The new news 24 thread

[adw1977]

I presume they are just using the formula they have always used, aren't they, presumably linking to the rate on British government bonds? The yields on some UK Government bonds turned negative in 2016.

True, but surely common sense says that going below zero is nonsensical? Inflation is not negative. The interest rates for savings accounts are not negative and never will be.

[taxi paul]

Managed to back my regius into the corner of a fence today. Don't know how it was big enough. Anyway can't get a second hand one cos it's a facelift one. So have had a price for one from a spares supplier of around £160.00. I shall wait and see if the place I got it from can find one. It's got the red repair tape on for now so it will be fine.

[AMC Rebel]

I presume they are just using the formula they have always used, aren't they, presumably linking to the rate on British government bonds? The yields on some UK Government bonds turned negative in 2016. The reasons why are probably too controversial for Autoshite, given it involves the 'B' word...

 

According to this from the Telegraph, the B word was causing a massive increase in gilt yields, which was a bad thing.

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2016/10/17/qa-why-are-yields-on-uk-government-bonds-shooting-up-and-should/

 

According to (slightly earlier) this from the FT, gilt yields turned negative due to the B thing and this is a bad thing

 

https://www.ft.com/content/c338f3c0-5ed6-11e6-a72a-bd4bf1198c63

 

Do any economists really have any clue what's rally going on?

 

NB I am not trying to make a pro/anti B word point - the whole thing (the compensation/ insurance one, not the B  word) seems a very oddly timed and ill-conceived action. 

[SiC]

Next job is to clean out the similarly manky intake. EGR is Diesels are a hideous piece of technology and should never have been fitted in the first place.

 

FTFY.

 

Petrols EGRs do get clogged up, but no-where near as bad or quickly as diesels.

[Supernaut]

Xantia dropped off for MOT attempt number 3.

 

This time I didn't bodge it. I replaced the fuel filter housing with one from a Peugeot 206 in the scrappy, and tested it thoroughly by driving it a few miles with the new housing on there. Not a single drip. Here's hoping!

[AMC Rebel]

Quick replacement ready for it's trip to the Landy hospital on Friday.  Not strictly needed yet but hey.  I noticed the headlamp aim seemed a bit high and got flashed a couple of times turns out the N/S headlamp was too high - it also wouldn't adjust as the plastic threads in the adjuster weren't playing with the adjuster screw.  Considered bodging it but decided to fit replacement.

 

[BorniteIdentity]

Raver just strolled its MOT. Tester had some nice words to say, which is all irrelevant as it's sold and leaving on Thursday.

 

Got a sit in a Tesla. Bit underwhelming, nice infotainment screen aside.

 

[Magnificent Rustbucket]

My brother test drove a Tesla recently. He formed the same view: that bonkers performance aside, the car is underwhelming. He was very surprised how noisy it was.

[cort1977]

True, but surely common sense says that going below zero is nonsensical? Inflation is not negative. The interest rates for savings accounts are not negative and never will be.

Rates below zero are not nonsensical, in times of deflation you might be very pleased that the value of your savings only decreases 0.75%. Rates have been negative in Japan for years.

 

Interest rates are negative or close to negative for government bonds. If you're a paraplegic with a 2 million pound settlement to keep you for the rest of your life and can't take a risk with it you put it in goverment bonds. Headline rates on High st savings accounts may not be negative but you won't find anyone giving you 2.5% on 2million, or even 0.5%. That is the fact that this change is designed to address.

 

I love how the insurance industry frame it as government meddling hitting hard pressed motorists. Sounds better than greedy corporations with a government enforced market screw disabled crash victims doesn't it?

[reb]

Looking vaguely at future career choices, doing a vehicle technicians apprenticeship seems like it wouldn't be a bad idea.

The one kwikfit does (maybe others) provides your tools then you pay for them in installments, and when you finish your nvq they give you the money back! Worth it for free tools?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[AMC Rebel]

Just had a knock on the door from a copper.  Apparently there's just been an attempted break-in on my road.  Someone smashed a security light round the back and then tried to break in but got disturbed and ran off.  Great, I am off to Dublin for 2 days.  Have looked out all my spare keys to take with me so if the buggers break in they can't use my chod to cart anything away.

[vulgalour]

I'm running out of things to fix on the Princess.  It's nearly three years since it failed it's last MoT and it seems like I'll be driving it this year.  It's exciting and scary in equal measure.

[dollywobbler]

My brother test drove a Tesla recently. He formed the same view: that bonkers performance aside, the car is underwhelming. He was very surprised how noisy it was.

 

They're only noisy because there's no engine noise to drown all the other noises out. 

 

Over two years since I had a go mind, so let's check the evidence.

[twosmoke300]

I found the same with dads leaf - seems like loads of tyre and wind noise but it's not noisy at all really .

[Magnificent Rustbucket]

They're only noisy because there's no engine noise to drown all the other noises out. 

 

Over two years since I had a go mind, so let's check the evidence.

 

That's not what my brother found. He said tyre roar was really noticeable on them. In fairness he was comparing the Tesla to his Bentley and to a Jaguar SuperSport he used to own - but the Tesla is an expensive car, so it isn't an unrealistic comparison. He also found the Tesla uncomfortable. He was set on a Tesla until he drove one; he was really disappointed.

[Tayne]

Speaking as a mere mortal I found the Tesla and Leaf to be very quiet and refined, so much so that I thought the Nissan boys had nobled my BMW whilst it had spent two days in their car park (until I realised it was just normal petrol engine noise).

 

I will agree that a Tesla interior would be a come down after new Jags and Bentleys though.

[NorfolkNWeigh]

This has to be the rarest spot of ever, but is it;

A. Happy-go-lucky , Autoshiter of many identities secretly picking up another rare Jap coupe to add to his Jay Leno rivalling garage ?

B. Just another Chevette rally boy collecting a new axle ?

 

[BavarianRetro]

No self respecting Autoshiter would be seen dead in a Hummer, surely?

[Ghosty]

Hmm, pizza.

[Keymaster]

Orl Vokshaulz r shit m8, so my employer has given me a new one today - a Billy Basic Astra Ecoflex. For a base model it's pretty well specced, so my early doors verdict: Not all that shit, but future shite for sure. Driving to Glasgow later, so I'll probably hate it by midnight.

 

[Asimo]

Hateful, fussy, pointless styling details.

[beko1987]

Rear wiper blade, rubber hanging off and generally shit - mot fail?

 

Girl at work just asked me. I said replace it, but she wants to get rid of the car soon this year. The exhaust sounds a bit fruity on idle too but I said leave that, it could be fine, or have an advisory.

 

Anyone want details of a 52 bini Cooper with the junk man approved number of pedals if/when she sells it? In Maidenhead

[oldcars]

Rear wiper blade, rubber hanging off and generally shit - mot fail?

 

Girl at work just asked me. I said replace it, but she wants to get rid of the car soon this year. The exhaust sounds a bit fruity on idle too but I said leave that, it could be fine, or have an advisory.

 

Anyone want details of a 52 bini Cooper with the junk man approved number of pedals if/when she sells it? In Maidenhead

Had to laugh, just buy a new one there about a fiver 

[loserone]

Where?

[Keymaster]

Agreed, the C pillar is far too fussy.

[tooSavvy]

Where?*

...... Pooondies, of course!

 

*wiper insert

 

TS

[Spottedlaurel]

Took custody of ‘Pong’ yesterday, our old Carina E that we gave to father-in-law a few years ago.

 

1996 Toyota Carina E 1.8CD + others in the family fleet by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

 

He’s buying the Honda CR-V that I asked for advice on a few weeks ago and so this is now surplus to his requirements. I doubt it would fetch a lot if we sold it, and if he doesn’t get on with the Honda or it has a problem with the MoT he can use it again.

 

We first bought it with low miles in 2003 and even now it’s only up to 104k. While it was still taxed and insured I took it for a quick whizz around the block last night. I was slightly fearful about what a few years of his driving would have done to it, but it went well and still felt very tight. A bit quicker than I remember too.

 

If the CR-V works out OK then I’m not really sure what to do with it. It’s still perfectly useable but I want to get the Camry on the road as my regular second car.

[overrun]

Ahh Mighty car mods.. Silly antipodean chaps. They do some cool builds:)

 

Maaaaaaaaad!

[beko1987]

Had to laugh, just buy a new one there about a fiver 

I did say that, just measure what's on there now and buy the cheapest same size one, she said she would have a look.

[Richard]

You can't (officially) change the rear wiper blade on a Mk2 Punto, you have to buy the whole arm.