Meriva temp gauge and rado q's

Oh dear (but thanks).

Going from the 2L petrol Sierra to the 1.9 diesel Rover was a bit of a revaluation in many ways (I'd never had a diesel before being one) but the biggest by far was (at the time) seeing I was getting often nearly

Now, given the Rover cost me 100 quid it wasn't long before it had paid for itself (over the Sierra) and was also doing about 10 mpg better than the 1.4 Belmont.

I'm not sure therefore if this Meriva even 'free' is a good long term / retirement investment for us. It's going to cost us an extra 100 quid to insure (over the Rover) and not a reduced TAX (emissions?) as it's over 1500cc.

But what else? Am I going to find a clean Rover 218SD or something using that 1.9 Pug lump (assuming it would be equally economical in another similarly sized vehicle) that is as useable and reliable as the running gear on that old Honda / Rover?

Whilst we don't do loads of miles we do enough (or would like to be able to afford to do what we wanted / needed) and need to move / tow stuff (1.2 tonne box trailer, folding caravan, motorcycle trailer etc).

Ho hum.

Cheers, T i m

a transverse engined VW Passat diesel estate is very reliable, very economical and roomy. Not too bad for maintenance and parts availability. I have a customer with one that has 300,000 on the clock and it still drives well, the engine has never been apart. He reckons he always gets over 60mpg (confirmed by the computer) out of it and claims 80mpg on long runs (which I find plausible), he also runs it on part cooking oil a lot of the time in warmer weather.

Looks like a good candidate (thanks). ;-)

What sort of year did they do that particular spec from so I can have a look about the net please (ie, what model / years has that particular engine).

I was also considering (again) the Fusion 1.4 diesel (the one with similar mpg and low TAX) but it looks like we might keep the Meriva for the moment, at least for Mums sake (it might seem a bit cold to sell it straight after she has given it to us etc).

So at least that gives us the chance to have a look about and something that would be sellable to put toward it when the time comes.

Just need to get the kitcar though the MOT next week decide what to do with the Belmont while she's not driving (she's having another total knee replacement soon and so won't be driving for a whiile).

Cheers, T i m

that particular one is a 96, they changed the model shortly after by turning the engine 90 degrees and altering the suspension a lot, really a different car in a similar bodyshell, the newer models are less economical and not so pleasant to drive, also they have the dreaded DMF flywheel.

Fusions suffer from the injector seal fault (300 quid). Otherwise they seem OK as a small car, some things are just plain stupid, just count how many bolts you have to undo to change the air filter (which is very small) from memory it is 16 torx screws. The pollen filter is a literal pain to change too. Rear ABS wiring snaps off in the middle (I repair them, the correct thing is to change the whole lot (200 quid) The emissions on a Fusion make it a higher tax bracket than the equal fiesta. They are fairly economical (about 55) They tow small stuff OK too. They are a little higher than some cars, but access through the door is not good . The drivers arm rest in the middle breaks too.

Sounds like it would be.

Ok, thanks.

Not come across one of them in the flesh yet. ;-(

In case I've got it wrong ... is there a Fiesta based 1.4 estate?

Great. I wonder how the designers got to that from none (don't some cars air filters covers just 'clip' on / off?) to 16!?

I've seen my mate with the wiper linkages off and part of the front windscreen trim out just to get to those things (not the Fusion particularly).

Too tight in there? Too much movement (without sufficient 'slack')?

Hmm, I'll have to check what my mate has then. I think someone mentioned it would be 'smaller than I was used to' (with the Rover) when I mentioned it in passing a while back (the owner was doing a fairly long commute in a van of some kind and constantly moaning about the fuel costs. I talked of the Rover and 45+ mpg (he was getting more like 25) and he went to this little diesel estate thing and was loads better off (inc the £30 TAX).

It's funny that access thing. Outside getting in the odd van or truck I'd not regularly been in an MPV or similar so not really considered the difference between them and 'std cars'. The (Jeep style) kitcar is quite high but until recently had bucket seats so wasn't 'easy' to get in and out of (now fitted with Metro GT seats in the front and they are much better). With the Meriva you do just more or less slide in sideways and her Belmont or daughters Corsa do seem very low by comparison. Personally, I don't care either way but might sway towards the std car height for loading stuff on the roof and general handling.

No mod for that?

I pissed myself off the other day after topping off the Meriva fuel tank for the mileage check and in the hurry to get my notepad walked straight through the open plastic filler cap cover with a loud 'bang'. [1] AFAIK my 80 year old Dad never did that but with all his ailments towards the end he was never 'rushing about' either. How come I never did it with the Rover in 7 years ... ;-(

Oh well, something else to repair ...

Cheers, T i m