July 2005
Does anyone know where the drain holes(s) are in the above vehicle ? - I checked the car today and the plenum chamber is flooded (Car Parked on an angle and water 1cm up on electrical ECU box, halfway up the servo !!) The mats inside the car feel dry so fingers crossed no damage to ECU's. I've had a good look with a torch - I haven't removed the battery but I can't see any evidence of drain holes in either corner are they under the battery ?
Thanks in advance Read more
I need to travel from Portsmouth to Whitstable next Friday, aiming to arrive around 10 am.
Autoroute suggests A3 up to M25, then pick up M26 to M20.
Asking for a route that avoids the M25, takes me along the coast to Brighton & Lewes, then follow the A roads through Heathfield, Cranbrook and on up to Whitstable.
Both routes are the same distance, and should take 3hrs and 3.5hrs respectively (I will be towing a small boat so speed is reduced).
All other things being equal the motorway route would be my choice, easier to navigate and drive, but the timing means I?ll hit the M25 in rush hour.
The other route doesn?t look that appealing either though, and I suspect traffic may be just as busy for the time I will be travelling.
Is there anyone who knows the roads in question that can give an opion, or perhaps a 3rd route option.
Many thanks.
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>>The M25 anti clock from J10 to m20 is actualy quite light of >>traffic during morning rush hour.
>>you will however hit a shedload of aggro on A3 northbound at >>Hindhead during rushhour.
Many thanks for all replies. I think if the M25 is not to bad, that will be my route. Plan to leave early, so hopefully will clear the A3 before traffic really starts to build.
Journey time is based on towing speed restrictions, so will be a bit longer than when driving solo.
the chap in the MG ZS on car nation? The "fast" one?
I see some fun ahead.... Read more
I switched off very early on when the narrator described the
Discovery the woman and 3 kids were in as a "people
mover". Usual high BBC standards of research. How easy is it
to read the damn name on the back of the car!!!!
mutter mutter Tunbridge Wells etc etc
Actually, the discovery was her hubbies car. She was driving a people carrier most of the time.
I think we can expect most of those featured this week to be colecting a Darwin or two in the near future.
My personal twonk award goes to the taxi driver in the Ferarri tee-shirt although the Rover man was a close 2nd!
Next week features a young lady in a series 4 Alfa spider, she's a friend of mine and has been described in the blurb as the "voice of reason" :)
JaB
In the Ford Focus, which is the best engine to have. I'm assuming you automatically ditch the 1.6, so a toss up between the 1.8 and the 2.0? In struggling to sort a car out for my wife, we had a drive in a 02 2litre today and I thought it was a bit rough and noisy when revved. Read more
I wasn't "dissing" pensioners, I was merely making the point that when the larger engined Foci are driven hard the fuel consumption drops. Pensioners in the main seem to drive more sedately than younger persons, and from your evidence posted above you have illustrated my point. Head over to www.ffoc.co.uk and search for "fuel consumption" and you will see what I mean.
I'm sure if I reach pensionable age I'll take what the younger generation say about me with good humour.
Hi Folks,
I'm writing the following thread for one of my friends who is having a bit of a problem with negative equity on her car. If the thread is not in the correct place can one of the mods move it thanks!
Ok, heres the story. she wants to buy a new car and the garage she wants to buy the new car from have gave her a breakdown of costing as follows:-
Basic Cost of New Car 8092.00
Metalic Paint 325.01
Discount -1182.00
Registration Fee 38.00
Fuel 20.00
Tax 105.00
Short Fall Insurance ??? 299.00
Negative Equity/Outstanding Amt 7300.51
Part Exchange Existing Vehicle -3800.00
Delivery of Vehicle to the Garage??? 400.00
Cash Input - 113.51
Balance = £10,944.00
For some reason the above figures don't add up yet this is the costing the garage have gave her
The repayments are as follows:
£195.00 per month for 24 Months
£228.00 per month for 36 Months
She is currently paying £228.00 at the moment for the vehicle she currently has. The garage have offered to pay £33.00 per month direct to her bank account but the finance company would still take the £228.00 per month.
If there are any car sales guy/gals out there that can make head nor tail of the above please get in touch with any advice or thoughts, cause my head is pickled.
Is there any way around this negative equity?? Just to clarify the type of finance she has on the vehicle she currently has is a Motor Loan which if i'm correct is similar to a Personal Loan only from a Garage.
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Thanks folks
Thinking of going for a Sport. Got a few questions about the 6, not had the chance the look at a user manual for the car yet but would liek to compare it to my current car.
Firstly, how does the Climate function? Does it direct warm air to foot wells and cold air to dash vents? What about when the car is cold in the winter, does it wait for the engine temp to rise before it switches the blower on?
Also, regarding the rear wash/wipe, is it intermitant? Does it come on if the front wipers are on and reverse gear is selected?
Also, if you own a Sport, how do you find the performance compare to a 2L?
Thanks very much for any info. Read more
No, not another gardening programme!
Follows TG tonight on BBC2 at 9pm, exploring the role of cars in our lives, how we drive, and what we think of our fellow road users (should be plenty of beeps then). Read more
>>Am I right in thinking that a 15 year old car is likely to be far more polluting than nearly any modern vehicle, given lack of advanced engine management controls and catalytic convertors?
>>
Yes but what about the huge amount of pollution caused by the manufacturing process which is likely to be several times that of the lifecycle pollution output of the vehicle.
By not buying a new (or newer) car one could argue that they are being environmentally friendly!
Following up on a thread from last year (or possibly the year before), this is just a reminder for those backroomers with spacesaver spares - a garage airline WILL NOT achieve the required pressure of 60psi, you need to use a proper footpump or even better a 12v inflator. I bring this up now due to the impending holdiday season and hope it saves at least one person an accident due to an underinflated tyre. I can't remember when I last checked mine, but when I did it yesterday it only had 45psi in it.... Read more
Just a quick question this one.
How long, on average, would you expect a clutch cable to last?
I know it will depend upon its use, but what do you think? The one on my '93 Polo is the original, and has covered a respectable distance of over 106000, but my dad thinks that the pedal is heavy. This is hard for me to verify, because I use the car all the time.
I thought it might be worthwhile changing, as a 'just in case' kinda thing, because the last thing I want is for it to snap.
Many thanks Read more
If the cable is a straight run, ages. If tortuous e.g. taken round a pulley like our old 83 GL5 Passat [German car designed for LHD] - about 40,000. After snapping one at 6am, 30 miles into a holiday journey to Cornwall [clutchless g/changes over the Cotswolds to Cheltenham dealer to get replacement! ] I always carried a spare.
You can sometimes feel them beginning to go when one or two strands have succumbed to metal fatigue and the pedal feels stiff, but don't bank on it! In 190,000m I got thru 4 [but original clutch plate and g/box!]
After only one month of persistant electrical problems, Jezza has called it a day and handed bck his GT40 for a full £126k refund. Read more
As Clarkson didn't want to profit from his position, I offered to take the Ford off his hands and resell it myself at the higher price. Then he would have a clear conscience and I would have 50-125K profit. Haven't heard back from him yet!
Seriously though, he could get the Ford back, resell it and donate the difference to charity.
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Be aware that there are two, equidistant of the centre line. If you know roughly where they are you can clear then with a long screwdriver with no disassembly.
Rgds