April 2005
Hello all,
The posse and I are going on a little expedition next month and are going to need a minibus.
The original plan was for me to drive but I think I'm too young. I'm told 21 is the minimum age. Now only one of the group is 21 so she would need to drive it. I can't make head nor tail of the DVLA website (no I'm not looking at the Welsh version) so I wonder if anyone could help me:
1) Is she ok to drive a minubus aged 21?
2) What is the maximum seat number she can drive? - I'm guessing the 3.5 tonne weight limit comes into force
If we can whittle the numbers down, I thought about hiring a Galaxy or something and driving down in that but I'm assuming that isn't possible for the time being.
Thanks for any help,
--
Adam Read more
A decent pair of pincers will take a finger off nicely. A lot less trouble than searching for keys. Read more
it was a freebie and I can't say no to gadgets. It lights up red for God's sake...RED!
How could I say no to that?
--
Adam
For interest
1/ Top Gear returns to BBC at end of May
2/ BBC is recording a new series called Petrolheads - the blurb quotes "COMING SOON! Petrolheads is the new BBC game show along the lines of "Have I Got News For You" - but about cars and all things car-related! Hosted by Neil Morrissey with team captains being Richard Hammond (Top Gear) & others TBC!"
3/ Men and Motors is coming to Freeview May 2nd channel 38 Read more
Off topic here, but I'm sure I remember World of Sport featuring car jumping - i.e. 'athletes' leaping over cars being driven towards them at speed.
I was working back from uni toaday and came across one of the worst cases of dangerous driving ive seen in a while. I was crossing the road a short way down from a junction when an idiot pulled into the road with no signal, on his mobile fone and it appears without having seen the pedestrians crossing. stopped in middle of the road to avoid being run over!! the guy put his hand on his horn, didnt slow down and looked directly at me as he drove past. I gestured towards the junction and mouthed the word signal at him then crossed behind him to carry on home. the idiot then stopped put his car into reverse and proceeded to swear and curse at me to tell me to learn how to cross the road while i pointed out to him that it was a junction he had not signalled before pulling into the road. he continued to swear at me so i just walked off he continued to reverse against the flow of traffic until another motorist reminded him what he was doing with a blast on the horn. it makes you wonder how people keep their licenses!!!
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Im a student ive got time!!! Read more
Raises the question....."Why DID the chicken cross the road"?
Depends who's asking: tinyurl.com/b7xak
I have been told this is a 'characteristic of the car' Car has the new EU4 compliant engine. I haven't come across anyone else with the same problem. Car due for service start of May. I'm looking for suggestions I can put to the dealer as I've been fobbed off once already but lack the technical know-how to argue the toss. Thanks. Read more
I have the 2.0 TDi engine in my new A4. I don't get a misfire, but I have had 'limp' mode a few times, where the engine management reduces power (nothing to do with the traction control system, which also reduces engine power), however, nothing has shown up on Audis diagnostics. Mis-fire sounds very odd for a compression ignition engine...
El Dingo.
I have a 2003 TSport and the alarm goes off when it is parked outside in the sun or or on warm days. Toyota main dealer has had 5 goes at fixing , including various adjustments and a new bonnett movement sensor, but no joy as yet. Am beginning to doubt their ability to solve it. Anyone any ideas? Read more
On an older Corolla (1995) model which used movement sensors, it was possible to adjust the sensitivity using a screwdriver on a adjustment screw on the alarm "block box". I presume the main dealer has tried this when you say various adjustments. ON my old Corolla the alarm sensitivity would be greater when the battery was nearing the end of it life....it does sound like oversensitivity....
If you haven't already try : toyotaownersclub.com
.there is a forum with many CTS owners....
- S.
Anybody got a Touran? Any comments good or bad, I know all about the dealers having had a Bora before. Nearly bought a Touran a couple of years ago when they first came out but thought VW as usual were over egging the pudding and charging too much, bought a CRV instead and it's been a absolutely painless experience as regards ownership (it's never had to go back once for anything except for it's service) but as a only car I find the consumption a touch heavy hence the look for a diesel but a stone chip rusts in days, before you can treat it which it didn't do on the VW and I don't think the interior trim is as hardwearing as VW's. I know Honda now do a CRV diesel but they want silly money to change and at the moment VW seems to have seen the light as regards pricing on the Touran or maybe they are just not selling as many as they thought. Residuals for both the CRV and Touran look about the same. Got some good advice of the backroomers last time over purchase, any comments, advice would be appreciated.
Claybuster Read more
I have a touran 1.9TDI SE. Great car for families, and I get 45 to 50mpg out of it depending on the journey mix. The 105 PS 1.9TDI is not quick, but it holds its own. I would not want the 90PS 1.9TDI though (tooo slow, and probably underpowered). If you want quick, get a 2.0TDI, but the economy suffers a bit.
If you do a forum search, I wrote a review of my old 1.6 FSI touran some time last year. My new diesel is much better - more torque and 10+mpg more. One thing I would recommend is to stump up the extra £170 for the extra tinted rear glass (std on sport). This keeps the kids much cooler in the back.
Joe
Have a look at some of these:
www.topgear.com/content/fun_stuff/carbage/0/
The thing that always makes me laugh, is that for the same amount of money as these boys spend making their cars look stupid, they could probably buy a very decent motor. Saw a programme about a 'modder' as they're called and he'd spent £30k on his Saxo (not including the purchase price)!!! Read more
Have a look at some of these:
www.topgear.com/content/fun_stuff/carbage/0/
The thing that always makes me laugh, is that for the
same amount of money as these boys spend making their cars
look stupid, they could probably buy a very decent motor. Saw
a programme about a 'modder' as they're called and he'd spent
£30k on his Saxo (not including the purchase price)!!!
If this is the (late night satellite) programme I saw, they said the car was 'worth' £30,000! And the owner was only 19. Where does a 19 yr old get £30k?
I have ordered a new Audi A6 with Xenon lights which I am hoping to pick up in the next few weeks. Shortly after this I am off to France and will need to "correct" the beam for driving on the right.
However, I have been told that Audi xenons can only be adjusted in this way by a dealer. Can anyone confirm that?
My former BMWs both had xenons and had a small lever behind each light to adjust RHD/LHD, so it was the perfect job whilst waiting in the queue for the ferry!
Now it seems I have to visit a dealer then dazzle everyone as I drive to / from the ferry port (100+ miles) or else find a dealer at the ferry port who is open when we return at 9.30pm ... unlikely ... or one in France! Any suggestions?
Read more
Mnay thanks for this - certainly sounds cheaper and easier than going into the dealer on both legs of the journey.
Also, gives me an excuse to get out of the car at the ferry port for (ahem) serious mechanical tinkering leaving Mrs RP to entertain the 18 month old young fella whilst I do!!
OK I've investigated the 323 ci and I can't afford a good one and can't really afford to run it properly either - So I need something a bit flash with a bit of poke (sub 9s 0-60). Have so-far come up with Golf GTI 1.8 / 2.0 and Pug 206 2.0se cc - like the practicality of the Golf & wide image / love the fun + sportyness of the cc. I don't want anything too ordinary (ford, Vaux), more than 4-5 years old, or a Type-r!
I have read many many shocking write-ups of both the mark 4 Golf and the CC re build quality & reliability but the cc seems to come off far worse - I really don't want a car that is a lot of hassle - my Fiesta had nothing go wrong in 5 years from new(apart from I have now knackered the engine but that's my fault) and this has suited me perfectly.
For my 10k I would like to buy from a main stealership & get a car with no more than 35k. I also have no kids so space isn't an issue. My questions: is the Golf far superior to the cc / is the cc really as bad as people make out? And any info or opinions to help me choose between these 2 very cool looking and different cars would be appreciated.
Thanks, Ben Read more
Just looking round at a couple of things just to see what else you might like..
Vauxhall Astra Coupe (know you said you don't like but...)
www.cargiant.co.uk/cars/search3.asp?Id=240042
Audi A3
www.cargiant.co.uk/cars/search3.asp?Id=238958
or what about this pocket rocket
www.cargiant.co.uk/cars/search3.asp?Id=231539
Browse
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WEll - thanks for all of your replies people but the minibus idea is out of the window.
No-one will hire out to over 25's - surprising. So I tried the Galaxy idea - again - none to under 25's.
Separate cars it is then.
THanks again for all of your help
Mike - we're all heading down to Alton Towers for the day! :-) I'll be sure to hand down my Winstanley terrorising duties to the little neighbourhood kids for the day!
--
Adam