zDan

431-440 zDan Great effort organising this - let's keep the donations coming

Hmm... yes, the moment when a computer will tell you what you see outside instead of using your own brain. Something we've all been waiting for. But all that's fair, since it can costs more than 10k sometimes to put a sign by the side of the road, it might be cheaper to put the signs in the cars and ask the driver to pay for it

From some limited experience I'd say both NHS and Bupa have good and bad sides. The most competent, experienced and dedicated doctors and nurses I've seen were on the NHS - but I've also seen issues in NHS hospitals that would make me hesitate going there. With Bupa you get more "comfort" but you don't get a lot more choice, as I found out their consultant fee cover can be abysmal - sometimes just about 30% of some consultant's fees. (it's still probably the best in the market, but still can be a shock). And the system of limits - for instance cover is reduced if you have more than one intervention in one go - makes it even worse. The T&C's are very wooly, you only really find how much cover you get when you get a problem, their fee schedule is now a national secret apparently. Otherwise the hospital I've seen was OK (can't say it was cleaner than NHS though, but accommodation was better, less crowded, staff less stressed, etc). Comparing the two I would still go with Bupa and try to get the best NHS consultants through it, even if it means taking a hit financially. As long as one can afford it. I think there is something basically wrong with the system in the UK, when neither the public system is supported enough to maintain a consistent decent service throughout the country and the private system feels like a patch on the public one and not something you can see as a real alternative. And I can't really figure out why there is still so much bureaucracy and mistrust when switching between the two systems.

You can get 30+mpg driving carefully on a motorway. You won't get that around town unless you get down and push it....

By the handle I suppose... I'd be careful though

That's very common missconception... that men can't multitask.... not true, men CAN multitask, they just can't multitask at things THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT

You need to cut it up mate

What's wrong with that one? Other than missing the aerial...

Most people seem to have had bad experience with tape adapters, however I brought a few weeks ago a tape adapter from nowhere else other than TKmax (don't ask how I got there) and I must say it's surprisingly good!. It's one of those white IPod/IPhone accessories, can't say what the brand is. I hook it with my mobile via a standard jack. It takes a few tries to get the tape in the right positon, but once it's there it sounds great. I'm no audiophile but the same tunes I play from the mobile sound better from the tape adapter than they do when I hear them on the FM radio, bass is deeper, treble is clear, noticeable difference. Deffinitely worth the 4 quid I spent on it.

Somehow the thought of pouring dodgy liquids bought off ebay into the car following suggestions from interet forums doesn't quite make sense for me. If I were that concerned I would just call Nissan - and most likely they'll say just drive it and put super unleaded in next time.

Also worth to say that price is only half of the story, selling has lots to do with the sale ad itself and the presentation of the car. Are you advertising in all the right places? It's worth checking the ads again, updating pictures, description of the car, etc.

Should have asked her out there and then mate

Well, it's almost like you don't really need a front bumper anymore, isn't it?

Interesting - I thought all UK models had some sort of variable power steering? Any more specific info on what the actual difference is between pre and post-2006 models is, steering-wise? Must say I didn't notice much of a difference when driving either...

There's some serious supercar material there Anyone know what is the white car showing at 3:50 in the first clip?

One thing to say is that a modified car will be more difficult to sell that a stock one. Hard to say how much of an impact that has on your car (need to see full ad), but the more visible it is the more it's likely to drop the value of the car.

Oh but the mortgage is so much better value... Ever heard of Collateralized Debt Obligation - best thing since sliced bread! They're really good for you, plus, loads of people are buying them! Just kidding

Prices gone up 3p at the Shell station and 5p at BP station in the last couple of days. I can bet my mortgage that we won't see the price going back, whether the strike goes ahead or not. I just refuse to buy any petrol now until I really, really, really need it. Which will be in a couple of days

In our coupe you can lock the car with the windows open, it will stay like that fine - but if you try to get your hands through the window (to open the door or just pick on something) the alarm goes off. Probably common with other cars as well, but I just noticed last week. I'm not saying it's safe to leave the car with the windows open though

See, I should have known that I fixed my own post

Can't advise on the outstanding finance, but I would ask about mods - e.g. the el-cheapo looking red switch next to the seat heating, it's not related to the illuminated key socket on the steering wheel, which is standard on this model. Not a big thing in itself but get some confidence there's no electrical gremlins - there's no mention of mods in the ad.

What sort of refurb have you done - repaint, powder coating? Would be very interested to see the results.

Auto sounds like the way to go. Otherwise I'd say clutch in the 350z is a fair bit more work than in an "usual" car, and the manual gearbox takes some muscling through. It does get more tiring to do stop-start traffic; I haven't driven a Cooper but I wouldn't think the 350z clutch would be lighter. Definitely get your mum to do a long test drive to make sure she's happy before parting with the cash. From the sound of it I suspect you wouldn't mind if she gets one though

Yeah, sorry missed the part about St Andrews. But the OP did mentioned going on the A74/M74 so it's just another way to that route. And according to Google A1/A66/A74/M74/A80 is 478 miles when M1/M6/A74/M74/A80 is 490 miles, so a bit shorter in fact. Otherwise the shortest is A1/A696/A68 to Edinburgh which was also recommended.

I wouldn't go on M1, too crowded and too long to be any fun. My suggestion would be to go from Southend on Sea to A1 (via M11, A14 maybe) and stay on A1 all the way up to Scotch Corner. Not the most exciting scenery but there are quite few changes in the roads that should make things more interesting. From Scotch Corner take the A66 to Penrith, great scenery along the way and wide open road. From Penrith the M6, A74 and M74 should be good too. North of Glasgow you can't go wrong either way.