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• Need a new to me car 1 Sep 2024 (Forum)
  Having had diesels all my life, and towing caravans and driving horseboxes since in my mid 20's, now find the prospect of getting a 'new to me' car - especially a petrol one. We don't like an uncomfortable ride, but cannot afford luxury and MPG is important to us.  However, as we take our grandson around with us a lot we do not want a car with no back end.    Should have added somewhere that we also have a dog! OK, open to thoughts, and thanks for sticking with me so far!!
• Most - Let the sun shine on in! 20 Sep 2018 (Forum)
  For my new car there was no factory sunroof option, and anyway when I purchased the car the dealer had a special offer, a new car laden with lots of useful toys nearly 40% off list price - and that’s also important to me too.   I know a few naysayers will make comments about leakage, or structural integrity, or airbags not working, or reduced headroom   … I’ve researched all these and none are a problem.
• Honda Civic 1.5 Automatic VTEC hatchback, year 200 - Poor fuel economy 7 Jul 2015 (Forum)
  Hi there, I have a Honda Civic 1.5 Automatic VTEC hatchback, year 2000 (Japan Domestic Market import), 163,000kms. The engine is a D153B. LA-EU1. Type G. The fuel consumption has progressively got worse and I am getting between 23 and 25 mpg. Most driving is around town but the car does get some further runs of around 1 hour.
• Looking for no nonsense load swallower 18 Apr 2015 (Forum)
  With kids getting bigger by the day, plus dog to accommodate (with more toys and kit than the kids), I am looking for a reasonably priced, reliable to run, vehicle that can swallow a large load.  Looks aren't important.  Whilst thos may sound like a dodgy personal ad, it is definitely a 'new' car I am looking for! I have had a Merc Vito and ideally would want to go a size down from this due to high running costs.
• Any. - Reasonably priced reliable commuter vehicle. 9 Aug 2014 (Forum)
  My main requirements are a car under 4 years old that has 5 doors, air con, ESP, a full array of airbags and a reasonable boot. This car will suffer dents etc due to parking arrangements in loading bays so looks not too important. It needs to be more comfortable than the Auris (can't be hard) and return 45 mpg at least. I have a budget of between £7-8k. Can be manual or auto. I was thinking civic 1.8. Do you have any other suggestions?
• Mitsubishi Deliva SpaceGear 2.8 Turbo - No backup from specialist dealer 2 Jun 2014 (Forum)
    He has also refused to take any responsibility for the driveshaft or steering boots. I am planning on getting a report from another local import specialist as I beleive the vehicle was mis represented.Depending on the outcome of this inspection I will either take it on the chin as a lesson learned not to trust an MOT or try the small claims court.
• Toyota Yaris - Full/Intermediate Service? 31 Jul 2013 (Forum)
  However, the evidence (The service report) does not really convince me that my car has been given a full service instead of the intermediate one. Frankly, a Full Service stamp has been offered but I think that safety is more important than just a stamp. As there is quite a big difference between the Intermediate and the Full service price, I do want to make sure that my car really received the service.
• Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer - Vauxhall Insignia ST vs BMW 318D ES 19 Feb 2012 (Forum)
  Vauxhall Insignia Sports Tourer CDTi (160) EcoFLEX SRi NAV ( + options) a) front + rear parking sensors b) metallic paint 2. BMW 318D ES Tourer (no options) The most important aspect is the fuel economy of the vehicle since I will be doing about 23k miles per year. I have reviewed both vehicles and checked many review websites to try and get definitive figures of MPG and I cannot determine a clear winner on the MPG issue.
• Any - Left Hand Drive Cheapo MPV wanted for Portugal 26 Aug 2011 (Forum)
    The problem is that to buy a car in Portugal has a major headache - they have an extortionate tax system which means that cars from new have 100% tax applied.  Imported cars from other countries have a sliding scale discount dependent mainly on age applied, but caps out at 51% after 5 years old.  If you're 'resident' you can get around this by owning a car for 6 months in another country.
• Advice needed on low cost (mostly) motorway drivin 12 May 2011 (Forum)
  Advice needed on low cost (mostly) motorway driving   Hi   I need some advice on what car (probably second hand) to buy. My priorities are:   MOST IMPORTANT: 1. Low *overall* cost motoring 2. QUIET & comfortable with good ride on motorways (long journeys & making phone calls from car) 3. Good-ish acceleration (for safe overtaking). (0-60 in c.8 or 9 secs max)   DESIRABLE: 4.
• Worst Budget Tyre? 17 Feb 2011 (Forum)
  Over the last couple of years, whenever I have invested in a new pair of tyres I have allways done a bit of research before buying - reviews, asking friends, forums etc. The company car drivers say: "your tyres are the most important part of the vehicle as they are the only contact between your car and the ground - only buy the best you can afford" The Lexus owners said: "My IS200 came with those Nankangs and I upgraded to Michelins after nearly skidding into a hedge".
• Mercedes CLS - Car not level side to side 2 Dec 2010 (Forum)
  I have asked the dealer this question, but I suspect they are motivated to minimise the importance of this question given they've just sold me the car. Any help much appreciated as I am worried that I've bought a car that has been in an accident that has bent things that affect the suspension.
• KIA Pride (1991 - 2000) - 94 1.3 Another tyre marking question 1 Feb 2010 (Forum)
  I got my cheap tyres the other day, I'll only be using them off-road. Made by Event. Apparently a Dutch company but likely imports from China. One's got a red dot and a yellow dot. I understand the red takes priority over the yellow and is mounted adjacent to a notch or groove in the rim indicating relative high and low points.
• Nissan Qashqai (2007 - ) - good choice-opinions/alternives please 19 Feb 2009 (Forum)
  I seem to be the only person I've met who things the Honda FR-v is quite attractive, and I also like the look of the Nissan Qashqui. Ultimately though looks are not as important as practicality. I'm looking to buy second hand and keep for a long time. I live very rurally (I think it was probably the pot holes that have done for the puma) and do a mixture of motorway driving and very rural roads.
• Landrover off-road experience - truly amazing 20 Nov 2008 (Forum)
  There were some large mirrors besides the track, so I could even see on them how a wheel leaves the ground :) I learnt some important concepts * If the car is a capable one, even novice drivers can do off-roading to a good extent * It seemed to me that 4x4 with auto transmission is better than manual - as the car will perform most difficult tasks without driver's intervention * As long as electronic gizmos like torque distribution/ ESP/DSC/EBD work properly - they really help driving in otherwise difficult terrains Best of all, this Landrover experience doesn't cost a penny!
• Ford Focus (1998 - 2004) - 02 1.6 Dipstick reading 16 Nov 2008 (Forum)
  A few enquiries revealed no recent service (ie over 12 months) or oil check (I had to show her the hidden release behind the Ford badge!). I know the importance of annual oil changes and fortnightly checks, and that the oil light isn't a low oil warning light etc, so I don't intend this post to generate polite "told you so"-esque responses. A few dipstick checks (cold engine) revealed no reading on the dipstick (and still no reading after a short journey).
• `Tupped` by French behemoth in city street 23 Aug 2008 (Forum)
  Anyway, my wife returned and off we went, but I would have put a ticket on her car under the wiper if said, Stasi foot patrol had arrived. The other thought was, people are far more important than cars. Regards
• Car scam - no such thing as a bargain 28 Feb 2008 (Forum)
  Felt it was important to post the following advice here as it is a scam that we are increasingly seeing and although on the face of it you would say "who would fall for that", naivety and a bargain can blind the astutest of people.
• Mondeo vs Avensis vs. Maxda 6 vs. ? 8 Jul 2007 (Forum)
  Try a search for a Mondeo TDCi instead! So opinions on the Avensis and 6 welcome. A company car so CO2 and list price important. Alternative suggestions welcome but do not want it to cost more than the Mondeo if possible and that is taxed at 18% for Benefit in Kind (Euro IV pre 2006). Marques available are: - Chevrolet (right!)
• Speeding stats for my village 23 Jun 2007 (Forum)
  Furthermore, 93% of drivers were exceeding the 30mph limit coming into the village although may not have been caught on a camera. On the road past the primary school which is more important still, westbound 51% were exceeding 36 mph, eastbound 55%. This is past a school from which children have to cross the road from a blind bend, which is fine in the given length of road if the cars do the limit, dangerous if they dont.