Honest John’s Motoring Agony Column 05-01-2019 Part 2

Honest John Back Room » Comments
What do you think of Elon Musk? Have your say | No thanks
View Threaded
Fri 4 Jan 2019 21:03
- Palcouk
Captain Sensible
Lexus generally bullet proof, if not exciting, but fully equiped
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 5 Jan 2019 13:08
- IrishNeil
Super Little Car - "found a 2014 TwinAir C Cult 6-gear manual convertible 105HP"

Is this BHP correct?

I have looked for a twin air and I'm struggling to find any above 85bhp.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 5 Jan 2019 13:52
Honest John’s Motoring Agony Column 05-01-2019 Part 2 - Engineer Andy
Super Little Car - "found a 2014 TwinAir C Cult 6-gear manual convertible 105HP" Is this BHP correct? I have looked for a twin air and I'm struggling to find any above 85bhp.

See: www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/fiat/500c-2009/data/

There's probably not many around, that's all.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 5 Jan 2019 14:01
Honest John’s Motoring Agony Column 05-01-2019 Part 2 - robtt
Yes, 105bhp was available at one time .
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sat 5 Jan 2019 15:44
- Peter Hobbs
HJ keeps recommending Peugeots with grip control and all season tyres in snowy conditions. Interestingly a friend of mine got stuck in 6" of snow earlier this year in our Pennine village facing uphill. I towed her Pug 2008 with grip control and Mich cross climates to the top of the hill about 600mtrs with my 10 yr old awd Santa Fe which has budget all season tyres, my personal opinion is there is no substitute for AWD, bearing in mind my humble SantaFe would be totally out classed by a Land or Range rover.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 6 Jan 2019 15:24
Honest John’s Motoring Agony Column 05-01-2019 Part 2 - Engineer Andy

It depends on:

a) How bad (deep and/or icy) the snow actulally is - 6in is quite a bit;

b) how the car is being driven and the terrain. A point will come when a 4x4 is needed, but only if it's shod on appropriate (not summer) tyres.

Winter or decent all-tyres makes more of a difference for most cars unless the conditions are terrible and the driver take on more than they and their car can handle. See the Tyre Reviews website for videos of why (on snow) winter tyres on a 2WD car are far better in many circumstances than a 4x4 on summer tyres.

I suspect your friend's case has just as much to do with their driving style and abilities as the car and tyres.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 13 Jan 2019 02:47
-
I have been driving the new Toyota Corolla, Hybrid (due in the UK soon) around New Zealand, courtesy of Avis and I thought your readers may be interested in a little feedback.

Overall, it's a nice little car, the hybrid system works very well, delivering a good band of torque through most everyday driving. It's quite nippy away from the lights and keeps up with the traffic easily (although the max speed in NZ is just 100kph which is rigidly enforced). On the road it is very quiet and relaxed to drive, steers nicely - all typical Toyota characteristics. I also noticed the sat nav and general IT interface is a considerable improvement on my three-year-old Avenis. Plus, I am getting 55 mpg in mixed driving!

On the down side, there is little room in the back, particularly if the driver is six foot. The interior is rather dark and plastic in feel, although it's pleasant enough and durable. (again, typical Toyota). The biggest disappointment is the size of the boot, with a spare wheel fitted, there is just room for one "long holiday" suite case and a small carry on bag. All that said, the experience has probably made me a "hybrid" convert, it feels like the way to go until something better comes along.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link