Mike

Mine tends to drop like that when sat at idle - first noticed on the motorway (stationary on the M6 that is), Once its in gear and moving, it moves back to the middle. Oil level is bang on the max.

I'd wait a few weeks if I were you before spending a rebate *digs in the draw* ah, here it is. Last year I got a cheque for £219.60 from the Tax man, as a rebate after they calculated I had overpaid. One week later I got another letter, this time telling me they'd deduct £220.60 after they'd calculated I underpaid. So two recalculations, two letters, one cheque - and all to recover £1. Genius

Close call. Seeing more cars with blacked out side windows too which isn't going to help if they're reducing the light coming through their windows further - making them less liable to spot the oncoming car. Good advice on the lights, may start turning them on, perhaps earlier than normal as dusk approaches. As an aside, just bought a dash cam for my own car too. Not had any close calls for a long time, but I've seen plenty ahead of me over the recent years.

If I could even match the requirements in any form, I'd apply - sounds like a fantastic opportunity - and bonus of working abroad

Not quite sure how they can do everything to overtake you because you're female - they shouldn't know it's a lady driving until they're along side and can see. Just sounds like more twits around where some live than others The only things I get is young(er) drivers in their overpriced "sporty" versions of various cars (Focus, Fiesta, Leon's, Golf's, Civic's). Some could well be faster than the 350, I don't know, I don't care. They do seem intent on trying to beat you in some form or other - I just let them get on with it. They're trying to prove how great their car is to themselves. I don't need to, I love the car and have nothing to prove to anyone. The only time I'd say it has been really bad was being dangerously undertaken whilst joining the Aston Expressway near Aston University (so going up the on-ramp). Two cars behind before entering the roundabout was a green honda civic (I think) which I had driven past on the approach as it was only doing 20mph instead of 30 (the limit). It had a ridiculous body kit. As I exit the roundabout I'm heading up the onramp to the Expressway. 5 seconds later I can see it careening around the corner behind me (thank god the pedestrian crossing wasn't red, there is no way they'd have stopped) before tearing up the bus lane (on the inside) to undertake, cut in and slam the anchors on to not hit the car ahead - causing me to also brake as they over-braked. Undoubtedly they were impressed with themselves and proved their car is awesome and can "do" mine. Let them get on with it... one day they'll probably come a cropper.

Its illegal to play a video in the front of the car while driving - and since you've no back seats...

Stepped out the hotel this morning feeling bleary eyed and sleepy. Headed to the car with the usual trepidation of "who's parked near, and have they dinged it?" and ready for the morning inspection. I did indeed get the phone out for a picture, but not of the type of picture I was fearing I'd be taking. Unsurprisingly I had a massive grin on my face - finding a beauty parked next door. Morning, stranger Hope you don't mind I took a snap and am posting it - just say if you do! Beautiful car, felt slightly embarrassed by the current state of mine... Anyone on here?

If you use any, please post before/after pics and how you found them (as in how good the work was) please For future reference

It's quite strange looking at the road death figures back then, around 8,000 a year despite as you say significantly less traffic. Of course there was no M.O.T back then so lots of death traps on the road, there was no minimum tyre tread depth, no seat belts or air bags, no crash helmets for motorcyclists. On the other hand though a fast car back then only did 90-95 and not that many would pull much more than 80 in the early 60's . If you had a car that'd do the ton then you were quite somebody .. The thing is that the government and previous governments don't want the bad press that'll come with any increase in road casualties, the road safety lobby will say "told you so", so as I read it don't hold your breath waiting for any changes. Pete Very true, safety features have improved dramatically. I would point out that Road Deaths != Motorway deaths. Road Deaths in the UK today stand at nearly 1,800 per year - which given the huge numbers of vehicles compared to those of years gone by is quite good (meaning low and relatively safe!). The things that won't change are reaction times - almost guaranteed to be constant throughout history - and judgement/decision making (with bad causing an accident). It would be really interesting to take 1000 randomly chosen people and be able to find out (preferably without them knowing) where their focus is upon the road. I would not be surprised to find most look only 50ft infront of them and are oblivious beyond that range. At least, that's how it seems given how people drive on the motorway/react/make decisions As for why they leave the limits as they are - I think it's even easier. The political fall out from potential increased road deaths would call into question the judgement in raising the limits... I think it was a "study" which decided how many more deaths would occur, and they came up with a quite large figure *shrugs*. p.s. I love the M6 for oddities. You get gaps of up to a mile of completely empty "slow" lane all to yourself, whilst the middle lane is heavily congested and travelling at 60mph (and the outside lane no better). Baffles me every time...

Just... some insanity. Can understand the dash cam culture they have there.

People say the speed limit was set at 70 back when car tyres/brakes were terrible, and they were - but the motorways were also significantly emptier as the traffic was significantly less - something people seem to never think about. Most cars seem to be doing sub 80 on the motorways I travel regularly (M5/M6/M42/M40/M1) so not sure quite where everyone says most are doing 85/90. Some do, but not the majority by any stretch - and definitely not "everyone". As for no limits? Its bad enough with retards pulling out infront of you without consideration (or tail gating others as they leave it to the last second to brake) without making the closing speed 50+ mph. Lorries and other vehicles would need to be kept at lower speeds for obvious reasons And then this makes overtaking more risky given how bad drivers are. And then there is rubber necking accidents or "things of distraction". Prevent new drivers from travelling on motorways until they pass a further test, fit black boxes for the first 3 years of driving, require 2 stage driving test with a re-test every 10 years to nip the bad habits and increase overall ability. Oh, and enforce speed restrictions See enough awful driving whenever I am on the motorway without the quite frightening thought of removing the limits. Sure a few extra deaths, but it's bad enough when every other Friday it takes 3-4 hours to get home instead of 90 minutes due to accidents and "stopping for no reason" on the M6. Change limits and it'd be every bleeding day. 80mph upper limit.

Perhaps there are other reasons it is so high. Location, use, mileage, where it'll be kept, local crime rate statistics? When I was first doing online quotes I used bogus email/name/address/telephone to prevent the deluge of marketing calls (all while I was just costing up ownership - way before buying). So perhaps pick a few "alternative" addresses (not necessarily local area) to see if that's having an impact?

Heard about it last night but could not find the article online at the time. Very sad news indeed.

Ha, i must have been blind earlier - missed this entirely. I'm driving a black 350z on a 56 reg Friend lives in Ashby so I'm there about once a fortnight for a beer and BBQ due to the fine summer weather and usually stop off for fuel as well while there (although it's 5p cheaper in Tamworth).

I still see the base model as 26k via Nissan sites. Am I missing something obvious?

Ashby-de-la-Zouch is the full name In Leicestershire, so the Midlands. But the west tip of Leicestershire pretty much. Easiest way to find it is follow the M42 into the A42 which goes to join the M1. The A42 passes Ashby right by.

It was Market Street, turned out of South Street near war memorial, and then right wear Lloyds used to be - straight up Market street. It could have been Silver rather than Grey. Bright day, sunglasses on so...

Pure coincidence ended up following through town centre, but vanished when I turned into Tesco's for a spot of shopping

Some gorgeous cars. After a proper clean this weekend, will try and take some nice pics

And image attached. Sadly it'll be next weekend before I can get around to giving it's first proper clean. It definitely needs it!

I am amazed that you're able to get quotes that are even under 5k in all honesty. Irrespective of your driving ability, statistically young drivers are the most likely to be involved in accidents - and that is when most of them are driving pretty "weak" cars. Stick the younger drivers in powerful cars (RWD especially) and ... there's a reason why the quotes are immense. I would simply recommend building up some no claims on a weaker car and work your way up. If you get insurance on the upper limit of affordability, any minor issue (speeding ticket?) would probably mean uninsurable next time round (on that car). There's plenty of "sporty" cars which you may be able to insure easier than the 350z. But just my opinion. I know at that age I'd have died to get that type of car... and then probably actually died while driving it.

Thank you Pics will follow soon enough. The ones from my phone are sadly poor quality, so will get some proper snaps once I've picked it up (and hopefully with some glorious sunshine )

...that I personally bought anyway. Took the plunge, 350z in black (hmm, may get hot in summer but the paint work was immaculate and the service history/work done all present with low mileage) on a 56 plate. Having held a license for 16 years and driven for many of those, I finally bought my own (instead of hand-me-downs and moving-abroad-cast-offs). Hailing from near Tamworth, Midlands I'm picking it up from the South next week. Joined up for tips, advice and more as I read many a post whilst researching my car over the past month or so. Genuinely pleased to see such levels of interaction/aid/advice freely available. It'll be invaluable in maintaining and caring for the car properly whilst avoiding over-priced pitfalls, so I best get reading!