Used car buying advice

[The Duke]

I suppose as a passangers it could be an issue, but as the driver it’s a pain to reset the seat all the time.

Iirc older 2 door cars, the seat would always go back to a really squashed position, iirc it was a small pug, and seat saxo. If you was tall it would of been a real pain I bet.

With the mechanical memory seats, it only remembers the bottom, so if you want the seat to my closer to the front (Thr opposite that you would want), you can overdid the seat base by strapping the back, while not letting the seat base move backwards.

This works on most, I think it’s so you crush anyone tall you put in the back.

[PlaneMan]

Did the vast majority of mum’s 500 today, only the bonnet and front bumper to do. Claying took a long time, it’s white.

Over 5 hours in so far, I’m ruined. Even on a car with under 50 miles on it you can see and feel the difference.

[Bob Williams]

” I suppose as a passenger it could be an issue, but as the driver it’s a pain to reset the seat all the time. ”

Steve, I take my 4’9″ missus out of course (if I have to) and two days a week I pickup my giant No.2 Gson from work. They both have the front passenger seat set right back to its stop: missus has to get in with a step even in the iX20, due to the hip not yet working fully. Gson because he would ruin my sills with his massive work-booted feet, if he couldn’t swing them over. That’s also why I cover the seat and floor: he works in heavy engineering and his clothes are covered in oil and krap. Back seats recline a bit, so anyone else makes do with the room they have. “Hey, you have a Taxi Card? Here’s one, phone don’t moan!”

Met my quiet, gentle giant gson in Grimsby today by accident, having left his College for the day. He was with 3 lad mates and the friend-who-is-a-girl-but-not-a-GF. I had an eye opener: he is obviously the crew leader, they all deferred to him and looked up to him, 3 lads were big as well. Made me see him in a new light: he has a life outside of home and family. Not sure about the not-a-GF bit, though, she looked at him as if it was more. Grandkids: they change every time I see them.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[PlaneMan]

Bob, I used to work primarily on an industrial swager, used to reduce the size of tubes to the required diameter.

All the tubes were covered in oil, the machine was slathered in oil and there was lots of coolant flowing. In short I was always stinking filthy. I had covers on my Renault 5 GTS seats, one set for work and another for pleasure.

I found a major flaw with my Swift today. It handles too well. My blue badge and timeclock live in a wallet type holder on the passenger seat most of the time, problem is the badge flies out of the wallet and disappears down the side of the passenger seat or whacks me in the thigh when I corner.

Had the new key programmed today, sales picked up the tab as they lost the spare, invoice was for £300!!! ?

[Bob Williams]

Nolan, when a long-time Motor Engineer and workshop foreman, previously an aircraft tech, I worked with some exotic and some heavy fuels and lubricants, in the days before thin latex gloves. Leaded Petrol, Avgas, Avtur, diesel, fancy aircraft lubes, and Trike (Trichlorethylene, now banned, used with bare hands as a degreaser) Trike fumes were toxic, we did not now that, may explain my breathing problems which only improved in my 50’s and finally went before 60. Crack detection of aircraft components, especially helicopter landing tubes and turbine blades, involved a deep red aerosol spray for which we were given face masks. As we were not given those for the Trike which occasionally made us choke, we always wondered: how bad is this stuff? In the motor trade, we blew out brake drums, shoes and discs with compressed air lines, asbestos braking materials on the pads and shoes. I started wearing face masks for that, got called a pansy (only once, until the miscreant realised he was getting the krappiest jobs I could find him. ?) I once had a half – tank of Land Rover diesel fuel dumped on my neck by an idiot with unsafe hands. I also once had a tiny piece of metal insert itself into my little finger. Before I could get it out, it went red. Next day I had a useless, swollen right arm and blood poisoning. The list goes on… don’t know how I am still here!

I stick my BBadge in my door pocket until I park, in the wallet which has the clock and badge showing. The iX20 has no badges showing 1.6 and 125 bhp, just the “iX20” bit, which produces some astonished looks when I zip away from the lights, etc. Corners well too, in fact for an auto 6-speed, I am more impressed than I thought I would be. Motability sales guy told me it was faster than the Premium above it, which was weighed down with electric seat motors and other gimmicks. Deposit was £500 less, too. It’s growing on me, but SWMBO moans that it is not as comfy as the Tucson, which of course she could no longer get into without lifting gear. (Sigh!) Can’t win.??

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[PlaneMan]

Had a jaunt over to Bristol Airport and back today. Furthest I’ve been in the new Swift. Much better on the motorway than the old one, steering is a touch light when it’s blowing on the Second Severn Crossing but not enough to be a problem. The torque is very handy when you have some arse in a van/Range Rover/ Audi/ BMW trying to bully you out of the outside lane, briefly nail it and they are left with jaws on the floor.

HIt major traffic on the M4 on the way home, several brake downs (I spotted 8, niece and nephew counted 12) and 2 police cars with pulled over people in separate locations, all within 20 odd miles. Remains of a nasty crash on the other carriageway, car with no front end at all, roof and doors removed. 2 lanes shut and police doing investigations. That was a huge tailback, 20 miles easy.

Car didn’t miss a beat, extra interior space was noticed and appreciated by brother and his kids, the kids loved watching Waze and were blown away when I sent a hangouts message to my mother as my brother was fast asleep.

Uncle Nolan has ‘a cool car with more stuff than daddys.’ ?

[Bob Williams]

As an uncle to a total of 10 nephews and nieces, I can relate. Their dads, my brothers, were 15 and 17 years older than me, so they were closer to me in ages really. No such doodads in cars then, but I always fitted a top range stereo and impressed them with music. I had a fair few decent motors too, including a Ford Capri 3.1RS and a Vauxhall 2.3 Droop snoot Firenza, both of which which blew them away: dad’s family motor just did not compete. The eldest ones were just a few years behind me and shared my musical tastes, so their dads were often viewed as boring, because both my brothers were jazz fans, born 1928 and 1930. They became more like kid brothers and sisters than nephews and nieces, I suppose. Still get on well with them today, eldest survivor is 67. Only have 2 nephews left out of 4 now though. That saddens me, no uncle should outlive his nephews, seems unfair.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Ed P]

Dyes and cutting oils are always a potential health hazard. We used to have to regularly read the riot act to the maintenance crew to change their overalls when they got oily, as cancer of the scrotum was almost the mark of a maintenance fitter or machinist. (Mechanics tend to use that area as their primary wiping point).

Tell your G’son that it isn’t healthy to walk around in oily gear.

[Richard]

Ed, that used to be the killer illness for chimney sweeps in years gone by.

It is interesting to realise the things we used to do and not think about that would cause the health and safety squad serious concern. Oils and grease, exhaust products, trichloroethylene and its close relation, perchloroethylene, paraffin, petrol, benzine and of course asbestos used for all sorts of activities. Spit on it or even chew asbestos string to soften it to make wall plugs before ramming it into screw holes to make a fixing.

As for cooking and its ill effects on the cancer causing properties of foods, acrylamide, benzopyrene et al are all just inching to come to a cancer party according to some stories. I tried not eating, but felt terrible and as for the raw food only diet oops where is the bathroom…

I know there is a serious side to all things, but sometimes accuracy and the reporting of items can become unrelated, the issue to breaking out the real story and taking enough care.

[PlaneMan]

In 11 days I’ve done over 600 miles, nothing for some people but that’s a lot for me. Usual is between 10-30 a day.

MPG has now improved to within 1.5 of the 53 indicated, was getting 45 odd.

Best bit is my niece and nephew love it as it goes around corners without rolling like an ocean  going liner. Nephew gets carsick in my brothers Audi Q3, not a hint of it in my Swift. And the kids think a Q3 is boring and an old man’s car and the Swift is fun and a young man’s car. My brother hated that, he’s all of 20 months older than me. ?

Waze is still brilliant but it would be even better if you could flip the speed readout to the left of the screen instead of the right, I have to move my head out to see it due to the steering wheel hiding the exact spot it occupies on the screen.

[The Duke]

You haven’t been to north Wales today have you? I was driving out of Llandudno this afternoon (coincidently to order a new car), and this fool of a driver, in the old Shape swift sport, come gluing past me, on cong traffic and I had to split to the outermost sides so the idiot didnt hit the oncoming car. (got it on my dash cam) .

There was a car 3 lengths on front of me too!

A way we hit the next roundabout and there is two entrance lanes, had he pissed me off thought I’d show him up, so I set off after him, x and past him in the other lane. But then to top himself off, he never bothered to check to see if he had space to merge, (my line was about 600m longer), if you know the road Llandudno junction roundanout on to the A55 east bound coming from Llandudno, you’ll vouch for the distance in the lanes. Well this fool, was more interested in trying to keep up, by the time he checked the traffic, he didn’t have enough space to merge and his slip roulade ran out. So he ended up on the chevrons squirming about, and nearly hitting the guy behind me who also was annoyed at what mister swift done to him just before he met me.

About 1000m up the road it drops to a 50. So muster swift caught up, and was going mental at him them me. My wife never get irate in the car, but she was fuming with him. At one point said you should stop and give him what for.

It must of been over 20 years she asked me anything like that.

It saddened me really, as we’d just been looking at swifts not 60mims earlier, and I was saying how much I’d love one. My wife not ever noticing cars, will now always remember the swift for thst bellend.

On the plus side, they are quite nippy, it keep pace with me up to about 40, and size took over. But I love me a little hot hatch.

But only let loose when it’s safe to do so. The driver should of known better, it wasn’t like he was a kid. He looked about 40. Surprised he has made it to that age.

Ordered the SEAT Leon ST FR 180 DSG, today. Quite excited, but it has a 4 to 6 moth lead time. So like many of my ‘wish’ order, I’ll of forgot about it time it arrives.

I almost let my brain win the fight, and ordered the Ioniq hybrid, loverly car, I had one earlier in the weak for the best part of two hours alone, it’s hardly quick, but I pushed that car, a bit harder than I’d normally drive, and I was amazed to see It averaged 59mpg over the 2hours. Lots of town and quick a roads and a short motaway hop (including a trip to the tip), the optional electric seats are somthing else.havingva bad back, I’d never had such fine control over so many peramitors. The stealing wheel leather is horrible, but you’d get use to it. It’s a proper sensible car.

The leon is sensible too, if you dont get the thirty engine! I’ve done it again haven’t I! The ioniq lead time is vertically nil too, they have a far few hundred Sat waiting to be sold. In almost any colour thd offer. So sales can’t be great, but it’s a new thing.

I do see these hybrids being the future, the offer the power and economy of a modern desiesel (lite the Renault 1.5cdi), while being petrol.

The poor 3cyl 1/1.2/1.3turbo eco engines, are total BS, they all claim high 60s up to 70s, and every one I’ve test over the last month or two have been mid 30s, (34-38mpg). If I’m burning fuel at that rate, I may as get a larger 2liter petrol kicking out 200bhp. I may as well get the benifit from the 35mpg.

I think they should bin the go green tree hugging rubbish, as sell these hydrods as deisel replacments. Stop making them look a bit oddball, make them look and work just like it was an normal deisel car.

A small percentage of people will base there car choice on ‘saving the planet’, but alot more make their chose base on their wallet. Sell the mpg, be honest about it, don’t say it will get 83 average, when in fact it gets about 70 if driven well. 60 if you’re a baffon. Both figure are amazing without having to lie.

Also the ioniq had somthing else I’ve never used be fore one a foot(hand break) I don’t like it, I know if catch my shin on it ofter, but the one thing I did like (well two) was the cooled seats, never Sat in a cooled seat before, it was strange, sort of felt like I’d pee’d myself, but was also very nice.

The rear seats was heated also, not cooled thought. A very well rounded car indeed. If I was a touch older I’d of probably gone with it. Well I wouldn’t ad my old man car will be a skoda suberb story’s line. A proper good car.

[PlaneMan]

Not been up North for about 20 years.

My brother had a Leon ST, 2.0 diesel, his ex-wife has it now, must be 10 years old or more by now. Apart from getting the underside undersealed again it’s been faultless .He also had a Leon 2.0 diesel until he traded it for his current Q3. He loved them both.

Some really good deals on pre-reg Seat near me, the dealer must have bought a load to meet their targets.

[The Duke]

The reason there is a load of presales atm is to do with the new way they test new cars. Any cars they have in stock they have to pre register them before sept otherwise they can’t be sold/registered without going back for the new tests.

This is the reason why atm, seat is on a two month shutdown. Thry are getting rid of what they have. Anything you order new, need to wait untill post Sept.

So you can get a load of good used (but never owned) VAG cars at a great price, a good example is the new face lift skoda VRS 220 are selling for 20k, instead of 27.5k. Loads of skoda kodiaqs (their big SUV) for 10k off.

I’m not sure why they are having to do this, but it means good savings, or a long wait for a ‘new’ new one.

[PlaneMan]

That explains some of the crazy deals ATM.

IIRC VW have also shut production down on certain models, the Up! GTI being one. I reckon the Up! GTI would be a perfect second car, quick and fun and cheapish.  The Mii mum had was a proper laugh, handled really well and with a bit of a thrashing could be made to keep moving quicker than most city cars.Too small for most people as an only car though.

[The Duke]

Defo, I really like the outgoing polo 3 door. The new one is huge and horrid. The new ibiza which is the polo, is a stunner. Though a big car.

I do like the citeorn city car, rear engine, rear wheel drive. Almost a porshe. As there is no front driven wheels, it’s can almost turn in its own length too. So would make a great city car. I do love little cars. Once the kids all naff off, I’ll be happy with something little and zippy.

Seen an xr3i yesterday, they are almost city car size now, so that would be my perfect second car. Though they just arnt that quick in comparison to today’s cars. Iir the xr3i and golf gti was about 10s to 60, which is hardly brisk. But I bet it would feel quick.

To my car for a break pad swap today, about to start a 4k round trip tomorrow, and they gave me a frigging viva again. A real pos that thing is. Why anyone would opt for one over a 3 year old fiesta is beyond me.

[Bob Williams]

Back from an almost great week’s holiday in Suffolk, at a strange village called Coddenham:

http://tinyurl.com/yabdafny

Almost great, because we stayed at one of 2 lodges in the middle of a huge field.     http://tinyurl.com/yaa4agu3

The village was strange because of the layout, which meant that the 2 narrow roads in and out, were subject to a 20 mph limit for at least a mile either end. Coming down from the lodges to go anywhere, was best done at walking pace and easing out. Several times I had to wait whilst traffic sorted itself out, allowing some to pass, passing them, then stopping again to allow more to pass. The village pub was closed, there was absolutely nothing else there. However, we were out and about every day and had a great time further afield. We particularly liked Aldeburgh, which is where we will look to stay if we visit the area again. Sutton Hoo was somewhere we have always wanted to go, but Snape Maltings was a bit of a disappointment, all Benjamin Britten memorabilia and classical music: I favour Tchaikovsky, Strauss, Elgar and Vaughan Williams. The shops were full of very expensive foodstuffs and clothing, much of it pretentious krap IMHO, although I did manage to get the kids and families a reduced huge box of fancy biccies for son and daughter’s family. Eating out was at a very good pub restaurant “The Lion” in Needham Market, recommended if anyone gets to the area. The “Steak & Ale Topper” is only recommended for the large appetite: I could not finish it but it was terrific.

Satnav sent me on a route down which was supposedly ‘fastest’. I have now had my fill of that particular gadget, which chooses the daftest roads, some of which are almost unbearably small and bumpier than a Victorian cobbled street. For the route back, I chose the A14, which is all dual carriageway, to the A1 (M). Well, yes it is, but from Newmarket to past Cambridge it is the subject of what must be a £multi-million work, to turn the A14 into a motorway. Around 30 miles of  continuous 40 mph, crawling along surrounded by trucks and idiots in cars who are continually convinced that the other lane is faster. One of which was guy in an older Disco, towing a trailer wider than the Disco and trying to drive in the outer lane, signed as narrow. His trailer struck a truck rear end and he decided the inner lane was best. We still arrived home an hour earlier than the journey down, mainly because I read the map and was able to work out the best way to avoid Boston, take to the South Lincs back roads I know, and get to the A16 and home.

Locally in Suffolk, I used Google on my phone and was directed correctly every time, never having visited that area of Suffolk before. Woodbridge and the River Deben is a great place to visit, as is any of the coast from Orford Ness Nature Reserve, through Aldeburgh to Southwold. We had a good time in those places, helped by this fantastic summer and temperatures from 25° to 31°C. I had to use my broad brim hat, as I am still under Chemo orders and advised not to expose my head, which is almost unthatched now. But I wore shorts ever day and so did SWMBO, so have brown legs. Really, really enjoyed that holiday, will defo go to Aldeburgh for a week sometime soon.

Sutton Hoo:

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Bob Williams]

Forgot to add another of my strange coincidences.

The guy who owned the Lodges, was a chap who turned out to have been born in Nottingham, 2 streets from my birthplace, and brought up in my old village, just as I was. His parents ran a hardware and wool shop and my family used the shop regularly. Much younger than me, but I remember his family and palled about with his cousin when I was young.

These things are always happening to me. Also found a rare Classic car in Aldeburgh, an Alvis Silver Eagle.

 

Yes that’s my tiny Gert in the sunhat. Hates it when I spot a classic car.

Was a time I would have phoned my boss and made an offer….

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Richard]

Bob, I’m glad you were able to get away and have such a great time of things. You certainly made those places sound really appealing, are you sure you were not sponsored by the tourist board?

I missed your well composed responses and had forgotten you were on holiday.

[Bob Williams]

Thanks Richard. I just like to pass on a good experience, especially holidays, as we have had our fill of the bad ones over the years. I still shudder at the memory of a horrible self-catering dump in Ludlow, a location which gave us an otherwise great holiday. I managed to get the owner to move us to another property, by threatening to invite the Tourist Board to visit.

With our medical issues in mind, we have to look for self-catering places: cottages, lodges etc. I need to allow a possible 2 hours every morning to sort myself out. Hotels and B&B’s are a little restricting, as we have to accept times for meals. Self-catering and the car, is freedom for us.

How is your situation at the moment? Hope you are managing your difficulties, best wishes for that.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[Richard]

Thanks for asking Bob. Getting by would sum it up. My wife started a new group of chemo, four of a new kind, one every three weeks so a little more ‘rest time’, not the accelerated version she had been having. Her reaction to this one is not so easy for the moment, strong nausea which the are just tablets managing and the steroid effect is strongly noted. She get a bit manic for a hour or two then settles down again.

I took the advice when phone calls went unanswered and spoke to PALS, ten minutes later I had a phone call for 10:00 Monday for me so that was sorted. Tomorrow is an appointment for my wife to see her specialist, not the oncologist this time. It could be interesting as future plans need to be drawn up. No holiday for us this year, but with all the day trips out to half the hospital in this county and the one next door, who needs a holiday?

Keep smiling and keep happy.

This what happens when a dogs gives a carpenter instructions for a new door, not quite what she wanted.

[Author]

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