what car should I buy?

[mr brightside]

No, the drive shafts - think they were about £700 a pair.

The outboard CV joint is permanently connected to the driveshaft, it was probably the CV that went but a whole new shaft was needed. On Mk1/2 Golfs and such like it's all separate parts which is the way it should be, companies end up taking backward steps in engineering so they can boast about how cheap their cars are...which is why most new cars aren't worth bothering with. It's the throw-away mentality and unfortunately most people buying cars are unaware of these built-in problems until it's a problem.

This is how i like things...



...they designed the car so that the whole back panel comes off to allow access for work such as timing chain changes. A BMW 1 Series has to have the entire engine removed in order to change the timing chain- it was just cheaper to build it that way. What do BMW care? It's more labour money for their dealerships.

[sore legs]

A BMW 1 Series has to have the entire engine removed in order to change the timing chain- it was just cheaper to build it that way. What do BMW care? It's more labour money for their dealerships.

The same for VW Passats. 5 hours labour to change the timing belt and recommended to change the £40 water pump at the same time as although there is not a limited life expectancy on it, it also requires most of the engine removed. £500 odd and that is cheap as it is not at main dealer prices.

[mr brightside]

The same for VW Passats. 5 hours labour to change the timing belt and recommended to change the £40 water pump at the same time as although there is not a limited life expectancy on it, it also requires most of the engine removed. £500 odd and that is cheap as it is not at main dealer prices.

A Passat has a transversely mounted engine which isn't so bad, the beemer's lump is longitudally mounted and the timing chain cover is right up against the bulkhead. They're probably both a nightmare which ever way you cut it.

[lantern rouge]

I have a 2004 Jazz 1.4. A little reported problem is a gearbox bearing failure cost us £750. Honda have repaired many of them under an extended warantee deal (upto 7 years old), but if your car is too old, it costs.

I still rate Hondas (had a Civic that I drove into the ground and it hardly missed a beat) but an older manual Jazz might be a bit of a gamble...

[LissaJous]

I have a 2004 Jazz 1.4. A little reported problem is a gearbox bearing failure cost us £750. Honda have repaired many of them under an extended warantee deal (upto 7 years old), but if your car is too old, it costs.

I still rate Hondas (had a Civic that I drove into the ground and it hardly missed a beat) but an older manual Jazz might be a bit of a gamble...

2009 new model.

[Ady In Accy]

I've just got myself a camper! Collecting in a couple of weeks -

[Alf]

I've just got myself a camper! Collecting in a couple of weeks -

Looks very nice that Ady

[Ady In Accy]

Cheers Alf - hope we'll be very happy together!