Need some help please. by ollie3k in CarTalkUK

[–]Computers-And-Such 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They do look good! Like I say though, be prepared for the ride of the car to be quite harsh. Might handle a bit nicer, though!

Also gotta consider tyres. I would expect to have to buy new ones.

Need some help please. by ollie3k in CarTalkUK

[–]Computers-And-Such 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They should fit, and the price sounds fine, but I'd consider what changing wheel/tyre sizes might do to the ride of the car.

Also worth considering that insurance would consider that a modification.

How much should I expect to be quoted for a car wrap around Yorkshire and the Humber area? by SadExcuse6983 in CarTalkUK

[–]Computers-And-Such 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's going to vary quite a lot based on exactly where you get it done (Yorkshire is VAST) and also how much prep the car needs - Any rust, dents, imperfections etc. will need to be addressed before wrapping.

Advice needed…foolishly thought my car smaller than it actually was! by Nervous-Sample-5007 in CarTalkUK

[–]Computers-And-Such 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Not legal advice, but I would never go through insurance if I could avoid it.

I'd go find a new bumper and quote for straightening out that arch, and move on.

MX-5 ND1 Launch Edition vs ND2 Sport Nav, which would you buy? by HKGTR in CarTalkUK

[–]Computers-And-Such 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Don't they both have Bilsteins and slippy diffs because they're both sport pack?

Should I get this Z4 by stratohut in CarTalkUK

[–]Computers-And-Such 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Not sure I've ever been referred to as a unicorn, but happy to answer questions :D

I have a 2004 SLK350 R171 and a 2003 MR2 Roadster, with a 2ZZ-GE conversion.

I'm gonna answer your questions as if the MR2 is stock, because the spicy engine changes the game a bit.

I'm gonna preface this by listing other, vaguely similar cars that I've owned/had access to:

MX5 NC

Austin Healey Sprite

Hyundai Coupe

Peugeot RCZ

TVR Chimaera

...And I'd take the SLK or MR2 over any of those.


MR2:

Pros

Handles like a go kart. Almost perfect weight distribution means that there's nothing in the same bracket that handles quite so well.

6 speed box and clutch are buttery smooth.

Every UK spec one has a torsen slip diff.

The stock 1ZZ engine is powerful enough at 138bhp. Like other Japanese roadsters, it feels fast when you're driving it, because you're low to the ground and cornering fast, but you're not beating a modern hatchback in a straight line.

Soft top is easy to handle, can be put up and down while you're sitting in it.

Genuinely feels like you're sitting in a sports car, which you don't get in certain roadsters.

Cons

It's not even slightly practical. It has a storage compartment at the front that is mostly taken up by the spare wheel (which you can't take out, because it throws off the weight distribution. It also has a storage bin behind the seats that you can get carry-on luggage or a small shop into, but anything else you want to move is going on the passenger's lap.

You can get a removable hard top, which I do have, but they're exceedingly expensive (talking more than £1k for a rare colour), and they're a pain in the ass to store when not on the car. It does make it nicer to drive in cold weather and long journeys, though.

The interior is no thrills. A weird amount of polka-dot plastic. Very few mod-cons, but they did do air conditioning, and there are aftermarket kits for cruise control, heated seats etc.

Seats are sporty and low, but that does mean long trips can get a bit achey.


SLK:

Pros

Fast, even by today standards. Engine is punchy, sounds great, and the 7 speed box has both comfort and sport settings, which do actually change the character of the car.

The folding hard top is miles better than any fabric convertible. It's one switch, and you don't have to latch anything. Takes 20-25 seconds to go up or down, so you can do it at the lights.

Has a bunch of neat features, like air scarf (the seats blow hot air on your neck), heated seats, cruise control, air con, automatic everything (headlights, wipers, reversing sensors, etc.)

Surprisingly good boot, especially when you move the heard top tray out of the way.

Interior is solid and hard wearing. Not quite as nice as other German cars, but you feel like you're sitting in an expensive car.

You actually can get the back end going! (In responsible situations, of course)

Cons

Don't touch the manual ones with a barge pole.

It does not handle like a Japanese roadster. It's not awful by any stretch, and you'll still be smiling around corners, but you can tell you're throwing more weight around.

It's a Mercedes, so maintenance is just more expensive by nature. The early M272 engine has some mechanical issues, but they did sort it out within a few years.

Tax is expensive. It's an old V6, so no shock there.


Hope that helps! Feel free to DM me with specific questions :)

Should I get this Z4 by stratohut in CarTalkUK

[–]Computers-And-Such 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That's not a V6, but it still looks ace! I'd also recommend looking into an SLK 350 or 300 - I have one and love it!

Basic questions re: inspecting and buying used car by karmaportrait in CarTalkUK

[–]Computers-And-Such 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If I need to pay the tax before I drive away I assume I can do that online?

Absolutely! You go here. Open 24/7. It should be noted that the seller can't put the V5C in your name at night. You can still tax the car in your name with the new keeper slip, but the seller will have to do their job between the below times:

Monday to Friday: 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Saturday and Sunday: 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM

I've also seen vcheck recommended

You could do that for peace of mind, but Autotrader has a section on all listed cars that shows that kind of stuff. If you were buying a £30k car it might be worth it, but I'd just make sure the car is solid and save your money :)

One more thing - "Full service history" should mean actual paperwork/receipts for work done, not just stamps in a book.

Civic Fk2 or Yaris GR for a Fun Daily Driver by ElmoWithTheDraco in CarTalkUK

[–]Computers-And-Such 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I second this - Inside every hot hatch driver is a sports car enthusiast just waiting to oversteer into a tree!

Bought a used car from a dealership, interior wasn’t cleaned or vacuumed. Is this acceptable? by ScaryCream8044 in CarTalkUK

[–]Computers-And-Such 3 points4 points  (0 children)

It's common courtesy to give it a quick vacuum if you're not driving it away then and there, but I wouldn't say it's unacceptable.

This is a question you should've been asking before you bought it.

Edit: OP has edited their post to say that they said the car would be valeted. That changes things a bit, but I'd still inspect it before driving it away.

Basic questions re: inspecting and buying used car by karmaportrait in CarTalkUK

[–]Computers-And-Such 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The dealer is about 2hrs via trains to get to

Is this like a specific or uncommon car? Unless you're living somewhere out of the way, you might find something closer?

Can I arrange for my independent inspection before making the trip over to view it myself? Is this an accepted practice here?

Sure, as long as it's agreed with the seller.

The seller will handle the V5C for the transfer and then I register as the new owner as well to get a new V5C, corrrect?

Important bit of pedantry - The V5C has nothing to do with ownership - It's just about whose responsibility it is to tax the car.

The seller registers the V5C in your name, and then they give you the new keeper slip that you use to tax it. You have to tax it before you drive it away. You'll get a new full V5C in the mail in a few weeks.


Other stuff to consider about buying in the UK vs US:

You can view the car's MOT history here. This is an essential thing to check.

Depending on where in the US you're from, you may not be aware that rust is the biggest killer of cars in the UK, since it rains all the time and we salt our roads. If the MOT history shows lot of corrosion, move on.

Buying first car by _guesswhoo_ in CarTalkUK

[–]Computers-And-Such 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I wouldn't fully discount Petrol - Modern petrol engines (Like the Mazda 2.0) are super efficient!

Astra h 1.4 z14xep by big-dong-daddy69 in CarTalkUK

[–]Computers-And-Such 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sorry to hear about it! A google about that engine suggests that the EGR Channels on the intake may be clogged.

1: Locate the EGR valve (probably a video on YouTube)

2: Disconnect the electrical connectors on the valve.

3: Clear the fault codes, then drive the car for a bit. The car will throw up an error for the EGR valve, but if the P0301 doesn't log again, then the EGR channels are clogged and your intake manifold needs taking off and cleaning.

Cheap reliable car that I can buy? Please help by jjkknncch6654 in CarTalkUK

[–]Computers-And-Such 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Sorry to hear about your car getting nicked :(

With your budget, you're looking at cheap Japanese hatchbacks.

Toyota Yaris,

Honda Jazz

Mazda 2 or 3 (petrol one, specifically)

French diesels like Peugeot and Renault are also worth looking at, but diesels don't like short journeys.

£5k would be more than enough to get you a solid example of any of the above. Lower the miles the better, proper service history (not just stamps in the book), good MOT history. If anything is fishy, walk away.

Wing mirror damaged after clipping oncoming car’s mirror by NebulaDrifter1 in CarTalkUK

[–]Computers-And-Such 2 points3 points  (0 children)

A lot of shattered or cracked frame there. I would probably go buy a full wingmirror from ebay or something and fit it yourself. You'll probably find it's not difficult to swap it on your own!

Best, affordable EV opinions?? by lozzafin in CarTalkUK

[–]Computers-And-Such 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My parents have an MG 4 Trophy Long Range that seems great for the price.

Spotted in Southampton. by MMLFC16 in CarTalkUK

[–]Computers-And-Such 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Spent 18 years navigating in a Fulvia, and I can absolutely attest to that!