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• Mercedes-Benz C180 - Starting Probelms 7 Sep 2015 (Forum)
    If however I stop it, wait 5 mins or so and try to start it the car doesn’t start until the second time (sometimes third) I try to start it (with the automatic cranking time given when you turn the car).   This all started in hot weather, and did once refuse to start when the weather was really warm (well warm for the UK anyway).
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  Bought a Toyota Corolla which broke down on the drive home - what should I do? 1 Oct 2013 (Ask HJ)
  I bought a 2004 Toyota Corolla Verso yesterday for £4000. Sadly the car broke down on the drive home, with the gears slipping into neutral and refusing...
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  Are 'credit hire' cars risky? 2 Nov 2012 (Ask HJ)
  My car insurance is due for renewal in two weeks and my current insurer has offered a renewal at £235, which represents a 17 per cent increase. Is this...
• I LEASE FROM MOTABILITY BUT I WANT TO BUY NOW 14 Sep 2012 (Forum)
  I have happily leased a motability car now for quite some time, I am on my 3rd car and fairly soon I will have to decide do I choose another New car or do I hand back the keys and go back to buying my own 2nd hand cars...I have tried to weigh up the odds, The cost of running a old 2nd/3rd hand car as apposed to renting a new car, I love the new car thing but things have deffinatly changed with motability, They have greatly reduced the amount of suitable cars with respect to how much I can afford for an advanced payment for the car that meets my needs, I need an AUTOMATIC, I also need a car that is very easy to get in and out and also with plenty of leg room, Unfortunatly I cannot afford the very expencive A/P For anything 100% suitable, So I would have to accept a car that would be uncomfortable for me to get in & out to keep within my budget...
• A year with the Jaaaaag 12 Aug 2012 (Forum)
  Driving wise its superb, it's so quiet you wouldn't know the engine is on and you feel completely detached from the outside world as you drive around. Put your foot down and it does growl and shift pretty quickly and the automatic gearbox is much more intuitive and sensible than offerings from French carmakers that I've experienced. The steering is very good, road holding is the best I've experienced and the somewhat costly set of Primacy tyres I had fitted are excellent for grip while maintaining a very comfortable quiet ride (note I do not work for Michelin in any way, this is not a plug Avant).
• Clutch warranty claim - Maker will dispute 20 May 2012 (Forum)
  I have a car with a semi-automatic gearbox. It's a Jan'07 model so well within the manufacturer's warranty period. I have posted previously about the very snatchy nature of the clutch take-up and finally after a number of attempts I have got my service garage to admit there is a problem with the clutch.
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  Dealer loyalty brings its own rewards. 14 Apr 2012 (Ask HJ)
  My wife and I are now driving our eighth Proton car. What this has brought us over those years is a very good reward for our loyalty to the same dealer,...
• Your thoughts on my possible car change 10 Feb 2012 (Forum)
  Sub 8 seconds to 100kmh preferred and around 140MPH top end (I spend a lot of time in Germany and enjoy something with good autobahn abilities). So, here's what is being pondered (only automatics too as the wife cannot drive a manual vehicle). Skoda Octavia 2.0 TSFI vRS DSG Mondeo 2.0 petrol titanium X sport (or the 2.2 diesel) powershift, id that the ford version of the DSG?
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  Why did a Jaguar dealer tell me that my chain cam XJ6's timing belt needs changing? 28 May 2011 (Ask HJ)
  I own a 2004 Jaguar XJ6 3.0 petrol automatic which has completed 61,000. It has been main dealer serviced from new and I have owned it since August 2007....
• Jamie's got new wheels!! 28 Apr 2011 (Forum)
  At the same time i bought that, my mother bought one, she has recently decided to go for something a bit smaller, so i sold my Focus which i was not inspired by, and have bought the 406 off her. Its a gorgeous motor, 01 reg in silver. 2.0 Executive Automatic. Petrol. My parents are the type of people who maintain cars to the letter, anything it needs, it gets and this has only done 36,000 miles from new, about 10,000 since my parents bought it. Absolutely spotless and they knew how much i missed my one when it got wrecked.
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  I recently bought a used Citroen C4 with an engine management fault. Should the dealer repair it? 16 Sep 2010 (Ask HJ)
  I bought a 2007 Citroen C4 SX HDI automatic on 22 April 2010 for £10,495. Within the first week it was signalling that the engine management system was...
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  Which of these two Volkswagen Polos should I buy? 14 Aug 2010 (Ask HJ)
  I've seen and test driven a Volkswagen Polo 1.4S 52 with 48,000 miles. It's up for £3495, has a full service history, one owner and is HPI clear. Is £3300...
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  Would an engine flush reduce knocking in my Saab 9000's engine? 13 Jul 2010 (Ask HJ)
  I have an N-reg Saab 9000 CSE turbo automatic. When the engine is running it knocks on the right hand side and gets louder while driving. I have asked...
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  My MINI Cooper's steering wheel is misaligned - is this an easy fix? 16 Jun 2010 (Ask HJ)
  My 2002 MINI Cooper automatic has a slight niggling problem in that the steering wheel sits slightly misaligned at about 11.55, as opposed to 12.00 o'clock....
• Volvo XC90 (2002 - ) - I'm getting used to it! 9 Feb 2010 (Forum)
  I am slowly getting to grips with it and in fact most of the issues I now have with it are down to the poor preparation by the supplying Volvo dealer. Like all diesel automatics, it need to wake up and stretch in the morning and the fuel consumption is dreadful at that time and also stuck in traffic and city streets at any time. You can't quiet see the fuel gauge drop but the average on the trip meter certainly does.
• Volvo S60 (2000 - 2009) - 01 2.0 Indicator stalk replacement - Haynes manual 19 Dec 2009 (Forum)
  Then simply pull the switch straight off the column. The connector is a multipin jobbie which breaks automatically as the switch is withdrawn. Refit is a direct reversal of removal, but align the screw holes on the switch first to ensure the multipins line up (you can't see them at all so you have to do this blind.
• Ford Focus II (2004 - 2007) - 07 1.8 DMF again and vehicle decision 12 Dec 2009 (Forum)
  I'm waiting to have a test drive in an Octavia. I hope to try a manual, which I understand has a dual mass flywheel, and a DSG automatic, which I have been told does not. I am a bit worried about the DSG gearbox because of my drive, which involves backing out uphill through a 90 degree turn. My current car withits torque converter is fine, but I worry about having to slip the clutch(es) in the DSG or on a DMF car.
• My dad is back to buying a car, so... 6 Aug 2009 (Forum)
  In short, he has decided he wants to change it while the scrappage scheme is in force as his car more than qualifies and he is fearful of more running repairs, but more over, he cant be bothered to think about it anymore and wants a totally hassle-free ownership experience now. So, what to buy? His criteria are: spacious, long warranty, easy to get in and out of, automatic ( proper box not auto-manual ) and comfortable seats. He also wants a boot that can easily fit a wheelchair without folding seats down. His budget with the scrap discount is £10k. the car will only do 5000 miles a year so a diesel isnt worth it but the car will be his until he either dies or gives up driving, then will pass to my mum to fullfill the same role.
• Ford Fusion (USA) - mini road test 14 Sep 2008 (Forum)
  They're very cheap at Hertz (I got mine for approximately $30/day). Spec: 3.0L 221HP V6 6 speed automatic gearbox Sports pack Climate control Cruise control etc. Microsoft Sync with Sirius Satellite Radio I think the Fusion is a USA specific car, but it's broadly equivalent in size to the Mondeo. Cabin is roomy and comfortable with enough cubbyholes and sufficient buttons to keep most people entertained.
• Chrysler PT Cruiser (2000 - ) - Tried one in the USA. 19 Jul 2008 (Forum)
  A 2.4 LTD automatic in a sort of ivory with leather and power seats to be exact. Underpowered dreadful auto transmission, between 17 and 18 mpg (US gallon), no handling to speak of (not needed on US roads in New England from what I saw).