varesecrazy said:

I daw this article on my work laptop..

Took me back a while..

http://www.msn.com/en-gb/cars/ownership/life-with-a-£50-alfa-romeo-156/ar-BBU0V1i?ocid=ientp

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The 156 is such an achingly good looking car, and makes german cars all the more depressing. I haven't driven an Alfa, but I don't get why the press gave them hell for making FWD cars, yet heap praise upon many other FWD cars, including the achingly bland expensive Skoda's known as audis...

Pugglt Auld Jock said:

I clicked on your link out of idle curiosity - within the first few words I realized I just had to read it all. Somehow it just captures in words exactly how one comes to feel about certain cars - For instance my Hillman Imps, The '64 Cooper "S", Daf 33 van (what? I hear you say, but I truly loved it!) and several others of the long list of vehicles I've owned.

Although we are going through a protracted courtship, Becky is going to join that list I think once I've iron out the last of her little foibles!

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You're absolutely spot on. A car can be utterly worthless and unremarkable, and seen by most people as a pile of junk, yet if you bond with it, you can get very attached, and it can be absolutely priceless to you.

puntofan01 said:

You're absolutely spot on. A car can be utterly worthless and unremarkable, and seen by most people as a pile of junk, yet if you bond with it, you can get very attached, and it can be absolutely priceless to you.

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Yes, and leaves an empty gap with a feeling of betrayal when you finally have to part. Still feeling that way about "Toany" (pronounced "Tony" - to complicated to elucidate!) when, 3 years ago now, I finally came to terms with the fact he was just beyond economic repair - but I could have kept him going!

I just realized that my cars are nearly always female but there was a certain brutish quality to Toany's old school diesel engine and heavy steering which defined him as quite definitely male.

Finally decided to invest in a copy of MES and all the cables from Gendan

puntofan01 said:

The 156 is such an achingly good looking car, and makes german cars all the more depressing.

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We've had 2 - an early-ish 2.0 Lusso saloon with manual box. Had a lovely bottle green corduroy interior with rosewood dash, steering wheel and gearstick.

I then opted out of my company car scheme and bought a 2.0 Veloce Selespeed Sportwagon. This had biscuit Momo leather, Bose audio and the facelift interior (although the body was pre-facelift).

The Selespeed was an amazing car. Probably my favourite car ever. Such sharp and delicate handling, full of character and very practical.

Sadly, written off by a Polish truck driver who turned right on a roundabout from the left lane.

Very nice! Apparently, the Brera is a very good car to drive.

Alfa is Italian for 'nice handling'

puntofan01 said:

Very nice! Apparently, the Brera is a very good car to drive.

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Only the Prodrive versions.

The 159 chassis was soft and flabby in comparison with the 156 - and wasn't improved by shortening it, until Prodrive worked their magic.

159s and Breras look fabulous, but they're hampered by platform sharing with GM.

I still have very fond memories of my 155, too. Such a striking car and 99% as capable as the 156 in facelift 'wide body' form.

And my 33 16v was one of the last proper old-school screaming hot hatches. Razor sharp handling, minimal weight and a popping, crackling, banging, screeching 16v flat-4 up front. They don't make them like that anymore.

The fuel cap on the Fabia has a castellated edge to allow it to sit on top of the flap when filling.
Yesterday, went to fill it up, car ahead was a Polo. Young girl removed the cap, and released it gently against the side of the car, obviously trying not to do any damage. She then saw me pop mine onto the top of the flap and looked intrigued. I lifted mine, and replaced it onot the flap gently. She looked at hers, and tried it too. Gave me a very lovely smile and a thank you.

Good deed done.

Read this quote.. not exactly a positive statement..

Subaru produced 659,965 vehicles in Japan in 2018, down 7%, while its domestic sales fell 18% to 148,453 units. The company is looking to cut output 2% to 650,000 units this year to help ensure it achieves minimum quality standards.

portland_bill said:

The fuel cap on the Fabia has a castellated edge to allow it to sit on top of the flap when filling.
Yesterday, went to fill it up, car ahead was a Polo. Young girl removed the cap, and released it gently against the side of the car, obviously trying not to do any damage. She then saw me pop mine onto the top of the flap and looked intrigued. I lifted mine, and replaced it onot the flap gently. She looked at hers, and tried it too. Gave me a very lovely smile and a thank you.

Good deed done.

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My golf has this, but I’m not a fan, I always worry it’s going to scratch the fuel flap

AndyRKett said:

My golf has this, but I’m not a fan, I always worry it’s going to scratch the fuel flap

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Seems to be in the tradition of good German design..make it complicated but work worse than a simpler solution..C3, hook on the inside of the fuel door and one on the cap itself..no chance of damaging the paint. Mazda a hook that holds the fuel caps tether, so the cap dangles out of the way...or Ford flex fuel literally no cap.

Once I figured out why the mk2 punto cap had a SPIKE in its centre.. all of my FIAT Caps have a 'suspension system'

The FORD led .. Capless System ..looks good... but has no theft defeating measures.

Apart from the Transit needing the passender door opened.

varesecrazy said:

Once I figured out why the mk2 punto cap had a SPIKE in its centre.. all of my FIAT Caps have a 'suspension system'

The FORD led .. Capless System ..looks good... but has no theft defeating measures.

Apart from the Transit needing the passender door opened.

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The capless system has a flap that should only release if all three tangs around the aperture are pressed outwards, requiring the correct nozzle. I guess brute force would probably break it. Like most these days, the filler neck is supposed to incorporate an anti-syphon, but VOSA seem to be able to take samples for red diesel, so there's an easy way around that.

Most cars lock the outer flap, bit not Ford. Every expense spared.

Seeing the fuel gauge go down on my Croma.
This was final confirmation that I hAve repaired the Body Computer. See https://www.fiatforum.com/croma-ii/471861-fuel-gauge-not-working-new-post.html
Ifor you want to be bored by further details.

Robert G8RPI

Grandson riding his bike - without stabiliser wheels - at last. Dad and Grandad just managing to run fast enough to keep up (well, Dad did anyway!)

What started as a potential grumpy post, ended as a smile.

Saturday had a soft tyre on the Fabia. Pumped it up.
Sunday, looked soft again.
This morning, took the wheel off, checked all around the tread, couldn't see any punctures. Laid it flat, water on the valve and around its base, no bubbles, then around the bead - nothing. Turned it over, water around the bead, small trail of bubbles at a balance weight.

Dropped it into ATS in Swindon. "Leave it for a couple of hours, we're quite busy."
Went back 2 hours later, errant weight removed, now sealing. Re-balanced and ready to go.
No charge!

With BSM we always had great service from ATS.
With AA Driving School, have to go to Kwik-Fit. Never had good service.

portland_bill said:

Dropped it into ATS in Swindon. "Leave it for a couple of hours, we're quite busy."
Went back 2 hours later, errant weight removed, now sealing. Re-balanced and ready to go.
No charge!

With BSM we always had great service from ATS.
With AA Driving School, have to go to Kwik-Fit. Never had good service.

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Hmmm! Seems to be a "hidden" message in here somewhere for us all?

The grand tour Clarkson review of the Citroen C3 aircross

One for StevenRB45

puntofan01 said:

Very nice! Apparently, the Brera is a very good car to drive.

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It is and the 2.4 diesel goes like stink.

AndyRKett said:

The grand tour Clarkson review of the Citroen C3 aircross

One for StevenRB45

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Not seen any of them this season, will wait till TG finishes and start a month of prime as per usual.

They do always do one sensible car per season!

Whether or not Clarksons testing is more stringent than this: https://www.bristolpost.co.uk/news/uk-world-news/what-really-happened-viral-video-2363157 I shall see!