Rubber

HRV would be good too I reckon and must be dirt cheap to run May be a bit small though - need to have a look at one in the flesh me thinks. Not a very common sight on the roads around Aberdeen.

Ya, it looks a lot better and the interior is nicer. That's the diesel as well which I was going to ask about - seems to have great mpg and a reasonable turn of speed (for an old diesel anyway!) Very high mileage on that car though. I know the diesel engines can take a lot more miles but would a 130,000 mile plus car feel very 'loose'? Would all the bushes etc. be knackered? I suppose it depends on what the car was used for but unless you buy from someone you know this can be hard to determine... Don;t know if you noticed but if you scroll to the last picture of that car there is a Zed at that garage too

Just looked at Autotrader and plenty of CR-Vs around. This looks good:http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201202441573203/sort/pricedesc/usedcars/transmission/manual/price-to/8000/maximum-mileage/up_to_80000_miles/maximum-age/up_to_7_years_old/model/cr-v/make/honda/page/1/radius/200/postcode/ab116fn?logcode=p Slightly above budget but then I will be selling in the Summer - when sports car prices are at thier max and 4x4 should be at their minimum I suppose any time from May onwards makes sense? Warrior and Navara are cool but too big I think. I don't think my wife would thank me for one of those as she has only been driving a few months and she will have to drive it from time to time! Chris

Good call on the CR-V Stew. I think I must have relegated them on the basis that they are petrol but a quick check shows the difference in fuel cost between a diesel X-Trail (40 mpg) and a petrol CR-V (31.5 mpg) is only £200 per year more for the CR-V. However, it is a Honda so I assume it won't break? Good looking too in my eyes I've worked my way through Suzuki, Mazda, Toyota and Nissan so just Honda to go. I always thought my next car would be a Civic FD2 though, not a CR-V

Good news - we are closing in the purchase of a new house Bad news - it's in a rural location so the Zed has to go (Car will all be up for sale in a couple of months ) The new car will have to perform the following functions: 1) Be able to carve through 2 to 3 feet of snow (therefore needs some clearance) 2) Cost less than £7,500 3) Economy <30 mpg combined and good running costs 4) Be able to lug some stuff around like bags of cement and a couple of dogs! It doesn't need to be pretty or go through sticky fields. I just need the 4x4 capability for the snow. I'm thinking the watered down 4x4's will tick all the boxes here. As much as I have probably criticised these cars when I see people driving around the city I think they make sense now I'm thinking Nissan X-Trail or Toyota RAV4 D-4D but also the Freelander. The Subaru Outback is also an option I suppose. What do you think - am I missing something or will these cars cover what I need? Cheers, Chris

Did the 3 peaks a couple of years ago in foul weather but it was a great laugh. We got lost on Scafell Pike at about 05:00 in the fog but found our way after a few arguements!!! We did Nevis, Scafell and then Snowdon. We did a training climb on Nevis but it was our first time on the others. You can't really go wrong on Nevis or Snowdown. The trail wasn't as obvious on Scafell but maybe it was just the way we approached it Best advice I can give - lots of food - bananas, chocolate etc, x3 changes of dry socks etc & quality hiking gear. And make sure you get a platypus water thingy - the guys who didn't have them were driven mad taking out water bottles! Dedicated driver is a must! We stopped for a fish and chips at about 23:00 after Nevis - not reccommended!!! After all the trials abd tribulations we came in with about 30 mins to spare!!!! All the best! Chris

Personally I can't see what all the fuss is about??? I honestly can't say that I find fog lamps on the front of the car are dazzling unless it is a big 4x4 in which the dipped lamps often seem to be quite dazzling anyway The rear fogs are a bit annoying but I question the sense in driving with your full beams right up someones arse if they leave them on? The type of driver that has them on is generally a bit of a liability anyway so I would steer well clear of them. Fog lights are only allowed to be used in fog so is it the fact that people are flouting the law that gets peoples back up rather than the dazzle? In Ireland about 70% of people drive around with front fogs (or spots as they are frequently called!!!). I suppose if everyone is dazzled it's not a problem (I hope no one looks up the crash stats in Ireland ) Chris

Just had my car serviced for the first time by Clarke Motorsport in Kintore outside Aberdeen. Bit of a nuisance for me getting the car to the garage but one of the employees (Ewen) lives in Aberdeen city so I dropped the car at his place and he took it up and back. Bit nerve racking seeing someone else drive your car away No issues providing all my own consumables (from ZmanAlex) and the service was good value. It's nice to have enthusiasts working on your car. When he dropped the car back the windows were down because he liked the raucous exhaust!!!

I saw one yesterday - it looks like someone stepped on it and squashed it!

That looks absolutely brilliant. Love the colour of the car - never seen one in the flesh Wheels compliment is perfectly.

http://www.350z-uk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=64&t=57056 Chris

Might as well go all out and get the Nismo ones http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/sales/3032256.htm P.S. Don't look at the supposed price!!!! Chris

Welcome Plenty of members around Aberdeen!

I want to buy a Zed (well not really ). Here are pictures of my current car and a full list of specs - do you want to buy it?

Shame

Since we are on the topic of alignment - how frequently should it be done? My car was spot on about 2.5 years ago but I assume it goes out of alignment over time with pot holes etc? Chris

Since we are on the topic of alignment - how frequently should it be done? My car was spot on about 2.5 years ago but I assume it goes out of alignment over time with pot holes etc? Chris

Love the solution of drilling all the holes to a set dept and then filing down to smooth - genius! Chris

Love the solution of drilling all the holes to a set dept and then filing down to smooth - genius! Chris

I assume there would be a significant cost getting a garage to do this as well (unless you are mechanically minded and have a press at home?). Chris

Seth Green had a couple of episodes on FX called Robot Chicken: Star Wars - just a load of quick fire spoofs on Star Wars scenes, absolutley hilarious if you like Star Wars. Would probably be lost on most people though http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IClol7wpFA&feature=related There's loads of them..... Chris

RESULT! Nice one

Ha ha , quite funny if you are of age. If you own the car though, quite reasonable to consider beating the crap out of them

Decision made - will be in touch soon. Will get the garage to do this one as it looks like a bit of a pain getting under the car for this job. The coolant/oil/belts can wait until the Summer Chris