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• any suggestions please 10 Aug 2006 (Forum)
  can anyone being really honest, say what car should i try next to use as a eliable taxi, ive had a vauxhall carlton in 1990 it got worn out, changed to the vauxhall omega - gave up with that as it had nearly all sensors replaced, two rebuilt engines, changed to a 1998 2.0 td mondeo, had never ever problems with that too, ie, fuel injectors, glow plugs, and bad shaking through the steering wheel, changed to a 2001 2.0 mondeo tddi , and have experienced more problems than ever, two diesel pumps costing 650.00 each. drop links replaced twice, drivers seat replaced, clutch that took 2 days to fit as the whole subframe had to come out, ongoing air con problems (which are still happening ) bad tyre wear even after paying out for the ford 4 wheel alignment, i could go on but dont want to bore you, i need a good, heavy working diesel, that doesnt need things replacing so frequently, many thanks claire
• a cunning plan? 13 Jun 2006 (Forum)
  So, leave purchase of sports car until autumn, prices will be cheaper, and buy banger now. Does this make sense? She does, however, totally want air con in both cars. So, question 1: Shortlist for £1k bangers: volvo 850, v40, 940, toyota carina E, honda accord, nissan almera, primera, QX, mazda 626, MB old E class. Sound ok? Other suggestions?
• Pug 406 - Overheating or just me? 7 Jun 2006 (Forum)
  All my previous cars have been Fiestas and this was never a problem. Is this to be expected with bigger engines that have power steering, air con and the like? I've just got home from work and will check the water level in the expansion tank later tonight... problem is the container is black and you can't see the water level! D'oh! Thanks in advance for any advice/tips!
• New car for parents 1 Dec 2005 (Forum)
  My dad wants a car on which he can perform most of the service tasks, also parts should be reasonable priced and readily available. They are not fussed about air con though my dad likes to have a trip computer and outside temp gauge. Annual mileage is low so no real advantage in a diesel, my mum would only put petrol in it anyway! I have though of a Focus estate though IIRC it would have to be a Ghia to get the computer and temp gauge.
• Vectra 2004 Sri questions 13 May 2005 (Forum)
  I am having a problem with a few things on my Vectra and would be grateful for any input/advice My computer display has a "hotspot" on it.The Dealer agreed to change it under Warranty.4 x times now I have had the car in and the wrong unit has been fitted.The Sri has a multi-function display, the one that gets fitted is a basic unit i.e. time,date but does not display trip,average speed etc.I have been told by the Dealer that they are giving Vauxhall the part number from my original unit, but they are supplying the wrong unit, but say that the unit supplied is for the part number from my unit.This is over the course of 6 weeks now.Has anyone had this issue? If I put my air con "on" for a while and then turn it "off" the smell in my car is terrible.Smells "stale", like dirty socks or manure.It takes ages to go away. Lastly, if I turn my stereo up quite high, the sound starts to breakdown, cutting in and out.
• Mk 5 Golf - Media bias 20 Aug 2004 (Forum)
  For considerably less you could have any other medium hatchback on a like for like basis, Yet the cheapest Golf doesn't even have air con. Bargain? Not. Yes the VW does depreciate less, but then it does cost vastly more. Surely a discounted 'A' class Mercedes is better value than a slim discount Golf? Even more annoying are the Golf's 'understated' looks.
• Changing cars, but not p/xing. Options? 23 Jul 2004 (Forum)
  In the (reasonably) near future I plan to buy a Fiat Coupe. Now, these aren't the most common car on the road and a combination of the spec I require (air con, either PLUS or LE) and the fact that there are only a few colours I'd be happy with (Ink Black preferably) means that I'm not really going to have much control over where I get the car when the right one comes along.
• Megane Alternator problem 12 Mar 2004 (Forum)
  The same Renault garage are now quoting us over £500 + labour for a new alternator - because, as the car has air-con, it requires a higher spec alternator. What's going on? The service wasn't cheap but this is something else. Should the service have picked this up?
• Nissan QX ownership report 1 Dec 2003 (Forum)
  Best: 31.9 mpg Average: 26.9 mpg [60% urban; 40% motorway] Urban: 22.3mpg [central London] Worst: 12mpg [used in 4 road rallies] Serviced every 5k. Non-service items changed: At 123k: 1. Air-con belt 2. Power steering belt 3. Battery 4. Oil-pressure switch [my started to seepage, this is a known fault on all A32, well documented in US] 5. CV gaiters [+200gm of grease] 6. Front suspension arms 7.
• 9K sportish saloon required - any ideas 1 Sep 2003 (Forum)
  High mileage (under 100k though) for the right vehicle not a great issue, although wouldn't want anything older than 4 years. I would like leather seats, air con and traction control. The 3 series saloon is my current favourite, ideally a 328 (or is the 323 a better bet) round about a 99V. Passats are out, as friend in same position has just bought one.
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  What's the best screenwash to use? 21 Nov 2024 (Ask HJ)
  It's that time of year again - screen washer problems. The screen wash bottle is gross so I took it to the garage to get the pipes flushed and then found...
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  The air con doesn't work on my newly-bought, approved used car. Is the dealer liable to repair it? 10 Jun 2021 (Ask HJ)
  I recently bought an Audi Q7 approved used from an Audi dealer. It was delivered to me in Kent at the end of March. I had no need to really use the air...
• Budget 4x4 advice anyone? 12 Nov 2009 (Forum)
  I'm not worried about fuel economy or image, this is going to be a work tool and the fuel will be deductible. I'm also not worried about leather seats, air con, CD players, navigation or any mod cons, in many respects the less to go wrong the better. Many thanks for any suggestions! Rob Must haves: * Good off road ability * Capable of going on a motorway at 70mph safely * Reliable * £3-5k
• Mazda 3 mini road test 29 Jun 2006 (Forum)
  That was a combination of high speed highway, very low speed city traffic and those hills near Jerusalem which really knock the economy. Alos it was 30 degrees C and the air con was on full. It had four one-shot windows, which is very good. What didn't I like. The dashboard is too fussy, the dials are buried deep in tunnels and are not all visible with a quick sweep of the eyes across the dash, unlike my Subaru or SWMBO Hyundai.
• Mii Electric - Seat Connect 18 Mar 2021 (Forum)
  The problem is that the SIM card in the UK versions are not online with no ETA from the manufacturer. This is poor, it’s like selling a car with air con only to then say you may have it working some time in the future and then to add insult, I was contacted by them to buy a service plan which I tried to purchase this morning on the link they provided, only to find that it’s not available to electric cars.
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  Can you recommend the best car on a small budget? 11 Aug 2020 (Ask HJ)
  I have a very old, much loved Citroen Saxo that I’m looking to change. I only have £4k to spend but dislike tiny cars, what would you recommend please?
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  Replacement for Ford Kuga 17 Feb 2020 (Ask HJ)
  My 2012 Ford Kuga has 137,000 miles on the clock and has recently begun to suffer from mechanical problems. What should I replace it with? Another Kuga...
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  What economical small automatic do you recommend for under £6000? 6 Sep 2019 (Ask HJ)
  I'm looking for a used small car that's reliable and economical for my mum to drive around town (extremely rare motorway driving. It has to be automatic...
• Spacious family car to seat 5 circa £9 - £10k (used) 31 Jan 2013 (Forum)
  Decent fuel economy Reliable My daughter is very prone to car sickness, so the car should be resonably refined. Air con a must That's more or less it.  The car would be used fora short school run during the week and then days out at weekends and possibly holiday in the summer. We had a Verso for a little while, but it went back due to an underlying damp issue - we also found it to be a little too bumpy over some surfaces and the Diesel that we tested was noisy.
• Where do I stand 23 Mar 2012 (Forum)
  I've had nothing but problems with this car for the past 2 years, I've had the following replaced within the last 7 months - ecu, glow plugs, new cylinder head, air con unit, 4 sensors. Could I use this to help me in getting something done? Do I have ground to ring the finance company and explain what is going on, would it fall,under the sales of good act that my car is not fit for the purpose?