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vickster

Squire
How about a 2008 Suzuki Swift. I spotted a decent looking one for sale this aft' for £1700. Isn't that a bit too high in price though? 🤔
Private or dealer, you’ll always pay a premium at the latter. Used car prices are super high even for relative old bangers. Small cars keep their value much more due to high demand from old and young buyers
 
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Accy cyclist

Accy cyclist

Legendary Member
Private or dealer,
Dealer and a dodgy one according to the local facebook page.
 

I like Skol

A Minging Manc...
Of the many diesels I have owned in the last 30 years none of them have struggled to start in cold weather. I did have a VW Passat TDI that would occasionally randomly crank for around 5-10 seconds before firing up and this was never cured, but nothing to do with hot or cold and would always start on the key otherwise?

If your car won't start in the cold get it fixed (properly) because any car should start with no problems in our current mild conditions.
 

mustang1

Legendary Member
Location
London, UK
I have a soft spot for MX5s. Very small and nippy with great handling and basic stuff on-board. Not overly powerful and doesn't need to be, but also one reason of several why I couldn't have one. I prefer the older or newer versions of that model in terms of shape but still a lovely car.

Ps: IDK about the price and all that other stuff that matters.
 
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Accy cyclist

Accy cyclist

Legendary Member
I have a soft spot for MX5s. Very small and nippy with great handling and basic stuff on-board. Not overly powerful and doesn't need to be, but also one reason of several why I couldn't have one. I prefer the older or newer versions of that model in terms of shape but still a lovely car.

Ps: IDK about the price and all that other stuff that matters.
I went to try out the Micra this aft'. I thought i'd take a few pics' of the Mazda. It doesn't look too bad at all 'in the flesh'. That's my tweed cap and walking stick,to prove that i was there.🧐 I don't know if those wing mirrors are retractable. I asked the seller and he said "I'm not sure, but they might be electric". I tried to push them back, but with my history of breaking wing mirrors when trying to push them back i didn't try too hard. The seller also said it's a very difficult car to get in and out of and maybe it's not the right car for someone who has a bit of a walking problem.

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He also said that there isn't a winter hard top with the car, which is a problem.🤔 Yet if this was April and not November i'd probably be daft enough to buy it!:rolleyes:

Edit....Even so, I'm still tempted!!!:unsure:
 
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Accy cyclist

Accy cyclist

Legendary Member
As for the Micra i had a drive in it. I got up to 95MPH on the motorway with little effort. It's a bit 'tinny' feeling' and the gear stick is a bit thin and long. Imagine (for those old enough) driving one of those 1970's east European Simcas and you'll know what i mean.

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Handling wise it's nowhere near as good as my Mini. On bends it feels like you could turn it over if you approach the bend too fast, whereas my Mini feels much better in such situations. I asked the seller how much he'd give me for my 2006 Mini D. He asked how much i was expecting. I said £1000. He then did that face which says 'I'd love to give you that, but it's not worth it'. He then said "The most i could give you is £700 and i'll also tax it for a year', which might've sounded better if the tax was about £160 and not a poxy £30!


Anyway, my mutt seemed to think it was ok, from a passenger point of view.🐶 Is it better than my Mini and more importantly is it worth nearly 4 grand? No, it's not better than my Mini as i'd say Minis are more robust and handle better than 'tinny' Micras. Is it worth 4 grand of my money? I'd say not.🤔

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Accy cyclist

Accy cyclist

Legendary Member
Of the many diesels I have owned in the last 30 years none of them have struggled to start in cold weather. I did have a VW Passat TDI that would occasionally randomly crank for around 5-10 seconds before firing up and this was never cured, but nothing to do with hot or cold and would always start on the key otherwise?

If your car won't start in the cold get it fixed (properly) because any car should start with no problems in our current mild conditions.
A mechanic came out this aft' to jump lead start my car. He also brought 2 devices which test the ignition system and the glow plugs. He said both were fine, so it's a problematic battery. Ah well, that's better than a problematic ignition system...i think. I now have 2 options to solve it. One, buy a 'decent' battery or two, buy a jump starter power pack. Why buy a starter pack if a decent battery will solve it i hear you asking! Well, yes i could buy a decent battery, but what happens if that decent battery decides to play up in say minus 5 Celsius. I then have to get someone out to jump start me. I am in the AA and i suppose they'd come out, but that could take over an hour. My thoughts are keep the battery that's in and buy a good jump starter pack, so it's always there in case! I could also by both a battery and a jump starter pack. Maybe i will.
 
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Accy cyclist

Accy cyclist

Legendary Member
buy a decent battery and the problem will be solved for at least the next five years.
But that's not guaranteed Joe, so here lies the problem! Like i said up page, i could buy a super duper 200 quid battery and it could still let me down after a frosty night! The ignition system's good, the glow plugs are fine BUT!!! I just do not have confidence and or faith in diesel cars starting up in bad weather! :unsure:

Maybe doing this is the solution!!
 

cheys03

Veteran
I may have missed it, but with very little resistance a battery 'drop' test will tell you without doubt whether the current battery is up to it and a new one could make all the potential difference.

Replace the battery then IF you have a problem (unlikely!) get the jump-start pack or keep the old battery, trickle charger and a set of jump leads to give it a helping hand IF required.
 
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