... Read more
Yesterday when driving locally a message came up saying DPF Soot accumulation too high. We decided to do a 22-mile run on the motorway at 3,200 revs to try and burn it off. We only did about 2 miles before the P2118 error code came up, followed straight away by a 'DPF Malfunction' message. We were fortunately not far from a slip road so immediately left the motorway. We pulled over and plugged in the OBDII and the following came up:
P2118 Throttle actuator control (TAC), throttle motor current-range/performance problem Status confirmed.... Read more
There are plenty of other factors but if you buy a seven year old approved used Toyota or Lexus it will have three years left on the warranty. Likewise a four year old Kia, a two year old Hyundai etc.
I've become strangely obsessed with his videos. Overall I think he does more bad than good as he (yes I know it's illegal but illegal doesn't always= wrong) almost almost "targets" stationary drivers on their phones and tries to passive aggressively agitate them because he knows confrontation= clicks. I think this is ironic as he claims to care about road safety but trying to agitate and humiliate drivers must surely put them in a state that means they're unfit to drive?
... Read more
I used to follow him on Twitter and broadly supported him.
But one day he was plainly in the wrong and he just instantly blocked me for saying so.
I was on the M62 this morning travelling between Leeds and Bradford (where there is a variable speed limit) and there were no lights illuminated on the overhead gantries and was doing 70 or just under on my speedo when I saw a camera flash behind me.
Could it be that it may been flashing at another motorist or even a lorry doing more than their permitted motorway speed or do they flash even when at 70 mph, as I have used this route many times and aware of my speed whilst on this stretch of the M62. Read more
I was on the M62 this morning travelling between Leeds and Bradford (where there is a variable speed limit) and there were no lights illuminated on the overhead gantries and was doing 70 or just under on my speedo when I saw a camera flash behind me.
Could it be that it may been flashing at another motorist or even a lorry doing more than their permitted motorway speed or do they flash even when at 70 mph, as I have used this route many times and aware of my speed whilst on this stretch of the M62....
So, friends son passed his test last year, bought a Corsa (which didn't last long) and is actually a very cautious driver.
After a long day as a brickie had nothing to eat allegedly had a single pint on the way home and stopped for driving at 30 in a 40 zone, breathalysed, booked taken in and over the limit as a new driver. £700 fine, 12 points and 17 month disqualification. (YEP ! )... Read more
The limit in England is the same for a new driver as an experienced one.
I guess he wouldn't be drinking brown beer. A full pint of 5% lager would contain up to 28ml of alcohol. One unit = 10ml., so nearly 3 units. The official advice says the limit can roughly be equated to 4 units for men and 3 for women.
So unless he's a big lad I can believe he might be marginal on one pint, quaffed quickly, on an empty stomach say an hour after drinking it.
Hello all
I am proving to be not a very decisive used car buyer and so i thought i would ask some people with more expertise than me for some advice please.... Read more
I did about 20,000 a year in a Seat Toledo with a 1.2tsi. It was fine, so I can't imagine the 1.4 would have a problem. Especially if you're doing motorway miles.
I want to replace my current Volvo and posted details via the CarWow website. Started getting offers but noticed that some, in particular Volvo and Merc, were all identical in price. It seems that both are no longer Franchises but are an Agency of the car manufacturer without any independence or flexibility whatsoever. The car manufacturer decides the price and all their outlets cannot vary anything. I've spoken to a few sales people and they hate it. This sales model is more like being in indentured servitude. I can't understand how this is even legal under competition law. In effect Volvo and Merc have a monopoly in the UK selling their product. The fact that a number of other manufacturers have or will in the future implement this "Agency" model indicates the possibility of a Cartel.
I'm an ageing primate and I don't want or expect to drive beyond 80, so a new car this year was to be my last hurrah. Instead, I'm going to buy Extended Warranties and keep my current car until either I or it drops. Read more
With a fixed price the franchisee/agent can get a reasonable margin. The manufacturer can set price and promotions nationally having regard for competition, stock levels, target markets etc etc.
Is there no scope for regional price variation ? There used to be plenty in the used market, making it worth some people's time to cross the UK to save a few £'00s. Are new cars cheaper in the Black Country (say) than in London ?
Sort of semi related to another post
I have a 2005 1.9tdi passat estate. I can believe how much it swallows in its boot...sofas you name it. Better than some vans..only cost me £1200, engine brilliant , bodywork shot but still holding together lol... Read more
It's a 2005 VW Passat estate b5.5 1.9 TDI 100
Main issues are rotten front wings , rear arches and bottom of doors ...
After completing just 6,961 miles in the 1st year the remaining tread depth was measured during its service. Both front tyres had remaining 5.0mm, 4.0mm, 5.0mm (outer middle inner) of tread whilst the rear tyres had 5.6mm, 5.0mm, 5.6mm (outer middle inner). Tread depth on new tyres is generally 8mm, the minimum is 1.6mm allowing a total wear of 6.4mm. I immediately swapped over front and rear tyres but I will be very lucky if I can get 15,000 miles out of these tyres. They are Falken 310A Eco Run. I always drive as economically as is possible currently averaging 57.933mpg over 9,154 miles. I do not slew around corners or roundabouts, I do not accelerate quickly nor brake heavily and this mpg better than VW quote. I have not yet contacted VW. I would like to hear what others here have to say. Regards, Pete. Read more
Thanks for all the comments, some of them very interesting. At the moment I think I can't do anything more than continue to monitor the tyre wear.
Obtaining car insurance can be a hassle, and sometimes, companies won't even provide a quote or a quote which is astronomic.
Recently, travellers have been setting up their caravans in public open spaces (park). It's quite frustrating, as it no longer feels safe to go for a jog or walk. Fewer people are using the parks. There are several low-height barriers, yet it's unclear how they managed to get in.... Read more
Don’t insurance applications request where the vehicle will usually be parked overnight and during the day? This is not necessarily the home address.
Cant remember. I think the company specialised in insuring Australian globetrotters who probably didn't have a permanent UK address either....
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In the local social media forums, there is someone reporting a theft of their car every few days.
Have you tried getting insurance from Lexus directly?