I've been fortunate in owning a few in my life, and their desirability for scroats to thieve has never bothered me unduly, although when visiting Bradford twice a week at night for curries & cinema after work I always took my old van when I lived in that part of the world.
In late Oct some poor bloke arrived home, a nice suburb of Bradford which I know well, and was attacked by 4 people wielding knives, who pulled up behind him at his house. They drove off in his Golf R after he gave them the keys, but for good measure they still tasered him.
Nowadays I only have the one vehicle, and owning something of this calibre... A fancy BMW, Seat Cupra, Type R, would severely restrict where & when I could visit city centres for film & theatre. And curry. Just the thought of it being keyed by some jealous retard is sufficient to put me off ownership.
Living in t'Dales, two friends leave their tasty motors, a new Type R & a MB A type AMG, outside without fear of theft or vandalism. Unless the city scroats come a thieving as they do for quad bikes & sheep rustling.
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I don't think I'd let the chance of vandalism put me off owning the car i wanted. But then I suppose it's easy for me to say that as i live in the middle of nowhere. If i lived in relatively high crime area in a city or town then I would no doubt think differently. Still its sad that this sort of thing affects people's thinking on whether to buy a car or not.
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Scrotes everywhere!
My new A4 3.2 v6 convertible was keyed within a week of getting it. My ex's new Touran at the time had a really nasty keying in a carpark - from front light all the way to rear lights.
Even her new Note has had a malicious dent - too high to be a car impact.
Worst one was when she was volunteering at a hospice, someone in the carpark caused several thousands of damage then drove off, now considering that it was at the hospice - people are usually there for one reason and she was there to help!
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Remember a good bloke at work was confronted by 3 masked intruders in the middle of the night with baseball bats. Kids asleep in the next room.
They wanted the keys to his S4 and he gave them up with out a second thought though the insurance company was a bit argumentative about it, eventually paying out.
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though the insurance company was a bit argumentative about it, eventually paying out.
What an earth for? Did they really expect him to take on 3 blokes with baseball bats?
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>> What an earth for? Did they really expect him to take on 3 blokes with
>> baseball bats?
>>
Sadly its business, and in the event of a theft claim I think you usually have to account for the keys, although I think 99.9% of us would do the same in that situation
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And some wonder why they have such a bad reputation.
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"What an earth for?"
Sadly in this world you will find that not all insurance claimants are honest and insurance companies do need to ask questions and take some time to investigate the veracity of a claim. For honest claimants this can of course be annoying and frustrating.
Having worked in an insurance claims department believe me insurance companies are more sinned against than sinning. A good proportion of all insurance claims are fraudulent.
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Apparently he gave the keys away willingly was their first response.
Second response was that he knew the thieves.
Now knowing the guy, he was straight as a die (and had a real position of importance within the company and his take home pay would have covered a couple of new S4's a year) and wouldn't give that up over a few thousand pounds from the theft of car!
I think they expected at least a struggle - but his kids were toddlers at the time so he clearly did the right thing.
In the end the police made it clear that it was a proper theft and the insurance co paid out.
It was a company car on company insurance so the insurance companies attitude could have impacted his job!
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The robbers don't always go for the new cars though!
A very good family friend was woken up in the early hours by armed police (by phone - "could everyone in the house come to the front door") and bright lights shone at the house!
His very battered Sierra was used in the armed robbery of a sub post office and the owner was badly beaten.
Said friend was at home all evening with his young family and luckily the robbers were later caught.
They chose the Sierra because it didn't have an alarm and was easy to steal.
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My cars lives on the streets of London. Every time I have it washed there is another nasty scratch.
That's (partly) why my car is cheap and elderly. Too much heartbreak in a new one. (And I'm tight.)
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I'm beginning to think the same way. I almost bought an old CR-V for £10k last week, but then I'd worry about the ole woman getting it pranged in a supermarket car park, or me scratching it as I thunder along the country lanes, with their overgrown hedges etc. etc.
My 9 year-old Scoob, although in ex con, well, I've had it for 3.5 years now, knowlmean.
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Somebody nearby has an immaculate Forester (petrol) which is little used. Tempted to ask if they'd like to sell. Only thing putting me off is the Subaru dealer is a little way off - deepest Cheshire with access over the Cat and Fiddle. S'pose that's what a Subaru is for though!
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I still enjoy driving my Forester after 3.5 years of ownership, which is a new one for me!
I've looked at the Xtrail/Rav-4/CR-V/Tucson/Sportage etc. etc but I might regret parting with the Scoob.
I sold an extra-large dog crate to a young lady via Gumtree last week. She had a nice black Tucson, leather seats, smooth diesel engine, I could almost be tempted (I said almost)
I used to take my Forester to Ashburton in Devon for servicing when I first got it. I now take it to a garage I know I can trust in Cornwall. Tis still 23 miles away though.
I'm 'funny' about garages - being I spent 14 years in the motor trade :)
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One for Doggy...Hi, buddy, you mentioned a Tucson above, how do you rate them? Next door had one and said he would have had another 'cept they'd finished making that model.
I'm thinking of changing the Suzuki for something a bit more modern. I'm thinking around £3.5K Saw this one on the Bay...looks nice, a bit miley at 120K but 140BHP against the normal 111. Tow bar as well, which will save a few hundred ! Don't want to hijack the thread but whaddya think of them ?
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Hyundai-Tucson-2-0L-CRTD-CDX-140bhp-5-Door-Auto-4X4-Estate-2006-Black-/122218257795?hash=item1c74c69d83:g:gaUAAOSwal5YIwgd
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I've not driven a Tucson, Teddy, but I liked what I saw last week (the car was nice too ).
I'd be after a petrol being I don't traverse the globe like you. I'm also a bit 'funny' about towbars - what's been towed? .. although when I bought a red Vulva 240 GLT back in the last century, the engine and autobox was top notch.
That one in the ad looks a goer - check it out via a long roadtest, I think you'll find it a more robust SUV than the Vitara.
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I don't mind a petrol or an oiler. I don't do a huge mileage meself. They don't seem to do the auto in a petrol though. At least I've not finded any. Nice to have the extra 35 bhp over the Suzi for the caravan.
I might ring them after a good night's kip. Probably gone...with my luck !
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The Hat mentions some stuff Re: poor fuel economy from the oiler:
www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/hyundai/tucson-2004/?section=good
>>They don't seem to do the auto in a petrol though
That could well be the reason why I couldn't find one.
8-}
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>>
>> They don't seem to do the auto in a petrol though. At least I've not
>> finded any.
?
tinyurl.com/gput2nu
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- - 2.7 V6 = Howl many gallons to the mile??
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>> - - 2.7 V6 = Howl many gallons to the mile??
>>
Also be aware of VED for vehicles of that vintage.
My 07 2.5 petrol auto costs just under£500 pa VED.
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>> My 07 2.5 petrol auto costs just under£500 pa VED.
£295 if pre March 2006.
Last edited by: VxFan on Tue 15 Nov 16 at 01:52
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I read the dealers blurb earlier thanks Bonzo. Never considered a V6 so didn't look for one there.Don't need that sort of BHP or fuel consumption. The 2 litre Diesel auto rated 35/39 MPG.
Forgot about the Toyota RAV4...146 BHP auto petrol. Found one nearer with all the bells and trumpets...full fsh @ main dealer, cam chain and a grand cheaper. I get free road tax so not an issue. I know them at the local Toyota garage through taking in dozens of cars for service/etc over the last few years. I'll phone 'em tomorrow and ask the service manager, Caroline, her opinions.
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>> Found one nearer with all the bells and trumpets...full fsh @ main dealer, cam chain and a grand cheaper.
I want. I want!! .. I did 'find' a RAV4 I liked on Autotrader in Solihull, wherever that is ;)
Too far for me though, in case anything goes wrong, although exactly the same distance from where I got my Forester in Havant, Hants. Good luck with sweet Caroline!
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That's nice, Dog....gerrit bought. Too much for what I want. This is more like my needs.
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Toyota-RAV4-2-0-VVTi-auto-VX-/152313997810?hash=item23769f29f2:g:MlgAAOSwo4pYKagN'
Gonna have a look tomorrow....armed with debit card !
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Looks nice Teddy, I like the colour too, makes a change from the 'normal' colours.
Howl did you, um, make out with sweet Caroline?
That Rav4 up in Solihull has got 'Landsail' tyres fitted. Makes me wonder what other areas have they skimped on.
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Lot of dosh for a 13-year-old car?
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Go on...I dare you !
Money's all relative, MM. We have no debts whatsoever and a fair old chunk in the bank. I go more on condition than cost. Won't be doing big miles and I can still take a motor apart....although I don't want to. Lot easier to pay some other guy.
Sweet C said they didn't get many Toyos back for repairs these days. We'll see tomorrow..only £2.65 return on the rattler so not a lot at stake.
Last edited by: Ted on Tue 15 Nov 16 at 14:29
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I fancy the new Fiat spider.Not that expensive and relative cheap to run.
My misses is telling me to go for it can't make up my mind.>:)
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>>I fancy the new Fiat spider
"Japanese build quality and reliability should come as standard"
Not surprising really being it's based on the Mazda MX-5. Go forrit Dutchie, you only live twice!
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It's built in the same factory in Japan as the MX-5 because it is a reskinned MX-5. Originally it was going to be an Alfa Romeo and the FIAT group decided it was not going to be an Alfa but they'd agreed a deal with Mazda... so it became the FIAT 124.
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I'd rather have a Japanese Fiat than an Italian Fiat any day.
8-}
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>> I'd rather have a Japanese Fiat than an Italian Fiat any day.
>>
>> 8-}
>>
Reminds me of the Nissan Cherry and Alfa Romeo Arna.
It would have been ideal if it was an Alfa Engine in an Nissan body but it was a Nissan engine in an Alfa body!
Ho Hum...!
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The "Cherry Europe" and Arna IIRC had an Alfa boxer engine, not a Nissan engine.
The problem was that the whole car was made/assembled in Italy.
I had a working relationship with a Nissan dealer at the time. Their PDI routine on the Japanese cars consisted of dewaxing, unwrapping and fitting the carpet, and topping up the oil. They never had to touch anything else..
When the Cherry Europes came, they all had defects. A broken window regulator and a front seat that wasn't bolted down are two that I can recall.
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>>on the rattler
Only other person I've heard call it that was my father. As you live in the same street as the one where he was brought up, it must be a Lancastrian term. (It's a bit unfair on the beast as it's as quiet as they go, but never mind!)
Google gives lots of hits in Australia, and one or two in the North Country.
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Mention 'the rattler' in my part of the world and everyone thinks of the rolling stock on the Leeds-Morecambe-Lancaster line, which we use a lot. Carnforth beer festival this Friday, but a few bevvies in Lancaster first, so we'll be using the rattler again.
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I did take the rattler from Manchester Victoria this morning and ended up buying the green Toyota I posted about earlier. Nice car in mint condition apart from a dent right at the front edge of the bonnet and a couple of scuffs next to it. I hazard a guess a largish stone has hit it and skidded across the paintwork. Most of it will braze off...I think. I have staff to do the dent if it annoys me too much ....or , more probably, SWMBO ! Nice to see it has a radio/cassette player....I can resurrect some of my 200 odd tapes. 6 disc changer under the passenger seat and sat-nav
Everything's in good order. Swm noticed on the advert some marks on the front and rear n.s leather seats which I thought were cat...they were and had gone when I looked. They had two mousers at the garage. It doesn't look as if it's been spanked, nice smooth engine. Engine management light on but it was only a Lambda sensor and it was fixed before I left.
1 Lady owner with a home address of Berwick on Tweed. Paid on me debit card and had it transported home on a recovery truck to avoid the attentions of the dreaded ANPR.....Perk of me former job !
Now it's the Dog's turn to rock up with something tasty !
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What engine is in that Teddy?
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Nice tool Ted, sounds like a blinder, as we used to say. I noticed the Howard Marks on the seats too.
>>Now it's the Dog's turn to rock up with something tasty !
I doubt if that will happen now guvnor - a Subaru is a hard act to follow (IMO). I fancied that Beemer, but then looked at: www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/bmw/3-series-e90-2005/?section=good
Has your RAVer got a 'normal' autobox? the later ones have CVT's and I don't fancy one of those TBH.
But, as they say in Brexitland, something'll turn up :o)
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By coincidence Dog, my ex BMW mechanic pal serviced my Focus ( the '04 330 replacement) over the weekend. Oil & pollen filter change, up on the hydraulic ramps for an extensive pre winter check. All A1.
We got chatting about a replacement... My budget is severely diminished after lots of jollies, and he actually warned me off a 2.0 petrol BMW of that era. He still rates the older 330 engine, provided you can put up with the higher tax and lower mpg. In the meantime, or until he finds me something ( lots of cars for sale pass through the auto engineers where he works... He is chief mot tester) I'm happy pootling around in the Focus, and I'm away to Spain for several weeks soonish so no rush.
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Cheers LL. I'll have a look later at the 330's as the higher tax and lower MPG wouldn't bother me really.
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My ex FiL has an 05 X Trail. Diesel. Manuel. Very low miles, never gone wrong, owned by him from new and at some point in the not too distant future he will give up driving... He never drives at night nor drives more than ten miles from home.
Somebody will get a bargain
Ps. My pal charged me £100 for servicing the Focus. Stamped the book, even filled the washer bottle ( which I do every week). Even returned what remained of the 5L of fully synthetic decent oil used.
Last edited by: legacylad on Thu 17 Nov 16 at 09:05
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>> Howls about: www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201610198934502
>>
Never really liked the look of those. Very err awkward looking things. No doubt very reliable though.
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They look as boring as Subaru Foresters ... boringly reliable too which, having checked out a lot of Teutonic chariots of late, is no bad thing IMO.
www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/lexus/rx300-2003/
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It's a 2 litre petrol Martin. Pulls 146 bhp...which is 41 more than the Vitara. Proper slushbox,Dog. Wife's Micra has CVT but it's not for me and I don't know how it would cope with a 17ft shed behind it. ( CVT, not the Micra ! )
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I've found a nice Beemer but I don't think it's an automatic jobbie:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_Dixi#/media/File:Dixi_3-15_DA_(1929).jpg
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Thanks for that Ted. Is it a Toyota lump or something from Renault, who I believe Toyota collaborated with at some point.
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Following on from my original post re the Golf R. Audi S3 involved in minor 'accident' Tuesday night in Skipton. Driver got out, was threatened and the scroats drove off in it. Later found abandoned in Bradford.
Says it all really
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>> I sold an extra-large dog crate to a young lady via Gumtree last week. She
>> had a nice black Tucson, leather seats, smooth diesel engine, I could almost be tempted
>> (I said almost)
>>
Tempted, Dog? By the young lady or her Tucson??
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Both raised an eyebrow or two Bb ... knowlmean.
;>)
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Not sure about the lump, Martin. Haven't lifted the bonnet yet cos of the rain up here.
I noticed the back window was steamed up last night so it's getting a couple of greenhouse heaters in for the rest of the weekend. Probably lack of use over a few weeks. Normal running will keep it at bay but I need to transfer the insurance and tax it and I'm leaving it 'til next week.Then my prat-plate can go on !
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Ted. I have just bought some wind deflectors for the Pajero so that I can 'vent' the dogs without the rain getting in. Oh! Lordy, I wish I'd done it years ago and of course they'll keep air moving when it is parked up too. Only needs to be cracked open a little.
I got them off of the Bay, They come from Slovakia or Slovenia originally wherever they are, via a Company called VF Autozone. The make is Heko. Both Heko and VF are to be highly recommended. I have no connection to either btw other than as a very happy customer.
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I had some on the older Vitara...came with the car. Useful 'cos you could leave the front droplights down about 2 inches to ventilate the car with security and keeping the seats dry at the same time. Sadly, they wouldn't fit the newer body shape.
I might have a look for the RAV4 ones though. Thanks for the tip...I'd forgotten about them.
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Back in the early 90s I lived in a flat in central Bath. At that time I had a Golf GTi 16V which I had to leave parked on the street. It was interfered with, vandalised and broken into several times and indeed was stolen once during that time. I replaced it with a Volvo 850 T5R estate which although it was a bit of a nippy thing, in fact it was probably a fair bit nippier than the VW, it was never touched despite being parked on the same street.
I can only assume it didn't antagonise or interest the local low life as much as the Golf.
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Martin, just ordered a pair of deflectors off Amazon. £26 ish. Just 1 each side on this, from the lower A post to the top of the B post.
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Good move Sire. 'Heko' or not?
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The perils of owning something tasty - sooty123
