February 23, 2012

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Save on fuel costs

February 9, 2012 By Mary J. Rodriguez

With the high price of oil today, people are doing the most they can to cut down on their weekly or monthly fuel bill.

This can be achieved in a number of ways:

Drive less. This may be stating the obvious, but the fewer journeys you do, the less fuel you will use. So, plan the use of your car and be more organised when planning your week. Make sure that you don’t have to pop out just to buy milk or post a letter. Have long life milk in the cupboard so that you don’t run out, and put letters that are ready to mail on the dashboard so that you can send them when you are on the way somewhere, rather  than making a special trip. You can also make a conscious decision to walk the kids to school once or twice a week, or arrange to join a car pool, so that you can take turns doing the school run.

Choose your route. You may have set routes that you are used to using. If you spend a lot of your journey time sitting in traffic, or waiting for lights to change, think about changing route. Idling in traffic can waste an enormous amount of fuel, and the only way to avoid this is to have a car that has stop start technology or to choose a less congested route. If you can’t find a better route to travel, then see if you can alter the times you travel – starting and finishing work at different times to travel at quieter times.

Change your car. If you drive a car that has poor fuel economy, then with the increased cost of petrol and diesel, it’s time to put serious consideration into changing your car. For instance, if you drive a hybrid where the power is derived from a small internal combustion engine in combination with an electric motor, you reduce fuel costs immediately. Hybrids are now available in pretty much every car size – from little runarounds to people carriers. You can also get a hybrid estate car, meaning that you don’t have to compromise on practical family-sized transport to save on fuel. All new cars have better fuel economy than in previous years – on average 29% better than new cars in 2001.

Although it’s probably not cost-effective to change your car before you had planned to for better fuel economy, it’s certainly worth thinking about this aspect when you are ready to change your car.

 

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Get the surveyors in

January 18, 2012 By Mary J. Rodriguez

You’d never buy an old house without having first booked in a qualified surveyor to carry out a full structural survey right – so why behave any differently when buying a used car?

Unless you’re a qualified mechanic, buying a used car from a private individual you don’t know is a distinctly dangerous business. And let’s be honest – buying a used car from a used car showroom can often be something of a lottery no matter what the warranty tells you. If you’ve ever tried going back to one of the slightly less reputable second hand car showrooms around with some form of mechanical problem (whether minor or major), then you’ll probably know what I mean!

Now the reasons so many people don’t bother getting a qualified mechanic in to thoroughly review a second hand car they’re thinking about buying are two-fold:

  1. It can be a relatively expensive processing relation to the overall value of the vehicle and,
  2. Lots of people like to think they know a little more about car mechanical problems than they do in reality.

But both these things are a mistake. First off, it’s probably best to negotiate a price reasonably close to the asking price (having checked the book price first of course to make sure it’s a reasonable ask) subject to it passing a mechanical survey with flying colours. If it then does, then fine, you’ve bagged yourself a good car. If it doesn’t, then you can negotiate further and harder on the back of the survey or – at worst – you’ve spent a relatively small amount of money and saved yourself a much bigger financial disaster in the longer term.

Secondly – even if you’re quite well up to date, no one at all is completely au fait with some of the latest developments in eco cars for example. The technology is just changing too quickly.

Jut one more point – if the car you select in the first place is a Honda, then independent, objective surveys show that they’re the UK’s most reliable cars – so at least you’re stacking the odds in your favour. But still get it professionally assessed before you agree to buy.

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Fuel efficiency drives new car purchasing

January 17, 2012 By Mary J. Rodriguez

According to a Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) report in November 2011, a record 1.6% of new cars sold in the same month in the UK were alternative fuel cars – neither petrol nor diesel. Gradually, hybrids and electric vehicles are becoming more popular. However, the most popular new car in Britain last year was the Ford Fiesta – with 90,701 sales up to the end of November.

There were 4.5 per cent fewer sales of new cars during the first eleven months of 2011, with a total of 1,822, 065 cars being sold in that time. This is despite a range of tempting new car offers that retailers are using to woo buyers.

Those contemplating buying a new car are offered a variety of incentives, including free servicing and roadside assistance for a set number of years, financial contributions towards insurance costs and cash back offers.

It’s a strong reflection of how everyone is feeling the pinch of the worldwide economic crisis. More than ever, people are seeking great fuel-efficiency in the cars they are buying, and manufacturers are responding to this by increasing the fuel economy of practically every new car in production. The average fuel economy in a new car is 52.5 mpg which, compared with 2001, is an improvement of 29.3%.

A new entrant to the UK car market that scores well on fuel efficiency is the new Honda Civic diesel model. It has a 2.2 litre engine that can achieve 64-67 miles per gallon, and produces emissions of just 110g/km of CO2. This is almost equal to Honda’s hybrid Insight, which gets 64.2 mpg and has emissions of 101g/km. According to the SMMT report 55.6% of the new cars sold in November are diesel fuelled, representing an increase on previous years. With other examples of diesels that have even greater fuel efficiency, like the tiny Kia Rio that gets 88.3 mpg, it’s unsurprising.

 

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The best reasons to drive a hybrid

January 9, 2012 By Mary J. Rodriguez

Although many people like the idea of driving an eco-friendly car, the premium on hybrid vehicles can be off-putting when signing up for a finance deal on a new car. But with some of the biggest car manufacturers, from Honda to Toyota doing their part to green their vehicles, the choice won’t be in your hands for much longer.

Once you’ve made the switch to a hybrid though, it will pay back the extra initial cost through cheaper running costs, and you’ll be safe in the knowledge that it’s doing less damage to the environment than a conventional car.

Cheaper to run

Hybrid cars are cheaper to run as you save on fuel costs.  Every mile you travel will be powered by both the internal combustion engine and the electric motor working together, so there’s less strain on the engine and you’ll use less fuel.  Hybrids qualify as low emission cars, so will fall into a lower road tax band, saving you money on an annual expense.

Lower CO2 emissions

By driving a hybrid you will be making a positive contribution to reducing environmental damage caused by transport.  During its lifetime, a hybrid will emit 25% less greenhouse gases than conventional cars. It may be that all vehicles will require hybridisation in the future, so choosing a hybrid now as a new car offers you the chance to be ahead of the game.

It’s simple

Some people might be put off from adopting hybrid technology by the idea that it’s complicated.  But it couldn’t be simpler. It’s not like with an electric vehicle, where you have to consider complications like the extent of the vehicle’s range before it needs charging. From a driving point of view, a hybrid is just like a conventional car – you can top up the tank whenever you see a fuel station and the electric motor battery recharges itself as you drive along. The only thing you’ll notice is that you need to fill up far less frequently.

 

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Too old for a Porsche – too young for a Merc?

January 4, 2012 By Mary J. Rodriguez

If you’re feeling a little too old for a Porsche but still too young for a Mercedes saloon, then where do you turn?

Perhaps you go for something like a Ford Focus? But you know there are so many of them on the road – which renders them a little unexciting and anyway, and they’re just not quite sporty enough.

So … you’re wondering which way to turn. You aren’t ready o give up your sporty dreams just yet, but nor do you want to go completely staid.

Well I think I’ve found the answer in the latest version of the Honda Civic.

Personally, I found the previous eighth incarnation of Honda’s classic mid-range car a little too loud. In other words, there was slightly too much of the “boy racer” about many of the models with its sleek looks and original body and wheel colour styling combinations.

But the civic 2012 has been toned down to absolute design perfection for those of us over 30 and, dare I say, of the male persuasion?

The eight-generation was just a little over the top for those of us who want a quality “town car” with a touch of the sports about it. But the ninth generation Civic tones that down just enough to make it acceptable. Of course, this is a Honda, so there are endless design innovations mechanically – along with the reliability that goes along with Hondas or than any other car manufacturer in the UK according to at least two independent reviews.

And if you’re in that in-between stage of feeling a little too old (or too hard up…) for a Porsche – but still a bit too young for the Mercedes saloon style of driving – then the new Civic just be the perfect balance. You be the judge.

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Getting a bargain car

December 14, 2011 By Mary J. Rodriguez

If you’re on the lookout for a new car, then you may be wondering what the best way to go about finding your new motor is.

Of course, if you have plenty of money, you’ll probably be buying new, so all you need to do is pick a manufacturer and go down to your local dealer. You can choose the colour and any extras that you want. You may decide to buy one of the eco cars UK consumers are now choosing in droves.

Unfortunately, we don’t all have the kind of spare cash you need these days to buy a car brand new.  In which case, there are four main ways of finding a second hand car.

  1. Find a friend or relative who is getting ready to upgrade their car.  People change cars on average every three or four years, so ask around and see who’s doing so.  You’ll know by the kind of person they are how they’re likely to have treated their cars, so you won’t be buying ‘cold.’
  2. Dealers often have as many second hand cars for sale as new.  You’ll have the security of getting a warranty when you buy from a dealer in case something goes wrong, but you’ll pay a premium to have that security.
  3. Car auctions are probably where you’ll find the cheapest cars, but you don’t have the possibility of getting a good look at the vehicles before the bidding starts and you have to really know enough about cars to buy ‘as seen’.
  4. Trawling through private ads will give you lots of options, but as you won’t know who you’re buying from, your best option is to have a professional mechanic check any potential purchase over before you part with any cash.

If you’re not committed to a particular brand, then it’s best to go for one that has a reliable reputation – Honda has been named as most reliable manufacturer in the UK for the last six years, in a What Car? and Warranty Direct survey.

 

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Stop! Don’t buy that new car

November 14, 2011 By Mary J. Rodriguez

Stop! Don’t buy that new car. You know you don’t really need it and that it will cost you more than you want to pay.

Did you know that cars are one of the biggest single causes of spiralling debt? That’s because of the “keep up with the Jones” mentality that so many of us seem to have these days. Also, the cars look so tempting in the showrooms and on the forecourts; particularly the new ones. And those “low monthly payment figures” always look so easy when set against your take home pay.

So, before you know it, you’re saying to yourself “well, it’s only £200 a month and it’s a nice new car which will be safe and reliable” etc.

The problem is that we all like the look and idea of a new car and convince ourselves that the payments are manageable. But when you really look at your disposable income, taking off all the things you need to spend each month, as well as making a decent allowance for the things we want, like holidays, new clothes, the odd meal out and a little entertainment, the car payment figure often makes up a whopping percentage of what’s left.

Add in the insurance and tax costs and the servicing and it gets even worse. Now consider that your car is probably the most fast-depreciating asset you’re ever likely to own, and it may be time to think again.

There are exceptions to the rule; cars used as capital like taxis, or cars which are very collectable may be a good idea. Also, hybrid cars and other kinds of eco cars UK buyers are after in ever-increasing numbers are generally cheaper than the rest to run.  But on the whole, it’s always wise to stop, think again and do a little number-crunching before you press the buy button.

 

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The most expensive cars on the road

October 5, 2011 By Mary J. Rodriguez

Most of us make do with cars that don’t require a second mortgage to buy them. For some people , however, buying a new car offers the chance to spend more money than the rest of us would ever dream of ever having in our lifetime, yet alone spending on a car.
It’s difficult to categorise the world’s most expensive cars – but limit it to those production cars on the market today and here we have the top five. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, these are also some of the fastest cars in the world.
At number one, it’s the Bugatti Veyron Super Sports, which costs $2.4 million.  It’s the fastest street legal car, having reached a top speed of 267 mph in a test in 2010. It also only takes 2.5 seconds to accelerate from 0-60.
At $1.85 million the Pagani Zonda Clinque Roadster takes second place.  Its top speed is 217 mph and it goes from 0-60 in 3.4 seconds.
In third place there are two cars that both cost $1.6 million.  The Lamborghini Reventon is the most expensive and powerful car ever made by Lamborghini.  It reaches 60mph in 3.3 seconds and travels at a top speed of 211 mph. Part of the reason it’s so expensive is that there have only been twenty of them produced, and its rarity adds value. The same money will also buy a Koenigsegg Agera R, which can go from 0-60 in 2.8 seconds and has its top speed capped electronically at 235 mph.  Its parts, however, are designed to reach a maximum of 270mph.
In 1994, the most expensive and fastest car available was the McLaren F1.  Now, it’s still number five for expense, with a price tag of $970,000.  Its top speed is 240 mph and gets to 60mph in 3.2 seconds.
These cars are super expensive and superfast, but they’re low scoring when it comes to being eco-friendly.  And though there are some superfast electric and hybrid concept vehicles, none of those that are street legal would come close to any of the top five most expensive production cars for speed.

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The world land speed record

September 26, 2011 By Mary J. Rodriguez

When you think of the world land speed record, your mind immediately jumps to Donald Campbell and the famous Bluebird – or perhaps the Utah Bonneville Salt Flats where so many of the heroic records have been set in the past. Often, the record changed between those vying for the honour in matters of days or even hours, particularly during the record attempts’ post-war heyday.
The main holders of the record have tended throughout history to be British or American and the title of world record holder has changed back and forth between the two over the years.
Happily for us Brits, the current land speed world record holder is Wing Commander Andy D. Green OBE BA RAF – a British Royal Air Force pilot.
Andy Green was the first person to break the sound barrier on land. In September 1997 in the “ThrustSSC”, Andy beat the previous record in the Black Rock Desert, an arid region in northern Nevada with a dry lakebed.
He reached a speed of 714.144 mph. And in the following month, he outdid his own previous short-lived record reaching 763.035 mph; the first ever supersonic drive.
Since then, his latest challenge was driving the JCB Dieselmax car, attempting to take the Diesel Land Speed Record over 300 mph.
He initially trialled the car at his own RAF station in Wittering in 2006, and broke the previous record of 236 mph set in August 1973, after reaching an average speed of 328.767 mph over the required two runs on the Bonneville Salt Flats. The next day, he broke the record again reaching a speed of 350.092 mph!
In 2004, the Toyota Prius set a new world land speed record for hybrids at 210.49km. And in the summer of 2010, the land speed world record for a production car was smashed by a Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport which reached a top speed of 267.8mph.
It may be a while before foolish Dads are reaching these speeds on the on the school run, but the technology developed in breaking such records always finds its way into family cars eventually, albeit in a toned down way!

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Buying A Car And Avoiding Repossession

April 7, 2011 By
Car Finance

Car Finance

Car repossession happens when an individual falls behind on their vehicle payments and the creditor reclaims the automobile. The basic idea behind vehicle repossession is that the vehicle has been purchased on a hire purchase or credit arrangement. This implies that the products you have purchased aren’t legally yours till payment for the products has been settled totally. Once this has been achieved, you’ll be classed as the lawful owner of the products. If you fail to keep up the payments as mentioned in the accord, then you can face repossession of the products. If this happens, then a bank can take action in the courts against you for the money owed to him. Unless you have got a honeymoon period set down in the accord, a creditor can take your automobile back if you’re only a day late with payments. Different states have different vehicle repossession laws, but the creditor generally doesn’t need to give any notice when taking back the auto. There’s no legal obligation for you to return the auto, but the creditor may simply take it from the street or a carpark. In an automobile repossession case, if you try to hide your automobile with the purpose of stopping the creditor from reclaiming it, this might be considered a legal offence. With vehicle repossession, the creditor may sell your vehicle at an auction to recover some of his cash.

But you may still be responsible for the remainder of the balance notable on your auto. You can be responsible to pay the creditor’s costs for the cash and time concerned in the vehicle repossession.

Chapter thirteen is a law that will stop vehicle repossession from going down. If your automobile has been foreclosed though not sold by your creditor when the case is filed, the court may tell the creditor to return your automobile. With Chapter thirteen, interest fees can be reduced and regular payments can regularly be reduced. In a number of cases, the amount owing on the car might be reduced to the car’s market valuation, regardless of whether it is less than the loan value.

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