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Archive for the ‘Car Reviews’ Category

Many car owners are turning to the 4X4 after the heavy snowfall in December 2010 that brought parts of the country to a virtual standstill.  Whilst increased interest came from all over the country, most interest, searches and enquiries came from the areas most affected by the snow – Northern England and Scotland.

Although finances are tight for most people, the recent heavy snowfall aligned to the heavy snowfall in early 2010 and the previous winter, has left people seriously considering upgrading their vehicles.  With thousands of pounds lost every day of the snow from staff being unable to get into work, some companies are considering mass buying 4X4s as complimentary vehicles for their staff.  Further snow is expected at some point this winter and with heavy snowfall seemingly becoming an annual event, the popularity of the 4X4 is expected to rise still further.  Although they are not cheap vehicles, for many car owners, the cost of not upgrading to a 4X4 could be more than the upgrade itself.

It is not just 4X4s.  Other vehicle types renowned for their versatility and ability to “go anywhere in any conditions,” such as Land Rovers, Jeeps and Subarus, have received increased interest and car sales.  These vehicles have the ability to better cope with snow, frost and icy conditions and this separates them from other cars in the winter months, particularly in rural areas.  As well as being much safer, they can also be practical and spacious vehicles all year round and there are some great deals out there for used cars, which can save you money.

Given that the Mazda MX-5 has been recorded by Guinness World Records as the “world’s best selling two-seater automobile ever”, who would not want a used Mazda MX-5? This roadster’s safety rating by Euro NCAP was not as bad as may have been expected for a convertible.  In fact the 2002 evaluation awarded 4 out of 5 stars for adult occupant safety.  As a two-seater, child restraints could not be evaluated.  The one negative point from Euro NCAP would be the rigid front which does not provide any cushion or flex if a pedestrian is hit with the front-end of the car.

If Buying a Used Mazda MX-5, Buy Approved and Zoom-Zoom

Mazda began as a Japanese machine tool manufacturer in 1920. It was not until 1960 that they produced their first four-wheeled car. The sleek used Mazda MX-5 is a convertible roadster which was first produced in 1989 and continues in its modern incarnation today.  It is always recommended that, when buying used, you buy from a reputable dealer and, in doing so, you can be sure of buying an Approved Used Mazda.  The Mazda Used Cars Approval Programme includes the following, regardless of the car’s age:

•    A Mazda multi-point inspection by trained Mazda technicians
•    Vehicle History Check
•    Vehicle Mileage Certification
•    Mazda Approved Used Car Warranty (covers both parts and labour for 12 months)
•    Up to a 3-year paint Warranty and a 12-year anti-corrosion Warranty (except for the under-body surfaces).
•    12 month Pan-European Roadside Assistance
•    30-day exchange promise
•    Free Mazda Accident AfterCare

Hyundai Coupe
For just £3000 you can purchase a seven-year-old car with 100,000 miles.  Look for the 2.0 or 2.7-litre version, and only settle for the 1.6-litre if you need a break on your insurance premiums.  Unlike other similarly aged Hyundais, the Coupe is quick and agile and very well equipped with leather interior, air conditioning, and four airbags standard.  With proper service, this is one used car that can last many more years.

Peugeot 406 Coupe 3.0 V6

Designed by Pininfarina, this is one of Peugeot’s more attractive cars.  Your £3000 will get you a smooth, fast ride, leather seats, plenty of legroom, and a 2001 model with roughly 100,000 miles.  If you need to save on petrol, go for the four-cylinder 2.0 petrol or the 2.2 diesel for better gas mileage.  This used car is easily a modern classic with the proper care and maintenance.

Honda Prelude

You’ll have enough for a T-reg 2.2 VTi with about 80,000 miles on the clock.  Expect full electric, air conditioning, anti-lock brakes, alloy wheels, and dual front airbags, as well as a highly tuned and speedy ride that takes corners nearly as tight as higher-end vehicles.

Subaru Impreza Turbo

If you like to go fast, put your £3000 down on this used car.  With a turbocharged flat-four 2.0-litre engine, four-wheel drive, and about 120,000 miles—virtually next to nothing in the life of a Subaru.  Though this make does require regular maintenance, with proper care you’re sure to get many more years and thousands of miles from the Impreza.

Whilst the Mini could never claim to be bigger inside than it looks on the outside (it’s actually as small as it appears, just as you’d suspect), the Mini One/Cooper is a tribute to brilliantly attractive design and fantastic handling.  Cute and classy, cool and mischievous, this car triumphantly fuses apparent opposites into a sparkling jewel of style and engineering.

Unlike the originals from the sixties, the contemporary Mini is truly comfortable (if you’re in the front, anyway), making a trifle of long journeys and bumpy roads. However, like the originals, it does still have a space problem. The boot is tiny and, if your kids are approaching adolescence, they’ll have to be forcibly crammed into the back seat.

The performance, however, is surprisingly good, although for a small car it is heavy. You’ll still be able to enjoy satisfyingly energetic acceleration, excellent grip and superb steering nonetheless. The heaviness is part and parcel of the car’s robustness and the interior quality is vastly better than when it first rolled onto the roads. A small car that looks chic and cheeky at the same time, the Mini One/Cooper is as stylish now as when it first dazzled the world four decades ago.

If you are looking for a stylish new Mercedes, the A-Class may not be quite the model that will turn heads, but if it’s practicality you’re after, this smart little edition is certainly going to perform. City drivers would be wise to go with the handy 1.5litre model, with a 95bhp petrol engine, but for anyone wanting to take their new Merc on long-haul journeys, the A-Class also comes in 2litre diesel editions that will give you plenty of power, as well as the attractive bonus better fuel economy. Speed junkies could always opt for the 200 CDI SE or even the 200 Turbo, but if most of your driving time is spent popping into the local supermarket or going back and forth with the kids to school, these souped-up editions will not be worth the extra grand or so on top of the standard price.

Of course, this model’s more luxurious cousins are known for their comfort over long distances and it would be fair to say that the A-class also doesn’t cut corners in this department. Tall front passenger seats and plenty of leg room in the back make this car one of the most cramp-free when it comes to family holidays or cross country trips.

Added to the quality of the interior, the high-quality components that Mercedes have become renowned for are also evident in the engine. The manufacturers know what market they have in their sights with the A-class and, with a 435litre boot in the back, this nifty model will be ideal for family excursions and there is easily enough room for more than one set of golf clubs.

However storage and comfort is all well and good; what may be of more importance is how well this car performs on the road. Although other and cheaper competitors in this field might be a bit nippier around tight corners, the A-Class is more responsive than it looks. However, its the design and layout of this model that sets it apart from the pack and with an impressive distance between the driver and the engine, in addition to double-layered flooring that keeps road rumble at bay, it is sometimes difficult to remember you are driving a run of the mill hatchback.

The Mercedes A-Class will set you back anything from £13,320, for the standard model, to £22,350 for the turbo charged version. If this is within your budget, you won’t find many other models that will out-class the A-Class on performance.

For sheer all round excellence, the Volkswagen Golf is still the unbeatable hatchback – the one that other hatchbacks always end up comparing themselves to. Now in its sixth generation, it is as sturdy, safe, practical and reliable as it looks, with a generous touch of panache thrown in for good measure.

This little car is amongst the most spacious in its class, with excellent, square boot space, storage space in the cabin and oodles of leg and head room for passengers, front and back. The seats are robust but exceptionally comfortable and the ride is surprisingly graceful for such a solid-looking vehicle, thanks to the superb suspension.

It also handles very well, with electric power steering highly attuned to the speed of the car: this baby flows. You can zip up its cornering capabilities by opting for the four wheel drive R32 version. The new dial layout on the dash is a noticeable improvement on the older model and includes permanent white backlighting. The 1.4 litre TSI engines are amazingly zippy and the R32 will catapult you to 62 mph in 6.2 seconds.

It way now be a little dull in interior design (not poor quality, just a little plain) but this hatchback remains peerless.