Just seen this car on the way home

[Accy cyclist]

Simple carpet shampoo mix, or warm water and washing up powder (cheaper and you'll have it in the cupboard). Mix it in well, and soak a cloth, rinse out and give it a good scrub, rinse cloth/repeat. My car is 20 years old and is beige/cream inside and spotless despite two kids and cats.

The car specific stuff isn't that good.

Yes, I've tried that foam/spray stuff with a stiff brush thingy attached and to me upholstery looks patchy after it dries.

 

[tyred]

Vanish is pretty good at cleaning car upholstery in my experience.

 

[fossyant]

Vanish is pretty good at cleaning car upholstery in my experience.

Vanish is very good, mix in with water, scrub whole seat base and back, not just where the 'stain is' - not too wet though. Best done on dry sunny day. Some seats, due to their fabric, easily water mark, despite being clean. It's also good on the cream plastics for removing any dirt.

I had one that was terrible, would mark with a drop of rain.

 

[Accy cyclist]

While 'test driving' it again yesterday I attempted to close the roof, but it wouldn't budge. I thought 'shoot, it's already causing problems, but after looking in the owner's manual it said the roof only opens and shuts below a certain speed (summat like 50mph I think🤔).

 

[fossyant]

While 'test driving' it again yesterday I attempted to close the roof, but it wouldn't budge. I thought 'shoot, it's already causing problems, but after looking in the owner's manual it said the roof only opens and shuts below a certain speed (summat like 50mph I think🤔).

Only at slow speed, or sometimes stopped. Simple reason it will 'park' when open - trying to close/open when at speed could damage the motor, or the roof fabric.

 

[Accy cyclist]

I've checked the 'road tax' and insurance. £30 tax and surprisingly £203 insurance, which is not much below the £227 quoted for the Cooper S.🤔

My current insurers the AA want £222 to insure the Fiat. I might phone them up and quote the £203 offered by Hastings Direct as I'd like to keep my AA recovery 'perk', even if it is the most basic one.

 

[vickster]

I've checked the 'road tax' and insurance. £30 tax and surprisingly £203 insurance, which is not much below the £227 quoted for the Cooper S.🤔

My current insurers the AA want £222 to insure the Fiat. I might phone them up and quote the £203 offered by Hastings Direct as I'd like to keep my AA recovery 'perk', even if it is the most basic one.

When does your current policy end - you may get charged to change the car on the policy or to cancel and go elsewhere? It would be unusual for an existing insurer to price match mid policy (no harm in asking though).
Hastings do a package with roadside assistance too (I have it).

The 500 should be much cheaper to run insurance aside...unless the roof goes wrong outside the warranty (can be an expensive fix).
I wouldn't touch a 10 year old hot hatch with nearly 100k on the clock with an extremely long bargepole

 

[Accy cyclist]

When does your current policy end - you may get charged to change the car on the policy or to cancel and go elsewhere? It would be unusual for an existing insurer to price match mid policy (no harm in asking though).
Hastings do a package with roadside assistance too (I have it)

It ends late August. Yes, I think there is something in the small print about being charged for swapping to someone else.🤔 I'm going to phone them later and see what they can offer.

 

[vickster]

It ends late August. Yes, I think there is something in the small print about being charged for swapping to someone else.🤔 I'm going to phone them later and see what they can offer

It's only a few months until August. I very much doubt you'd get much refund if any if you cancel now (and it won't cost much to switch if the insurance group is similar, maybe just an admin fee)

 

[Accy cyclist]

just an admin fee)

I bet that'd be about 50 quid!!

 

[Gunk]

Just chop it in

 

[vickster]

Just chop it in

 

[vickster]

I bet that'd be about 50 quid!!

You'll need to see what it says (you would have agreed to it when taking the policy).
Looks like £19.50?
https://www.aainsure.co.uk/charges-and-fees
or maybe £25
https://eui-pdf-assets.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/aainsure/Your-Agreement-with-EUI-010620.pdf

£55 to cancel

 

[Accy cyclist]

It's only a few months until August. I very much doubt you'd get much refund if any if you cancel now (and it won't cost much to switch if the insurance group is similar, maybe just an admin fee)

I've just been on the phone to the AA. They want £47 to swap my policy to the Fiat. If I cancel they'll refund me £34, which isn't much as I still have around 4 months left on it. My current policy is cheaper than I thought at £187. To insure the Fiat with the AA they want a whopping £292!!!!

I'd say it'd be best to cancel the AA policy, cut my losses and take the Hastings Direct £203 offer? 🤔



Edit...and that £292 AA offer includes a whopping £650 excess!!!

 

[vickster]

yep cancelling seems the best option. It’s a small refund because of the admin fee.
what’s the excesses (compulsory and voluntary) on the Hastings policy To get that price?