September 2024
Hi. Please could you advise re. Having a Saab 9000 as a classic car proposition. Some seemingly well cared for ones are for sale for decent money. Is there anything to look out for? This car would be for my friend who can only now drive automatics, so how strong is the auto box in these cars generally? I understand that the 9000 was one of the last 'true' Saabs before the 'cloned Vectra' 9-5. Does that make the 9000 a better buy over the more modern 9-5? Thanks in advance. Read more
Posted by a Tesla fan boy in California:
Will be fun on single track roads with passing spaces..- and often deeeeep ditches on either side I travel on these roads weekly going to beekeeping meetings ( I am a trainer)..
(too narrow for BMW X5s or above...)
The facts:
Bought "SUV" from dealer in June 2024. Very happy with car, it's about 10 years old.
Part cash, part PX, part finance, total around £8000
July, engine light comes on
Advise dealer of this by phone.
They say, keep us in the loop.
Diagnostic check shows advisory that glow plugs might need changing in the future.
August, we get the aircon condenser replaced (we knew this needed doing, it formed part of the deal when buying the car)
The garage doing the aircon check the engine light and codes are P0380 glow plugs and P1489 low pressure EGR temp.
This diagnostic process involved some labour charges which were mixed in with the cost of diagnosing the aircon issues.
Next step - I called the finance company and they went through a list of questions, including "what is your preferred outcome?" the answer I chose is "fix the car" rather than "reject the car" as I do genuinely like it.
They said they will respond in 5 to 10 working days.
I'm thinking the first moral of the story is always part finance a used car no matter how caked up with money you are as the finance company will make sure the dealer does the right thing.
The finance co didn't just say "sorry we can't help you" so they must be doing "something".... Read more
UPDATE
slight delay while I was abroad but the result is in: the finance company oversaw the whole process, the car was repaired at my local garage, over £400 in repairs all paid for by the dealer with no arguments and no discussion with the dealer, which I'm very grateful for considering how incompetent the dealer's staff are. The moral of the tale is always use finance for *part* of your purchase because if owt goes wrong, they will fix it for you!...
Hi All,
I'm looking at a Fiat Qubo 1.4 Petrol (2019) with 50k on the clock. I'm after a car that i can sort of treat like a van and throw bikes etc in the back. I wondered if anyone had any experience of the later Qubo models as most reviews seem to be from the early days.... Read more
I think Ian_SW has it.
The Qubo/Bipper/Nemo filled a perceived gap after the original Partner/Berlingo vans and their car equivalents were replaced by substantially larger models in 2008/9. ...
Hi all
... Read more
Coolant temp sensor going faulty, perhaps? The problem only seems to be on the very first start of the day.
I’m looking for a bit of help and advice with my diesel car I recently purchased.
The low fuel warning came on with 50 miles left and then the Restricted Performance notice so I drove home and to the garage by which time it had 35 miles of fuel.... Read more
If recently purchased from a trader/dealer take it back to them. You've probably bought someone else's problem.
Bought a 2011 Mini Countryman Cooper D All4, son has a new job working nights and he and partner will now travel in opposite directions from their rural home, so needed a second cheapish car. The seller only had one key so negotiated £100 off the asking price. Is it possible to source and code another key from anywhere other than a Mini Main dealer (£200). The local non franchised Mini specialist says not! Thanks for reading. Read more
A non genuine key could cause issues and corrupt other systems on the electronic network. I would stick with new key from mini . At least you can be confident it’ll work. You’ll also get a new metal blade key for c Emergency access .
Thanks very much elekie&a/c doctor, i'll take your advice, I don't want to mess with the Mini's electronic brain.
My son and his wife live in Munich. They are looking to buy a s/hand car for around €8k . Possibly a Corsa . Is there any system in Germany to check Tuv ( mot history) similar to what we have in the UK ? Read more
Simply put, no.
Hello
I have recently purchased 2021 Hyundai Tuscon 1.6 T-GDi Manual transmission. I've driven it for 1000 miles, and it was all well till yesterday, Engine Management light warning came up and after scanning it via the OBD2 scanner it returned me two errors:
1. P0900 - clutch actuator
2. P0471 - Exhaust pressure sensor error.
I've bought it off dealership (non-Hyundai), and I was assured that the car is in perfect working condition. This puts in a rather difficult situation - as I need to travel to the airport on Monday (tomorrow).
Can you advise me please what steps should I take. Would car be safe to drive with this warning to dealership (nearest is around 40 miles away).
Thank you. Read more
I’m guessing you’re using a happy shopper basic scanner, so the fault code descriptions may not be accurate. The exhaust pressure sensor fault, if correct , could be related the GPF ( gasoline particulate filter) . Not an uncommon issue on these . Need to get it checked out properly.
Hi, The DVLA has revoked my driving licence for non-compliance in providing medical information. I do have evidence to try appeal this in the Magistrates Courts, although I would need for legal advice because if I lost I would be liable for DVLA’s legal costs. However, my main agenda is to try to get back on the road again as quickly as I can. Does anyone know how long it would be likely to take for my appeal to be listed in the courts as opposed to reapplying for a driving licence and getting a test date? Read more
How can you apply for a new licence when the DVLA has revoked yours on medical grounds?
Have they agreed you can apply for one?...
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From my time working at a Saab dealer ('90-'95) that isn't my recollection at all. The early 9000's didn't feel that well put together in terms of interior trim and certainly not a patch on the classic 900. In my experience, the quality on the 9000 steadily improved during the lifespan of the car....