If nothing else, one thing's certain in 2007: things aren't going to get any cheaper for the motorist. Insurance and fuel costs, the two biggest financial drains when running your motor, will climb further still. Norwich Union, one of the UK's largest insurance brokers, expects to impose rises of up to 40% in 2007, with an average hike of 16% for customers. If that doesn't sound like much in the way of a reward for your loyal custom, start shopping around. But beware. Spiraling claims means other insurers are set to follow Norwich Union's lead.
Try a price comparison website and look for internet-based operators with lower operating costs, who are better equipped to ride out market fluctuations and resist hiking premiums. Meanwhile, despite a return to health for oil productivity, stability of supply and subsequent lowered prices, the Chancellor has inflated petrol prices through more tax, claiming he only has the country's wellbeing in mind. How considerate. As you can see from the state of our congested roads, it's had an immediate effect.
So, what's the answer to beating 2007's used car price hikes? Try downsizing. An increasingly popular option among those without an ego the size of their car, buying a smaller one means you pay less in the first place, and then suffer less road tax, won't be charged as much by insurers and can enjoy 50mpg fuel-sipping economy. An added perk is less money to be lost to the dreaded depreciation. (more...)
Before the advent of the internet, finding a quality used car was a challenging endeavour. Often it entailed visiting several dubious used car dealerships and settling for a rough approximation of the car you were looking for. Really, there was no better way.
And in terms of security, buyers had none. The moment you plunked down hard cash on the barrelhead and drove the car off the lot, it was yours and you were responsible for it, whether it was a winner or a lemon. More often than not it was a lemon.
But when the internet came along all that changed. Not only did it become easier for buyers to locate the used cars they were looking for, but they also had more power as a result of having access to virtually unlimited options. Needless to say, this was a situation that did not sit well with most used car dealers. In the end, they had to decide to either change with the times or become extinct. (more...)
Though finding cars is easier than ever with the help of the internet, many shoppers cause themselves unnecessary headaches by neglecting to do research in advance. While it is true that auto sites can help you locate just about any car ever made, if you don’t know what you want, they won’t help you much.
That is why before you visit an automotive sales site and start perusing their listings, you should take the time to think about what kind of vehicle you want. A good idea is to write out a list of four or five makes, or better yet models, and research them online. Take your time reading both customer reviews and expert reports. These sites are often free of charge and they will give you a good idea of what owners and industry insiders think of the vehicle.
After you have thoroughly researched all of the cars on your list, you will want to check the average selling price of each vehicle. This is the price that private sellers and dealerships actually sell the model for, and it can be quite different from the manufacturer's suggested retail price. Again, there are reputable websites that offer this information free of charge. (more...)
Founded in 1919, French automobile maker Citroen was the first European company to successfully mass-produce cars. Ninety years later, they make some of the most popular cars on the continent.
According to the company, they sold more than two million units of the C3, one of their most popular hatchbacks. So, why are Citroen hatchbacks so ubiquitous in Europe? Well, one reason is that they are specifically designed for getting around European cities. They are lightweight, efficient, small, and get excellent petrol millage. They also have an attractive price tag and retain their value better than comparable models.
Who’s driving them? Citroen hatchbacks make a perfect first vehicle for parents who are looking for a safe, economical, and easy to handle car for their children. But make no mistake about it, Citroen hatchbacks are not luxury vehicles. They are not for the driving enthusiast who prizes luxury and driving performance above all else. They are simply for getting from A to B in a safe and efficient way. (more...)
Kia produces cars that are of competitive and world class standards while maintaining affordable rates. Kia Motors is a South Korean company. In fact it is South Korea’s second largest automobile manufacturer. The company also has an American arm, Kia America.
In the UK, Kia is one of the fastest growing car companies. It offers quality vehicles to the public at prices much below the competition. The Kia Rio is often considered to be the most affordable sedan in the US.
Kia produces different ranges of cars to meet the requirements of various consumers. The Kia Sportage is caters the SUV market and is at par with SUVs in it’s range, but at an affordable price tag. (more...)
Hyundai is a brand name associated with reliability and quality. Hyundai cars have always been popular in the UK and a large number of people prefer to get a Hyundai model over any other brand.
Second hand cars are increasingly popular today. Second hand cars are more affordable than their brand new counterparts, and often one can get a flawless vehicle at price that more than kind to your pocket!
Before purchasing a second hand Hyundai, it is important to decide your budget. Planning a realistic budget is a good idea as it will help you make a calculated decision and get the best for your cash. Also, what you are going to use the car for is important. Will you be using the car alone or do you have kids who will travel in the car? (more...)
Citroen have been manufacturing cars and other vehicles since first being formed by Andre Citroen in France in 1919. They were the first mass producers of motor vehicles outside the USA.
Since then, Citroen have gone on to manufacture a wide range of cars under their distinctive brand emblem, including the instantly recognisable and distinctive 2 CV. In 1976 Citroen were purchased by their fellow native car makers, Peugeot. Since then, many of the models produced have resembled the Peugeot counterparts.
Due to the sheer number of cars that have been produced by Citroen, there is a large choice of citroen used cars to be found in any of the many used car online websites, showrooms and supermarkets to be found throughout the country. (more...)
In the present economic climate, many people are now forced into having to tighten their budgets and to keep a tight hold on their purse strings. This is especially the case for the larger, most essential purchases, such as when purchasing a car.
Gone are the days for many people of being able to purchase a brand new shiny car every two or three years. The fact is that these cars lose their value from the minute they are driven out of the showroom.
It is therefore much more economically and environmentally wise to purchase a used car. These cars can be found in many used car supermarkets and online used car showrooms, found throughout the country. However, an often much more prudent method is to buy a used car from a private advertiser, who will place an advertisement for this in the classified section of the local newspaper. They may also advertise by way of putting a poster in a shop or car window stating for sale, used car . (more...)
It should come as no surprise that as the economy in the UK continues to improve, car and home sales have also improved. The reason for this is simple: when times are tough and people don’t know where their next pay cheque is coming from, they tend to put off large purchases.
But then when the economy improves, large ticket items are often where you see the most growth. While the numbers are nothing to write home about, we do know that car sales are up and that most industry insiders expect them continue to grow as consumer spending and employment rebounds.
Believe it or not, the first market that experienced noticeable growth was the used car market. There are several good reasons for this. To begin with, when the economy is improving, people often remain cautious about major purchases, but since a car is a necessary item, they are sometimes willing to invest in cars second hand . (more...)
Automex is an automotive parts manufacturer and retailer in the UK. Since 1975, the company has produced copper brake pipe sets. These sets were quite popular before the Second World War, and then they all but disappeared, mostly due to the high cost of copper.
But what the founders of Automex somehow knew is that owners of luxury vehicles and sports cars would be willing to pay a slight premium for superior performance. That is why they make products for specific luxury vehicles like the Jaguar XK120 and the Messerschmitt FMR TG500.
Early success gave the company the confidence and the funds they needed to expand their product line over the next few years. By 1980, Automex was producing copper coils and copper nickel piping in a wide variety of sizes. Almost three decades later, the little company has expanded its operations and is now selling goods everywhere in the world on the internet. Their website, Automotex.co.uk , is one of the company’s prime sources of income. (more...)
