noggin

I took a 5 year service plan on my R and once you're a few years in you're paying much less. I liked the other benefits of having a plan. I used to take it in for a fluids check and top up every 3 months, any little knock or niggle you got access to the technicians. I believe I got a much better service from my dealer because they know they're stuck with me for 5 years! I use ALA gap insurance rather than VW.

That's not too bad!! Try the road between Kathmandu and Pokhara in Nepal called the Privthi Highway. It was on one of those 'Worlds Worse Roads' programmes. I did it a few years back in what is essentially a City Rover! Bumpy and scary!! I could have flown but I told the agent I wanted to see the countryside. He looked at me as if I was mad but respected my wishes!

I get the feeling that the quality standard of VWs is dropping. I've tried 2 (mk7R and Polo Gti) recently and both felt cheap and flimsy compared to previous models. Maybe it the 'dieselgate' thing but I won't be buying a new VW anytime soon. I'll still keep my 20yr old VR6.

I wouldn't buy another Nilfisk. The one I had destroyed the motor when it was a week past warranty. The metal casing inside had literally fallen to pieces. My father owns a 35 yr old Nilfisk and it works perfectly, hence why I bought one. I think the quality has dipped on the newer ones. I have a Karcher now.

While I'm happy to hear you got your property back I can't help being concerned for the 'vulnerable' ex-tenant. I was the drugs outreach worker for your town for over five years and I know what a nightmare the junkies can be. I probably know of your ex-tenant but I don't work there now. Thank god!!

It's an option. I didn't have my DSG mapped and everything worked fine. The mid range acceleration was mental!

If you want more performance go for a stage 1 tune. It made a massive difference to my Mk6R and well worth the outlay.

It makes very little difference except you save on the price of a new VW filter every service. I had one on my 6R and it made a minute, almost undetectable difference in the exhaust note.

Certainly not!! I tried that and didn't like it. Lasted 15 months!!

61. Retired Drug and Alcohol Specialist. I just please myself everyday and do what I like, when I like.

It was a Mk1, I must have the date wrong. It belonged to a girlfriend and I had driven 10000 miles in it on L plates before I took the test!

I took my first test in a 1975 mustard coloured Morris Marina 1.7 which my Dad said he buy for me if I passed - I failed and missed a truly awful car. I passed a few years later in a 78 Mk1 Escort, great little car!

Paddy McGuiness spoils it for me and I'm not sure how he'll go down with an international audience. Subtitles, I suspect. At least there are sections he's not in. Harris makes the show for me because he can drive. I'd like to see them stick Freddy and Idiot Boy in mega powerful cars and send them round the track (in the rain).

I did an experience day and drove a Gallardo and a Ferrari 430. Though they were fast the instructor never let me boot it.

Shit, Why did I sell it?

I'd just add that there are loads of secondhand Rs on the market. My local dealer has about 20! Make sure you get the exact spec you're after. There's loads of choice. Good luck with your purchase.

Changed my mind! I went in today and changed the colour to Midnight Black. The orange looked great under spotlights in the showroom,. It looked like a dark metallic gold. However I've seen a few in daylight and it's more Jaffa Orange! Nothing wrong with orange cars but not for me. The advantage of the black is it doesn't accentuate the black plastic arches.

I looked at an A1 and a Polo Gti and I thought the interior quality wasn't that good especially the cheap plastic door trim. I tried 6 small cars and the Mini came out tops for me and my needs. So I just ordered a Mini Cooper S Sport and should take delivery in 6 weeks!! I didn't go for all the tech options or sat nav as all I really want is about 200hp, Dab radio and a decent heater. The sales person said their sat nav was crap anyway. I'll use my old Tom Tom. It'll be Solaris Orange with black roof, mirrors and trim with tinted rear glass. It has the JCW bodykit, seats and steering wheel plus some JCW interior bits. Oddly, I didn't spec the sports suspension cos I wanted some comfort. I've gone for the auto box with paddles. The new auto boxes are so good these days and so easy to use. I don't do many miles and suspect that 4000 miles year will be pushing it. As long as it remains reliable I intend to keep it long term. I have it on a 4 yr PCP but I'll be paying all off well before the term is up

I was put off the Swift because of cheap interior plastics - one of my personal bugbears! It supposed to be a great little driver but I couldn't live it.

I had one on test drive last week. Sweet little car and surprisingly fast. I though it had loads of character and loved the popping exhaust in sport mode. I actually drove an ST2 as I found the Recaros in an ST3 too uncomfortable. The steering felt really weird at first but once I got used to it it was OK. If anything I thought it had too many gadgets but I'm an old fart and don't understand connectivity and blue teeth! I was told 14-16 weeks delivery. I'm sure your lady will love it.

Thanks After all my test drives, including an Audi A1 and the Mini Cooper S Hatchback , the Mini Hatchback takes it for me. It felt well built, she handled well and was a nice place to sit. I want to replace my VR6 and the Mini had a similar feel on the road.I'm going to put my order in on Friday. Mini Cooper S Sport Hatchback in Metallic orange with a black roof and wheels!

I've had a test drive in Fiesta ST2 this week. The ST3 had the Recaro seats which I found uncomfortable. Quite a fun little car bearing in mind I had a salesperson in the car so I couldn't really 'drive' it. My only issues were interior quality and all those buttons on the steering wheel. I'd got my estimate of finance costs wrong and they had some good deals. Lead time on a factory order in 14 -16 weeks. I tries a Mini Clubman Cooper S on Wednesday and that was a very pleasant little car. It was raining and I kept spinning the wheels. The front felt 'floaty' and not sure if that was down to run flat tyres. Easily the best quality car I've tried but the car I drove, with options, comes in at 32k! I eventually got the attention of sales staff at VW. I went down in the Cayman, sports exhaust wide open and sport mode on. Fly into the carpark in 2nd and change down to first and let the exhaust pop and bang a bit!! I took a Polo Gti out for a spin but it was a terrible test drive through heavy Leicester traffic. I was disappointed with the interior quality - really cheap plastics. It's hard to comment on how it drove. Overall I wasn't that impressed. Lead time 9 months Todays car to check out was a Fiat 595 Arbarth. I only went to see it because I promised a girlfriend I would check it out. Not for me. Too twee and cutesy. There some healthy discounts on the quotes from Carwow. 12% offlist on a 695 Rivale bring it to 22k. I don't know where to look now. I won't but French or Korean. Looks like I'll stick with what I have for now. I've got a Mini Cooper S Coupe to drive tomorrow afternoon. I hope it's a dry day.

I'm test driving an ST3 this afternoon. I get the feeling that the suspension may be too hard for me. I've got test booked on Mini Cooper S Clubman and I'm trying to sort a drive in a Polo Gti. I went to VW Leicester earlier in the week but after 20 minutes no-one seemed interested in helping me, so I walked out. The service and bodywork depts have been great in the past but their sales team are shite. I'll let y'all know how the test drive goes.

A couple of lads did the same for me. I was about 21 and just left the pub with my mates. It took me 15 mins to walk back to my Mums where I was still living. When I got back my Mum was standing on the doorstep with my wallet in her hand. Two lads had found it outside the pub and dropped it off. My Mum dipped into the wallet and gave them 20 quid each. Then she turned on me! "Where the bloody hell did you get 600 quid from??" There was quite a wad in my wallet and it would hardly close it was so fat! I was a naughty boy in my early adulthood and the cash wouldn't have been from legitimate sources. I mumbled something about a deposit on a flat but she didn't believe me!

I've been looking at a Fiesta ST as my daily/town/dog car. They always get good reviews. I want it to take over duties from my 1998 VR6. It would be faster and more nimble than the VR but it will never sound as nice. I'll keep the VR on ice for few years. I looked at finance on the Ford Website and, from what I could see, their PCP plan would see a total cost of over 30k!! My other option is the Polo GTi