baby ice dog

Damn - I'm so slow to post, now I've got to change my post to fit your new reply :S Yes, the ominous-sounding MIB - I had to use them when some uninsured son-of-a-taxi-driver rear-ended the Celica just three weeks after I'd bought it. As far as I understand it, we all pay a premium on our insurance that goes to this uninsured driver's scheme, for situations like yours. You don't have to claim on your own insurance (well, I didn't with the TPFT on the Celica, might be different for FC), but you do have to pay an excess (maybe a coupla hundred pounds). If you want more info, I can check all the paperwork from my rear-ending... but basically, the solicitors I was claiming through dealt with everything for me (just don't go through solicitors recommended by your insurance company, or supplied via the "legal advice" premium they push, cos they will screw you hard & painfully). Oh, and bummer about the accident, JohnBoyZ32... glad you're OK :) Can we start another rant about the state of society now? Bah, you just know the scrots are going to get let off with a slap on the wrist... grrr, they should be sent down on a Zedslaughter charge :(

When I bought mine, the guy said I could only drive it if I brought a cash deposit equivalent to the cost of the car (hmm, mine was much cheaper than yours, so maybe that wouldn't work)... sounded reasonable to me. He ended up driving around a bit, then saying "sod it", and giving me the wheel - basically, I guess, he saw I was serious about buying, and maybe thought I looked responsible (*ahem*). My point: if the tyre kickers are easy to spot, make it clear there's no test drive without a hefty deposit or something. People are unlikely to buy a car like this on a whim, you should be able to tell who's serious. Likewise, serious buyers should respect that you want some sign of commitment before they can test drive it, right? Sorry, bad headache... grammar not flowing properly :/ And I've just seen that james300 is saying basically the same thing, but more concisely :S

I think the cold weather sometimes causes leaks in the fuel lines, so yes, check all hoses & connections (this post was just to provide a possible explanation, rather than tread on 300z's toes). Always remember: I know nothing.

That's the one with the green $$ sign and the accompanying "cha-ching!" sound, is it?

Thx, that's some useful information there... now I know it was stupid to think it was the headlights, eh? hehe Seriously, that's narrowed it down - I think I should check what the rear fog is wired up to ;)

Um, ok... I've got a spoiler brake light, & I'm sure it's wired up & working. The spoiler's a stock rubber one, so I assumed the light was stock too (or are they all aftermarket? See me flaunt my ignorance). I'm the same with electrics - understand the basics, but real-world application of it is beyond me. I'm terrified of batteries, always expect them to explode (actually, same goes for the TV whenever I plug anything new into it, so maybe I'm just paranoid). Hmm, actually, I'm like this with *anything* practical, come to think of it :/ I'm guessing I can get correct bulb info from the online manual (sorry, starting writing this before I thought of it), so I'll check that this weekend (I'm getting all paranoid that my rear lights look a little weak), along with the rear fog light. Oh, confirm something for me please: This warning light is supposed to come on when you have the headlights on, is it? And also comes on if it detects a problem with the lights? Or is it only supposed to come on when there's a problem?

It won't be the fog light? Bugger.... Yes, I'm sure the brake light in the spoiler is working. I'll check it, but I'm pretty sure. My gf should be coming to visit this w/e, so she can stand in the rain watching what lights come on when ;) Originally I'd assumed it was the UK spec headlight bulbs (with their *very* dodgy earth wires) that were causing it, but like I said, I changed them for a pair of J-specs from Leigh, and there was no change. The fog light sounded hopeful, because I don't think I've even used it yet, and it *does* look a bit manky :/ At least it's nothing to worry about, I guess... but it's still distracting having that warning light on all the time :(

Hmm, it's sounding like it's the rear fog light... what I have is one of those ugly Halfords hung-off-the-bumper jobs, with an equally ugly switch on the dash. Come to think of it, this is one bulb I haven't checked, so it might be the wiring or the bulb. Robtor: No, it's not the door open light - I know what that looks like ;) It just says "LIGHTS", and it's red and on the far left. Anyway, I guess it must be the fog lamp then, I'll have a look this weekend. Thanks for all your help :) Oh, A2XGO, I don't know if this is relevant, but my old Celica did that once, and it turned out to be that one of the dual filament brake/rear light bulbs had gone, and the stray wire from one filament was touching the other one. My mate's S13 did the same thing (except his lights would pop-up too, I think - maybe he was lying about that). Might be worth checking (assuming Zeds even *have* dual filament bulbs at the back... sheesh, I know nothing).

By which I mean the "Lights" warning light on the dash - mine is on all the time, and has been since I got the car (SWB NA). The previous owner told me it was a "turn your lights on because it's getting dark" warning with a dodgy sensor (hmm), & I thought it might just be a duff bulb. But I've since replaced the headlight bulbs with J-specs, and all the other lights seem to work fine. So, any ideas? Today's spate of Hicas topics has got me nervous - I don't have Hicas, so what light will come on to warn me of low PAS fluid levels, etc? The "Lights" light??

Thanks Jack :) I'll give them a try next time it comes up, as well as Insurance Factory (who messed about so much last time, took so long I had to go with Hyperformance). Hmm, you're a little older than me :/

Whoever you end up with, can you make sure they cover imports as well? Sounds obvious, I know, but I just thought I'd make sure...

And Tesco's certainly do imports as well - they were the second best quote for my NA SWB :) Maybe it does just depend on the person you talk to :/ Hmmmm, actually, the Toyota Sera club are always recommending Tesco's, so they *must* do imports. For the topic starter, I can confirm that an import NA *does* cost a little more (at least) to insure than a UK TT, however stupid it seems. And personally, my best quote was from Hyperformance. I'm a little bummed out that you can't insure imports on a classic policy, since that's what I was thinking about doing next year - is that true? :/ Oh, and Jack - got any contact details/website for this Co-op place? I found one (CIS) through Yahoo, but their damned online quote thingy keeps screwing up on me :(

Cool, thx. Had another recommendation for ChipsAway, so I'm going to get a quote from them & get back to you. Jeez, I was going to get this sorted today, but my bike's playing up, & what with taking it to the shop, walking back to get the car, & having to work... grrr, have to hope I get time tomorrow :/

Hmm, good plan, very good plan... I'll see what beermonster comes back with, but they look promising, and I could trust they'd do a decent job. Thanks :)

It's solid red, and if you can sort something out I'd appreciate it ;)

Well, there's no dents luckily :) It's that easy to get the door trim (and thus handle surround) off? I tried that on my last car (a Celica), and got nowhere... the trim was held on with those annoying split pin type things that you have to bend back, and it was never the same afterwards. On the other hand, on my old Polo you could screw & unscrew the trims all day long with no ill effects :) I assumed the Nissan would be more like the Celica (especially with all the electric window guffins to get in the way). I'll check it tonight, then look into chip people to get a quote. Thanks for the advice. Anyone else got anything to say?

OK... I was thinking about that originally, but I think some post came up here (or somewhere) that implied it might be too much for simple chip repair - the fact that it's down to the metal, and that the handle surround will have to be removed to get at it (I'm pretty sure it will), put me off. Still, if others have positive experience of chip repair people dealing with stuff like this, maybe it's an option. I'll give it a day or so to see what response I get here (thanks for yours, by the way :)), then sort out some quotes. Only had one so far (from a non-specialist bodyshop, to give me a ballpark figure), and that was £140+materials (+VAT probably, although he didn't specify).

There were a couple of places I used to use a few years back, but they stopped... http://www.mtnsms.com is the only active one I can find at the moment, but it doesn't work for every network :/ Failing that, download ICQ and use that - it *usually* works, plus sometimes people can actually reply to it (!), but it seems to have a daily limit on the number you can send. That's not a great answer, I know, but maybe it helps :)

OK, I'm after someone to repair some minor scratching around the driver's side door handle, where some fool child tried to screwdriver his way in. There's no denting, just a chip down to the metal where the handle surround meets the door, and some light scratching below that (bah, if only I had a digital camera). Who's my best bet? I live in Nottingham, so I was going to try ZCentre, but someone mentioned elsewhere that they weren't impressed with the painting there (maybe that's just on kits, though, and they'd be fine for normal repairs). So there's JeffTT's Zedworld, I guess... or PPS - but what and where is PPS? (sorry, I've tried looking around, but the forum search won't work with less than 4 characters). My paintwork's not in a great condition generally, so I don't need a super job doing, but on the other hand I don't want it to stick out horribly. Plus, what with the metal being exposed at the moment, I want to make sure it's corrosion-proof. My mate is offering to do it, but he's kind of a bodger, and he doesn't have alot of experience at spraying :/ Any suggestions or recommendations? Oh, the car is a '90 import in red. Basically, I guess I'm looking to find out the location details of PPS, and any feedback on the ZCentre bodyshop's competance :) Thx ;)

Just a suggestion, but I had a similar problem with my manual NA (so it might be different for a TT). When cold, there'd be no power at low revs (up to about 2500 maybe), and if I put my foot down it would hesitate badly - had *exactly* the same problem at roundabouts. I mentioned it to Nico, and he said my fuel filter looked old, & I should try replacing it before worrying about anything else. That seemed to sort it :) I've started having a similar problem again now, but it isn't so bad, and it doesn't happen as regularly. I'm thinking it might be the air filters (I don't know when they were last changed), but I'm too technophobic to have a look :/ Are the air filters on the NA the same as for the TT, does anyone know? I know there's an article somewhere on how to change them for the TT, but like I say, I've not looked to see how they compare. Anyway, point is: check your filters, because it might be something that simple.

Autowatch have a website - http://www.autowatch.co.uk , but last time I checked it was under construction, and they haven't answered a mail I sent them yonks ago about getting extra sensors fitted, so I dunno how useful that will be.

Well, I met Nico one evening in that same car park - he looked over the Z, did that ECU diagnostics thing, then went & did some shopping. Nice guy, really nice guy :) I don't go to Sainsbo's much, otherwise I guess I might see him more often. Morrison's is more my scene ;)

Awwwww, I miss him already :(

Yay! Saw Nico last night at Sainsbo's - it was kinda funny having two Zs crawling round the car park slowly, blipping the throttles... like a sort of mating dance (yeah, and in the SWB one, guess who felt like the female?). Am I right in thinking Sainsbo's is where all the rude boys hang out on Sunday nights? I was walking along Castle Blvd last Sun, & there was much heavy revving coming from the car park, as well as several shiny Pugs & Novas bombing it down the road. Are these the same guys that "race" around the Broadmarsh Bus station in the evenings? Anyhoo, dunno how often he visits here, but I tried mailing him & it got bounced back :/ I just wanted to say hi, & sorry for not stopping properly last night to do it in person, but I was too intent on getting home & ingesting all the throat relief products I'd just bought (I'm coughing so bad my throat is bone dry & feels bruised to hell). So: Hi Nico! Hope you're ok :) Sweet car, btw ;)

Is that Luke's reg?