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Your car; changed it recently?
Topic Started: Dec 30 2014, 10:46 PM (670 Views)
ranger121
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I have to announce that 'er indoors has put her foot down, now that I have retired, and decided that we don't NEED two cars any more.

So, it was democratically decided (she told me) that my beloved MX5 has to go. Not only can she no longer get into it because of her dodgy hips (it was alright three years ago) but I have to admit that going any further than 50 miles in it becomes a back-breaking sciatica fest. Nice cruise, [Mazda smile] great on them B roads, burns off beamers and audis at traffic lights but you sometimes feel that you're riding with your ass on the floor. Them speed bumps do no favours, either. Good for people a bit younger. So, correct decision.

The compromise was that we trade in her favourite granny bus (a Mazda 5) as well, and get something smaller.

So, after a brief visit to the local Mazda dealer and a walk-round, some calculator work, a small discussion and a shake of the hand, I am now the [proud] owner of a '61 Mazda 3 sport 2.2 diesel 185bhp in white.

In fact, stuff privacy, here's the actual thing. http://www.chrisallengarages.co.uk/used-cars/727/mazda-3

My only tiny niggle with it is that the handbrake is on the 'wrong' side.

Seems a bit Citroen or Saab-like.


Anyway, what's yours?

Show us your car!
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Steve K
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2007 Mazda 3 MPS

Mazda 3's are stonking good cars
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LillyBee
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I would love to add to this thread but I do not have one at the moment. In the area of town I am in, all I have to do is call the day before and a nice warm limo comes to my door. No cleaning snow off a car, warming it up, upkeep, gas and the list goes on and on. $4.00 (U.S.) round trip. I'm thinking seriously of not getting another and yet it doesn't give one the freedom to go as I wish.
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Steve K
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LillyBee
Dec 31 2014, 02:30 PM
I would love to add to this thread but I do not have one at the moment. In the area of town I am in, all I have to do is call the day before and a nice warm limo comes to my door. No cleaning snow off a car, warming it up, upkeep, gas and the list goes on and on. $4.00 (U.S.) round trip. I'm thinking seriously of not getting another and yet it doesn't give one the freedom to go as I wish.
So you get a new car every day then /8/
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Rich
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1994 ford focus estate with 243000 on the clock, last October I took it in for the MOT (passed) and the technician took one look and said "blimey, if it ain't the starship enterprise" :'( ....it is very reliable especially in cold conditions, and the registration is ...........X76 RFC, Reading football club. /8/
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nute
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Half share in a 71 ex military Landy - off road runabout

VW Touraeg with 95K on the clock - every day car

AC Cobra replica 5.7ltr chevy engine, 360hp - good weather fun car

Posted Image

1913 Wolsley

Posted Image

Its missing the spare wheel in this photo which sits on the cone like thing beside the drivers door.
Edited by nute, Jan 1 2015, 03:39 PM.
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Steve K
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disgruntled porker
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Small world innit? I've been looking at something a bit fruitier than my current motor, and one strong candidate was the mazda 3 with the 2.2 diesel producing 185 bhp. However, today I signed on the bottom line for a mazda 6 2.2d Takuya. Only 165 bhp, but its got more oomph than my current bus, a mazda 2 1.5 sport. The new one is nice and comfy with loads of little luxuries that I'm not used to. Even heated seats by george!
Edited by disgruntled porker, Jan 23 2015, 06:59 PM.
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disgruntled porker
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Steve K
Dec 31 2014, 12:19 AM
2007 Mazda 3 MPS

Mazda 3's are stonking good cars
Hmmmmmmm. 0 to 60 in about6 secs. 256 bhp. I looked at one but the insurance (34) put me off.Anyway I'm too old for the boy racer thing. ;D
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Deleted User
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Diesels, especially ones with a DPF are great for long journeys but not too good for urban or lots of short journeys.
I like the torque , it suits me, but the down size is that it wears the drive gear and fukes the DMF in short journeys and traffic too.
Great for motorways though.
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Steve K
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disgruntled porker
Jan 23 2015, 06:57 PM
Steve K
Dec 31 2014, 12:19 AM
2007 Mazda 3 MPS

Mazda 3's are stonking good cars
Hmmmmmmm. 0 to 60 in about6 secs. 256 bhp. I looked at one but the insurance (34) put me off.Anyway I'm too old for the boy racer thing. ;D
Well it's going to cost me £450 to insure it this year and I get about 30mpg so not too bad.

Yes it can be a hot hatch but mostly it's a very easy car to drive safely. You know the bonkers power is there IF you need it but you so so rarely do. I see it this way, overtaking is much safer the less time you are actually doing the overtaking and round here in sleepy Sussex with the least amount of dual carriageway in England and so many doddery old 28mph in the 50 limit motorists you do need to overtake occasionally.
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ranger121
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If I can find any fault with my 2.2 185bhp diesel, it's a small delay in getting a boost when in second gear from low revs. It was what put a mate off buying a similar Honda Civic.

It kicks like a turbo but isn't quite instant, if you know what I mean.

Short-shifting quickly from 1 to 2 when setting off and keeping the revs up seems to give the kick, but it's nowhere near as 'torquey' as the MX5.
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Steve K
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Yes modern turbo diesels are really very good. My main dislike is the ones I've driven don't have the wide power range across the revs but that maybe just those models.
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Affa
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I've had two Peugeot diesels in the past, a 205 DT (turbo), and a 405 2litre saloon.
I swear by both ........... Peugot make a fine diesel engine imo. The 405 emissions were factory spec after ten years and mileage round the clock. Then went for Ford Mondeo 2l zetec ......... fun car to drive (the test drive is what sold me on it), but lousy mileage.


Edited by Affa, Jan 25 2015, 11:59 PM.
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Jessamy Bride
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Quote:
 
No cleaning snow off a car, warming it up


Why can't they invent a car that defrosts itself......like the rear window does

I'm getting fed up of chiselling off the ice.......In the dark..... at 6.30 in the morning

Cars have to suit our life styles.
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johnofgwent
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It .. It is GREEN !!
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Jessamy Bride
Jan 27 2015, 06:38 PM
Quote:
 
No cleaning snow off a car, warming it up


Why can't they invent a car that defrosts itself......like the rear window does

I'm getting fed up of chiselling off the ice.......In the dark..... at 6.30 in the morning

Cars have to suit our life styles.
Um ....

My s-max defrosted its front screen and liads of my cars had defrosting mirrors

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Jessamy Bride
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Just got back from my local garage after the battery went flat this morning. The owner told me a few interesting things.

Cars are coded now... so that only the dealership garage can fix the problem
and they are basically charging inflated prices.

The electrics are bundled so that...ie if a light goes out....the wipers stop working.

They have seen cars which have previously been quoted hundreds of pounds for parts that don't need replacing.
and trust is being lost by the customers.

People like me just want a local trusted garage.....where I can drop it off, walk home and pick it up later
Could do without big franchises ruining trade and ripping people off.

Something is amiss in the car industry which perhaps it would be wise to keep an eye on.
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Steve K
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Jessamy Bride
Jan 31 2015, 02:14 PM
Just got back from my local garage after the battery went flat this morning. The owner told me a few interesting things.

Cars are coded now... so that only the dealership garage can fix the problem
and they are basically charging inflated prices.

The electrics are bundled so that...ie if a light goes out....the wipers stop working.

They have seen cars which have previously been quoted hundreds of pounds for parts that don't need replacing.
and trust is being lost by the customers.

People like me just want a local trusted garage.....where I can drop it off, walk home and pick it up later
Could do without big franchises ruining trade and ripping people off.

Something is amiss in the car industry which perhaps it would be wise to keep an eye on.
You can buy the tooling/scanners that work with the coded cars but a garage owner isn't going to invest in that if they don't think they'll get a return.

My brother in law uses such but even his garage won't cover every car that might turn up


IIRC it is illegal (an EU restriction) to sell any product that has foreseeable maintenance needs without making reasonably available the information and tooling to allow an open market in that maintenance.
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Affa
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Jessamy Bride
Jan 31 2015, 02:14 PM
Just got back from my local garage after the battery went flat this morning. The owner told me a few interesting things.

Cars are coded now... so that only the dealership garage can fix the problem
and they are basically charging inflated prices.

The electrics are bundled so that...ie if a light goes out....the wipers stop working.

They have seen cars which have previously been quoted hundreds of pounds for parts that don't need replacing.
and trust is being lost by the customers.

People like me just want a local trusted garage.....where I can drop it off, walk home and pick it up later
Could do without big franchises ruining trade and ripping people off.

Something is amiss in the car industry which perhaps it would be wise to keep an eye on.

Son-in-law had his warning light appear and his speed (on the motor way) was governed to 50 mph. He knew not why.
Turns out a brake bulb had gone. £25 for the diagnostics to tell him of it.

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ranger121
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Affa
Jan 31 2015, 08:14 PM
Jessamy Bride
Jan 31 2015, 02:14 PM
Just got back from my local garage after the battery went flat this morning. The owner told me a few interesting things.

Cars are coded now... so that only the dealership garage can fix the problem
and they are basically charging inflated prices.

The electrics are bundled so that...ie if a light goes out....the wipers stop working.

They have seen cars which have previously been quoted hundreds of pounds for parts that don't need replacing.
and trust is being lost by the customers.

People like me just want a local trusted garage.....where I can drop it off, walk home and pick it up later
Could do without big franchises ruining trade and ripping people off.

Something is amiss in the car industry which perhaps it would be wise to keep an eye on.

Son-in-law had his warning light appear and his speed (on the motor way) was governed to 50 mph. He knew not why.
Turns out a brake bulb had gone. £25 for the diagnostics to tell him of it.

Damned murderous motorists, thinking they should drive safely over 50 with only one brake light working.

Should be locked up forever and their licences taken off them for good.

Bastards.

/end Daily Mail commenter mode
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Deleted User
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Main dealers are expensive and largely quite incompetent. They are lead by diagnostics and not common sense or skill. There are usually good independent specialist garages for most cars. They will have everything that the main dealers have and cost less.
Anyone taking their cars to main dealers, if they are out of warranty, are simply wasting money
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ranger121
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Indeed. The local garage that I use is half the price of the main dealer for the same service.

Fortunately, for the car I've just got, that same garage is in the service history, so I know they can do the job. !clp!
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Tigger
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Affa
Jan 31 2015, 08:14 PM
Jessamy Bride
Jan 31 2015, 02:14 PM
Just got back from my local garage after the battery went flat this morning. The owner told me a few interesting things.

Cars are coded now... so that only the dealership garage can fix the problem
and they are basically charging inflated prices.

The electrics are bundled so that...ie if a light goes out....the wipers stop working.

They have seen cars which have previously been quoted hundreds of pounds for parts that don't need replacing.
and trust is being lost by the customers.

People like me just want a local trusted garage.....where I can drop it off, walk home and pick it up later
Could do without big franchises ruining trade and ripping people off.

Something is amiss in the car industry which perhaps it would be wise to keep an eye on.

Son-in-law had his warning light appear and his speed (on the motor way) was governed to 50 mph. He knew not why.
Turns out a brake bulb had gone. £25 for the diagnostics to tell him of it.

This cannot be true surely? ;D

I have a modern Citroen with more gizmos and gadgets than you could shake a stick at and it never goes wrong, if it needs servicing or if basic stuff gives trouble (bulbs, oil changes etc etc) I just sort it out myself rather than bother a garage.

Despite the at times unwanted complexity I think modern vehicles are far superior to the unreliable rust buckets I drove around in thirty years ago.
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ranger121
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Tigger
Feb 3 2015, 09:23 PM
This cannot be true surely? ;D

I have a modern Citroen with more gizmos and gadgets than you could shake a stick at and it never goes wrong, if it needs servicing or if basic stuff gives trouble (bulbs, oil changes etc etc) I just sort it out myself rather than bother a garage.

Despite the at times unwanted complexity I think modern vehicles are far superior to the unreliable rust buckets I drove around in thirty years ago.
The recent Top Gear had the boys driving around the outback admittedly in late 2014 reg'd cars, allegedly, (shipping them to Aus and back to the UK must be a sod of a bill - far better to have two of each, hmmm, boys?) in the hope that the extremes of dust and temperature would cause a Bentley Continental, a Nissan GTR or even a top-of-the-range BMW to fail so that they could mock it for the rest of it's production life. Huh?

Couldn't even drive around in the outback, huh?

What a crock of crap.

They did however demonstrate that the current highway code stopping distances are hopelessly out of date, by having drivers that spend extraordinarily long hours behind the wheel, sometimes doing silly stunts at silly speeds whilst at the same time attempting to keep a car in a straight line (or not) and whose reaction times are probably way above average, to have them get up to 60 mph - in three multi-tens of thousand pound top-of-the-range cars - then slam the electronically-assisted ceramic brakes on. Which resulted in very short stopping distances, compared to official numbers which the police will use in prosecution cases. Anyway, they appear correct that the vast majority of us suffer from speed-related fines etc because of out-of-date specs and because someone, somewhere, owns a Ford Anglia.

But we all knew that already.

I do have a mate in the electronic side of the car repair business that tells me (as a bloke in the pub might) that he sees more Citroens than any other make. Sorry, like.

But you're quite right, the MkII Cortina that I set off with was more trouble than it was worth. Cost me 3 points for construction and use before I wanted to scrap it, though.

You never forget your first... :-[


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papasmurf
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ranger121
Feb 3 2015, 10:23 PM


I do have a mate in the electronic side of the car repair business that tells me (as a bloke in the pub might) that he sees more Citroens than any other make. Sorry, like.

With some models of Citroen, that does not surprise me at all:-

http://www.autoinsider.co.uk/problems/manufacturer.php?mid=17
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Jessamy Bride
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I'm still having problems starting the car.......something wrong with they key fob, apparently

However my courtesy car is an Audi A4....and I'm liking it.
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Tigger
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papasmurf
Feb 3 2015, 11:11 PM
ranger121
Feb 3 2015, 10:23 PM


I do have a mate in the electronic side of the car repair business that tells me (as a bloke in the pub might) that he sees more Citroens than any other make. Sorry, like.

With some models of Citroen, that does not surprise me at all:-

http://www.autoinsider.co.uk/problems/manufacturer.php?mid=17
We used to run VW and Mercedes vans and frankly the reliability was dire, spare parts were very expensive as well, and the dreaded rust would still show up on some of the Mercs at trade in time. We gradually switched to Peugeot/Citroen because of the cheaper servicing and spares. Reliability has been excellent, trade in value is less because they are French instead of German but then the running costs have been much lower so the depreciation is rather irrelevant when this is taken into account, PSA certainly know how to make powerful, reliable and frugal turbo diesels, I was so impressed I bought a French car!  :o
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Tigger
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papasmurf
Feb 3 2015, 11:11 PM
ranger121
Feb 3 2015, 10:23 PM


I do have a mate in the electronic side of the car repair business that tells me (as a bloke in the pub might) that he sees more Citroens than any other make. Sorry, like.

With some models of Citroen, that does not surprise me at all:-

http://www.autoinsider.co.uk/problems/manufacturer.php?mid=17
I would not even notice some of those faults! ;D

They'd fall into the niggle category for me!

I tend to worry more about expensive engine or transmission problems not the fact that the cigarette lighter/plug is bust.
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nute
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gansao
Feb 1 2015, 01:43 PM
Main dealers are expensive and largely quite incompetent. They are lead by diagnostics and not common sense or skill. There are usually good independent specialist garages for most cars. They will have everything that the main dealers have and cost less.
Anyone taking their cars to main dealers, if they are out of warranty, are simply wasting money
The only upside of a main dealer is that when you have a job which requires getting trim off or taking the interior apart they generally know how it all comes apart without having to damage it. And they get it back together without having an assortment of bits left over.

Having said that I own a VW which is just coming up on 100,000 miles and its has developed its first real problem - the back passenger side door lock has failed in effect the door is now permanently locked shut. The local garage i always use has said they can do it but might cause some internal damage getting the door card off. Even the VW main dealer were scratching their heads not knowing how to bet it apart and wanting to charge 3 times as much for probably doing the same amount of damage. Off to my local guy its going....
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ranger121
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I would suggest a local auto-electician, if one could find such a thing.

Best for scratting about in the undergowth.
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papasmurf
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nute
Feb 6 2015, 10:04 PM
The local garage i always use has said they can do it but might cause some internal damage getting the door card off.
Good grief, that is a poor excuse.
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ranger121
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Driving to the Lizard is a hell of a way.
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papasmurf
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ranger121
Feb 6 2015, 10:24 PM
Driving to the Lizard is a hell of a way.
Depends where from, it is 320 miles away from my nearest relatives, which is not far enough for me.
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