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• For £2k what car 9 May 2008 (Forum)
  Obviously it has to be as reliable as possible and cheap/easy to repair so im thinking something like a ford as they are common (mondeos/fiesta so forth) so parts should be cheap/easy to get. Also needs to be cheap to run by this I mean insurance/tax mainly! Currently paying over £700p/a for my car and this is too much. What would you suggest? Currently looking through pistonheads and autotrader to see whats available.
• SEAT Ibiza II (1993 - 1999) - Ibiza GTi Cupra Sport - things to look for?? 26 Apr 2008 (Forum)
  I'm thinking of changing my Ka to the above - I accept insurance will be a challenge (I'm only 24!) but the increased running costs currently seem favourable to shelling out on the engine work required on the Ka (drinking oil) and getting it through the MOT in July. A friend is likely selling her Cupra soon and has mentioned she may sell it to me for £1300 with 12mths MOT.
• Mazda MX5 (1998-2005) - How honest should you be in advertising 26 Mar 2008 (Forum)
  I had a discussion with a friend and was talking about potentially selling my Mazda MX5 (1998 MK 2), which is great fun but thinking about getting a bigger car. I had an engine replacement last August after engine failure and although it's running great now I said I thought I wouldn't get what it was worth because it has had an engine change. He stated he wouldn't mention it, which I think isn't fair for an unsuspecting buyer. If I was to trade it in at a dealer (who would give me a low price anyway) would you mention it?
• SEAT Altea (2004 - ) - 2004 2.0 FSI (petrol) cooling system problems 26 Mar 2008 (Forum)
  It has continued to leak water for a few months and after fobbing about air locks they are now saying there is a fault with the thermostat causing overpressuring. This doesn?t make sense as the water leaks from the car when stationary as well as when it is running, even when left for a week. No steam is visible when looking at the engine, the water appears to be coming from the engine and not the radiator or header tank. The coolant is not showing signs of head gasket failure.
• Sloping windscreens 7 Mar 2008 (Forum)
  I certainly never worry about it, I'm more worried about my safety. When I'm walking I always look before crossing the road, and when I'm driving I wouldn't run somebody over unless they suddenly steped in front of me. However, when I'm walking the number of vehicles that go up on the pavement is shocking, but when I'm driving I stay on the roads anyway.
• Vauxhall Omega (1994 - 2003) - 97 2.5V6 - new head gasket - now poor MPG 4 Mar 2008 (Forum)
  I have been using climate control & max heating/lights during the journey of 30miles, each way, daily, in darkness, so expect some increase in consumption. But on a run from filling up in Luton, resetting the computer readings & straight onto M1, to start of motorway, daytime, no delays, max 6omph & no heating used, it still only got 23mpg. So any input welcomed!
• Weathershield Fabric from Covercraft 17 Feb 2008 (Forum)
  it is nearly £100 more xpensive than their cheaper Naoh and Evolution fabrics. The weatheshield blurb claims its breathable and water runs off like a ducks back, but as far as I can see it looks porous..... although yet to have tested it. also looks like it will tear easily. Does anyone have any experience with it and/or know how long it maintains its water-resistance ?
• Vauxhall Vectra C (2002 - 2008) - Major Flatspot - 2.2 Direct SRi (petrol) 27 Dec 2007 (Forum)
  I'll try to describe this as best possible ; Car has been running great.....until today Pulling away from rest,fine until I tried to accelerate in 2nd gear.Felt rough until I change to 3rd.If I tried to accelerate hard in 2nd,it was terrible.Tried again on a quite stretch of road and the emissions indicator flashed on/off (disappeared again).
• Volkswagen Golf IV (1998 - 2004) - 2001 1.6 Petrol Hot Start Problem - Help!!! 10 Dec 2007 (Forum)
  I bought a 2001 VW Golf, 1.6 petrol about 1 month ago from a dealer. From cold, car starts fine, runs fine, but if I stop at a garage, say after 30 mins driving (temp guage is in normal range) then the car wont start again. I can get it to start by putting throttle down full and craking until it does start, but it takes a while!
• KIA Sedona (1999 - 2006) - 52 - 3.0 CDi SE, Intermitent power loss. 8 Dec 2007 (Forum)
  When I collected the car back it drives OK for most of the time but every now and then the accelerator just stops working, the engine still runs but whilst driving I just lose power and the temperature guage goes up. This only last for a very short while and the temp guage goes own and the throttle kicks back in. I also now have no in-car heating....
• Really Long Distance Lorry driver & Overtime 7 Dec 2007 (Forum)
  Inspector John MacDonald, of Fife Constabulary, told the BBC Scotland news website: "I am delighted that we stopped him because when things go wrong, you can imagine the damage an articulated lorry is going to do if he fell asleep at the wheel. "We will continue to run operations like this."
• Volkswagen Golf IV (1998 - 2004) - Leaking brake servo hose 1.4 petrol 25 Nov 2007 (Forum)
  Second leaving aside the issue of safety which I fully appreciate would a slight vacuum leak make the engine run rich. Before anyone replies I fully appreciate brake safety issues. Thanks for your assistance in advance. slt
• Need a Motorway estate to replace my 03? Focus est 14 Nov 2007 (Forum)
  Hi all, I have a 03 Focus estate (TDCI Ghia); but need something of similar size that is better for motorway runs (for around the same money). When I got the car it was a London based runabout and an excellent one at that. But my role for the car has changed, and I now am doing about 500 miles per weekend on the M1/A1.
• Ford Focus (1998 - 2004) - 2002 - 1.8 petrol, Oil Consumption 13 Nov 2007 (Forum)
  There are no visable signs of oil being burnt out of the exhaust and no smell of burning oil inside the car. The car is running normally performance wise except for some engine 'pinking' under load at low revs.I am confused as to a possible cause of this problem, has anyone had a similar problem or can suggest anything please?
• Porsche Boxster 986 + Boxster S (1996 - 2004) - Temp dropped on mega-acceleration 6 Nov 2007 (Forum)
  Never seen this before, I can only assume that as it was absolutely freezing (at about 7am), the massive acceleration and high speed forced a load of cold air onto the rads - even though the engine must have been hot due to the sudden acceleration - is this likely? Car performs absolutely fine apart from that, generally running cooler at high speed.
• Porsche 944 (1982 - 1993) - Advice, please, on the 944 convertible.... 24 Oct 2007 (Forum)
  I currently run a Cappuccino as my "weekend fun car", but after a recent operation, my wife can't get into it, so it looks as if I'll have to get rid of it :-( Shame, because it's really the only car I've ever owned which takes me back about 40 years and turns me into a grinning 18-year-old....
• Rover 100 (1995 - 1998) - '97 Rover 100 c/locking solenoids keep failing 23 Oct 2007 (Forum)
  I would be happy to have the whole system replaced if this was likely to be a cheaper and more reliable option in the long run, but no-one seems to be able to give me any advice. Has any one any ideas? Car details edited into the drop down menus.
• SEAT Leon (1999 - 2005) - 2003 1.9 TDI 110 - occasional failure to start 18 Oct 2007 (Forum)
  Turn on the ignition, warm up the glow plugs, turn the key to the start position and nothing happens - no cranking, no click and no dimming of the dash board display. After two or three minutes and half a dozen attempts the starter motor cranks and the engine runs. Until today the problem has only happened first thing in the morning. Today it happened first thing in the morning and then again in the afternoon when I wanted to set off home from work. When the starter motor finally does work, there is a short delay between turning the key and the starter cranking.
• Mazda Mazda 6 (2002 - 2007) - Servicing - Dealer or Independant? 15 Sep 2007 (Forum)
  Prestige Car Servicing - around £220 for this but they do collect and return the car in that price. Which one should I go for? ie. is having the book stamped really worth the money in the long run (residual values when I come to sell on the car?) or should I just get it serviced partly myself (oil/filter change etc.) and perhaps more complicated bits at a local garage and forgo the book stamping.
• Daihatsu Charade (2003 - 2006) - Where are they all, and any news of a new model? 31 Aug 2007 (Forum)
  Just went from Norfolk to York and back in a day in it, and it cruised at above 70 on the A1 no probs. Used examples are seriously good value, so I would recommend them wholeheartedly as a tough run around, and being the SL mine has alloys, a/c and side air bags. I see Daihatsu has dropped the Charade off its website now. Does anyone know if production has ceased? I heard a new Charade is being launched in Jan 08 - anyone got any info on it?