July 2025
Yesterday at the MOT there was and advisory for the rear brake pads very low. Asked for a quote. £145.oo
Out of interest asked Ssangyong dealer for a price. £345.40... Read more
Hi folks.
I came here a few years ago and following advice, I picked up a 2011 1.6NA Ford Focus. It’s been very good to me overall with minimal costs over the few years I’ve owned it.
I’m about to change jobs so will be driving a lot more (70 miles a day) - all on the motorway. I’m therefore thinking it may be time to find something else as my overall requirements have changed too. I’m trying to keep to a budget of £5K, maybe up to £7.5K. The main features I’m looking for are;
Comfortable for motorway driving.
Space for family (and can handle 2 kids and all their stuff);
Fuel Efficiency (as much as possible).
Reliability & Simplicity.
Preferably;
Decent bit of oomph when required.
A bit more tech than my Focus (2011 radio feels quite dated now).
Manual gearbox.
Thanks!
Read more
<< As far as the rest of the car tech that isn't safety/emissions related, perhaps heated seats/steering wheel and memory adjustment of the driver's seat - maybe. >>
Being from the generation who learnt to drive around 1960, and having driven in a few Canadian winters, I giggle at heated seats, and the idea of heating the steering wheel, especially in the mild (and slowly warming) British winter, just seems rather wimpy. Rather pointless, adding to the wiring loom and loading a battery and alternator which may already be working a bit ? :-)...
Daughter finally bought a new car about 4 months ago. Multiple electrical gremlins and not seen a lot of it recently as she left it at the dealers each time as appointments were always weeks ahead, (they have still got another car which is basically a tip-runner but does the job.)
Has finally rejected the car just on 3 months having had it for a grand total of 23 days.... Read more
The deal is done. we looked at what the online buyers would pay..
She'll pay £13.000, has driven it a good bit with him (and yes insurance ok ! )...
I noticed that the keyfob was failing to open the car and so hubby said get a new battery (Cr2032) so went into a national car accessory shop to buy one.
I cannot believe that I was told that the key would need to be reprogrammed as well. It's an ordinary mass market car. They wanted to send me off to a nearby car key specialist.... Read more
I went out to my elderly Focus this morning, not having driven it for a month. The key fob was completely dead. Anyway, I was able to open the car the old fashioned way and start the car and go about my business.
About an hour ago I took the fob apart to replace the battery. I can remember doing it fairly recently but not sure when. Still not working. So this time I got my multimeter out and checked the old and new batteries - very close, about 0.2v difference. Bad news, it must be something else, probably expensive and not worth it on an 18 year old car. It does afterall still work using the key. Time for a new car maybe......
On the subject of my inability to get comfy in certain cars.
A bad fall skiing, a fall from a horse, both of which caused damage and a while back a fall from a loft ladder. Some constant aches and a bit of neuropathy. I can happily walk my daily 3 miles average with Blodwen our dog.... Read more
"a while back a fall from a loft ladder."
I am having one fitted in, any advice on what to avoid?...
I used to think that HGVs were limited to 56 mph and this was confirmed by my experience of the sheer number of lorries going at just this speed or lower. I understand the brakes are applied if the lorry overshoots going down an incline.
However, apparently the legal limit has been 60 mph since 2015 and I assume that HGV operators were choosing a lower setting, possibly to reduce fuel costs.... Read more
With so many speed cameras these days, I increasingly find that normal cars have these snails pace races overtaking each other at +1mph because one car’s 70mph is calibrated differently to another.Yes, but does that really matter? Lane hoggers are a lesser evil than lane hoppers. Drivers who condtantly cut in and pull out probably slow the traffic down more than someone sitting in lane 2 doing 69 mph. This is because they often cause other drivers to brake when they change lanes abruptly.
I disagree. Whilst they are certainly a menace, people changing lanes frequently are normally encouraged to do so by others sitting in the middle lane forcing them to find a way around.
Summary:
I recently got my car serviced and very soon afterwards my car started to break down. The garage have examined the car and are not taking responsibility for the issue, and I am being faced with a hefty repair bill. I would like some advice on how likely it is that the garage that performed the service is at fault, and what my best course of action is from here.... Read more
First mention of oscilloscope above should of course be stethescope.
Thought I'd already edited that, but apparently didn't save...
In the Past Couple of years we have had a fair few Changes.
Underwoods who were Skoda, Kia, Vauxhall and Mazda on the same site with Vauxhall in one showroom and Kia and Mazda in another closed in 2023. Skoda were on a bigger site across the road also closed. Skoda now share what was the VW site near the football stadium and take up 50% of the showrooms which are "separated" but same receptionist on the door who will direct as needed. Nearest Vauxhall dealer is now a trek up to Bury st Edmunds.... Read more
And it looks like Glyn Hopkin Colchester are no longer selling new Renault and new Dacia on the same site in the Town.
Edit. I checked on both websites and used car sales and servicing/aftercare....
I went for some test drives with my daughter over the weekend. She wants an SUV to replace an ancient Citroen Berlingo. At the Kia dealership we test drive an MHEV "3" which mostly drove OK, though from my point of view the steering was quite vague and could be wiggled quite a bit in the ahead position before the car stated turning. It didn't bother my daughter tho.
During the discussions after the drive the sakesman mentioned the 2026 model year that he will take delivery of a demonstrator by early August. He also said that the mild hybrid MHEV is being discontinued, and replaced by a standard petrol engine. Isn't this a backward step? Most manufacturers are increasing their green credentials and here is a top Korean manufacturer goung from MHEV (mild hybrid) to pure petrol. The normal full hybrid is carrying on, but that is quite a bit more expensive. To my mind this can only be about cost savings. ... Read more
In Kia forum there are plenty of posts claiming Sportage MHEV having PPF (Petrol Particulate Filer) problem. It mostly happened with MHEV cars and not with HEV or PHEV models. Last I know the problem remained unresolved. Patches released by Kia did not work apparently.
MHEV is was not a big seller anyway. Most people bought the HEV version.
Evening All,
I have taken a new job role which allows me to have a company car. I will be travelling up to 8000 miles every 3 months mainly on A roads. Which one of the following would you recommend?... Read more
comcar.co.uk/
Make sure you understand the tax (BIK) implications of anything on your shortlist.
Strange, mine only works intermittently?