July 2006
Hi
We're thinking of upgrading the family saloon (406 HDI) for something with a bit more space. It's just about big enough for the three children and all the paraphernalia, but something bigger would be nice. I like the Avensis (particularly the estate) but we're toying with the idea of an MPV. We like the Previa but worry that a) it would be a bit pricey to buy and run and it would be a lot bigger than we would actually need 90% of the time. The Toyota Verso looks like it might be a good compromise but I'm a bit confused as I've heard of Corolla Verso, Avensis Verso - are there different ones? We might actually keep the 406 as it's reliable and well-maintained.
Whatever we go for it will have to be a diesel - the fuel economy is important. We are currently doing about 12000 miles a year and I don't change cars often (every 5-10 years). I don't really care about it being a bit on the slow side - I'm past all that now and comfort and reliability are much more important (yawn!).
I've been a bit put off by what I've read on the likes of Sharan/Galaxy/Alhambra and I don't see e.g. Zafira offering much above an estate car (except the 7 seats, but there doesn't seem much room for the two at the back) although I may be wrong.
Any advice would be much appreciated, and if anyone has any tips for good websites/dealers/independents that would also be most welcome.
Thanks, Read more
hi i have a 99 vectra v reg.and the temp goes quite high there are two fans one in front and one behind the rad. how can i test both of the fans are running correctly.i think one is for the air con, but whitch one and some one has told me they have differant speeds on them ......so can some one tell me how to test each one .
many thanks
dave Read more
hi elekie&ac doctor
thanks for your help you have been a great help.
fan was broke so got a second hand one from scrap yard for £15.00 and tested it as you said ..bang on.so its being fitted tomorrow at the garage as my car is in for a service..
once again thanks
cheers
dave
Are there any "Rent-A-Wreck" companies around the Heathrow area, the only one I knew of was at Shepperton, but they no longer operate their rent-a-cheapie service.
I would like to rent a "used" car for a couple of days, I don't want to pay nearly seventy quid to a big brand hire company, especially when I can insure a wreck for £10.50 a day with NU.
Tried Yellow Pages but can't find any help, any ideas? Read more
You are an absolute star! Cheers!
Took a trip around Masham and Thirsk yesterday. Visited Kilburn for a visit to the White Horse and the 'Mouseman' furniture centre. We then decided to quench our thirst in the excellent Forresters Arms which is located on the village square, so ample parking - two issues really baffled (in one case annoyed) me and Mrs Daveyjp. The car was parked in the Mouseman's small car park and I decided to move it to the square. There was a Focus already parked nose in facing the pub (no bays marked) so I decided to park next to it, leaving a decent gap as we have the car seat to get in the car. As soon as I sat down for my drink the Focus owner left his table, got in his car, reversed in to the square, then drove forward again reducing by about 70% the gap I had left between our cars - he was so close he could barely get out (there were about 8 cars in the square with room for over 30 so space was hardly an issue!)! When we left I had to move my car and put the baby seat in and once again the Focus owner got back in his car and moved it to where my car had been! What was all that about?
Whilst sorting out Daveyjp junior another couple left the pub and went to their car. The woman was driving, her husband duly got in the passenger seat, unwrapped a packet of Hamlets, wound his window down and threw the wrapper and an empty hamlet packet out of the window littering until then a pristine village square. This really rattled me. As the car approached the edge of the square to return to the main road I asked the visitors who gave them the right to litter a beautiful corner of Yorkshire. The driver looked non plussed as she hadn't seen what hubby did. On explaining she duly reversed back and made him get out and pick up the rubbish - well done her.
In both cases the couples in question were in thier 60s whio no doubt complaim constantly about the yoof of today! Read more
It was a Sunday Lynch.
How much rope??
My wife insured a car in her own right until Sept 04 at which time she enjoyed 65%NCB, she has always been
the Spouse or named driver on my car Insurance during 32 years of marriage. Neither of us have ever claimed nor do we have any convictions.
This year, and in order to protect her NCB , it was decided she would once again become a Policy holder
naming me as the Spouse. Our Insurance Company will not accept her proof of no claims stating in order for it to be valid it must be concurrent to the Policy she is taking out.
In a nutshell Customer services say her NCB is valid Sept 04 to Sept 06. Motor Policies say because her NCB has lapsed for 21 months it is not valid.
Is there a difinitive or should we just change Insurer. Read more
Somebody has their head up their butt. In virtually every insurance company in the UK NCB is valid for a minimum of 2 years after the last policy lapsed. The only glitch would be if she had an accident in that car during the intervening time.
Tell them you will change insurers if you don't get the right answer; don't content yourself with the call desk person who knows lots about telephones but nothing about insurance.
i.e. put your boots on. Begin with kicking, move on to walking., But get it done before September.
I am struggling against an overwhelming desire to sell my kids, take a big depreciation knock on my Vectra (fine car) and get a Brera. It is so gorgeous. However, I had a nasty experience with an Alfa dealer a few years ago when I pulled out of a decision to buy a 156. (Torrents of abuse down the phone!)
Anybody got one, or any recent Alfa...is it a dream I should forget!!! Read more
A fancy a Brera in red. Looking at the bumph, Alfa call it 'special' Alfa red. What that seems to mean is that they charge you £400 for a flat red. I never cease to be amazed at their cheek!
In my wanderings around an Asda store this morning I came across 5ltrs of Asda Diesel oil 15/40 API/SL
A3 B3 for £5.96.
Bearing in mind it seems to satisfy the criteria for most cars including Turbos is it good value for money or safe to use? Read more
So long as it meets the required specification I don't see why not - supermarkets buy in bulk hence lower prices.
But have you tried your local motor factors?
Most will sell to the general public and, quite often, at trade prices (at least round here).
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
Is it me or does that car finally look like a quality bit of kit?
Im a long term hater of Fiats on principle as every one ive ever come across felt incredibly flimsy and fragile to say the least.
On looks alone id consider the new car - sure makes that dumpy new 207 look like a dog! The interior even looks great on the car I nosed around in a car park the other day.
Anyone bought one here? Read more
In answer to the OP's question, my father has a 5-door 1.9 Multijet Eleganza, which cost him about £10,500 after discount (I think they list at just over £12k).
They are indeed very nicely put together and the quality of the trim materials is high, with none of the cost-cutting evident in the later examples of the previous model. The spec has more than enough toys (including dual-zone climate control) and the 120 bhp diesel engine and 6-speed gearbox gives the sort of effortless high-speed cruising that you would expect it to in a car that size. Only criticism that could be made is the usual one about rather firm low-speed ride, but Fiat are hardly unique in that respect.
Only example of boneheaded Fiat quality control that I have been able to find is that they don't appear to fit a locking fuel cap as standard. Given that the fuel filler door is opened from the outside and has no lock, this is not ideal for security purposes; my father ordered a locking cap only to find that a) they couldn't get one with a lock barrel matching the ignition key (so he now has two keys of different colours) and b) they only seem to be able to supply after-market caps with "Unleaded Fuel Only" printed on them, which is apt to cause confusion when the car is diesel. This sort of silly thing is where Fiat let themselves down.
All in all, though, it is a quantum leap forward from other Fiats of recent years (Panda excluded) and the very healthy sales figures are well-deserved.
air bag light stays on and flashes i have looked at previous correspondence about wiring out connectors under the seats. saying connect colours to colour ie pink to pink grey to grey.but the connecting blocks on this 306 are pink to grey and vice versa.I have tried wiring them out using terminal blocks but to no avail I would be grateful if any one could shed any light on this for me...thank`s nige Read more
naughty naughty...........
to madmonty :(
Time for a week in the caravan (don't moan its kept on site) in sunny Padstow. I have to drive from NN14 3JW Thapston. Autoroute suggests going down the A14/M6/M42/M5 and onwards, but I dont know the M42 very well and am worried about getting stuck.
An alternative route and only 12 miles longer is to go down to Luton on the A6 and M1/M25/M3 onwards.
I am leaving the office at 3.30pm today.
Any hints as the best route appreciated. Read more
Thanks guys, M42 avoidance especially required.
Browse
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No-one's (unless I've missed it) mentioned the Skoda Octavia - 2.0 TDI is excellent. Depends on how old the children are - a Honda Accord Tourer is longer but there's more room inside.
Try a Mazda dealer and you can compare the 6 estate with the 5 MPV - the 5 has sliding rear doors which you might find useful. Similarly you can compare the Accord Tourer with the FRV - the |FRV has 3 seats in front, 3 in the back (like the Fiat Multipla, which you could also have a look at).
All the above are available with excellent diesel engines. Those, plus the Passat, would be on my short list. I have a Mercedes B-class which would suit you well for space but unless you can get the good PCP deal that I got, it's expensive, and in mine the diesel engine is far too vocal.