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• The best first wheels 23 Jan 2021 (Forum)
  Resists rot well and is as cheap as it gets for insurance. Simple and reliable yet fun to drive. A good example is easy to find at this money. Mazda 2 1.3 - A hoot to drive with the same basic suspension and floorpan as the Fiesta but uses a bombproof chain driven Mazda engine. Again £3k is plenty to get a really nice one. Ford Fiesta 1.25 Mk V post facelift - Cheap as chips yet fun to drive and reliable. £1,500 will buy a really decent one.
• Mazda MX5 (1998-2005) - 99 1.8 Intermittant starting problem defies analys 2 Dec 2009 (Forum)
  They believed it is the ECU but were unable to test it. For 4 hours of failed diagnostic work I got charged £230. Ouch! My local Mazda dealer offered little hope here, saying they could not test the ECU, and replacement for a test is difficult as the ECU is linked to the immobiliser and they had an MX-5 that had been in there for 7 weeks with an ECU problem that they couldn't solve!
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  Is mileage or age more important when buying a used car? 24 Sep 2025 (Ask HJ)
  I've always worked on the basis that the miles a car has done is more important than its age and have tended to choose slightly older cars with lower mileage....
• Mazda 3 - Engine check light codes 15 Jan 2024 (Forum)
  My Mazda3 (gen-1, 1.6 petrol) threw an engine check light the other day whilst I was out on a shopping trip.  The car seemed fine otherwise, and...
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  Enjoyable hot hatch for an old man? 25 Jul 2023 (Ask HJ)
  Am I searching for the holy grail? As an older chap I am now looking for slower thrills - seeking an enjoyable drive with the following features: Small...
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  Should we sell one of our cars? 20 Jul 2022 (Ask HJ)
  My wife and I are in our late seventies, and we run two cars, A Hyundai Tuscon 55 reg with 50,000 miles on the clock, and I run a BMW series one 120D with...
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  Can you recommend a good diesel car for motorway journeys? 20 Mar 2020 (Ask HJ)
  I’m considering changing our 2009 Ford Focus 1.8, which is still running well with 70,000 miles on the clock. It’s used as the second family car mainly...
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  What product will get rid of mould on a convertible hood? 29 Jul 2019 (Ask HJ)
  The fabric on the roof of my MX-5 has gone a little mouldy. Can you recommend a good product to clean it with?
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  What car and tyres should I buy for a long motorway commute? 5 Jan 2017 (Ask HJ)
  I'll be commuting 310 miles, mostly motorway once or twice a week. I want an economical, very quiet, comfortable good riding automatic with adaptive cruise...
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  VAG. engines 23 Dec 2015 (Ask HJ)
  Dera HJ Speaking as an avid reader of your column I read that virtually every type of VAG diesel or petrol engine has relliability and other failure issues,there...
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  Winter wheels and tyres 3 Nov 2015 (Ask HJ)
  Please advise your readers of potential problem with swapping over winter wheels on newer cars with tyre pressure monitoring systems. I purchased a new...
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  Why are accident repair costs so different? 21 Dec 2013 (Ask HJ)
  Why does insurance cost so much? Let me tell you. I was involved in a minor bump with a parked car. No damage to mine, and only door skin and window glass...
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  Can you recommend a fun car for £25,000? 10 Nov 2013 (Ask HJ)
  I am looking for a new/nearly new car, budget up to £25,000. I do not transport, children, dogs or surfboards, therefore, have a very wide choice. I do...
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  Why Can't I Buy a New Mondeo? 6 Aug 2013 (Ask HJ)
  I am replacing my written of 9-3 Saab SportWagon with a brand new Mazda 6 tourer, 2.0 (145 PS) petrol engine SE-L, metallic paint, mats and boot liner,...
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  I'd like to buy a new Skoda Octavia, but does the cam belt really need changing every four years? 27 Jul 2013 (Ask HJ)
  The new Octavia is getting acclaim in all the reviews I have seen, but few have tested or commented on the 1.4 TSI 140PS petrol unit which I am thinking...
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  What do you think of the Eco-Drive on the Jaguar XF? 4 May 2013 (Ask HJ)
  I have recently taken delivery of a new Jaguar XF 2.2d and find it a very comfortable motorway cruiser, if a little underpowered but manage 45mpg at a...
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  Which spacious, reliable vehicle offers good performance in winter? 9 Mar 2013 (Ask HJ)
  I currently drive a Volvo V50 which is perfect for me and four dogs, however winter conditions pose problems. I live in a rural and hilly part of Devon...
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  SUV with good ground clearance and adequate boot space 25 Jan 2013 (Ask HJ)
  The time has come to replace my much loved Daihatsu Terios. I need a reliable 4 wheel drive automatic (dodgy knee). It must be able to deal with unmade...
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  Which safe 4WD car offers fun, practicality and room for a family? 28 Jul 2012 (Ask HJ)
  I drive a Mazda MX5, which I love to bits, but which isn't practical as it snows where I live, so the rear wheel drive isn't the best. I thought a 4WD...
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  Which 4x4 pick-up do you recommend for high mileage work purposes? 14 Jul 2012 (Ask HJ)
  I am thinking of buying a new or nearly new 4x4 automatic twin-cab pick-up. I have searched the web and reviews for Toyota, Mitsubishi, Isuzu and Mazda...