My friend is toyota mechanic, he says **** all to look for drop dead reliable. Wear tyres on insides at rear but that’s it. Check for obvious stuff and service history, paint can peel on alloys but don’t be out off use it to haggle unless they look corroded. Boring to drive but shouldn’t cause you any problems.

I’ve had a Mk1 (import) a Mk 2 and 2.5. Had no issues at all insuring the import and would certainly have a mk1 over a mk2. I had a mk3 mr2 which I prefered to the Mk2 mx5’s but the mk1 was my fave as it was more back to basics. I would look at and drive as many as you can before you buy one, and buy the very best you can afford. I wouldn’t avoid a modded one provided it’s been modded sensibly and well. EDIT what Ox said +1

Going to get flamed here but some Beatles songs… Sorry

At my old place we had a Stratys and an HP which was about £15k. Both good machines for the money. We used them for making samples to send to factories in china and to prototype moving parts. A mate had a £2k model can’t remember the make and it was shit, only really of use for making novelty items, too slow by far and the printed materials were of an obviously low dpi. It failed twice when he was showing me and he said he’d had issues with people closing doors etc and causing the machine to vibrate.

There’s a low mile one near me (I’m north west not south like sister) going to convince the wife I need another car later. Please wish me luck

I want one myself now…

I have grown to like the new icons. Runs find on both my works 2009 iMac and 2014 iMac, runs just as expected on my 2014 mbp.

My Dad has had 3 in a row (he’s boring like that) one of each facelift/model. The Mk1 was in blue and started rotting around the sills, the paint flaked off badly on the wheel arches and was sorted under warranty. I’ve heard (on here) common on the early blue ones. The second was an MPS which was quite stealthy. The current one is the latest version. It’s ok but I honestly can’t say it is better than the German rivals and is equal to the Mondeos I’ve hired, not bad cars at all just nothing really outstanding about them. Dad’s never had any issues other than the paint one mentioned.

Pic when you can get one…?

Car or sister?

Ha ha, all my mates fancy my sister. She’s a bit of a bimbo and asked if I thought she should tell the car sales man today that she’s worn a hole in the carpet of the BMW by the accelerator were her stilettoe has been digging in.

Yes I used to box (still spa etc for recreation). Enjoyable way of doing indoor cardio which I normally find boring.

Thanks everyone. Looks like she’s test drove/pretty much bought one today.

Pleased for both your family and the dog getting a good home.

I could be tempted to sell it early if she is keen, 1.9jtdm less than 80k, and just had all the problem areas sorted!
Would come in a decent amount under her budget, Nottingham if you want to have a look.

Thanks very much but she’s in Dorset. A bit too far.

I think there are 2 power outputs from the 2.0 jtdm – one lunches it’s gear boxes. Don’t pick that one

Thanks for this. Will look into it.

New or s/h, and what is wrong with the Beemer that makes her want to get rid and/or buy a 159?
tbh I’d estimate it will be more unreliable and cost more to run than the 320d – not better/cheaper.

s/h £8k max budget. Nothing massively wrong with the BMW, she just wants a new car. I don’t think she’s at all bothered about how well it drives. I’ve kind of stepped in as I know as soon as she goes in the showroom she will buy something based on looks, won’t check price/history etc, she’s a salesmanship dream, don’t want to see her ripped off.

Thanks, what engine? And what mpg did you get?

Cougar always comes over as a sound bloke who is happy to help.

Thanks to them all

Neither is that clever on fuel un like the dirty diesel which does a good 44 mpg on a run and low 30s in town ,the ivtec models will return tops 20 around town

Mine gives me 25 around town.

I test drove an auto it’s ok. I wouldn’t be too put off. Hand brake takes getting used to on hill starts. I bought a manual as a mate in the trade had it PX and price was right. Been a very reliable car for what we bought it for.

It’s not a proper 4×4, old mans car etc jibes from the same personality types that used to call my mx5/mr2 a hairdressers car homosexual etc are pretty funny but can be tiresome.

peterfile – Member
That’s a fairly bizarre car to be given for work purposes?
What do you do, drive small parcels around the country very quickly?
POSTED 10 HOURS AGO #

I work in design/branding. Apologises if this came over as willy swinging in anyway, I’m very humble in real life and often look at what I have and think how did I get here from colouring stuff in.

I have a 435d which is part if my salary package. It’s list price was a tad under my salary from my main job.
I own a 2003 celica which I bought years ago and can’t bear to part with. I have a CRV I paid cash for (£5k) for transporting boxing stuff, bikes, dogs. I love cars.

Okay, bizarrely enough, I can get a Merc A Class or an Audi A2 for the same money (insurance n’all), with slightly higher VED.

I have a ’53 plate toyota celica I keep as I’m sentimentally attached to it, despite owning much more expensive cars it’s my favourite. A mates younger brother is similar age to you and has often fancied it, he put a quote in and found it to be the same as his 1.4 fiesta. It’s needed nothing other than servicing and consumables in the 100k I have covered in it making it a cheap car to own. I know of someone else on the lookout for a ford fusion as his quotes have been low.

Sounds like you have your head screwed on. Give it an A-Team paint job or scooby doo mystery van and you can be cool and frugal at the same time.

I have a scottie westie cross. He’s a great dog, enjoys a run on the trails, easy to train, very good when my nephews decide to climb on him. Doesn’t yap. He’s a delight if I’m honest. Get a bit of a ribbing off mates that he looks like a pensioners dog etc :-)

Any dog breed you mention someone will point out the health conditions they are prone to.

http://www.planetx.co.uk/i/q/TYVIOCECXII/vittoria-open-corsa-evo-cx-folding-tyre

Thanks :-) these ones?

Thanks, yes they are 23c. I commute 4 days a week currently on the bike but have a charity ride in March so want the new tyres for then and to stay on over spring into summer. I think the current ones will last till then.

No probs the guy I bought my ps3 off gave it to me and I won’t ever get round to playing it, so I’m just spreading the love :-)

BMW 330D – I know it’s an oil burner, but it has more torque than the new M3/M4
Very nice, very quick cars. However, also very comfy, quiet and sensible so not exactly silly

I had knew last year for 4 months or so as a stop gap while I was waiting to take delivery of my new car. I loved it, lovely lovely engine. Not very silly at all though.

RF I have an unboxed mass effect 3 your welcome to if you want me to pop it in the post just let me know.

Tom Ford Noir
Jil Sander original or pure.
Jo Malone is acceptable but only if you have hit 40 and can tolerate the faffing around at the till point.

Skyfall.

Daniel Craig is a brilliant Bond. People say it’s formulaic etc but I think it’s well set up and crafted. The older bonds just make me cringe apart from the Dalton films which while dated are underrated.

Practice is everything, do a tutorial as often as you can. Learn every tool in the menu then once your more a diet worry about customising your workspace etc. Often I find people can take a while to get used to layers but it just starts to become second nature and ‘auto select’ is useful. Start using the pen tool to make paths to cut out images, often I see people new to the programme using the wand and getting frustrated at the jagged edges. You will soon get quick with the pen.

I’m dreadful at maths and was at school. My predicted GCSE from my mock was an E while my otter subjects were A/B. I just can’t get my head around maths and was in a low set were most just wanted to dick around. My parents got me a maths tutor and my grade went up to a C which while still low was enough to get me into FE/HE and have the career I have now. So for that it’s worth every penny.

I’ve since private tutored in art & design (and been invited to lecture) I’ve had students go from a predicted E to an A, and eek out extra % for BA’s but this only really happens if they want to learn.

Try this. Ask her to communicate with you in your dream if she has something to say.

Asked her… Just took a very brief few seconds nap. She said I need another road bike in order to restore balance/energy in the afterlife. Or something :-)

If they are dicking around find another car. It’s not worth the hassle if it doesn’t turn up etc.

When I was a kid I apparently used to talk and shout at one corner of the rarely used dining room, my parents say my older sisters did the same too. We all ‘grew out of it’ When my sister moved out she got a dog and brought him around for the first time, were he barked and snarled at the same corner. I’ve long moved out now and My dogs do the same when we visit and my new puppy is petrified to go in the room he just stares at the corner and shivers. I took my nephew to my parents (wife’s side never been there before) the dining room door was shut and he said unprompted ‘why is there knocking in that room’ I opened the door and he said ‘hello’ to what he described as an old lady on a wheel machine in the corner of the room my Dad asked him if he meant a wheel chair and he said it was a wheel infront of her why can’t we see it. I don’t believe in ghosts but it does make me get goosebumps thinking about it as I can’t rationalise it or make a logical explanation.

To add to my earlier post, my parents neighbour said the previous occupant had died in the house but they don’t know which room, she had become too frail to go upstairs and lived downstairs. I get goosebumps thinking about it now…

When I was a kid I apparently used to talk and shout at one corner of the rarely used dining room, my parents say my older sisters did the same too. We all ‘grew out of it’ When my sister moved out she got a dog and brought him around for the first time, were he barked and snarled at the same corner. I’ve long moved out now and My dogs do the same when we visit and my new puppy is petrified to go in the room he just stares at the corner and shivers. I took my nephew to my parents (wife’s side never been there before) the dining room door was shut and he said unprompted ‘why is there knocking in that room’ I opened the door and he said ‘hello’ to what he described as an old lady on a wheel machine in the corner of the room my Dad asked him if he meant a wheel chair and he said it was a wheel infront of her why can’t we see it. I don’t believe in ghosts but it does make me get goosebumps thinking about it as I can’t rationalise it or make a logical explanation.

The ticket price is the price for them to start negotiating at, not to buy at, go as low as you dare. Don’t let them know how much you love/want the car, if it’s in the colour you want tell them it isn’t. Let them know that’s there’s more cars for sale than there are people buying them. If they say another persons interested etc. ask why they didn’t buy it?

I would also look at the 4 series with the 20d engine, there are some cracking lease deals about at the moment – £350 per month for a 425d over 2 years @ 20k per year was a recent quote I saw – obviously the 320 would be a bit cheaper.

My 435d isn’t too far off that per month but over 18 months. I was quoted £400pcm on a 425. That’s a really good deal stated above.

I have no desire to own one, so this is not an issue.

Great so you hired a car and didn’t really drive it according to the weather conditions and have reached a previously well known conclusion that front wheel drive is better in the snow. Now we’ve got the usual RWD + snow = disaster out of the way perhaps we can move on and answer the OP’s question :p