February 2025
Hi All
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Hi everyone,
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Chain driven motors in the 80’s/90’s rarely went wrong, unless utterly neglected.I had an '03 Nissan with cam chain. They were, allegedly, made from cheese. The engine only held 2.7 litres of oil. I changed it every 5K miles and never had any problems during my ownership, taking it up to 50K.
In reality, no engine should give issues up to 50,000 miles - even if abused and neglected....
Lots of nonsense gets taken about this on Reddit and other driving forums. The highway code is pretty clear but people don't get it. I was hoping to get the views of posters here. Do you think it's fine as long as you don't change lanes? Fine as long as you're maintaining speed and passing a MLH? Read more
‘ Average speed check on the motorway.’
That’s a new one on me - I’m not sure I understand the logic of it.
Short of asking an owner or a dealer direct , where might I be able to discover ( for free) the actual retail price of a car when it was first registered?
When buying second hand there’s plenty of info around re a vehicles history, MOT passes/fails/advisories , mileage etc plus of course the vehicles current value-but knowing what it cost BEFORE it left the showroom is for me a key piece of consumer data.
All ideas welcome Read more
In days of yore, Motor and Autocar mags used to produce buyers guides and motor show editions packed with technical and performance info as well as prices. I used to save such issues every few years and still have them for reference. My earliest is Oct 19 - 1968- 2s 6d Motor complete car by car guide Show Number. Here are a few fun facts.....
Aston Martin DB6 (top speed 147.6 mph) £4497. A.C. 289 quickest to 50mph ...(not 60 in those days) 4.4secs. £3068. Jaguar E type 4.2 (fastest 150mph) £2117. Mercedes 280SL £4003. Ferrari 365 GT 2+2 (no Ferraris tested) £7797. Lamborghini Muira £9525. Austin Mini £561. Ford escort 1100 £652. Cheapest - and slowest (58.3mph, 0-50 33.6secs) was Fiat 500F £543. But it did do 53mpg 'touring', 43.6 overall.
I’m sat here stunned!
I posted on here 2 weeks ago about my clutch problems.
I’ve since had the clutch and flywheel replaced 2 weeks ago today.
All was fine, haven’t been far, few motorway trips.
I wait on the small hill where the clutch went, a burning smell ever so slightly wafts through. But all driving fine.
I get home, about to reverse into my space. What’s this? The car won’t go into reverse!
I can just about do it, I need to lift the pedal up and it makes an ungodly grinding sound!
Also notices 5th is a bit sticky also!
I paid £1300 for this job just 2 weeks ago! I’m devastated! Surely the parts are covered?
Car going back in Wednesday
Any pointers greatly appreciated.
Thank you ???? Read more
Best of luck with that. As others have said, looks like poor workmanship.
On the bright side, at least the indicators are working - from my own experience, most BMWs' don't appear to work, or at least in 'ESP mode', because other drivers are expected to know what they are about to do and make way... :-)...
Sadly after 10 years axed from sale in UK. For many on here one of the best supwerminis available for some time.
Have you any idea when the CX 3 was discontinued or is it still available please ?
The newest advertised here in the UK on Autotrader is 2019. If you live in Oz they're still avilable new last time I looked at the Mazda Australia website....
Matt at High Peak Autos has just done a video about a 2015 Range Rover Sport hybrid with 66,000 miles, which had a problem with its traction battery pack. The price that Range Rover wanted to replace the battery pack with a new one is somewhat eye-watering.
I guess any 10-year-old hybrid (apart from a Toyota / Lexus) is a risk, but you're never going to win gambling on an older Range Rover hybrid .... Read more
Of course, although a diesel may have started the fire, the involvement of EVs could well have made things pretty bad ?
More likely things were made pretty bad because I suspect most people would have ensured their fuel tanks were fairly full for the return journey home. I doubt if we are alone in filling up at our local supermarket shortly before a return trip to Luton....
Which Hybrid would you for and why, based on style, efficiency, and room at the rear?
Thank you... Read more
One afterthought re the Yaris (and any other potential choices). Test drive thoroughly to make sure your'e happy with the way the hybrid drives and make sure you're happy with road noise/ ride etc. Some versions have rather low profile tyres fitted that firm up the ride too much and kick up more road noise inside the cabin.
My Swace has 205/55 R16s and the ride is excellent but it still has more road noise than my previous Superb, saying that the Superb was shod in Michelin Crossclimate's (same size!) and I remember when they were first fitted a big improvement in road noise so when I wear the original Bridgestone's out I'll probably be swapping to those....
Hi all,
This is my first post so please let me know if I’ve posted in the wrong place.
I am urgently in need of some advice about what used family car to buy. I’ve been looking for several months and am going around in circles and haven’t been able to make a decision. It’s driving my family mad and using up all my time and mental space! Would be v grateful for any advice.
I have recently had a 3rd child- all 3 kids need car seats and ideally I’d like them together in second row. Isofix not necessary but want all 3 to fit safely. Am not considering multi Mac car seat which accommodates 3 kids but doesn’t rear face for as long as I’d like.
Currently have a Hyundai ix20- love this car, it’s been so reliable and was fine with two kids but now my eldest has to sit in front seat which I don’t like and boot (whilst excellent for size of car at 440L) is now too small (also have a roof box).
Live in ULEZ area so would prefer petrol car. Can’t have electric as live in terraced house and couldn’t charge it at home.
Drive down France couple of times a year to visit family and camp so need a decent boot space.
Trying to save to buy first home but have to use savings to buy car - would prefer to spend under £15K or as little as I can get away with.
Don’t mind about look or drivability of car! Drive a manual and assumed best to stick with this as less to go wrong? Priorities are safety, reliability and space.
Thought a Berlingo type van based MPV would suit us well but got spooked by the Ecoboost / wet belt engine stuff. Same with Peugeot 5008.
Considering SMAX but don’t know if this has same Ecoboost engine problem?
Looked at a Sharan but reliability seems mixed and I’m worried I’m paying for VW badge which I don’t care about.
Sadly think the Toyota Verso and Kia Carens boot is too small.
Would be v grateful if anyone has any thoughts to share. My family think I’m overthinking/over researching this but it’s the most money I’ve spent on anything and I’m worried about making a costly mistake.
Thank you in advance. Read more
Yes I saw the Sharan had gone from 5 stars to 4 stars and worryingly the rear door detached completely… so take your point re difficulty comparing cars tested a while ago with newer models
Hello everyone.
I need some suggestions on buying a new car please. I have been driving an 06 Aygo for 4 years now. An absolute pleasure it has been. Zero issues and great mpg. Unfortunately I am having to upgrade due to lack of boot space, but I'm struggling so much with finding a car that's just as reliable and works for me within my budget of 6/7k. Really sucks. I've been searching for a year. ... Read more
Locking this now. The OP has been given some suggestions, it's up to them whether to take them forward or not.
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Good result and good advice. I always pay the deposit £100 plus on a credit card when buying from a dealer for this reason. Some dealers are fly to this however and refuse to take credit card payments or they add a fee for doing so. Walk away if they do.