Honest John's Motoring Agony Column 01-06-2019 Part 2

Honest John Back Room » Comments
What do you think of Elon Musk? Have your say | No thanks
View Threaded
Fri 31 May 2019 20:55
- Engineer Andy
AB (Outsize Dept) might want to add the BMW X2 to their list - cheaper than a X3, nicer looking, just as quick, decent handling, though admitedly the visibility isn't as good as the X3. Boot space at 470L is a bit smaller than the previous X3, but not that small.

The Mazda is a great looking and handling car, but even with its 165PS 2.0 petrol it can't be considered to be 'quick' (0-60 in 9.8 sec [manual], 10.3 for the auto), and I wouldn't recommend the diesel, which is a bit quicker, because it isn't the most reliable engine if used on shorter trips from cold. Mazda diesels don't have a good track record for reliability, unlike their (non rotary) petrol brothers.

A set of test drives is in order. Both autos for these car are very good indeed, especially the BMW's. But then you do pay a LOT for the privilege with a Beemer.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Fri 31 May 2019 23:07
- Brit_in_Germany
Re: True Blue
I would suggest JT logs in to jaginfo.org and searches "adblue Halfords". It is a known issue which seems to relate to the sensor being too sensitive.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 2 Jun 2019 00:22
- marinipersonal
If the car has the option to press and hold the remote to open the boot, installing higher rated gas struts inverted would shoots up the boot open, but harder to shut. Done that on my previous 2014 Leon.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 2 Jun 2019 11:47
- Happy Blue!
Re: Juggler’s assistant

Mini Clubman has this feature. It is excellent, and no issues of the doors hitting the roof of a garage, as they open sideways.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 2 Jun 2019 15:13
- Hugh Watt
Apropos of nothing automotive - just a shout-out to whoever comes up with those sub-headings (- is it you HJ, or a particularly waggish underling?!). It was only when I found myself humming "Comply with me" a la Sinatra, that I realised how much they add to your weekly wisdom!
Reply | Report as offensive | Link
Sun 2 Jun 2019 17:56
- John Boy
Yes, I'm also an admirer of those sub-headings. I did something vaguely similar on a website for a while. I had to use sub-headings to summarise forum topics without, if possible, using the topic names themselves. Using wit is the obvious solution, but it proved to be really difficult over the long term.
Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Our honest used car pricing is a little bit different to all the others. You can get to our values through make or model - you don’t have to follow a prescribed route. Plus, it’s live, which means we can react to changes in the market quicker than any printed price guide.

Honest Used Car Prices

From which small car to buy at which price point to the best UK-built cars, our Top 10s have the lot. Click now for your shortlist.

Unsure of what to buy? Our Top 10s are here to help you....