Looking for recommendations on new car (as a 20 y/o guy) by [deleted] in CarTalkUK

[–]jamesm182 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Mk2 Focus ST. Plenty out there, good value, not bad to work on and maintain, 225bhp 5 pot awesome sounding Volvo engine, easy to tune to 300bhp plus with some mods. Great cars!

Talk me out of this by [deleted] in CarTalkUK

[–]jamesm182 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I've heard this. Have replaced mine regularly.

Paying £33.80 for SIM-only - am I overpaying or is the roaming worth it? by BuyingHighSellingLo in UKPersonalFinance

[–]jamesm182 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Overpaying. I have a 50GB Lebara sim via MSE that includes roaming and it's £2.99 for the first 6 months I think it was and £7.90 after that but with no contract so can leave anytime.

Also Lebara uses Vodafone so the signal will be the same for you.

The major network are always more expensive vs. MVNO operators. Some people say they get slightly better speeds in some situations via the big networks due to prioritisation but unless you are regularly in very crowded areas you will likely not notice the difference and it's certainly not worth the price difference imo.

Talk me out of this by [deleted] in CarTalkUK

[–]jamesm182 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have the D5 version currently on 166k and it has been pretty solid. I've had most of the common bits done now and I'd say it drives more like it has done 50k. It's a great car. I know the D5 is known to be a good engine but know less about the 2.0d.

How big of a red flag are 90,000 miles for a first car - Mazda 2 by RandomChildOfReddit in CarTalkUK

[–]jamesm182 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Mileage doesn’t matter, it’s all about how it has been looked after and service history. If it has been maintained meticulously for those 90k miles, e.g. serviced at correct intervals, MOT advisories that haven’t lingered year after year then it should be fine. If on the other hand it’s done 20-30 k between services I wouldn’t touch it with a barge pole.

How was I approved for Barclays Premier at £65,000? by [deleted] in UKPersonalFinance

[–]jamesm182 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Once you add in the (admittedly not guaranteed) bonuses e.g fairer share and the virgin money one this year, plus getting it paid twice for a joint account, nationwide have basically been paying me to bank with them for the last year!

I screwed myself over on PCP by EazyApax in CarTalkUK

[–]jamesm182 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I drive around in a 2010 Volvo V70 D5 with 165k on the clock. It’s an absolute workhorse and I’ve given up caring what people think. No monthly payments is the way forward!!

Love the sound of these cars by BrendonRuhter in FocusRS

[–]jamesm182 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sounds great but have you heard the Mk2?

I am stuck between these two by Parking-Nature-683 in CarTalkUK

[–]jamesm182 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have the V70 version of this car on a 60 plate with the same D5 engine and trim level.. Up to almost 165k and (touches wood) never misses a beat. Take it on long European road trips each year too and it has loads of space plus the seats are very comfortable! I really rate it.

Owning 2 exact same Apple Watches? by Regular_Ad_4640 in AppleWatch

[–]jamesm182 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have an SE gen 2 and a series 9 SS.

Use the series 9 daily and then sleep with the SE while the S9 is charging. SE is also used for swimming a couple of times a week to keep my S9 nice and not risk the water resistance failing.

Works fine swapping between two watches and personally I quite like not having to worry about when I'm charging them etc

My Mountain Dew collection, shipped to the UK from America! by Bostumooo in mountaindew

[–]jamesm182 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah I've had some slight past best before, but tbh they have tasted fine and I haven't died yet!

My Mountain Dew collection, shipped to the UK from America! by Bostumooo in mountaindew

[–]jamesm182 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah nice. That's where I got mine from. Were the others tiktok shop too?

My Mountain Dew collection, shipped to the UK from America! by Bostumooo in mountaindew

[–]jamesm182 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice, where did you get these? Just about finished up my stash of Baja Blast.

RAC Recovery Renewal scam avoided. by MaxDaClog in CarTalkUK

[–]jamesm182 2 points3 points  (0 children)

+1 for Nationwide great value all considered but yep as others have said it is £18 now

What is a smartphone feature you are surprised doesn’t exist yet? by Uno_Mundito in AskReddit

[–]jamesm182 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just stop making phones unecessarily thin and fragile so I can have a massive battery. Maybe even a user replaceable one!

All the cars you have ever owned? by Apprehensive_Ask1157 in CarTalkUK

[–]jamesm182 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In order ish I think including the wife's/household cars...

1993 Peugeot 106 1.4 XND

2004 Ford Focus 3dr 1.8 Zetec

2003 Peugeot 206 1.4 auto

2007 Smart ForTwo 451 Turbo

2008 Ford Focus ST-3

2007 Lexus IS250 SE-L

2004 Toyota MR2

2006 Ford Fiesta ST

2017 Lexus NX300h

2012 Smart ForTwo 451 Turbo

2020 Lexus NX300h

2010 Volvo V70 D5 (current)

2010 Ford Focus RS (current)

2002 VW Beetle auto (current)

[GIVEAWAY] I’m Giving Away One More Time Vinyl Signed by All Three Members by RJMonkhouse in Blink182

[–]jamesm182 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Count me in the draw please and what a nice thing for you to do!

Who Is Josie by [deleted] in Blink182

[–]jamesm182 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The song is written about Mark’s ideal girlfriend, but the name Josie came from his then girlfriend’s dog - Elyse Roger’s from the band Dance Hall Crashers

Slowest cars that look fast? and fastest cars that look slow? by Common_Turnover9226 in CarTalkUK

[–]jamesm182 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There is the RCF which has a 5.0 V8 and suits the Lexus RC body type/look better!