http://www.avforums.com/forums/ Talking about motoring at the AV Forums en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 11:20:36 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.avforums.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.avforums.com/forums/ http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1129737-buying-car-arnold-clark.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:31:59 GMT I'm looking at buying a 5 month old Ford Focus from a local Arnold Clark garage. He seems to be able to knock out cars a lot cheaper than other garages around, but I'm just wandering if anybody has any experience of buying from them?

Is he able to do this because he takes cars in, gives them a quick wask then sticks them back on the forecourt - ie, no proper valet, which I suppose saves on his staff costs? ]]> Motoring AFC69 http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1129737-buying-car-arnold-clark.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1129406-motorpoint.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:33:24 GMT Is this the place to buy a new car ?
I was in there today & i noticed that they had new 1.6tdci focus's for 4k less than list .... surely this cant be right ? I then had a wee walk about there place & noticed some mercedes about 10k less than list ?
I am sorely tempted to go back in tomorrow & buy the focus i want.
Is there a catch ?
The sales guys just let me wander about without them putting us under pressure which is a first as well.

I'd like your input please ?!>!>!?!?!

Thanks ]]> Motoring stephen_ http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1129406-motorpoint.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1128848-top-gear-heads-mighty-boro.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 12:21:59 GMT Looks like Clarkson and the boys are heading up to the Boro to open a new motoring exhibition at MIMA and do some filming for the BBC. I think I may even brave the chavs and head down there to check it out ;) Gazette Live - News - Local News - Top Gear motors into Middlesbrough... Looks like Clarkson and the boys are heading up to the Boro to open a new motoring exhibition at MIMA and do some filming for the BBC.

I think I may even brave the chavs and head down there to check it out ;)

Gazette Live - News - Local News - Top Gear motors into Middlesbrough ]]> Motoring Hitby http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1128848-top-gear-heads-mighty-boro.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1128268-europcar.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:27:23 GMT Hi all, just wanted to rant about Europcar. We went on holiday to Spain in September and hired a people carrier from Europcar at Alicante airport. Great price and the car was excellent. However, I have today had my credit card statement and have been billed 300 Euros for a damage... Hi all, just wanted to rant about Europcar.

We went on holiday to Spain in September and hired a people carrier from Europcar at Alicante airport. Great price and the car was excellent.

However, I have today had my credit card statement and have been billed 300 Euros for a damage surcharge.:eek:

Naturally I was straight on the phone as the car suffered absolutely no damage at all while we had it. When I returned it I asked if the car was going to be checked only to be told no you just leave the keys. No examination took place and certainly no authorisation to take nearly 300 quid off my card.

Customer services have informed that they don't know what the alleged damage is so I have put in a claim and they are going to investigate. Bloody licence to print money if you ask me, good job i noticed it coming off my card.:mad: ]]> Motoring Dave http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1128268-europcar.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1127609-help-advice-needed-new-car-purchase.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:03:13 GMT I have just bought a new car and have always had mud flaps put on every other car I have had but the dealer says they are are not available yet. My question is do I need them or should I get them? I have just bought a new car and have always had mud flaps put on every other car I have had but the dealer says they are are not available yet.

My question is do I need them or should I get them? ]]> Motoring pool182 http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1127609-help-advice-needed-new-car-purchase.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1127024-two-20k.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 09:18:47 GMT I'm looking for suggestions for two cars for a budget of £20k. Thats roughly what I'd get for selling my 07 330ci and my wife's 02 Focus. I want to try and do two things - slightly redress the balance of my fairly new, high spec car, and her fairly old, low spec car. Also, I want to see if I can squeeze something fun out of it.

I'm thinking something like an E46 3-series saloon for her. Msport for looks, saloon for practicality. I'd consider a coupe if rear legroom is the same as the saloon as we need to get both our kids in the back (still little but growing). Nothing too big engine wise, but I'd prefer a petrol 6-cyl if poss, so a 320i? Then that can be the 'practical' car for trips up to the midlands to visit my parents, shuttling the kids around etc. Not sure of age but needs to be reliable and ideally the facelift E46 so 53 minimum? Also needs to be an automatic

Then for me - having got the 'BMW' badge for the wife satisfied, and the 'practical' badge satisfied, what can I get for the change thats fun? Can I manage a Z4, or MX-5 or maybe an Elise? Needs to be able to handle the daily work commute and maybe occasional motorway miles, but also be fun. Might even be open to getting a Scooby again (fond of the 53 'blob' models),

Open to suggestions bascially. What would your ideal 2-car garage be that mixes daily practicality with fun? ]]> Motoring richard plumb http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1127024-two-20k.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1126785-car-insurance-when-you-reach-21-a.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 21:48:10 GMT Hey guys just a quick question. How much on average does your insurance go down when you reach 21 and live in london???? Thanks Hey guys just a quick question.

How much on average does your insurance go down when you reach 21 and live in london????

Thanks ]]> Motoring sammy657 http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1126785-car-insurance-when-you-reach-21-a.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1126717-when-my-service-due.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:48:52 GMT I bought my car new, and it has a 10000 mile or annual service interval.
I've had it serviced every 10000 miles, but now it's 3 years old, I've done 36000. As the last service was in about May at 30000 miles, when should I have it serviced next?
If it matters, my annual mileage has now fallen to about 4000 as I no longer use it for travelling to work. So by mileage, it would not be due until probably Autumn next year. ]]> Motoring lostinspace http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1126717-when-my-service-due.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1126449-putting-private-plate-car-ni.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 15:52:06 GMT [FONT=Arial]My dad just bought a car from a dealer in Northern Ireland. He wants to transfer his private plate from his old car to his new car and filled in all the paperwork. I said I would take it into the DVLA office for him as I work across the road from it. Anyway I handed over the paperwork to the guy and he went away to speak to someone else and came back and told me because the car is from Northern Ireland I need to complete a V55/5 “Application for a first licence for a used motor vehicle and declaration for registration”.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Is this correct, I had a look on the DVLA website and this seems to be for vehicles that are imported into the UK. The website also states that cars from NI do not need to be registered in the UK. The form is quite extensive and asks for such information as length, weight, maximum towing weight, co2 emissions, stationary sound level and a whole bunch of other stuff.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial]Has anybody put a private plate on a car from NI before and were you asked to complete this form?[/FONT] ]]> Motoring Sandman http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1126449-putting-private-plate-car-ni.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1126315-mercedes-benz-takes-over-brawn-gp-team.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:46:03 GMT Mercedes Benz Takes Over Brawn GP Racing Team | Business | Sky News ]]> Motoring Azzin http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1126315-mercedes-benz-takes-over-brawn-gp-team.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1126045-car-trouble-help.html Mon, 16 Nov 2009 09:08:45 GMT Recently my Ford fiesta (1999) has started to jump when accelerating and seems down on power. I have so far changed the spark plugs and leads but the problem still happens. Anyone got any ideas as to what else it could be? I have also noticed that my MPG as got worse too Recently my Ford fiesta (1999) has started to jump when accelerating and seems down on power. I have so far changed the spark plugs and leads but the problem still happens. Anyone got any ideas as to what else it could be? I have also noticed that my MPG as got worse too ]]> Motoring stevenisace http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1126045-car-trouble-help.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1125956-whats-latest-uk-drivers-fixed-cameras-france.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 23:59:01 GMT Just back from a 1300 mile weekend round trip to Hannover Germany.

Few miles out from The Channel Tunnel (France end) I think I got flashed.

Was in a 110kph zone doing 110. My Tom Tom changes to 130 kph so I accelerate a bit and a few seconds later, there's a flash (quite a bit behind me). Was only 2 cars on the road and I was going faster (approx 125Kph ish). Very dark so didn't see anything besides the flash.

Bloody Tom Tom:suicide:

Can only assume the road was still 110 and I was doing 125-130:(

Anyone know what the latest is with French Gatso's and UK licence holders?

How many weeks do I remain in Limbo:grin: ]]> Motoring domtheone http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1125956-whats-latest-uk-drivers-fixed-cameras-france.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1125693-best-place-buy-personalised-number-plate-no-more-than-245-a.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:16:42 GMT Anyone know where to get value personalised number plates I dont want to pay more than £245. The dvla website seems the best so far. Anyone know where to get value personalised number plates I dont want to pay more than £245. The dvla website seems the best so far. ]]> Motoring pool182 http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1125693-best-place-buy-personalised-number-plate-no-more-than-245-a.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1125135-nissan-gtr-owners-dont-whatever-you-do-crash.html Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:25:38 GMT OOOOPS !!!! (http://www.gtr.co.uk/forum/127250-accident-dont-do-what-i-did.html) .....and EEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!! :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek: OOOOPS !!!!

.....and EEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKK!!!!!!!! :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek: ]]> Motoring davidwatsonok http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1125135-nissan-gtr-owners-dont-whatever-you-do-crash.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1124962-considering-suzuki-swift-scrappage-opinions-alternatives.html Sat, 14 Nov 2009 19:25:03 GMT I am shopping around for a scrappage deal for new supermini. The trade value of my car is only about £500 and it has many faults so a private sale is out of the question. Started looking around a while ago but really seriously looking now as I can do the deal from 05/12. I have always owned VAG... I am shopping around for a scrappage deal for new supermini. The trade value of my car is only about £500 and it has many faults so a private sale is out of the question. Started looking around a while ago but really seriously looking now as I can do the deal from 05/12.

I have always owned VAG group cars but am trying to enter the market with an open mind:rotfl: So far I have looked at/tried the following:

1: New Model VW Polo, Lovely design, materials, quality feel and will hold its money best. Offered £2600 scrappage on mid range model which makes it around £10K (3dr Moda 70 aircon). Gutless 3cylinder engine is putting me off.

2: New fiesta, felt very cheap after the new polo but drove well enough. Prices about the same as Polo, better engine but cheap feel and rattled like mad on test drive.

3: Peugeot 207, nasty walked away without even test driving:thumbsdow

4: Vauxhall Corsa, as Peugeot 207:thumbsdow

5: Mazda 2, quite liked this but its a bit flimsy feeling due to weight loss they have done on it, looks a bit feminine too

6: Suzuki Swift. Well what a pleasant surprise just drove this today. 1.5 GLX with a/c, keyless, alloys, fogs etc is only £8200 on scrappage (compared to £10,000ish for both Polo and Fiesta. Plastics were not as nice as polo but easily as good as the fiesta but felt well made enough with no signs of rattles etc. I test drove the 1.3 which was a much better engine than the 1.4 in the Fiesta and the 1.2 in the polo.


So as the search continues the Suzuki Swift seems to have taken the lead, anyone got one? Care to comment? Offer alternatives if you can. The only reason I am not looking at the Alfa Mio and the Fiat 500 is I think these have a much smaller boot which I kinda need for work stuff. ]]> Motoring NewBeetle http://www.avforums.com/forums/motoring/1124962-considering-suzuki-swift-scrappage-opinions-alternatives.html