Refine by channel:  Forum (2069)    News (1367)    Ask HJ (1269)    Article (86)    productReview (59)    FAQs (16)  

Sort by: Relevance | Newest first | Oldest first

• Input on my next car please!!!!! 27 Oct 2009 (Forum)
  I have two small children, one is a babe in arms, the other a toddler. I do about 20k per annum. Space, practicality is important but I do like the way a 3 series drives which is why I have left it on the list?. I have discounted the silly cars in respect of cost of income tax and cars that I really wouldn?t drive and here is my shortlist.
• replacement windscreen wiper preferences? 6 Oct 2009 (Forum)
  Odd, getting to that time of life where a clear windscreen and silent wipers suddely becomes so important...it'll be driving gloves and a tartan blanket next I tells ya! ps: just discovered ( 2 years on) that the previous owner had stored a box of replacement bulbs in a cubby hole under the boot carpet with each pack seperated from the next by a small piece of polystyrene to damp vibration.
• Tata Nano (2008 - ) - TaTa NANO India's Model T ? 15 May 2009 (Forum)
  Could Ford create a modern version of the Model T that would sell for $ 4,000 -$4,500 US, Roughly 2,800 to 3,100 Euros ??? More important, would there be a market for such a machine in the US or Europe? My concept would be a small 4 seat machine, 2 door hatchback with a 1000cc TD motor. Construction possibly from recycled aluminum and plastic, with steel only where needed for strength and wear resistance.
• Toyota Previa (2000 - 2007) - .... any alternatives? 13 Mar 2009 (Forum)
  I can't find anything else on the market that is similar in layout. Questions are:- * Is it worth considering an import? * What alternative vehicles should we look at that are similar in layout? * Why are second-hand ones so expensive for age & mileage? * I read that the diesels all suffer from cracked heads - is there any truth in this or just an internet myth?
• New Lada - 43 years young 10 Dec 2008 (Forum)
  Now us westerners will probably think so what, but the Lada 2107 in many ways is the worlds best selling car, some reports suggest they have sold more than the VW Beatle and the last version was sold unupdated from 1980 to 2008 with only some minor modifications such as fuel injection for western imports. My dad had a 1987 one and in many ways it was a good car, paid £850 for it at four years old, and it lasted another 6. In a world when every new car including Kias is perfect, it is refreshing to know that there is still some truly awful cars being made outside of America!
• Honda Accord UK (2008 - ) - New Honda Accord. 9 Dec 2008 (Forum)
  I take a genuine interest in cars; but I feel the new Honda Accord deserves much more fuss. Does it have traction control I wonder in the Executive model? That was important to me when driving on the ice the other day. I also like front wheel drive. I was interested in the new Citroen C5 for my next car, but the Honda Accord is much better. I am genuine about this message, as my present car is excellent, but it is old and has very big milleage.The garrage warned me that I may have problems in 6 weeks or 6 months.Something connected to the gearbox is getting warn.
• Long term ownership max £4000 country track holes 4 Sep 2008 (Forum)
  It can also be something like a Yaris, but being high up in the car is quite a good idea around where we live. Obviously maintenance of the car is an important factor too, but most people with Toyotas have said reliability is extremely good. Any suggestions and help would be appreciated here. I am based near to Brentwood, Essex.
• Honda Accord UK (2003 - 2008) - Most luxurious and comfortable car for 10 - 12k? 17 Jun 2008 (Forum)
  Hi I've got a newish job and have opted out, after finally doing the math it looks like I can spend about 12k (maybe slightly more if pushed) on a car, I've looked at a lot of different models but the Accord Exec diesel 2006 looks like the best bet in terms of value for money and the kit you can get (very important!), also the reliability is good!, I was just wondering is there anything else that I may not be considering that may be better for that sort of money?, I've had a look at cars like the Laguna but its the reliability that makes me stay away, other then that I cant think of any more cars, ideas will be appreciated as I'll probably buy one this week, want to make sure I make the best decision!
• Reducing motoring costs 17 Apr 2008 (Forum)
  Having returned to the UK from Germany recently I find the cost of motoring to quite cheap up here in Bradford.You do not have to tax or insure your car or have a MOT .I do notice one or two people who have these but are quite few.You can deal drugs quite openly commit just about any crime you like.Also seat belts are not required ,red lights mean nothing,speed camaras are no problem as you will have not notified the DVLC of your ownership of the offending vehicle.The reason for this utopia is there are no police on duty.Bradford has two officers for night duty in my area and they do not have time for anything as trivial as untaxed or uninsured cars.walking through town one day I counted over 50 untaxed cars and then gave up.Perhaps this is where Customs and excise should looking.One more point I am returning to the the German Republic in two weeks time for good to a land that still thinks law an order to be an important thing.In my short stay here I have had my car broken into twice with the police response being nil.
• Driving Music 18 Mar 2008 (Forum)
  I reasonably regularly drive overnight to, or indeed from, Italy. Usually alone so music is very important. As most continental night time radio stations are fairly poor I take my own. I don't want you to think I'm doing a "Clarkson" in some transcontinental supercar, in fact it is mainly in my trusty old Mondeo estate !
• Advice on Choice of Daily Commute Car? 13 Jul 2007 (Forum)
  The car must be under 5 years old, as company rules state that the car must be 5 years or under, so no point getting a 4.5 year old car and then having to change in 6 months. Ideally should have a least 1 years use out of it. Reliabilty is very important, just turn the key and go. Dont want the hassle of constant breakdowns etc. Also good comfortable cruiser, with good motorway accelration, as car will probably get driven 4 hours a day at least.
• Some new models seen today 11 Jul 2007 (Forum)
  Fiat Bravo - looks like a slightly larger Grande Punto. Daihatsu Materia - If you like the Nissan Cube this is for you with no grey import problems - I think it's hideous! For Christmas I'd like a commercial mulcher to attach to a John Deere and 10,000 acres of forest to go at. The demo of this thing showed it taking 6 10 foot length telegraph pole diameter trunks at a time and turning them to pulp in seconds!!
• Running two VAG diesels is uneconomic. 3 Jun 2007 (Forum)
  The spec for the hatchback car is pretty non critical but for a few essentials for long term bangernomics. I need a galvanised body, chain cam engine and a diesel engine (important to minimise risk of mis-fuelling and to limit CO2 emissions). I also much prefer driving diesel cars. Any suggestions? 659.
• PLEASE SUPPORT THIS! 3 Jun 2007 (Forum)
  His son was wearing his seatbelt incorrectly, and since then the gentleman has done everything he can getting the message across to people about the importance of wearing a safety belt. He is now going one step further - and started a cycle ride from Lands End to John O'groats on 1st June and will finish 18th June. He is trying to raise £20,000 for the Fire Services National Benevolent Fund.
• Last Night's Traffic Cops on BBC1 15 Mar 2007 (Forum)
  This has certainly opened my eyes to using mobiles at the wheel, I will confess it is something I have done in the past but when you see the stark reality of what can be the outcome then it really opens your eyes at to whether that call is important. Secondly, it also opened my eyes as to why motorways sometimes need to be closed off for accident investigation. If you are waiting in the resultant traffic it can be very frustrating but compare that to the death of the driver and it pales into insignificance.
• Main dealer vs. independant 22 Feb 2007 (Forum)
  By my calculations (based on phone calls to a few garages): (MB) A service = £325 / (Indi) A service = £160 (MB) B service = £600 / (Indi) B service = £380 So if in 3 years I need 2 x A and 1 x B then it'll cost: MB = £1250 Indi = £700 (indi saving £550) If it needs 1 x A and 1 x B it'll cost: MB = £925 Indi = £540 (indi saving £385) The question is, once a car like this is 7-8 years old, if it's in good shape generally is it so important for it to have the FMBSH?
• 1997 Alhambra 2.0 auto - opinions? 27 Nov 2006 (Forum)
  (Its priced at 6000 euro; for comparison, a similar age Primera would cost approx 4000 euro, or an imported Toyota Previa would be about 7500 euro) All advice gratefully received! - Gromit
• CAFÉ ? fuel economy 6 Sep 2006 (Forum)
  The old method used the vehicle weight. The new method will use the vehicle ?footprint? or wheelbase. Thus they have given to foreign importers the market for fuel efficient vehicles. What an effective way of burying your head in the sand. The relative figures per area are reported to be approximately : USA 24 mpg Canada 31mpg Australia 34 mpg China 36 mpg EU 44 mpg Japan 47 mpg
• I would like to talk to a dealer - odd b 16 May 2006 (Forum)
  I have an idea that I would like some feedback on from dealers that think customer aftercare is important, or not for that matter, just in case I am talking pants here, which would be the first time. I have had a few conversations with local dealerships that just don't see existing customers as a valuable part of the mix.
• Used car for £5000 - suggestions? 25 Apr 2005 (Forum)
  I want to have some cash left over so have a set a budget of £5000 to buy a used car. Main considerations are fuel economy and general costs to run, though safety is important also. Obvious options seem to be Yaris or Micra (but dare I say it these seem girly cars?), Corsa(long in the tooth?), Fabia (good cars), Panda (strangely appealling) or Punto (too old again?) Don't want Renault again and Fords give me backache.