April 2005
Whilst sitting in a tailback yesterday, a shiny red 406 Coupe drew up alongside me. Wow!!!
It was absolutely beautiful, not a mark on it and , it would appear, not been modified in any way since new. I decided there and then I wanted one, albeit I will need to wait a couple of years!
Then looked at some on ebay and the sunken leather seats in the rear look great and there are some cracking examples on there as well.
Then I read CBCB and the first line of HJ's review is
Jawdropping Pininfarina styling. One of the best looking cars in the world.
Couldn't agree more. Now, I know it is based on a humble 406 repmobile but is this car going to be a Q car of the future? Other similar sized cars I can think of are the Royale, Monza, Calibra, Probe Cougar etc but they would seem to have very little appeal just now, especially the Fords.
Thoughts? Read more
I have a neighbour who is a VERY annoying trader-without-premises. Basically, he buys cars at the local auction, chavs them up a bit and then flogs them off in (I presume) Autotrader.
He usually has about 6+ cars abandoned in various places around our estate, so every time he abandons one near my house (especially if he blocks by normal parking spot) without a tax disc on it, I take great pleasure in phoning the local nick to report him!
Amusingly, this week he abandoned a Jeep Cherokee and I dutifuly reported it to the old bill. Minutes later they old bill phoned back and asked me to check the registration number. I did and it was as I had previously advised them.
Here's the amusing part:
NOT ONLY HAD IT GOT NO TAX, IT WAS ON FALSE NUMBER PLATES!!!!!
How I laughed as the police took it away! Read more
Our local Constabulary has a policy ! If the local Beat Officer, PCSO or Traffic Officer comes accross an untaxed car, they phone a DVLA hotline, which confirms that the car is a bad 'un, it then gets towed away...btill. The reason that mobile phones were invented surely.
A friend of mine has just bought a £32k porsche. He reckons he'll be able to run it for a year and sell it for the same price at the end of the year. Now apart from servicing, cost of cash etc this means he'll be driving round in an expensive car for free. I'm not so sure - surely it can't be done.
I know people may pay extra to jump waiting lists etc, but once used don't Porsche's experience the 'normal' depreciation curve?
Thanks Read more
True enthusiasts don't have asbestos fingers either. In fact they probably get burnt more as they would be more likely to hang on to a money pit because, well, they are enthusiasts.
I have narrowed down my lease car selection to an A3 2.0tdi sportback or a 130ps Passat Estate. The local Audi garage could not be more helpful & have given me two 24 hour test drives and plenty of information. The VW garage most local to me - didn't return my first two calls, I eventually got to talk to their fleet manager (explaining this was a company purchase, but that as we don't lease many cars, it would be bought from whichever dealer I chose in an attempt to keep him interested). "No problem sir, 24 hour test drive, we can arrange that, give me a hour to organise & I'll phone you back to arrange details" - that was 2 days ago, nothing since. Tried another dealer earlier in the week, could only take it out for 24 hours if I arranged my own insurance, but she would still have to clear it with the sales manager - again never received another call from them!
I cannot believe their disinterest or is it incompentence, god only knows what they would be like after they sold it to me!
Am I unlucky with my two local dealerships or is this sort of attitude more widespread?
Mark Read more
Well, Honda were pretty useless when I approached them on a new Civic - they just couldn't be bothered. VW were much better, but were asking silly money for a Golf Sport 1.6. Ford were pretty good, but in the end, no-one came close to a deal on a Mazda 6 (thousands cheaper than the Golf, and a better car).
I just can't believe how many times I've failed to buy a Honda now.
My son recently bought a Civic Type R - from a more distant Honda dealer, who could be bothered; perhaps I'll try there next time ?
On second thoughts, i'll stick with Mazda.
Though that's at the second attempt to deal with Mazda - I tried to buy an MX-5, but the (different) dealer couldn't manage a test drive, so I bought an MGF VVC (D'oh!)
Just don't get me started on motorcycle dealers ....
My Brother in laws Renault megane Scenic (petrol, 1600cc)is using coolent at a rate of about 1 litre every 2 days. The car runs OK, does not white smoke, has no apparent leaks (system pressurised to 1.5 bar - held steady). New cap has been fitted -no improvement. Any ideas?
Thanks in advance. Read more
Sounds like thermostat problem.If it opens late and sudden it overpressurises system.It will expell water from expansion tank cap..Any problems with the temp guage.First sign is usually temp guage goes slightly higher than usual.Then drops to normal when pressure returns to normal less coolant..?
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Steve
On Sunday, I'm going to view an '04 reg Accord 2.2 CDTi Executive saloon at a Honda dealer. Arctic blue pearl, 5k on the clock. No Sat-Nav or other extras, except (I think) 17" alloys. Apparently this is an ex-demo vehicle.
Screen price is £18,495, but I've been 'stalking' the car via the internet for six weeks, and it still hasn't sold.
My trade-in is a 1992 J Volvo 850 2.5 20v GLT saloon. 65k miles supported by loads of MOT certificates and some service history, but being realistic not worth a great deal. Still runs very nicely, but cam belt has never been changed (!) and I feel it's getting to the stage where several expensive bits (clutch, catalyst etc) could fail in short order. Besides, I can afford to get something much nicer. Don't really want to sell the Volvo privately, as I have to go into hospital for an operation in a couple of weeks, and could do without the stress of timewasters, canvassers etc.
Compared with similar vehicles in the Honda dealer network, the price looks a bit rich for what is a 12 month old car. After six weeks on the forecourt, I'm hoping they will cut a nice deal for completion in April, either a 100% cash deal or part-finance if they can beat the 5.75% APR I would pay by extending my house mortgage.
Would anyone like to suggest what a suitable 'price to change' might be?
This is assuming I like the car. I am expecting to.
Thanks,
Chris
Read more
I have a late middle aged, very mild mannered, friend and colleague in one of the Swedish offices of my employer. In his intergalactic mileage Volvo 740 GLT, he chauffeured me to the coach station at the start of my journey home to the UK yesterday evening; Smooth, gentle, laid back, unhurried, mechanically sympathetic, softly spoken. All are accurate.
So, as well as (already) knowing that he's (yet another) Hog fan amongst my Swedish friends (1973, but don't know the exact model), what did I learn is his real pride and joy?
A 1972 Chevelle that he's owned for the past sixteen years, and in which he has just transplanted the original humble straight six with a tuned 454 that he imported from a motorsports division of GM. That's seven and a half litres of US muscle, with a holley carb the size of a three bedroomed semi, to you and I.
As if this ain't enough, my smooth, gentle, laid back, unhurried, mechanically sympathetic, softly spoken friend is going drag racing with it!
Just great.
Made my day! :-)) Read more
My thoughts precicely.
my son has a megane 1.5dci and has been quoted £380 for its 2nd service. he thinks that is steep. I have no idea, is he right ? still has over a year warranty left, so not keen to use non Renault for service in case it invalidates warranty. Read more
that does sound steep - a 2 year/20,000 mile service on a corolla D4D is about £170
I am thinking about using Forté advanced formula motor flush on my PUG following it with Forté specialist injector cleaner. I have read over the various postings in relation to Forté and have formed the opinnion that it is a good brand which makes good products.
My PUG was recently examined by a mobile engine tuner who, after conducting his numerous tests, affirmed that there was no adjustment of any kind required as the car was running very well(he still charged me the fee of £55 for coming out and doing the tests!) - but it left me secure in the knowledge that my PUG's engine was fine. Checking through it's history, I don't think it has ever had an engine flush and/or injectors cleaned. It's done a genuine 65K from new and is some 14 years old.
I wouldn't ordinarily consider flushing my engine, but since Forté products are so highly rated, was thinking if I should flush the engine and follow it up with a treatment of injector cleaner. Given that my PUG is an 1900cc 8v engine with a CAT - and the old adage of 'If it aint broke, don't fix it' ringing in my mind - is it:
1. Worth me treating my car to these Forté prodcuts?
2. Should I leave it and not tinker with it?
3. Is the use of these products recommended for such an old engine?
4. Any other advice/hints/tips?
I will call Forté tomorrow - or failing that Monday morning for their 'advice'. I am a cynic when it comes to such cleaners and additives, but since many have commented on the value of Forté products, am coverted.
Any input would be welcome. Thanks in advance.
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Im not plain stupid, just a special kind of stoopid. Read more
ihpj Ive found a few places on the net who can supply but want around £18 a bottle! delivered.
pls keep us updated.
Just wondering what the consenus was with regard to car cleaning products.What is considered to be essential when cleaning a car properly (obviously a bucket and sponge).I have read reports of clay bars being used to thoroughly clean the paintwork prior to polishing,something I had never heard of.Prices vary greatly from products Halfords stock to "high-end" products that can cost £50 for a small tub (i.e. carnauba wax).Just curious to see if the stuff I am buying is a waste of time if I am looking for a "showroom" finish.I used o use Auto Glym and was happy with that but is it really any better than Turtle Wax products??
Also looking for feedback on the best product/method of removing scratches.I own a Metallic black 04 Vectra and I am convinced that on each of the 3 occasions that it has came back from the Dealer (Warranty work) there has been a new scratch added.Obviously I can't prove this, so the next best option is to try to remove them if possible. Read more
You can buy a version of T-Cut intended for metallic paintwork - another method is to use toothpaste (very mildly abrasive) which also works, believe it or not, on minimising unwanted scratches on audio CDs...:-)
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I'll see if I can get some more details from him but Volvotrier (posts here occasionally) has got a 2.0 406 coupe. In general he is very pleased with it - performance, comfort, toys etc.
The one big drawback though is the gearing...apparently 70mph in 5th it's revving like the clappers and quite noisy. Spoils an otherwise excellent car.