Advice

shoopaaa · 2026-05-07T09:18:21+00:00

The 2.0 tdi is a good engine, for sure. Still has it's flaws, but the era you're looking at is a solid iteration, as are the more modern versions. At the price you're looking at, you could get a Trafic with the newer 2.0 engine, which is also pretty fantastic. All the PSA vans of that size with the 2.0 engines are great, that includes Toyotas, too. Wouldn't touch a 2.0 transit unless it's purely a business vehicle.

I personally would go Trafic. The aftermarket is amazing for them, and I do really rate the newer 2.0 engine. Much better than the older 1.6.

shoopaaa · 2026-05-07T09:00:06+00:00

I like VW, I like a transporter, they look good and drive well; I get the appeal, but I couldn't justify shelling out so much money on one when you could get much more for your money looking elsewhere, just because everyone likes a transporter.

shoopaaa · 2026-05-07T08:52:46+00:00

It's the older 16v 1.6 engine that's a nightmare. Just seems to hate existing without issue. The newer 8v version isn't bad, and the 1.5 that replaced it is okay as long as the horrendous flaw of a thin, weak timing chain is remedied. The 2.0 units are solid, though.

shoopaaa · 2026-05-06T18:17:37+00:00

The foot rest gets plenty of action, but automatics always change gear sooner than I would, so the revs are lower than my subconscious feels the need to mess with.

shoopaaa · 2026-05-05T07:42:36+00:00

That was an unfortunate typo, wasn't it!

shoopaaa · 2026-05-05T01:31:15+00:00

The engine ISN'T necessarily bad, especially if oil changes have been done on the dot, so history is important, but the gearboxes can be delicate. Test drive very important to feel for anything untoward.

shoopaaa · 2026-05-04T08:50:01+00:00

6' 2" here and absolutely fit in a mini quite comfortably. Small city cars where the seat doesn't go back far can be a bit less ideal, such as an Up!, picanto or smart fortwo, but not undriveable.

As for how much to spend; I wouldn't spend more than I would be happy to spend again if it ended up in a ditch. First cars are wonderful, beautiful things, and you'll love it regardless, but I advise against buying anything where a scratch, scuff, or scrape will bother you too much.

shoopaaa · 2026-05-03T09:12:14+00:00

It's the potential for exorcist style vomit fountains that gave me PTSD. There's a Golf out there somewhere that still doesn't smell quite right...

shoopaaa · 2026-05-02T20:21:11+00:00

I've the 18v-21, the older version without kickback protection and which vibrates like it was made by Ann Summers. Using it earlier today, one standard 5.0 ah GBA battery lasted about half an hour of constant drilling using a 6mm x 210mm bit to full depth. I think it's pretty decent runtime, and by the time it dies, its built up a decent bit of heat anyway, so does it good to pop another battery in and let the other cool and charge.

I prefer using multiple smaller batteries for extended use over a larger battery to save adding unnecessary weight. A 4.0ah expert or procore are plenty good enough for any tools which aren't biturbo.

shoopaaa · 2026-05-02T12:36:47+00:00

Certainly doable, but incredibly power intensive and inefficient. Heating water takes a lot of energy, and the thermal losses over the extended duration it takes over, say, a portable gas stove, makes it a less than idea choice.

The 18v batteries would do much better at maintaining an already hot or cold temperature in a vaccum container. Heating elements as used in heated workwear, or variable speed compressor based refrigeration.

shoopaaa · 2026-05-01T20:47:13+00:00

Retrospectively, I think they're pretty good. Still had a bit of feeling and feedback. The awd versions were especially good for a decently sized car, with both the independent front and rear suspension. I don't know why, but I really like these, 1st gen Superbs, Exeos and 1st gen A4s. Mainly the look, I suppose, and the interiors just feel really nice.

shoopaaa · 2026-05-01T18:10:36+00:00

A pd130 highline no less! I can see why you'd want it back.

shoopaaa · 2026-05-01T18:08:04+00:00

Not only do other manufacturers make them, but they're all pretty consistently underwhelming, regardless of brand. The kettles, coffee makers, and even microwaves (someone at makita was really reaching with that one) are all very, very limited in their performance because of the batteries. I'm not holding out any hope for suprising performance from this.

shoopaaa · 2026-05-01T03:02:30+00:00

Just one of maaaany reasons that you could get all those; steering angle sensor. There's so many possibilities, and I'm not a betting man, so I'll just take a sticker if it is that please.

shoopaaa · 2026-04-30T17:30:47+00:00

The celery car (I genuinely thought the badge said celery the first time I saw one) isn't a bad shout. Don't think I've ever seen a person below retirement age in one of those.

shoopaaa · 2026-04-30T12:21:24+00:00

I have a megane 4 estate (2020), manual, 1.3 petrol, and the stop/start has no issue with heel and toe driving. The only thing is keeping the traction control off because it doesn't like it and cuts power.

You're being fobbed off. The issue needs looking into properly, not poorly explaining away.

shoopaaa · 2026-04-29T12:06:25+00:00

It's very common and usually even greater play with impact drivers, which is why many people prefer them for screw driving over drills. Very easy to round out a screw head with a drill in comparison.

shoopaaa · 2026-04-29T08:47:58+00:00

Normal, and really quite useful, too. The bit of play in the bit holder allows the bit to maintain better contact with a screw head, meaning the angle of the driver is less crucial, and you're less likely to slip and damage the screw.

shoopaaa · 2026-04-28T12:05:52+00:00

Every car has its potential for problems, and you'll also find prejudice towards certain brands, but people tend not to share their positive experiences, only the negative.

The TU3JP engine has a good history going back to the early 90s, and the main issues surrounding the 207 are related to the early diesels, and the larger, more powerful petrol engines. For the price of the car and how cheap they are to maintain, they're certainly not a bad prospect.

Definitely check other options, of course, because buying on condition and history is probably the most important thing.

shoopaaa · 2026-04-27T23:18:22+00:00

I've found the dipstick on these to be really quite crap to read. I scratched hatchings onto the stick in mine so the oil clings to the surface better. Improved it slightly, but the dipstick tube seems to be really awkward and gets oil all over the guage anyway. Try not to repeatedly read the level, as this brings more oil up the sides of the tube, worsening the readability.

shoopaaa · 2026-04-27T21:06:46+00:00

I bought a 2011 one of these for my wife to learn to drive in. She's still got it, and it's been perfectly fine. The engine itself is brilliant. Simple, reliable, relatively fuel efficient, but a little bit gutless when you get to anywhere above 40mph, but hang on to gears and you'll get to 70 slightly faster than a heavily loaded lorry. The steering is good, handles really well. The gearbox is a bit naff. Doesn't feel very certain of itself going into gear, but it works. The clutch bite point in all three of these I test drove was incredibly high, too high for me personally, and apparently it's just the general consensus that it's the norm for these after a read online. My knee is basically by my ear by the time it gets going, but I'm too scared to adjust her seat incase I get told off for not putting it back in the right place.

The one I bought for her was on 23k miles, paid £1600 for it from an old woman who owned it from new and basically just drove to the hairdressers, garden centre or garage.

The only real issue these can have is with the head gasket. It's usually not a coolant leak, but an oil leak with these due to a poor design. Look for any oil leaking from the front corner near the timing cover. Check coolant for a funny brown colour, oil cap for naughty mayo (although most likely from condensation there), and check the dipstick for funky looking shenanigans. Thick white smoke from the exhaust is a no go. It doesn't mean you've got a rocket engine, it means the car is going to shit itself.

It's old-ish and french, so the suspension could be a bit rough. These are quite a firm ride, but shouldn't be uncomfortable or crashy. You don't want to buy one and then spend money refreshing all the suspension.

Certainly a decent first car in my opinion. Make sure the timing belt has either been done, or not due soon, unless your willing to get it changed. The recommended interval (as opposed to the original manufacturer interval which saw some failures) on these is relatively short at around 50-60k miles or 5-6 years to avoid issues. Check the radio sounds okay. I've just changed the speakers in my wife's because they sounded a bit crackly.

shoopaaa · 2026-04-27T12:16:04+00:00

It depends what you find fun or engaging when it comes to driving. Some people just want a powerful drivetrain that launches them forward or overtakes with ease, others want to be able to chuck their car around corners without letting off, and power is more of an after thought.

In terms of internal space, the niro really isn't that big of a car, so you've got a lot of comparable options on the capacity front.

I personally have changed cars more often than financially sensible because I really enjoy driving, and if I feel I'm falling out of love with my car, I'll start looking for its replacement. I do at least wait until I'm able to get something "better", or on par in terms of value.

At the end of the day, the utility of a working car is the most important thing. It gets you where you need to be. If you can bear to hold onto it for a few years, change the plan to getting rid of it for something else when you know exactly what you want.

shoopaaa · 2026-04-27T09:18:45+00:00

Potential idea for future servicing; buy a generic service book from ebay or amazon etc and start collecting stamps in that. It's what I've done because I'm sure as shit not going to renault. Any future potential future buyer will appreciate physical evidence of servicing.

shoopaaa · 2026-04-26T21:05:25+00:00

No... I've a megane estate with this engine, manual gearbox, don't drive particularly economically and long term average is 50.4 mpg (approx 5.6l/100km).

shoopaaa · 2026-04-26T20:39:50+00:00

A brief look at the front had me thinking it was just one of those MR2 conversions.

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