2 hours ago, Guy Heaton said:

You will also get a favourable deal off the dealer if you take one of their stock, especially if it's a previous model year they want to shift.

 

Also I have to say, and I have only driven one example, but with the 125 hybrid I had for a couple of weeks I found the simulated engine braking when the regeneration kicked in to be a little weird.  I found the hybrid didn't lend itself to cruising at a speed, it wanted to either be applying or regenerating power.

It's not a previous year that I'm after, they only started fitting LEDs to the X this year.  After the candles on the Golf I want something with headlights this time!

I basically do all town and B road now hence needing a petrol (and worries about the GPF) but it would be good to try an MHEV before committing to it.  There isn't another option for new ones though, the 1.5 has gone as you know.

38 minutes ago, TomsFocus said:

Do they make a Transit Vignale?

TomsTrans!  

 

 

No but they do a custom active. Or a custom GT. A very pleasant ride. 😂😂. I spent 48hrs in a custom GT to Italy and back. 

I don’t think you need to worry about the GPF, the fiesta has one and I’ve never had an issue with it. 

9 hours ago, dtulip8 said:

I don’t think you need to worry about the GPF, the fiesta has one and I’ve never had an issue with it. 

Well that's what I was hoping, but I think you do more miles/faster miles?  I'm seeing more issues with GPFs lately, both on here and VAG forums.  I'd like to hope that the MHEVs have been mapped better than the earlier 1.0 with the GPF, as it seems to be those that are having issues and PCM updates.

Trouble is, as I said above, I'm really doing all slow driving now.  Even the B road stuff is generally 40mph max.  The Golf is trying to regen every week now, less than every 100 miles!  Obviously it's diesel, it's never warming up due to lack of speed and cold ambient temps (averaged 47mpg over the last tank  used to be 55mpg avg before the 'rona) and the DPF has covered 109k miles so will be mostly full of ash and only have a small space left for soot.

The fact someone on here was told they'd need to do 80 miles to clear their GPF has worried me, though I'm pretty sure that's typical dealer BS, having to do any sort of motorway run to clear a GPF wouldn't be possible for me at the moment.

Doing so few miles, I would personally be going in the opposite direction to an old petrol Toyota pre cat,cheap as chips , nice soft suspension and seats, still reliable and plenty of money  left over to get any repairs done 

Pre cat must be older than me lol!  It's not about money though, I've had loads of cheap old cars when I was restricted to them, it's about the least amount of hassle now and the (perceived) reliability.  I've got a healthy budget that I can't use in any other way (can't get a mortgage or go on holiday or whatever normal people do) so might as well put it into the one thing that can still just about do at the moment.

Needs to have as many aids as possible to make life easier, cruise control is something I can't drive without now, plus auto lights and wipers, and climate control are deal breakers on whatever I buy next.  Heated windscreen would also be a huge bonus as I'm no longer able to lean over scraping ice off the screen or wiping mist off the inside.  I've tried a windscreen cover but that hasn't been successful, and issues with the battery circuit on the Golf are stopping the PTC heater working after cold start so the screen never clears inside on a damp day.  I just had to give up the other afternoon and leave it until the next day!  I know I sound like a 90 year old but sadly my health has deteriorated so much this year (well technically last year I guess lol) that going for something new is the best idea.

1 hour ago, TomsFocus said:

Pre cat must be older than me lol!  

Haha nearly. I think (but am not 100%) that it was a requirement on petrol cars from 1 January 1993. The last car I had without was a 1990 Cavalier.

Can anyone help me ford focus titanium 1.6 tdci 6 speed 6th gear keeps jumping now and then is it a new gearbox

Intresting points about the regen.

Our ST Line X is diesel and its daily trip out for 4/5 days is a whopping 8 miles round trip going the short way or 13 miles going the long way and so far had no issues (fingers crossed).

In March 2021 it will be 2yrs old and it's current mileage from new is just over 10k. 

3 hours ago, TomsFocus said:

Well that's what I was hoping, but I think you do more miles/faster miles?  I'm seeing more issues with GPFs lately, both on here and VAG forums.  I'd like to hope that the MHEVs have been mapped better than the earlier 1.0 with the GPF, as it seems to be those that are having issues and PCM updates.

Trouble is, as I said above, I'm really doing all slow driving now.  Even the B road stuff is generally 40mph max.  The Golf is trying to regen every week now, less than every 100 miles!  Obviously it's diesel, it's never warming up due to lack of speed and cold ambient temps (averaged 47mpg over the last tank  used to be 55mpg avg before the 'rona) and the DPF has covered 109k miles so will be mostly full of ash and only have a small space left for soot.

The fact someone on here was told they'd need to do 80 miles to clear their GPF has worried me, though I'm pretty sure that's typical dealer BS, having to do any sort of motorway run to clear a GPF wouldn't be possible for me at the moment.

Actually over the last few months, I’ve really only been doing 5-10 mile town trundles in it. Odd motorway journey here and there but that won’t be happening for the foreseeable. 

2 hours ago, Eric Bloodaxe said:

Haha nearly. I think (but am not 100%) that it was a requirement on petrol cars from 1 January 1993. The last car I had without was a 1990 Cavalier.

My Dad had one of those on an F plate...terrible memories of family holidays and breakdowns in that car!  

 

1 hour ago, dtulip8 said:

Actually over the last few months, I’ve really only been doing 5-10 mile town trundles in it. Odd motorway journey here and there but that won’t be happening for the foreseeable. 

Well that does sound promising.  You'll have to let us know if you do get any issues!

1 hour ago, TomsFocus said:

My Dad had one of those on an F plate...terrible memories of family holidays and breakdowns in that car!  

Going off topic as usual - but 100,000 miles in 3 years without a problem in mine!😀

Just now, Eric Bloodaxe said:

Going off topic as usual - but 100,000 miles in 3 years without a problem in mine!😀

The jinx must be inherited!  

This is why a full self charge hybrid might be your best bet.  The engine doesn't directly drive the wheels so can be run at whatever speed it needs to to be efficient and do any regen it needs to.

20 minutes ago, Guy Heaton said:

This is why a full self charge hybrid might be your best bet.  The engine doesn't directly drive the wheels so can be run at whatever speed it needs to to be efficient and do any regen it needs to.

Should be far fewer particulates in the first place from that setup in fairness.

Are there any in normal cars though?

Trouble is it would also have to be auto which isn't going to work for me.  Not sure if I posted it earlier but I got the same vertigo feeling as the DSG 'set off' when trying to push a trolley in a supermarket earlier this week.  Of course, it would be great if the Dr could sort that but I just keep being told it must be anxiety...as is every other physical issue I have apparently. 🤦‍♂️

 

Can't they treat you for the symptoms though?  Anti nausea tablets?  I'm on propanolol for work stress as I found it difficult to work on dealing with it mentally until I dealt with the physical symptoms of heart palpitations.

3 minutes ago, Guy Heaton said:

Can't they treat you for the symptoms though?  Anti nausea tablets?  I'm on propanolol for work stress as I found it difficult to work on dealing with it mentally until I dealt with the physical symptoms of heart palpitations.

Completely off topic now lol, but this is what I've been asking for recently (last 2 years) but they're not interested. It's become unmanageable now but I just keep being told to take an SSRI and come back when the anxiety is lower...

The common side effects of SSRIs are more nausea (and worse) so I can't even risk trying it.  I haven't been able to take any form of drug since 2003 so have no idea why they think I'll suddenly be able to do it now.  

Personally I don't even believe that 90% of the nausea and vertigo is caused by anxiety.  It happens at home, on my own, just watching TV or washing up etc...  I do accept that my social anxiety & agoraphobia have got worse this year, but that's such a small amount of time compared to how much I spend at home with the same symptoms.

After asking for something to 'settle' my stomach, like an alginate, before I can even risk an SSRI, I ended up being prescribed an acid reducer.  But I don't have heartburn or indigestion so I don't think the nausea is caused by excess acid.  Trying to explain anything to the Doctor is like trying to explain what is and isn't a fail to an MOT tester though. Goes back to what I said about haggling earlier, because I have so much trouble dealing with real people I just can't explain anything in a way they can understand.  I've tried writing letters and emailing but they still don't get it.  I know I'm a pain to deal with but I think I do at least get generally understood on forums so don't know why that should be any different via letter or email. :sad:

 

Would an EV be a consideration? No GPF and no gearbox. 

4 minutes ago, alexp999 said:

Would an EV be a consideration? No GPF and no gearbox. 

EV would be ideal for my use but I live upstairs so couldn't charge one on mains or have a charge point installed.

It's also still technically auto as well, with that lack of 'control' compared to a clutched car.  It's the feeling of being pulled that I can't deal with, as with lifts and escalators, or indeed shopping trolleys.

Just now, TomsFocus said:

EV would be ideal for my use but I live upstairs so couldn't charge one on mains or have a charge point installed.

It's also still technically auto as well, with that lack of 'control' compared to a clutched car.  It's the feeling of being pulled that I can't deal with, as with lifts and escalators, or indeed shopping trolleys.

I get what you mean about autos. But surely an ev is completely controlled by your foot? No auto box trying to slip a clutch or decide what gear it’s in. It’s always in the same “gear” so it’s just an electric “engine” instead of an ICE one. 
 

If you’re not doing many miles can you factor in just taking it somewhere to charge like you would a fill up?

 

Just some thoughts anyway. 

1 minute ago, alexp999 said:

I get what you mean about autos. But surely an ev is completely controlled by your foot? No auto box trying to slip a clutch or decide what gear it’s in. It’s always in the same “gear” so it’s just an electric “engine” instead of an ICE one. 
 

If you’re not doing many miles can you factor in just taking it somewhere to charge like you would a fill up?

 

Just some thoughts anyway. 

I see your point, it may be better than an auto but I reckon there's still more control lifting the clutch than pressing the throttle when pulling away.  When pressing the throttle the motor will decide how much torque to give you, with a physical clutch you're totally in control of how much torque you let in.  Would be very interesting to test drive one to test the theory!

When fast charge points come in that could be a viable option!  Think it'd take too long to charge with the current infrastructure though.  I can't stay out for long at all now.

My local supermarket has charging points. I’ve realised that evenings after all the shops are closed there’s usually a couple of Tesla’s plugged in! But I read the newer quicker chargers can charge up enough for 200 miles in 15 minutes. Communal street chargers will definitely start appearing sooner rather than later too. 

9 hours ago, Alex.S said:

My local supermarket has charging points. I’ve realised that evenings after all the shops are closed there’s usually a couple of Tesla’s plugged in! But I read the newer quicker chargers can charge up enough for 200 miles in 15 minutes. Communal street chargers will definitely start appearing sooner rather than later too. 

Is that a Tesco?  VW are fitting free charge points at Tesco stores to use while you shop.  I don't know how fast they are though, and I don't know if there's some sort of catch to it (needing to provide till receipt number afterwards maybe).  I live between 2 Tesco's and haven't seen any of the charge points being used so far!! 

I have seen a couple plugged in at Waitrose in the past...but I'm not a frequent Waitrose shopper!  

 

Having just checked Autotrader, the only suitably large full EV I could afford to buy new (for a similar price to the Focus Active) is the MG ZS.  Maybe that explains why they fit such a rubbish petrol engine to them, to make full electric look a better option!    Sadly there's no local dealer though.

There must be a catch to this lease.