Top products from r/CarTalkUK

I was given a nextbase 312gw as a gift and it's been faultless. It was a "which" best buy and has GPS/WiFi and a magnetic mount so easily detachable when parked up etc.


Has nice features like the screen turns off while driving so it didn't distract you etc.


https://www.amazon.co.uk/Nextbase-312GW-Full-1080p-Black/dp/B01ELRJW5Q/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1543040276&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=312gw&dpPl=1&dpID=41CFviLq0aL&ref=plSrch

You can always just find a quiet car park near you on a weekend to do work.

When i didn't have a drive in London I just used the car park by my local EuroCarparts. The other units were all closed on a Saturday so no one cared. Even did a transmission fluid change with the car on four axle stands and the security guard was cool. Plus if you need parts or tools you could pop in and get some.

You can get front Brembo (so not the cheapest) brake disks and pads for your car for £52 (and possibly less). Then a couple of quid for new brake disc retaining screws ideally.

I think you'd probably need /want

• A jack (your car may come with a basic scissor one).
  
• Jack stands
  
• Some chocks (I just use a wood ones I made out of some spare fence posts).
  
• A socket and spanner set
  
• Impact screwdriver
  
• A breaker bar
  
• Some copper grease to prevent squeaking.
  
• Maybe some pry bars.
  
• A brake rewind tool.
  
• A bungee cord and WD40
  
  ​
  
  You could do without a few of these. But, even these could do it all in with tools and parts for £280.
  
  It would also mean you can do most jobs on a car in future.
  
  Add a oil pan and filter removal tool (maybe £15 all in) and you can do your own servicing.
  
  A spring compressor (£20) and ball joint seperator (£20) and you could replace the entire suspension.
  
  ​
  
  I've managed to do all those things just from Youtube Videos. Saved myself a fortune in labour.

It’s perfectly fine to use tap water and a good quality car shampoo to wash your car. I also live in a hard water area, it just means that you have to be careful to dry the car properly using a chamois leather or a micro fibre towel, otherwise you will end up with streaks when it dries.

A detailing spray (usually sold as a rapid or quick detail spray bottle) is good for cleaning the car when it’s just slightly dusty. The spray lubricates the dust and allows you to wipe it away with a cloth. I like Meguiars but there are lots to choose from https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0002JMO8K

Ford Fiesta? Plentiful and have had Bluetooth on the higher spec ones for a while. Probably find one under budget.

I have something like this in my car. It works really well and if you want you can use a fuse spur to have it turn on with the ignition. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B078W1HQCK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_u8yRCb1K7B460

Bare in mind that Bluetooth on older cars will not be any good for music and was intended just for calls, so depending what you end up with you may need to upgrade it anyway.

Bluetooth is a null issue, I didn't have it in my 2015 Yaris so I bought this and it has provided me with Bluetooth

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B078J7KYXB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_xtBvDbA8EPZP2

So don't worry about that.

I'd highly suggest looking up a Yaris and MG3. Both are cheap to insure and can be great cars.

I have this one

Its pricey but highly recommended and universally liked. Failing that just go on amazon and search highest rated driving recorders and read some reviews. Plenty of top 5 lists for them out there.

I feed the wire so it fits in the trimming of my car down to my car lighter plug and barely notice it, after a minute of driving the screen goes black and it records in the background. It detects the sound of the engine to start or you can get others that record automatically if they detect movement.

I have one of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/d/Vacuuming-Cleaning-Ironing/Black-Decker-Lithium-Flexi-18-Dark-Titanium/B00IUK7ZYG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484813403&sr=8-1&keywords=black+and+decker+cordless+vacuum

It's excellent.

I bought this from Amazon, it's pretty good for the price but it is quite bulky so make sure you have decent access

BALL JOINT SEPARATOR CT1578 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0044ZRTWE?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

A lot of people I know are using this one http://www.amazon.co.uk/Car-Audio-Novatek-Detection-Recorder-G-sensor-Technology/dp/B00HMNFWYW

It's £25 and is packed full of features :)

Find a fuse in the internal fuse box that's ignition-switched, and add another cigarette lighter via a fuse tap:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Car-Cigarette-Lighter-socket-Charger/dp/B01G6PDU1I

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Micro-Circuit-Holder-Adapter-Micro2/dp/B075J3ZMQC

Then you don't have to worry about it, your dashcam will come on when you turn the key, and you'll still have the original socket for other stuff.

Mine's all stuffed behind the glove box, so it's neater too.

I do. Touch wood, never had to use it.

However, I was a claims investigator for ten years and the evidence these things provide is invaluable. Whereas a lot of claims used to be one word against the other, now we have absolute proof one way or another.

It works two ways though; if you drive like a twat and get in an incident, it may be used against you!

I've tried a few and this is my current one, by far the best quality I have had, especially at night - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Transcend-DrivePro-Video-Recorder-Built-/dp/B00GRYT5QI/ref=sr_1_7?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1453021221&sr=1-7&keywords=dash+cam

I bought one of these They work great.

Not that exact one but similar thing.

I've got this one and it's REALLY good quality, even at night, but I paid £31 for it in a sale.

I put a pair of these:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00RXIGI9Y/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

In my girlfriends 2007 Clio, which I believe is still the MKII.

Fitting is as easy as prying the speaker grille off the front, unscrewing the speaker, unplugging the cables on the old speaker, plugging the cables on the new one speaker, screwing it into the same holes and clipping the grille back on.

Fluffy Pink Dice

I got a pair of Binatone Latitude 100's a couple of years ago for trips with my mate. Range is ok, probably about a mile.

The only downside is that particular model isn't hands free, but I haven't found that to be a problem on most roads.

Run the engine with the oil cap off or just resting in the hole and the dipstick loose, excessive white smoke pouring out is a bad sign of blowby which would explain the high oil consumption and lack of power. Even without the white smoke see if it blows excessively

How many miles has the motor done?

As it's going to be an expensive repair if the piston rings are shot try some engine restorer here