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• Are small cars impractical for tall people? 16 Aug 2008 (Forum)
  I have begun, for green reasons and economic reasons, to think about a Yaris but, heck, it is a push to fit in one and I expect, apart from being easier to park and cheap to run, there would be serious downsides in being to transport anything 'big' if I ever needed to... oh, and in such cars I have to push the seat so far back that no one could sit behind me anyhow... but this is the same for Focus, Golf, Asta, Mazda 3 and so on. Or maybe car makers just don't think of tall people when they design and build cars? I can understand why so many people opt for easy to get in and out MPVs - if you are tall low seats in a great many cars are a strain on back, thighs and knees when you get in and out... an osteopath friend tells me that a great many people have cars that are too small for them and get in and out of such a car everyday when they would have no intention of walking around in shoes that were too small.
• ProShine Waterless Wash & Wax 2 Mar 2008 (Forum)
  Well in my defence, it was all down to the wife, One of those well intentioned Xmas pressies which seemed destined to languish unused in my garage along...
• New wheels for NoWheels 27 Oct 2005 (Forum)
  I have ruled out a Vauxhall Astra (good value, but the ride is horrible), anything FIAT (reliability), Seat Leon (looks nice, but pricey), VW Golf (price), Peugeot 307 (reliability) and a Mazda 323 (steering too light, I found a 1992 model deeply scary to drive). My first question is about the Xsara. It looks tempting, but I have doubts abt the reliability of Peugeot/Citroen petrol engines: I have been told that they do good diesels, but not-so-good petrol engines.
• 5 grand to spend and enjoyment wanted 30 Apr 2003 (Forum)
  So, as you can see I've hardly been spoiled. Here are a few I've considered or have been suggested: Mk1 Mazda MX5. Ideally British Racing Green, leather interior. Early 1.6s have 118 bhp, 1.8 has 130. Rear wheel drive. Light. Probably not ideal for a lot of motorway driving. And they aint cheap, and the Jap imports (which Honest John isn't keen on?)
• Top 10 diesels on the market 11 Feb 2007 (Forum)
  Cons: Diesel choice is plentiful but the 70bhp 1.4 is a wheezer. £14,050 buys a 1.9 whizzer. Tiscali verdict: 9/10 -------------------------- 5. Mazda CX-7 On sale: Autumn 07 Pros: Mazda is playing zoom-zoom catch-up on the diesel front, but the shapely flanks of the CX-7 promise to make up for any shyness in this market. So you want perfromance and practicality?
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  Should you get out of your car to help someone who has broken down on a motorway? 5 Aug 2025 (Ask HJ)
  Yesterday I was on a coach in very slow moving motorway traffic and noted 3 lanes of traffic also moving very slowly in the other direction on the other...
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  I’m joining the Motability scheme - how do I keep my no claims discount? 29 Feb 2024 (Ask HJ)
  I'm joining the Motability scheme - should I cancel or suspend my current insurance policy to protect my NCD incase I become ineligible for the scheme...
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  Should I buy a Kia Niro hybrid or PHEV? 20 Jul 2022 (Ask HJ)
  I'm interested in buying the new 2022 model Kia Niro, probably the 3 trim level. I need to decide whether to buy the hybrid or PHEV version. The published...
• MPG Petrol & Diesel Figures/Car Economics 17 Nov 2021 (Forum)
  They are all family hatchbacks, and the following are in the running: Ford Focus, VW Golf, Seat Leon, Kia C’eed, Hyundai i30, Mazda 3, Toyota Corolla. Obviously years and mileage vary plus specs available. I’ll focus on the Golf figures, as it’s been the leading candidate, but thinking about others now. I’m a new driver with limited car experience, so apologies if basic questions.
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  Is there any way to get driving lessons for a teen under 17 years old? 7 Jul 2020 (Ask HJ)
  My son is just about to turn 16 and over the next 12 months I would like to give him the opportunity to get his driving skills up to the level where he...
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  Are signal blockers a good stocking filler? 27 Nov 2019 (Ask HJ)
  Considering buying a few signal blocker pouches as stocking fillers. Some of them look a bit cheap and I’m not sure how effective they are. Are there any...
• Toyota Yaris - New car - first week review 7 Apr 2018 (Forum)
  We went back to Toyota as we had had a first generation Aygo for 5 years, which until it started letting in water like the Titanic served us well. We also considered Mazda 2 – more expensive and local dealer not the best. Suzuki Swift – similar price to Toyota, but shorter warranty. Seeing cars get ever more technology and systems which don’t really benefit the owner, I am actually appreciating this car for what it doesn’t have.
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  We want to sell two cars - is part exchanging both a good idea? 21 Nov 2017 (Ask HJ)
  My sister in law recently lost her husband and now possess two cars. Her own is a 2009 Ford Fiesta Style petrol with 38,000 miles. Her late husband had...
• VW Crafter CR35 2.5TDI - DPF!!! As usual. 20 Nov 2016 (Forum)
  Hi guys, I have had my fair share of DPF problems with my Mazda 6 but the ones im having with our VW Crafter is frustrating to say the least. Ok, We got our van on lease for 4 years - in the space of 1 year, we've had a new engine paid for by warranty due to failed DPF regenerations, after this its been in and out of the dealership approx. 15-20 times, every time the light comes on we take it for on long empty road for a regen...
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  How reliable is the Audi Q2 S Tronic? 7 Nov 2016 (Ask HJ)
  I am thinking of buying a new Audi Q2 with the seven-speed s tronic automatic gearbox, but am worried about reliability. I'm assuming that the seven-speed...
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  Car damaged by hit and run – what should I do? 10 Jul 2013 (Ask HJ)
  A young driver recently hit the back of my Mazda MX-5. Not a lot of damage was done but the lady in question drove off without stopping. Fortunately I...
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  Best Ford 7 seater to drive - Grand C-Max or S-Max? 2 Jul 2011 (Ask HJ)
  I have 5 year old twins and am looking for a decent to drive mid size mpv that i will use mainly as a 4/5 seater with a decent boot and occasionally as...
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  Which vehicle would you recommend as a replacement for my Toyota Corolla Verso? 14 Jun 2010 (Ask HJ)
  I have had a Toyota Corolla Verso for seven years. It has been brilliant but the warranty can no longer be renewed and I'd like to buy a replacement. For...
• Need to repalce Focus RS with something economical - Really don't know what car to get!!! 17 May 2010 (Forum)
  I personally don't mind diesels, used to own a Ford Focus 1.8TDCI and while having the RS spent 2 months in a 308 HDI which did 600 miles to a tank on a heavy foot when commuting. So far I've been looking at Mazda 6's but hear their diesel engines are pretty much the worst out there. So what I started looking at next was a Vauxhall Signum with a 1.9 cdti 150bhp. They're nice and roomy (i'm 6ft7), they can carry all my walking gear and others if people go with me.
• Can a driver refuse to give a statement insurers? 23 Nov 2009 (Forum)
  I was so surprised to see him reversing towards me, I didn't have time to check behind me (it was clear as it turned out), select reverse and move out of the way before he hit me. My guess as to the cost of the damage is more than a couple of hundred pounds (it's a 2006 Mazda 6), considering it's a whole new bumper and a straightening out job on the internal damage. I'm thinking, probably a couple of grand, even though it doesn't look much. I was driving my children to nursery at the time (1 and 4 years old), so I jumped out of the car and took the pick-up driver's name, number plate and phone number.