Our first brand new car. Anything I should know?

NeverAgain_2

Do a slow walk around the car to check for any scratches, if the salesman objects, do an even slower walk.

While it's not possible to go through everything, if there's supposed to be a spare wheel and jack, make sure it's there.

The salesman should go through the documentation, but check there's a handbook, and a service book (if it has one).

There's usually a separate book for the radio.

A new car can take a little getting used to, so I would avoid heavy traffic until you've driven it for a few miles.

I picked up a new Seat a few years ago and about half a mile down the road I had to negotiate a busy roundabout.

The damn thing wouldn't go into third, so I came to halt unexpectedly - could easily have been shunted from behind.

There was nothing wrong with the car, the gear change - especially down into third - was just very tight because it was new.

jetta_wales

NeverAgain wrote: »

Do a slow walk around the car to check for any scratches, if the salesman objects, do an even slower walk.

While it's not possible to go through everything, if there's supposed to be a spare wheel and jack, make sure it's there.

The salesman should go through the documentation, but check there's a handbook, and a service book (if it has one).

There's usually a separate book for the radio.

A new car can take a little getting used to, so I would avoid heavy traffic until you've driven it for a few miles.

I picked up a new Seat a few years ago and about half a mile down the road I had to negotiate a busy roundabout.

The damn thing wouldn't go into third, so I came to halt unexpectedly - could easily have been shunted from behind.

There was nothing wrong with the car, the gear change - especially down into third - was just very tight because it was new.

We have just over an hours drive to get home as our local Audi don't do Motability so we had to go to Cardiff for it. So it's first driving will be on the M4 and then to pick out girls up from school (yes they're quite happy about that lol and they're only young), then a trip to Toys r Us to spend their birthday money. Probably end up having a drive round some of the nice country roads before getting home too.

Might that be too much for the first day? Probably won't get to comb through the manual till that evening but I can check with the dealer before we leave, he's really nice actually.

NeverAgain_2

...Might that be too much for the first day?...

No, provided you are confident to do it.

It's certainly a good mix of driving, so you should get used to the new car quickly.

Worth asking about running-in, but a quickly run-in car makes for quick car, so don't dawdle.

What it needs is plenty of exercise, up and down the gearbox, varying speeds.

Nothing wrong with doing 70mph on the motorway on day one, but a long run at a constant speed is always said to be bad for a new car.

liam8282

jetta_wales wrote: »

Yay oh I'm so excited. We've not had much luck with cars so far.

First was a Citroen Xara 5 years old £2.1k, lovely car.
Totaled a year later after a blow out on the M4 (chasis got skewed).
Rover 214, 14 years old lol, £600, nice little car for it's age though.
Head gasket went 6 months later.
Ford Focus Saloon, 10 years old, £1,00 plus the dodgy Rover) and this car's doing ok so far, speedo only works when it's in a good need though.

So it will be a big jump for us to have a brand new car and hopefully no more car worries at all.

This is a common fault on Focus', and is quite easy to fix.

All you need is a speed sensor, less than £30 off ebay. A bit fiddly to change the sensor, but I did mine on my girlfriends last car and took me about 20 mins. Would be quite an easy job for anybody confident enough.

Was quoted about £150 for a garage to do the same job IIRC.

jetta_wales

NeverAgain wrote: »

...Might that be too much for the first day?...

No, provided you are confident to do it.

It's certainly a good mix of driving, so you should get used to the new car quickly.

Worth asking about running-in, but a quickly run-in car makes for quick car, so don't dawdle.

What it needs is plenty of exercise, up and down the gearbox, varying speeds.

Nothing wrong with doing 70mph on the motorway on day one, but a long run at a constant speed is always said to be bad for a new car.

I'm registered blind so it won't be me behind the wheel, that really would not end well lol. My OH is a confident driver but knows the car will take some getting used to so won't be going too sill (well not for a few days at least)

How soon is too soon for a long run then? we're planing on going to Eastbourne next weekend which from us is about 4 1/2 hours at uhm 70 *cough*.

vax2002

I'm in the wrong line of work...

jetta_wales

liam8282 wrote: »

This is a common fault on Focus', and is quite easy to fix.

All you need is a speed sensor, less than £30 off ebay. A bit fiddly to change the sensor, but I did mine on my girlfriends last car and took me about 20 mins. Would be quite an easy job for anybody confident enough.

Was quoted about £150 for a garage to do the same job IIRC.

Oh excellent, thank you. We need to sell it now so good to know it won't be a big cost to do, it's the only thing that needs doing on it. My other half's an electrician so he's quite good at practical things if he has some idea of what needs doing. We'll but a replacement and look up where it is to change it.

Thanks again.

liam8282

jetta_wales wrote: »

Oh excellent, thank you. We need to sell it now so good to know it won't be a big cost to do, it's the only thing that needs doing on it. My other half's an electrician so he's quite good at practical things if he has some idea of what needs doing. We'll but a replacement and look up where it is to change it.

Thanks again.

As you look at the engine, it is on the right hand side at the back.

You need a good pair of molegrips to first pull out the pin that holds the sensor in place, then I used the molegrips to pull out the actual sensor.

It takes A LOT of wiggling from side to side, back and forth to loosen it to get it out. It is fiddly as there isn't much room, and you can't do anything too drastic because you don't want to break the sensor.

If your partner does get around to doing it there are plenty of guides on how to do it on google.

jetta_wales

liam8282 wrote: »

As you look at the engine, it is on the right hand side at the back.

You need a good pair of molegrips to first pull out the pin that holds the sensor in place, then I used the molegrips to pull out the actual sensor.

It takes A LOT of wiggling from side to side, back and forth to loosen it to get it out. It is fiddly as there isn't much room, and you can't do anything too drastic because you don't want to break the sensor.

If your partner does get around to doing it there are plenty of guides on how to do it on google.

Thanks for the advice, it wasn't even a question I'd thought to ask but we definitely definitely needed the answer it seems else we could have got stung by some garage for that.

Much appreciated.

johnfarquhar74

NeverAgain wrote: »

A new car can take a little getting used to, so I would avoid heavy traffic until you've driven it for a few miles.

I picked up a new Seat a few years ago and about half a mile down the road I had to negotiate a busy roundabout.

The damn thing wouldn't go into third, so I came to halt unexpectedly - could easily have been shunted from behind.

There was nothing wrong with the car, the gear change - especially down into third - was just very tight because it was new.

Unfortunately, my wife wasn't so lucky! In my younger and money foolish days I bought a Ford Ka 'Black', a limited edition Ka that cost £10K as opposed to the regular £6/7K Ka(don't ask, I don't know why either!). I drove it out the showroom and was pestered by my wife to let her have a go. After 15 miles on the clock, we swapped seats. Less than 1 mile later we were rear ended, my wife missed a gear at a roundabout and decided to put the brakes on. Obviously all the 'fault' lies with the unfortunate guy that crashed into us but my wife took it quite hard, seeing her lovely shiny new black Ka with the rear bumper taped on and a nice we buckle in the bottom of the boot!