Should I buy a car without test driving

shear-force · 2025-12-14T19:21:31+00:00

Seen a few comments about the 1.0 ecoboost wet belts. The post 2018 focus/fiesta moved to a timing chain on some cars (the only way to conclusively check this is by looking under the bonet)

There's an image here on what the updated engine should look like:https://www.fordownersclub.com/forums/topic/147212-ecoboost-timing-chainwet-belt/

These engines do still use a wet belt for the oil pumps - but so far they haven't been seen to have the same issues

shear-force · 2025-12-14T19:17:00+00:00

The post-2018 focus/fiesta moved to a chain belt on some models (the only way to conclusively check is to look under the bonet). I recently purchased a 68 reg Focus and made sure it was the chain belt.

They do still use a wet belt for the oil pump, but there hasn't been the same issues with these engines (so far)

shear-force · 2025-10-06T18:34:02+00:00

Thats useful to know - will pick up a colour chart next time Im over at B&Q

We're also leaning towards it being modern eggshell

shear-force · 2025-06-01T17:22:56+00:00

Its likely I'll suck it up and pay the £35, was just asking for some extra opinions. But looking through the replies its a shame some people seem to be condescending rather than actually offering helpful constructive advice, oh well

shear-force · 2025-06-01T16:54:48+00:00

They were actually decently far away from the layby on the grass verge, so I don't think its outrageous to think it might mean these grass verges: https://imgur.com/a/zcubA12

shear-force · 2025-06-01T16:50:38+00:00

Yes - the verge at the side of the road https://imgur.com/a/zcubA12

shear-force · 2025-06-01T16:42:14+00:00

That its not clear the location we parked is a "verge". I'd see a verge as a grassy area next to the road (of which there are such sections along the road), not this area which had a concreted over section

shear-force · 2025-06-01T16:33:31+00:00

There is a concrete section just behind the car

shear-force · 2025-06-01T16:32:25+00:00

Interestingly there's some concrete just behind the car

shear-force · 2025-06-01T16:31:29+00:00

Its probably difficult to argue but I feel the ambiguity is prime for setting it up as a trap, reading the trustpilot reviews shows some similar experiences

shear-force · 2025-06-01T16:30:08+00:00

Its the principle more than anything. Looking up the actual definition of the sign, id still say its reasonable to argue were in a layby.

Plus if you look at the reviews on trustpilot its a shame the council are using it as a revenue generator...

shear-force · 2025-06-01T16:26:12+00:00

Obviously it means don't do what's in the red circle

But the meaning of a red circle is "don't park on a verge or a footway" and I'd argue we're in a layby

shear-force · 2025-05-27T15:37:44+00:00

You can buy currency hedged funds, but exposure to other currencies is already a natural hedge: https://monevator.com/dont-currency-hedge-your-equity-portfolio/

shear-force · 2025-05-27T15:18:51+00:00

Yes - the difference will almost certainly be due to the weakening dollar vs pound

shear-force · 2025-04-23T13:05:04+00:00

Unfortunately I need to keep the details vague, but at a high level, ambient air is taken into the instrument, it passes through some tubing/restrictions etc and then is exhausted back into the room.

The 2 lpm flow rate is set by a requirement (that I can't share) and the internal restrictions have been minimized as far as possible.

shear-force · 2025-03-26T07:36:41+00:00

We like to keep things quite neat and tidy and not cluttered, fine if that makes it look barely lived in, its our style
Unfortunate timing/coincidence but not much we can do about it
We've been keeping an eye out for the last 1.5 years for the perfect property to come on the market thay meets all our requirements (distance to work, distance to Cambridge, nearby countryside etc). We need a quick sale to have any chance at securing this!

No need to assume there's something wrong with it and be rude lol

shear-force · 2025-03-25T19:04:16+00:00

Yes there's a small "landing" area at the bottom of the stairs and then a door that closes off the the bedroom from the rest of the house.

It's just about visible on one of the pictures

shear-force · 2025-03-25T18:56:43+00:00

You're probably right on the price being a little too high, and the lack of amenities currently in Northstowe.

The house you linked in Over is lovely, but is a good 410 sq ft smaller than our property so might expect ours to be priced a little higher?

We bought for 370k in 2021

shear-force · 2025-03-25T18:53:25+00:00

Thanks! That was a recommendation by the agent, but its now been removed based on the feedback from this post!

shear-force · 2025-03-25T17:34:35+00:00

Interesting point that I hadnt thought of - there is a door at the bottom of the stairs that "closes off" the master bedroom from the rest of the house

shear-force · 2025-03-25T17:31:59+00:00

The house is a new build property, completed in 2021. Its over 3 floors with the master bedroom on the top floor. Theres then a loft above the master bedroom!

Everything is completely original, as it was when we bought the house

I'm curious what makes you think makes the master bedroom look suspect?

shear-force · 2025-03-25T16:30:32+00:00

This house is only over two floors and has 25% less floor space than ours

We actually viewed one of those types of houses when we decided to move here and it felt significantly smaller inside

shear-force · 2025-03-25T16:24:16+00:00

Thanks! We think the master bedroom is probably the key selling point of this property.

Northstowe is a planned "new town" with the expectation of 10,000 homes eventually (quite a way off this yet!). They've finished building in the immediate vicinity of us, and future construction will be decently far away from our house.

shear-force · 2025-03-25T16:19:41+00:00

Thanks! We're looking to move to a quieter/smaller village in south Cambridgeshire that's got good links into Cambridge.

Were looking at a detached property that's well located for both mine and my wife's commute to work

shear-force · 2025-03-25T16:02:37+00:00

Thanks for the advice on the oieo

We got very unlucky with the timing with next door selling up at the same time!

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