tips from a real-world car salesman

How much has the tiny city car improved over the past decade?

I was looking at my car comparison, Chevrolet Matiz vs Ford Ka, which triggered this question.

Many small cars have grown in size over the past twenty years. First we had the super-mini at about 3.75m. Today some small cars have grown to around 4m. Only the Matiz, Ka, Fiat 500/Panda, Aygo/107/C1, Hyundai i10 and Kia Picanto remain around the 3.5m.

But even some of these tiny cars have grown in width to match a Chevrolet Captiva SUV at 1.85m.

Another point to notice is some small cars have been styled in a way that shrinks their rear windows.

A car that's wide with limited visibility is more difficult to park. Ease of parking being one of the reasons to buy a tiny car.

Another point to watch out for is the price you pay for brand equity and style.

There is a difference in the acceleration figures for these cars but otherwise the mpg, VED and car insurance groups are very similar. Fuel economy and emissions have improved over the years.

Car safety could be better in this class as the Fiat 500 has achieved a 5-star Euro NCAP rating.

So overall the tiny city car is progressing but if they become more difficult to park what's the point?

If you are thinking of buying a car be aware of some nasty finance quotes that are about with high APRs ranging from 10 to 14% while other offer 4 to 5% if not 0%.

Have a look at my Chevrolet Matiz vs Ford Ka car comparison for yourself.

Regards
Ralph

How Does The Peugeot 107 Compare?

When Peugeot launched the 107 back in 2005 it, along with the Citroen C1 and Toyota Aygo, became a top seller.

At the time there wasn't much serious competition. Many of the super-minis were super-sizing from about 3.75m to near 4m. The only contender was the Chevrolet Matiz which is now due for replacement.

However today there's more choice in the city size market. The value Kia Picanto and Hyundai i10 have risen in popularity. Plus the Fiat 500 and Ford Ka have been launched.

This is all good news for car buyers in this sector. Chevrolet have been deeply discounting the ageing Matiz while Kia and Hyundai provide you with your next best negotiable alternative.

If you are considering this type of car don't mention any interest - if you have any - in a Fiat 500 because competing dealers know there's a waiting list and buyers are paying full money, so the 500 isn't a negotiating tool.

You can make comparisons for yourself at Peugeot 107 Car Comparison Charts. The 107 is a great city car with more street cred' than the value brands but I have to say the buzz is about the 500 which is 5-star Euro NCAP rated.

Regards
Ralph

How Does A Suzuki SX4 Measure Up To Small MPVs?

It might seem odd to compare a Suzuki SX4 with small MPVs like the Jazz, Modus, Splash, Agila and Note. However the SX4 is available as FWD at a low entry price and it's only 4.1m long.

The Suzuki SX4 1.6 FWD has nippy performance, good economy, fairish emissions but looks expensive to insure. Overall it seems to compare well with small MPVs.

The SX4 is also badged as a Fiat Sedici. And while we're on the subject a Note is based on the Modus and the Splash is an Agila with minor style differences and importantly ESP.

You can compare them at Suzuki SX4 Car Comparison Charts

Regards
Ralph

How does the Renault Laguna Sport Tourer compare with other estate cars?

I've just added more comparisons for the Laguna in my estate car comparison charts. I've also inserted real-time live listings so you can compare market prices.

There are now over 30 estate cars for sale in the UK before you multiply them by engine and trim options.

You could categorise them as value, popular and premium brands. Or you could separate them into sizes. There are small, medium/small, medium and large size estate cars.

Estate cars seem to have returned to popularity. They generally have several advantages over SUVs and MPVs with sleeker styling, higher performance, better economy and lower emissions. Most have a 5-star NCAP rating and ESP as standard or at least an option.

Some of the medium size estate cars have grown to near the size of an E-Class Merc. Cars like the Mondeo, Accord, Mazda6, Laguna and Passat are all now large cars with loads of space.

You might also like to look at value brands such Skoda, Kia and Hyundai. Small estates like the Clio and 207 are also interesting.

You can make your own comparisons at Family Estate Car Comparisons.

Regards
Ralph

What do you like about your present car?

This is an important question if you're considering changing your car. The reason being we tend to forget about what we have in life - that we wanted - and direct our focus to things we want to have, do or be that we don't have.

I once read happiness is having the things you want in your life and not having the things you don't want. Freud said the only things worth thinking about are problems.

A problem is something you want to have, be or do which is not immediately available. It's a thwarted goal. If what you want is immediately available then it's not worth thinking about.

Right now I can hear my long gone old Gran going on about being grateful.

The problem with buying a car these days is most of the research and shopping is done online before you walk into a dealer and ask for their best deal. It's a solitary activity and our thoughts are not challenged by others. Then we act on our ideas. If you make a car buying mistake based on mistaken ideas then you make a huge financial mistake.

Last year my sister-in-law wrote off her much loved 3-year old top model Renault Laguna. She decided she needed an MPV as she was to be a grandmother. She thought what she liked about her car was the cruise control, blue tooth and sat nav. She didn't particularly like the fuel consumption of her Laguna's 2.0L petrol engine.

She bought a diesel Vauxhall Zafira - which is a great car - and had cruise control, blue tooth and sat nav fitted. She isn't very happy with the car but all she'll say is it isn't a Laguna. If she were to change the Zafira early she would lose a fortune in depreciation.

Talking of depreciation, the price of the Laguna brand-new was over £21,000.00. It was a very old stock car which was registered and discounted to £12,999.00. Two years later the insurance company gave her £6,000.00. Her plan - before she wrote it off - was to keep the car to dilute the depreciation.

Anyway, here are her mistakes and why it's important to write down what you like about your present car before you replace it.

She loved the performance of the 2.0L petrol engine and the way the Laguna handled and held the hold.
The family felt the Laguna was extremely comfortable and spacious.
The Laguna was a top model with added options which she liked.
She was grateful for the way the Laguna protected her in a high speed crash.

However my sister-in-law forgot about these points as her mind was on the life changing event of her first grandchild. She imagined excursions with her family in an MPV - perfect for the job.

The problem is performance and comfort are two of a number of fundamental features in a car which can't be changed and MPVs can't match a luxury conventional car which has the advantage of a lower centre of gravity.

So it's important to think about what you have in your present car that you like in terms of size, style, space, comfort, performance, economy and safety. It might be worth going over to carbuyersinfo, finding your present car and copying the data and putting a big tick next to what you like about your present car.

Equipment like sat nav and cruise control can be retro-fitted often at less than the manufacturers list price - so equipment doesn't matter.

If my sister-in-law had been more aware of her liking for performance and handling she might have considered an estate car which would have given her the added versatility she thought she wanted and now be happily driving a Laguna Sport Tourer.

Regards
Ralph
carbuyersinfo Car Comparisons Differences and Similarities Revealed
To help find the best car for you we measure up each car make, model, body, trim, engine & transmission. We compare car measurements, performance, fuel economy, and CO2 emissions figures. Also side by side are safety and car insurance groups. It could help Save You Time & £££s in running costs.

Here's a seasonal tip about car air conditioning

Do you know these facts about car air conditioning?

It's worth reading - might save you £70 next spring.

Regards
Ralph
Car Comparisons

fixed

The real time live listings of Nissan Micras in my Nissan Micra Comparison Charts mistakenly included an additional vehicle which have now been removed.

The Skoda Fabia's Worth Looking At

I've just been reviewing my Skoda Fabia comparison charts over on 'carbuyersinfo' and adding real time live listings so visitors can compare prices as well as cars.

The Skoda Fabia compares well. You get a spacious 5-door small car with a strong 1.2 engine at the entry level. The entry level price of the Fabia makes it a consideration if smaller cars are just too small.

Buying a small car can be confusing because you've 3 sizes, 3 or 5-door, different size engines at the entry level, and prices reflecting brand equity rather than the cars basic features - size, interior space, performance, economy and safety.

The rise in the reputation of makes like Skoda, Seat, Suzuki, Hyundai and Kia must be a worry for the makers of more popular brands who charge premium prices supported by marketing programmes normally based on finance. Some have loss leader pricing for very basic 3-door, 1.0L entry models.

It seems car like the Skoda and similar are worth comparing with all small cars for sale in the the UK.

Regards
Ralph

How Does The Cheapest Car In The UK Compare?

I've just been comparing the Kia Picanto with its competitors. I think the Picanto must be about the cheapest new car for sale in the the UK.

It stands up quite well. You have to make allowances for the Picanto being a tiny city car like the Matiz or C1. Larger small cars like the Fiesta, Corsa and Clio are not really small cars any longer and despite their loss leader pricing are much more expensive.

Two cars worth comparing with the Picanto are the Hyundai i10 and Skoda Fabia.

Regards
Ralph

Pump Prices UP AGAIN - time to ...

With pump prices rising for the 3rd time in 9-months it's time to check out my 'How To Save Fuel Tips.'

Regards
Ralph

Fiat 500 On Fire

The Fiat 500 is selling well to private buyers so there's a waiting list. Plus they've won the BSM driving school contract from the Vauxhall Corsa with the BSM spokesperson saying very nice things about the 500. And it's preview in the US is being well received.

If you're in the market for a car it's very easy to get the buzz and buy one. But hang-on, let's make some comparisons. The Fiat 500 is a tiny city car which measures around 3.5m in length. When you compare it with other tiny cars for sale in the UK you'll only find a handful of rivals. There are a few super-minis around the 3.75m but many small cars have grown to 4m.

Comparing apples with apples the 500 is up against the Matiz, C1, C2, Panda, Ka, i10, Picanto and Twingo. The 107 and Aygo are the same as a C1. Leaving the Ford Ka aside because it's the same message as the 500 in a different envelope you'll find the 500's advantages are street cred', performance, economy and safety.

Street cred' is a difficult thing to talk about but many motorists wouldn't be seen dead in a Matiz, Panda, i10 or Picanto. The 500 has the sort of style that celebrates motoring - like the MINI.

The 500 is significantly quicker than the Matiz, C2, and Panda. It's also cheaper to run than the C2, Panda and Twingo. Where the Fiat 500 importantly wins is its safety. The 500 has a Euro NCAP 5-star safety rating which none of the above have.

Mind you, the 500 isn't cheap. The i10 is about £1,000 cheaper and the Picanto is £2,000 cheaper. Both are good cars and compare well with the 500.

Talking of price, the 500 compares well with the bigger and more expensive MINI.

However for little more than the price of a 500 you might consider the Seat Ibiza, Skoda Fabia or Suzuki Swift. They're super-sized at around 4m, have more space, equal if not better performance without significant higher running costs.

There are over 30 small cars for sale in the UK. It depends whether you want small, medium or large and the finer points of running costs being affordable. They're all stylish in their own way and mostly fun to drive. There are differences in safety ratings and prices - paying a premium for a brand.

If it all sounds too complicated you can compare these cars side-by-side over at carbuyersinfo. The Fiat 500 Comparisons would make a relevant starting point.

Regards
Ralph

How low can the Hyundai Cee'd go?

Because all my time on the laptop is spent:

editing car comparisons in carbuyersinfo,
searching cars,
receiving emails about cars,
blogging about cars, and
twitting about cars -

all the ads that pop-up on my screen are for cars.

I see you can buy a Hyundai Cee'd for £7,995 after the scrap allowance and the Hyundai contribution. Amazing.

You'll find the Hyundai Cee'd compares well with its medium/small competition.

Regards
Ralph

How Does The Skoda Fabia Compare?

I've just been making a few changes to my Skoda Fabia Comparison page and adding real-time listings so you can compare market prices.

The Skoda Fabia is a great little car. I say little, it's grown to near 4m along with the Fiesta, Corsa, Clio and 207. The Fabia is a good looking car without being over stylised.

Certainly the Fabia still remains a value for money car with great build quality. The interior materials although neatly tailored wouldn't be to my personal taste.

The Skoda Fabia ticks all the boxes. It's easy to drive and park. Costs to buy and run are low. The Fabia is spacious, versatile and refined. So it's worth making some comparisons.

As well as comparing the fundamental car features I've added real-time eBay listings to the Skoda Fabia Comparison page to help you with your research. The list is sorted by highest price first to bring up near newer cars. 3 items are displayed but you can view all Fabias available simply by clicking the link in the bottom left-hand corner. The search box is live if you want to change the keywords and I've only shown cars with gallery images.

Have Fun
Ralph

Buying a near-new large luxury car

You can save tens of thousands of pounds buying a near new luxury car. Mind you, it isn't easy.

The first problem is finding luxury cars for sale. Then when you do find cars they may not be exactly the specification you were looking for because most luxury cars are customised with options.

A Mercedes-Benz S-Class or Lexus LS can be extremely hard to find and be so high spec' they're the same price as the new car entry price.

There are some amazing bargains about. You can buy a 1-year old Chrysler 300C for half its new price. The old 2008 BMW 7-Series - costing near £55,000 new - can be found for around £30,000. You might think a near-new Mercedes CLS looks a lot of car for the money but remember it looks a lot more expensive than it really is brand-new.

You can see for yourself over on carbuyersinfo. If we look at the BMW 7-Series Comparison page you'll find real-time listings so you can compare market prices

Regards
Ralph

About Buying A New Or Near New Medium Size Car

I think we all know cars like the Mondeo, Vectra, 407 and C5 depreciate heavily from new. So if you are thinking about this class of car it's definitely worth looking at near new - even if it's to use it as a next best negotiable alternative when bargaining for a brand-new car.

If you take a New Toyota Avensis for example, they start at about £17,000 with metallic paint. You can buy the old model 2008 for around £11,000 - that's a massive saving of £6,000. So you might use this to drive down the price of a new car.

The cars on offer in this class are all much of a muchness so you could use the price of a second-hand Mondeo to drive down the price of a new C5.

This class of car has historically been the most competitive over many decades so it's hard to find a poor model. You'll find they all have good build quality, comfort and refinement. Most are fun to drive and with a diesel engine they're as economical as small cars. The advantage of this type of car is obviously space in the rear and boot.

Well worth considering when a near-new Mondeo can be cheaper than a brand-new Fiesta.

If you go to my Toyota Avensis Comparison page you can see how it compares with other models and at the bottom of the page you'll find a real-time eBay listing. So you can compare cars and actual market prices.

Regards
Ralph

Should You Buy A New Or Near New Small Car?

That's a tricky question. Normally I'd say go for near new but with small cars it's different.

There's limited availability because it's narrowed down to tiny city car or super mini or super-sized small car.
Small cars don't depreciate that much.

Let's imagine you want a medium size/super-mini. Super-sized Corsas and Clios are too big. A tiny Aygo or 500 is too small. You're really only left with the choice between a MINI, Yaris or Swift in the super-mini class. Let's say you think the MINI is too expensive and the Yaris too boring and in anycase you like the look of the Swift.

A Suzuki Swift would be a good choice. It does look good. Swifts are spacious for their size. They drive well and are comparatively quick. Running costs like fuel, VED, and insurance are always good in small cars.

However Suzuki Swifts are hard to find. The Swift is very popular. So with supply and demand you might find prices close to new car prices. Bear in mind a near new car is

1-year old,
with wear on the tyres and brakes and
1-year of the warranty has expired.
Plus a used one may not be the exact spec and colour you want.

What I've done over at carbuyersinfo on the Suzuki Swift Comparison page is insert a real-time listing of Suzuki Swifts for sale on eBay. It's the biggest market place in the UK. It's a live listing so you can change the search criteria and expand the view to see all the Suzuki Swifts available.

So now you can not only compare small cars with the Swift - you can compare what's available second-hand with new.

Regards
Ralph

Would you change your Freelander for a Fiesta?

It's not a silly question. Motorists do these things.

Few motorists need 4x4 and when they do their road tyres can't plug into the mud. SUVs were very fashionable but small cars have been trendy since the 60s. You get gadgets with 4x4s but ABS and soon ESP will be standard in all cars. And you can get the same high spec in any class of car these days.

Small cars are easier to drive and park. They've become increasingly refined and flexible and importantly they have lower CO2 emissions. Obviously small cars cost less than SUVs to both buy and own.

But a trade from a SUV to a small car never seems to be motivated by money. It's a lifestyle choice - whatever that means.

So what's the difference between a Freelander and a Fiesta? How do they compare? I taken the data from my Land Rover Freelander Comparison and Ford Fiesta Comparison Charts on carbuyersinfo and published Ford Fiesta vs Freelander so you can see for yourself.

Regards
Ralph

Why is an S-Class near twice the price of a 300C?

If you compare a Mercedes-Benz S-Class with a Chrysler 300C you'll find they are the same size with similar size boots. What's more there's no material difference in their top speed, acceleration, fuel consumption or CO2 emissions.

However the Chrysler 300C has an entry level price just over £27,000 compared to the Mercedes-Benz S-Class starting price of near £55,000.

It's all to do with image, specification, refinement, quality and safety. If you think over 20k is a high price to pay for a badge, gadgetry and materials it is worth it for the safety alone.

See how the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and Chrysler 300C compare.

Regards
Ralph

Small Car vs Medium Size Car

There's always talk of buying a smaller car. In previous posts I've said don't buy small -buy economical. Also a car must suit both your lifestyle and budget.

Small car are easy to drive and park. They cost less to buy than big cars and cost less to run. They're also becoming more stylish, refined, flexible and safer. The big plus is they mostly have low CO2s. The problem with small cars is space is limited in the rear seats and boot.

However big cars are more refined and are becoming more economical with lower CO2 emissions. The big advantage is space to handle a variety of uses. True they're more difficult to park and cost a lot more to buy. Big cars do depreciate heavily and you can pick up a near new one for the price of a small car.

I've posted a comparison on carbuyersinfo with data from Mazda2 comparisons and Mazda6 comparisons to create Mazda2 vs Mazda6 so you can make your own comparisons.

Regards
Ralph

Can you tell the difference between and Audi A4 and A6?

When you see an Audi coming down the road it's difficult to tell whether it's an A4 or A6. It's funny how one looks like a morphed version of the other. BMW used to be like that. There was a time a 3-Series, 5-Series and 7-Series looked very similar. Now each BMW model is more distinctive.

So I've copied the data from carbuyersinfo A4 and A6 comparisons so you can see the differences for yourself. There's also the more general question of what's the difference between a medium size car - some have grown in size - and a large executive car? How do they compare?

Regards
Ralph

It seems SUVs still ROCK

When I go about comparing cars on carbuyersinfo I tell 'em about changes on Twitter. Today I've been comparing SUVs and 4x4s. I got double the amount of visits to SUV/4x4 pages than I've previously experienced for any other class of car I've mentioned on Twitter. My most popular pages for today were:

carbuyersinfo.co.uk/index.
Chevrolet_Captiva_comparisons.
land_rover_range_rover_comparisons.
a_guide_on_Renault_fuel_economy_and_c02_emissions.
Small-Car-Comparison-Charts.
Honda_CRV_comparisons.
land_rover_discovery_comparisons.
BMW_x5_comparisons.
Toyota_rav4_comparisons.
ford_fiesta_car_comparison_charts.
Family-Estate-Car-Comparison-Charts.
MPV-Car-Comparison-Charts.
Small-MPV-Car-Comparison-Charts.
BMW_1series_car_comparison.
Large-Executive-and-Luxury-Cars-Compared.
Citroen_c1_car_comparison_charts.

Also note the interest in estate cars and MPVs - CAR BUYERS WANT VERSATILITY

Manufacturers have done a lot to improve SUV fuel consumption. Now they need to improve emissions. BMW are making improvements using a cars velocity and technology. We all know marketing amounts to delivering a lifestyle. Car buyers seem to think they need SUVs to suit their lifestyle but they and the people they elect are demanding low emissions.

It's up to the car manufacturers and we can't go rescuing the ones who fail to deliver and it's easy to see above which manufacturers buyers want to deliver it.

Regards
Ralph
SUV and 4x4 Car Comparison Charts

A decline in the sale of branded goods

I've just heard on Radio 4 that sales of branded goods in the high street have fallen. They say it's now cool to be seen saving money and to be part of us all being in the same boat together.

I wonder what it means for value car brands like Hyundai, Kia, Skoda and to some extent Seat and Suzuki. Most of the new 2009 cars on the road seem to the Fiesta, Ka, 500 and C1.

Regards
Ralph

An Extra 5 inches Will Cost Over $42,000

see my previous post - below

£5,000 an inch

I've been comparing large executive and luxury cars and I can't get my head around this:

Audi A6 4.93m long from £24,700
Audi A8 5.06m long from £49,800

BMW 5-Series 4.84m long from £27,400
BMW 7-Series 5.07m long from £53,700

You get the same differences between a Lexus GS and an LS and a Mercedes E and S-Class.

So an extra 5-inches costs £25,000. £5,000 an inch. What do you get for your money? All these cars are so high performance you can't legally enjoy any difference. You get a bit extra boot for the money. Also the big boys are even more refined with NO tyre noise. The big guys are more costly to run but I doubt it matters if you've this kind of money. But £25,000 extra.

It must be prestige. The people who run 6s, 5s, GSs and Es have to get them signed off by the board. The boys on the board sign their own cheques.

Regards
Ralph

Estate cars can make a great alternative to SUVs and MPVs

An SUV is only an old truck bed with an estate car body. MPVs are classed as estates by the DVLA. I've just been comparing estate cars which has woken my awareness of their benefits.

When you take a closer look at estate cars they score highly for all features:

Performance - they have strong engines and stable suspension.
Versatility - estate cars give both rear passenger space and load space.
Comfort - most have long wheelbases with rear overhang acting as a counter balance.
Style - their long low look makes estate cars look very elegant.
Prestige - estate cars are the original, "I've got a place in the country" car.
Economy - a 1.9 diesel engine can give the same mpg as a small car.
Safety - stability and handling make estate cars a better bet than SUVs and MPVs.

If you've been feeling the pain of running an SUV why not give estate cars a look.

Regards
Ralph

You try and find a BMW 5-Series Touring for sale online

This afternoon I was loading data onto my BMW 5-Series Touring comparisons page in preparation to make car comparisons. When I went to add a link to a real-time listing of BMW 5-Series Touring for sale on eBay I had problems finding more than twenty of any age or model.

So it appears big or small, expensive or cheap - used cars are getting increasingly hard to come by.

I'll be continuing on this thread with more updates on availability.

Regards
Ralph

Small used cars appear to be in short supply

So you can expect prices to rise.

I did post about this a day or two ago. Today I've been adding real-time eBay listings to the foot of some of my small car comparison website pages. I've been searching make and model for the year 2008 under the car category. Here are the numbers:

Honda Jazz 2008 - 116 items
Fiat 500 2008 - 94 items
Nissan Note 2008 - 151 items
Hyundai i10 2008 - 8 items

That's not a lot considering eBay are the UK's largest online market place. I expect one single Hyundai dealer would like to have 8 i10s in stock.

Regards
Ralph

UK car scrappage scheme may end early

I rang an old colleague of mine I've known since 1966 to order some brochures. I asked him how business was and he said it was good on both new and used. He then added the scrappage scheme is predicted to be out of money next month. It was calculated to run until Feb 2010 but it's been more successful than thought.

I can't confirm what he tells me is true. But I could tell by the tone of his voice. Normally when car sales people are bull-shitting you can hear a crying tone in their voice.

Regards
Ralph

Popular Car Comparisons

I've just been looking at my site stats and the most popular car comparisons. They are:

Renault Clio vs Ford Fiesta
Ford Focus Estate vs Hyundai i30 Wagon
Honda Jazz vs Nissan Note or Renault Modus.

Seems to say people are interested in small cars with versatility. The Ford Focus Estate vs Hyundai i30 Wagon comparison is interesting because of their standing in the market.

The Ford is a #1 seller with great standing in the market. The Hyundai is considered a value brand. Value brands like the Hyundai and Kia are on the up. Skoda, Seat and Suzuki have risen. I think people are realising there's no difference in quality but there is in pricing transparency.

Sort of interesting, see for yourself at comparisons for small cars, estate cars and small MPVs.

Regards
Ralph

A car becomes a benchmark when others copy it

I've just been adding some comparisons to my Fiat Grande Punto Comparison Charts. The Punto was one of the first super-minis to super-size and grow to 4m. Since then many have followed.

The side silhouette of a Grande Punto is very sleek. If you notice, every new super-size mini that's been launched since the Punto, has the same lines. What's more most of the small cars on the market with a 1.3 diesel engine use the Fiat engine.

The Fiat Grande Punto compares well for model range, price, space, spec, performance, economy, emissions and safety.

What is noticeable is the model range is limited to those people would buy. There seems to be no unnecessary combination of trim and engine as an option - unlike other manufacturers. This extends to the Fiat range as a whole. Fiat no longer make models just because others do - me too management. Me too management seems to have gotten a lot of industries into trouble recently.

This rational approach can be seen in the lines of the Grande Punto. It does not have one unnecessary body style line - unlike other manufacturers.

Regards
Ralph
I've added a real time link on my comparison page to Puntos for sale on eBay

More real-time listings for you

Over on Volkswagen Golf Comparisons I've inserted a link to a real-time listing of VW Golf for sale on eBay Motors so you can both compare and see what's about.

Regards
Ralph

The Honda Civic Looks Better Than It Really Is

The Honda Civic looks futuristic but it isn't.

The Civic is spacious but no more than an Astra. It's comfortable but no more than a Megane. It's fun to drive but no more than a Focus. An Astra, Megane or Focus all have space, comfort and driving pleasure.

These cars are all the same size with similar model ranges right up to the point of bonkers performance models. The Civic looks good on economy, emissions and insurance but so do the others.

The Civic looks electric but it isn't - yet.

But it's not what you see, it's what you hear. You won't hear a bad word said about the Civic or Honda. Silence. Maybe it is electric.

Regards
Ralph
Honda Civic Comparisons
Honda Civic for sale on eBay

A Tin Box That Does What It Promises

The thing about a Fiat Panda is it's tiny but handy. The Italians and to be fair the French have this idea of a rational utilitarian vehicle. A car that does what it says on the tin approach without regard for unnecessary performance, style and prestige.

The joke is the man who designs these garden sheds has designed some of the most beautiful cars ever made.

The Panda is tiny. It's the same size as a Matiz, C1, 500 etc. It has a tiny boot but with the seats down capacity expands to near twice that of an executive saloon. Otherwise it's average for fuel economy and CO2 emissions. Plus it's cheap for car insurance.

The Fiat Panda is about the most versatile city size car for sale. Cars like the Agila and Modus take you up a size. The Panda is an honest car. It does what it looks like it will do. It doesn't pretend to be what it's not.

The same people design cars dreams are made of but I bet they don't deliver like a Panda.

Make your own comparison with Fiat Panda Comparison Charts and see what's about with my Real-time listing for Fiat Panda for sale on eBay Motors

Regards
Ralph

Another small car with good averages - Nissan Micra

The Nissan Micra is what they call a super-mini. In other words it's a bit bigger when compared to city cars like the 500, Ka, i10, Matiz, Picanto, C1, 107 and Aygo with more space in the rear and boot.

The Micra is not as big as the newer super-sized small cars like the 207, Fiesta, Corsa, Clio and Punto. This makes the Micra easier to park with better visibility than bigger stylish models.

The Micra also feels comparatively nimble and comfortable. It has a top speed of 96mph and accelerates 0-62mph in 13.5 seconds. Fuel economy, CO2 emissions are average for this class of car. The Nissan Micra has a low entry price and is comparatively good value for money.

On carbuyersinfo you can compare the Nissan Micra to many competitors - try the Mini, quicker Suzuki Swift or the more expensive Toyota Yaris - there aren't too many cars in this middle size. There's also a real-time link to Nissan Micra for sale on Ebay Motors.

Regards
Ralph

You've Gotta Be Quick

All the Nitros have gone - now it's Cruisers. more.

A listing of eBay Daily Deals

Everyday I see eBay Daily Deals advertised on my site. I'm not a shopper myself but I can't help notice some of the deals are absolutely amazing so I've created a fast link for you and an explanation of what goes on at listing of eBay Daily Deals. You simply:

Save the page to favourites.
Open it daily.
Click on the ad to reveal ALL 4 deals and tomorrows.

It's quick and easy. Gotta save money in these times.

Regards
Ralph

30% off a Dodge Nitro

I was just surfing my site and arrived on my page Real-time listing of Nissan Micra for sale on eBay Motors and noticed at the foot of the page eBay have a daily deal offering 30% off a Dodge Nitro. I wouldn't have one as a gift but if you like that sort of thing it's $21,333 a saving of $9,142 on the price of $30,475. The catch is you've only got today and there's only a limited quantity.

Thought I'd let you know.
Ralph

Crikey A Car That's A Bit Different

You'd imagine publishing car comparisons would be exciting. You find the differences between cars and like a TV journalist exaggerate them with metaphors verging on the rude and shocking.

Chance would be a fine thing.

There are few differences between cars of the same class. The only difference between small cars is their size - tiny, super-mini, super-sized. The same goes for MPVs, SUVs, and estate cars - small, medium large. It's about as exciting as McDonalds - do you want extra fries means trim options standard, comfort, sport, luxury?

Medium size and executive cars like the Mondeo are so the same because they are all the same size. And so it goes for medium small cars like the Focus and Golf. But there is one car in this class that's a little bit different - the Nissan Qashqai.

It's the same size as an Astra or Megane but it looks different with a SUV or MPV presence. It's more versatile. The Nissan Qashqai drives like a car with the same performance, economy, emissions and insurance groups. The Qashqai is different. However it is a matter of taste. Some - like me - prefer the elegance of a conventional car.

See for yourself on Qashqai comparisons and see what's about on real-time listings.

Regards
Ralph

Are Used Car Prices Going UP?

I've been adding real-time listing of cars for sale on eBay to carbuyersinfo.

Used car prices definitely seem a lot stronger than they were this past winter and supply seems a bit short.

I suppose it makes sense. If car sales have been down since the winter of 2007 there must be less near new cars for sale from rental companies and less part-exchanges from retail customers. Plus the scrappage scheme means anything is worth at least £2,000. The fact they really are being scrapped means less supply.

So less supply means prices will go up if the demand is there.

You'd think deeply discounted new cars would put a lid on used car prices rising. However the weak value of the pound has seen new car prices rise 3-times this year.

Food for thought. I wouldn't hold on in the hope cars will get cheaper.

Here's my latest real-time eBay listing.

Regards
Ralph

Cars For Sale On eBay

I managed to publish real-time listing of cars for sale on eBay on carbuyersinfo.

I've published two so far:

This means you can now look at car comparisons AND see what's available in the market place. You can also bid, buy and find bargains.

I'll put more listings up later.

Regards
Ralph

Are Big 7-Seat MPVs Dead?

You don't see too many brand-new Renault Espaces, Ford Galaxys, Toyota Previas or Chrysler Voyagers these days, do you? So is the big MPV market declining?

If used car prices are an indicator there has been a move away from SUVs and bigger MPVs.

But has there really been a move away from big MPVs?

Until the 1985 launch of the purpose built 7-seat Espace MPVs were based on or looked like vans. MPVs are still called vans in the US today. Most other manufacturers followed.

The first Espace was 4.25m long. The Renault 21 was 4.53m long. So MPVs were as compact as Renault and much later Ford promised. The Espace grew to 4.36m in 88 and 4.43m in 91. Then along came the Laguna at 4.5m in 94. The Espace was 4.52m by 96 with a Grand Espace measuring 4.8m.

What's happened is the Scenic has moved into 4.25m slot and the Scenic Grand into the 4.5m region. Today's Zafira and C4 are 4.47m long, a Touran is 4.41m, a C-Max is 4.37, an S-Max 4.77. These cars were originally launched because research showed Espace and Galaxy drivers didn't use the 7-seats and felt guilty driving about in such big cars. They liked the flexibility so the Scenic, Picasso and Zafira were launched.

We can see it's not that the big MPVs are dead but their compact alternatives have grown into that original size. They're still comparatively compact bearing in mind the Mondeo and Insignia are now 4.8m.

Regards
Ralph

Beauty is the average of things

I seem to remember from my studies a bloke called Reynolds who was someone big in the Royal Academy of Arts in The Pre-Raphael Period in Victorian times who said something like, 'beauty is the average of things.'

I mention this - aside from the wish to absolutely fascinate you - because 'average' is what I would say about the Volkswagen Golf. But that's not a negative thing to say. You can see I could mean it's beautiful.

The Golf is probably the best selling car in the EU so you'd think it would be best in some if not all aspects. But it's not. When you make car comparisons side by side it's average.

See what you think at Volkswagen Golf Car Comparisons. Try it on your partner, 'darling you're so average.' See if they get it.

Regards
Ralph

The problem with these stylish new super-size small cars is ...

at 4m they're not significantly roomier in the back than the 3.75m super-mini. Style seems to be more important than visibility. Most of the smaller engine entry models are pretty slow and fuel consumption and CO2 emissions aren't significantly improving.

When the Renault Clio was announced in 2006 I could accept the above because it was 5-star Euro NCAP rated which is very important. I thought the same when the new Vauxhall Corsa was launched.

But since then the new Fiat 500 has achieved a 5-star rating and it's only 3.5m long. I know it's got no room in the back or boot. However the 500 is

small and easy to park as it should be.
Stylish with good visibility.
Performs well whilst having low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
AND it's 5-star rated.

Now we have the very stylish Ford Fiesta with its sweeping window line and small rear windows. See how it measures up side by side with other small cars for sale in the UK at Ford Fiesta car comparisons.

Regards
Ralph

How to navigate your way to great gift ideas

For a long time I've thought car merchandise would make great gifts because some motorists are so passionate about their cars. Say they owned an Audi and you gave them an Audi branded tissue box cover it would be a personalised gift.There's such a huge range of items available - car branded clothing, watches, toys, games, tools and care products are examples.

The problem is finding a supplier. Your local car dealer has car manufacturer's merchandise catalogues but their part departments are more interested in selling body panels and brake pads.

Then I stumbled on an eBay category. You can't search it using their find and category banner. You have to navigate your way via eBay Motors, Part & Accessories then select Automobilia and then select branded clothing or prints, posters, badges, mascots, bags, lapel pins, models, mugs cups and dishes, umbrellas, wallets etc.

All is explained here at Great Gift Ideas.

Regards
Ralph

When is a small car no longer a small

How big are small cars going to get?

I've just been comparing the Peugeot 207 with some of its competitors. It's over 4m long. It's grown so I can't really tell the difference between a 207 and a 308 from a distance. It's not alone there are many small cars from the Chevrolet Aveo to the Volkswagen Polo that have grown to near 4m.

Small cars - like the old Renault 5 - were about 3.5m long. In the 90s we saw the super-mini - Clio - come in at 3.75m. Now they're 4m.

Small cars are supposed to be affordable, cheap to run, easy to use and park. But to get a decent 207 you're talking 10-11k and a big car is never going to get more economical or easy to park.

No wonder there are so many Suzuki Swifts about.

Regards
Ralph

Why you should take no notice of what car salesmen say

Here's a good example

Regards
Ralph

Will A Small Car Fit Your Lifestyle? Part 2

It must be difficult to think about your car and what replacement will fit your lifestyle. For one, cars can remind us of all kinds of times, places and events. So it must be hard trying to keep focused on the subject with memories popping up like rabbits out of hats.

Also sitting in front of a PC shopping is a solitary experience. I know most people would rather visit the dentist than a car showroom but talking to a car salesperson can help. Here are the questions they might ask you which you can ask of yourself - How to quickly decide what car you want by asking yourself 10 simple question

Changes to Privacy Policy

Please note we have made important changes to our privacy policy at carbuyersinfo

Will a Small Car Fit Your Lifestyle? Part 1

Lifestyle is one of those bullshit words we use without knowing what we're really talking about.

I've used the 'lifestyle' word for over 40 years. I started selling cars back in May 1966. I delivered my last in March 2009. Near 43 years. Not the best of occupations when people ask what I do for a living. But the fact is I've been selling and delivering a product that more than any other delivers a lifestyle - or gets you there. What has your banker, insurance broker, and other professionals delivered lately?

But what do we mean by lifestyle? It's what we do, have and how we understand ourselves and others in any one time and place. It can include any number of beliefs, values and attitudes. You make it up. It's your life.

When you buy a car you have to make up what you want for yourself. Listen to nobody. Least of all me, I'm an expert. Ex being a has been. Spert being a drip under pressure.

So what do you do on a daily and weekly and monthly and annual basis? So what car do you need? Will a small car suit your lifestyle?

I gotta end it there. I hope together we understand 'lifestyle.' We'll do the does the small car fit thing next post.

Regards
Ralph
Small Car Comparisons

How To Find The Best Small Car For You

There's a question. Best depends on best for what, for who etc?

Car buying was researched back in 2005 by Mori for EuroNCAP. They found the two most important things for car buyers were the car suiting your lifestyle and it being affordable. GM knew that back in the 1930s when their slogan was, 'a car for every purpose and purse.' Third most important was safety. Then it was performance and reliability.

Here we're looking at finding the best small cars. Most small car buyers will drop comments to a salesperson that a small car is all they need. Normally it's expressed as a definite choice - decision.

After near 43 years as a car salesman I found it's best to look at a car from all SIDES and make one on one, side by side car comparisons.

SIDES stands for:

Size, Style and Standing. There are 3 different small car sizes - 3.5m, 3.7m and 4m. Buyers deny style and street cred' are important. Yeah, right.
Interior space, versatillity and comfort. Some small cars can be tight in the back and boot - if it matters.
Driver pleasure. Most small cars are easy to drive but some are far easier to park. A combination of performance and comfort make driving a pleasure.
Economics. Price is important but not a guide to size. Be careful about paying for brand equity. Value brands can have suprising qualities. There are differences CO2/vehicle excise duty and car insurance costs. Small cars all do about the same mpg - but check.
Safety. EuroNCAP is a guide. Test drive small cars on the motorway - some can be scarey.

Then it's a case of comparing all the models to find the best small car for you.

So there are 3-steps to finding the best small car for you.

First be sure it suits your lifestyle and budget.
Then look at each car from all SIDES.
Make comparisons.

Making comparisons is not easy. It's been a hobby of mine in recent years and I've done some small car comparisons for you over on my carbuyersinfo website. See if my small car comparison charts help you find the best small car for you.

Regards
Ralph

3-years ago I first posted to this blog

I was very enthusiastic at first. Then I cut all of my posts and pasted them elsewhere. Sort of archived them.

I've done a bit since. Just been looking at my remaining past posts. Still true and maybe useful. They might even be evergreen.

I think I might do a bit more. If you think my posts are confusing, boring or bullshit, please email me with the subject title 'confused bored and fed up with your shit.' ralphspenceuk@yahoo.co.uk

Regards
Ralph

P.S. I've just started twitting. I haven't got many friends. Please follow me and I'll follow you. My user name is ralphspenceuk

HOW REPRESENTATIVE OF REAL LIFE DRIVING ARE THE STANDARD TESTS LISTED BY THE VCA?

Certainly, I found them to be a good guide. The information – as we’ll see - can be worth a £1,000.00 to the average motorist.

The VCA make the point that figures quoted for fuel consumption have been obtained under simulation test conditions to give car buyers information for comparing different models.

Because results are achieved by standard tests they cannot – as the VCA say – be representative of real life driving. They first state, it’s not practical to test each individual new and you may get a better or worse result in real life. Secondly, they are not a warranty of figures you might obtain in real life, which depends on driving style, load, tyre pressures, road conditions and traffic.

The VCA have a searchable database of new car fuel consumption and CO2 emission figures at www.vca.gov.uk . You can also search online for "ACT ON CO2" for the best in class cars with the lowest CO2 rankings. Plus the simple ways you can reduce emissions when you drive.

Recently I have the chance to drive 2 cars with comprehensive on board computers.

The first car I came across had 13,000 miles on the clock and had averaged 46 mpg. I drove the car for 2,000 miles. Within a day I was averaging 56 mpg. After deciding to see what I could achieve I was averaging 66 mpg. With extraordinary effort I was up to 71 mpg.

The VCA data for this manual 5-speed 1248 cc diesel is as follows: urban (cold) 49.6 mpg, extra-urban 74.3 mpg and 62.8 mpg combined.

My opinion is the VCA combined figure of 62.8 mpg is a good guide for someone making an effort to drive economically and they could achieve this figure as I have with 66 mpg. Although the cars history is evidence drivers can struggle to achieve the lower urban figure.

The difference in fuel cost of driving 12,000 miles with diesel at 135.9p per litre is significant. I would use 181.8 gallons of diesel or 827.27 litres at a cost of £1,124.26p It would cost the previous owner £1,613.07p. A massive difference of £488 81p over 12,000 miles.

The next car I came across had averaged 26 mpg over 22,000 miles. I averaged 42 mpg.

The VCA data for this manual 5-speed 1796 cc petrol engined car is as follows: urban (cold) 27.4 mpg, extra-urban 45.6 mpg and 36.7 mpg combined.

Again the VCA combined figure of 36.7 mpg is a good guide for someone making an effort to drive economically and they could achieve this figure or my 42-mpg with extraordinary effort. Likewise, the cars history is evidence drivers can find it difficult to achieve the lower urban figure.

The difference in fuel cost of driving 12,000 miles with petrol at 122.9p per litre is hefty. I would use 1,300 litres of petrol at a cost of £1,597.70p. It would cost the previous driver £2,580.90p. A very big difference of £983.20 over 12,000 miles.

Frightening! But the opportunity for improvement in fuel consumption and in turn CO2 emissions is enormous especially in percentage terms. Plus you can save big money in the bargain.

Regards
Ralph

http://www.carbuyersinfo.co.uk/

Would you search 'cheap Chevrolet car' in a Google query box?

We were in the showroom looking up the words users typed in a Google Query Box to find our website. They type in all sorts of words. Some even write sentences as if speaking to Google.

Then along comes a colleague who says he would type in ‘cheap Chevrolet car’, to find a Chevy.

Thinking about this I don’t think he’d get a worthwhile list of results. Surely a seller and buyer both want to focus on qualities and features before price.

I can see a user might search, cheap Chevrolet car loans, cheap Chevrolet car finance, cheap Chevrolet car hire or cheap Chevrolet car parts, but not just 'cheap Chevrolet car.' One reason being because you'd get all of the former search terms in your list of search results. Not good if you want to buy a car.

If it were a price based search, surely you’d search, Chevrolet - ‘best deals,’ ‘special offers’ or ‘bargains.’ Maybe, ‘finance’ or ‘0%.’ Not 'cheap Chevrolet car.'

Your first search must be for information on the models of interest to you. So if it were a Chevrolet UK car you’d search ‘Chevrolet – Matiz, Aveo, Lacetti, Epica or Captiva.’

Then you might want to find a supplier by searching, Chevrolet - ‘car supermarkets,’ ‘car trade centres,’ ‘used car dealers’ or ‘new car Chevrolet dealer.’

Maybe then you’d search for models in terms of trim, engine options and figures for performance, CO2 emissions and fuel economy.

I don’t know. As I say users type all sorts of stuff into a Google Query Box. I don’t think it would be ‘cheap Chevrolet car’ if you fancied a Chevy. What would you type in a Google search?

Regards
Ralph

You say you’re going to buy a small car next time but will you?

People’s actions are often at odds with their attitudes.

You’ve no doubt come across many surveys over the past 2 or 3 years finding 30% even 40% of motorists intending to buy a small car next time.

The fact is in recent years the market share for small cars has fallen. Only this year are they picking up.

Last week we exhibited 5 cars at a county show.

One was a small city car – the Chevrolet Matiz. The second a super-mini – the new Chevrolet Aveo. There was also another small car – the Lacetti. The other two were large cars. The all-new Chevrolet Epica is a large upper- middle class size saloon car; the same size as a 5-Series or E-Class. The fifth car was a SUV – the Chevrolet Captiva.

When people approached the cars and expressed an interest, their details were taken and arrangements made for brochures or test drives.

You’d think, based on survey results the 3 small cars would each take over 30% of the interest, leaving the big cars with less than 10% each.

The tiny Matiz attracted 34% of the interest. The surprise was the Matiz was more than beaten to the post by the biggest car. 42% of visitors expressed interest in the Chevrolet Captiva.

The next surprise was the interest shown in the new models. The big Chevrolet Epica received 10% of the interest. The smaller and highly economical Aveo with low CO2 emissions got 7%. The same as the Lacetti.

Following contact proved this interest to be genuine.

This goes to prove attitudes do not manifest into action

Regards
Ralph

How To Cut Car Costs In The Credit Crunch

Buying a cheap car isn’t enough.

That’s called sufficing. In other words, that’ll do, near enough.

But it’s not enough. Not now. Not in the credit crunch.

To be sure, you have to maximise. Do more than enough. Get more savings than is enough. We’ve been maxing out on just about everything else this millennium. So let’s now max our savings.

What about car insurance, the tax on your windscreen, the price of petrol, and servicing.

There’s no love lost with your car insurance company. If you’re loyal, they’ll screw you – allegedly. That’s what relationships do for you. So what’s the lowest car insurance group? Is there a car insurance group 1?

Who’s not worried about rising vehicle excise duty? Worried! Most are plain pissed-off. So what cars have CO2 emissions below 120 so you only have to pay £35 per year to put a road fund licence on your windscreen?

How about car fuel? 121p for petrol. 133 for diesel. Well they know what to do with diesel. It’s the feeling the oil companies are taking advantage and the government are letting them get away with it because it means more tax in their self-interested coffers. If you can get back at them and cut fuel costs you kill two vultures with one stone.

Then there are those bad-guys down at your local garage who’ll rip you off at every opportunity when your car needs servicing. Are there any good-guys?

Find out more at carbuyersinfo car comparisons.

One reason not to buy a small car

True Story.

A retired couple come enquired about the Chevrolet Matiz and Kalos. They’ve had both cars in the family and were fully aware of size, space, performance and economy. It took a month for them to decide on the Matiz.

Now they’ve seen the new Chevrolet Aveo they wish they’d waited. It’s like buying a computer. The best time to buy a computer is 6-months after you’ve bought one.

The couple are delighted with every aspect of the Chevrolet Matiz. Here’s the problem that has emerged. They live in Crawley, West Sussex near Gatwick Airport and have friends and family visiting from overseas. When transporting their visitors’ luggage back and forward they have to fold the whole of the back seat down – not using the 60/40 split.

The implication is Dad can only take the visitor and luggage to the airport. There’s no room for Mum to join in the goodbyes. This is important.

Now they’ve seen the new Chevrolet Aveo equals the economy of their Matix they have regrets.

To change will cost too much money.

Here’s the point in 3-parts and a few more.

First buy a car to suit your lifestyle.
Second make sure you can afford it.
If either of the above forces an unplanned change it will cost you dearly.

Even if they’d bought a bigger car - like the Aveo - their visitors may bring bigger luggage.

Why not use a taxi? Which brings a thought to mind. So many people buy cars far larger than their day-to-day needs for occasional holidays or carting possessions to university. They may be better-off buying small and hiring a proper vehicle for the job when necessary. We’ll have to work it out one day.

Think buy economical not necessarily small. We’ll maybe look at examples in another post. There are of course reasons other than economy to buy small – another post.

Regards
Ralph
http://www.chevroletreviewsandprices.co.uk/

Is diesel dead?

With petrol at 119.9p per litre and diesel at 131.9p is it still worth running a diesel car?

It means petrol is now £5.57p per gallon.
Diesel is £6.13 per gallon.

What does this mean for the motorist?

First thing is you pay a premium to buy a diesel car. Roughly £1,000.00. Over the past 6-7 years you would have mostly likely got the premium back when you sold the car. With diesel prices as they are it can’t be predicted that you will get the premium back.

Here’s how petrol and diesel compare. I’ve simply divided an average 12,000 miles per year by the combined fuel consumption in mpg of the car models to arrive at how many gallons of fuel is needed and multiplied it by the price per gallon.

Vauxhall Corsa manual super-mini

1.2 16v – 48.7mpg, needs 246.4 gallons to cover 12,000 miles at cost of £1,372.00
1.3 CDTi 16v (75PS) – 62.8mpg needs 191.1 gallons costing £1,171.00
You’re £200.00 better of with the diesel but you pay a £805.00 more for a diesel Corsa. It takes about 4-years to get the premium back.

Vauxhall Zafira manual MPV

1.6 16v – 39.2mpg, needs 306.1 gallons to cover 12,000 miles at cost of £1,705.00
1.9 CDTi (120PS) – 47.1mpg needs 254.8 gallons costing £1,561.00
You’re £143.00 better of with the diesel but you pay a £1990.00 more for a diesel Zafira than a 1.6 or £1,265.00 more than a 1.8 petrol. It takes nearly 9-years to get your premium back.

Chevrolet Epica manual large saloon

2.0 petrol – 34.5mpg, needs 347.8 gallons to cover 12,000 miles at cost of £1,937.00
2.0 diesel – 46.3mpg needs 259.1 gallons costing £1,588.00
You’re £348.00 better of with the diesel but you pay a £1,000.00 more for a diesel Epica. It takes nearly 3-years to get the premium back.

Here’s a surprise:

If a petrol SUV did 31.7mpg it would cost £2,108 for 12,000 miles
If the diesel version returned 37.1mpg it would cost £1,982, only a £125 difference.

A change of 3p in the price of a litre of fuel can make a difference.

Regards
Ralph
www.chevroletreviewsandprices.co.uk

Cars to cure the credit crunch

Concerned about the credit crunch? Fed-up with rising food and fuel prices?

The best way to save thousands of pounds is to look at your motoring costs.

Here’s a list of cars that are cheap to buy and cheap to run.

Citroen C1 5dr Code £8895
Citroen C2 3dr Cache £9225
Daihatsu Sirion 5dr S £7995
Fiat Panda 5dr Active £7000
Ford Ka 3dr Studio £7350
Hyundai Getz 5dr CDX £8705
Kia Picanto 5dr £5995
Peugeot 107 5dr Urban £8105
Proton Savvy 5dr Street £5995
Renault Twingo 3dr Extreme £7500
VW Fox 3dr £6600
Chevrolet Matiz 5dr S £6265

If you choose a car with CO2 emissions under 120 g/km you will only pay £35.00 a year for road fund licence/vehicle excise duty, instead of £120.00.

Citroen C1 5dr 1.0 108 g/km
Daihatsu Sirion 5dr 1.0 118 g/km
Kia Picanto 5dr 1.0 117 g/km
Peugeot 107 5dr 1.0 109 g/km
Chevrolet Matiz 5dr 0.8 119 g/km

Source http://www.vcacarfueldata.org.uk/information/how-to-use-the-data-tables.asp#petrol

The Citroen, Daihatsu and Peugeot are too much money. Leaving the Picanto and Matiz. Both can be bought for £5595.

Both cars are similar or the same in terms of interior space, comfort and convenience features, performance, economy and safety/security features.

If you work it out over 10,000 miles the Picanto will use £12.00 less in petrol but cost you the about the same more to insure.

The Matiz has 2 advantages over the Picanto:

The Matiz is 4 inches narrower making it easier to park.
You can buy 3 years servicing for the Matiz for £199.00 which makes a massive difference.

Make mine a Matiz 0.8S.

Regards
Ralph

http://www.chevroletreviewsandprices.co.uk/how_to_save_£670_on_a_brand-new_matiz_0_8s.htm

What's the internet for?

On our website - carbuyersinfo - we recognise the internet is where we can freely share information. So we look to make our pages clear, informative, interesting and useful. Looking back into 2006 I'm pleased to report and Thank You for the high number of visits to the following 5 pages:

Your New MOT Certificate What It Means To You
Here Is What ABS Really Does
ESP Science Explained
How To Save Fuel - 11 Tips
Do You Know These Facts About Air Conditioning

It goes to prove people busy shopping for cars still have time to look at useful information. Maybe the internet is not soley the shopping mall some sellers think it is. It seems it really is a place to freely share information.

Regards
http://www.carbuyersinfo.co.uk/renault_clio_price_list_with_super_savings.htm

Buying a small car? Don’t do it.

Not until you've read this.

Last year I heard on the radio near 40% of motorists were considering changing to a small car. I immediately dashed out an article on the internet saying ‘don’t do it’.

Why?

Because over the decades I’ve been selling cars these cycles come and go. When there is a move to small cars very shortly afterwards there is a move out of them. This is because small cars can prove too small with inadequate space and versatility.

The cost of an unplanned change back to a larger car is disastrous because the hidden horror of depreciation is realised. The cost of depreciation far outweighs any saving you may make over a number of years by way of a small car’s fuel economy.

My recommendation is buy a more economical car not a small car.

There are several more important points to consider. Before I make them let me declare my own opinion so you know where I stand and can form your own understanding.

I say don’t run a small car but run one myself. That’s because it’s all I need and like the way small cars perform. If I want an MPV for a holiday trip I hire one. When an MPV isn’t roomy enough to take my daughter to uni’ I hire a van.

When my kids were about I ran a medium-small MPV, today that would be a Renault Scenic Grand 5-seats. If I wasn’t cost conscious I’d run an Espace dCi Automatic. I did in the 80s. My wife became the village taxi driver which doubled our costs.

Here are points you may like to consider.

Small cars - Clio - are fun to drive. Most are comfortable and have room for 5, but only for regional trips. Two could travel across a continent. They’re normally very stylish with street-cred’. Certainly they are way cheaper to run than big cars. Most are safer than people think and some have 5-star NCAP crash test ratings.

Small MPVs - Modus - may give you more room and versatility but you still have to be cautious and ask, is it enough?

Medium-small sized cars - Megane - have proved in the past to be the car for everyone. Again fun to drive, stylish, comfortable, reasonably cheap to run with many now achieving 5-star crash ratings. Most are roomy enough for four over long distances but lack luggage space.

Medium-small saloons and estates will improve luggage space. Choose a diesel engine for small car economy. The saloon and estate’s conventional image seems to be a drawback for many.

The medium-small MPV - Scenic - seems to be the most successful idea since the Mini. They have all the space and versatility most need. There are a wide range of engines and trims to fit your own idea of performance and comfort. Diesel engines make them very economical. Most are safe, some super-safe.

At first the Scenic had an image that made people think twice. Now it’s an image many want. The Modus is going through the same process at the moment.

Medium sized cars, MPVs are obviously expensive to buy and run. Most executive cars are run using someone else’s money. As for 4x4s, I’ve been selling cars since 1966 and still don’t get it.

I’ve written this article again because I read in the papers yesterday that a SURGE of small car sales is expected. So I have to say, DON’T DO IT’. Buy a more economical car. For example:

Renault Clio 1.2 or 1.4 petrol or dCi 86
Renault Modus 1.2 or 1.4 petrol or dCi 86
Megane dCi 106
Megane saloon or estate dCi
Scenic dCi
Even an Espace dCi

Better still a diesel Renault Kangoo car. You may look like Postman Pat and they’re dull to drive but they’re cheap to buy and run. Loads of space and versatility. Acceptable comfort and safety. The main advantage is you can give a Kangoo a hard life and not worry about it.

Regards
Ralph

http://www.carbuyersinfo.co.uk/renault_clio_price_list_with_super_savings.htm

Is This The Clever Way to Buy a Car?

Everyone wants to tell you the best way to buy a car. Everyone’s a Clarkson.

Shamefully the people who won’t tell you are car salespeople. They go with the wind. So here goes - how a real world car sales person sells cars to his friends and family.

The advice you’ll mostly hear is don’t buy a new car because you’ll lose thousands the moment you take delivery which is true. I might add they keep depreciating in what’s known as an acute depreciation curve. Buying a new car at retail price or anything near it is said to be a BAD INVESTMENT. It is. They say look at late models with modern performance, economy, comforts, reliability, and safety.

The next piece of advice you’ll hear is buy at an auction. I’ve been selling cars since 1966. I’ve sold thousands upon thousands of cars at auction but never bought a car from an auction. I‘m not brave and I‘m not stupid.

The next source of supply to avoid is friends and I have to say - family. Say no more.

One way or the other the general advice is buy a near new car and save 25% off the retail value. These used cars are mostly in excellent condition because dealers look after their demonstrators as do hire car companies and body shop repair garages who are the source of these near new cars.

They go on to advise these cars will have only recorded 10-20,000 miles. Can I point out that’s all of your front brakes used up and half the rear. Plus a service is due or overdue. Not to mention a set of front tyres with the rears half worn. Also 6-12 months of the 36 months warranty will have expired.

So let’s work this out. Here’s an example. A new Renault Clio 3 door Expression 1.2 16V 75bhp manufacturer’s retail price is £9,610. Add £360 for metallic paint and the total cost is £9,970. Let’s call it £10,000. If your target is to save 25% by buying used/near new that’s £7,500. Although I think you’ll find it’s likely to be £7,995. It doesn’t matter because I could sell you a new/unused Clio Expression - same specification for £8,114. You have to add the cost of metallic but then you get to choose your colour.

Remember the front brakes are £100 plus as are tyres. So that’s 7.7k to 8.2k. Plus a £200 service = 7.9k to 8.4k. Add the fact the rear brakes and tyres are half shod so now we’re up to 8k or £8,500. Not to forget £500 of warranty value has expired. So the near new car’s eventual cost is £8,500 to £9,000.

You’ve NOT saved 25%, you’ve only saved 15% at best - more like 10%. Plus the fact the car is used. Check out our prices. They’re a whole lot better than a 15% off new price.

So my advice is don’t buy near new. Buy unused with at least a 15% discount.

Hand on my heart, I’ve never sold a relative a near new used car with mileage. I’ve only sold them deeply discounted new cars or pre-registered cars with delivery mileage.

Check out our prices because all exceed 15% discount off the price new. Check our prices with our internet competitors because we are incredibly cheaper - sometimes double the discount. It’s only believable because of our experience of both the internet, retail motor trade and importantly our knowledge of car distribution.. And we are talking about unused, delivery mileage cars. New tyres. New brakes. Service due as with new. Only days or weeks having expired on the warranty unless specified otherwise.

Remember the added value in the new car. One it’s new and unused. You won’t have to spend money on front brakes and tyres in the near future and the same next year for the rear. You won’t have to pay a service bill. And the warranty will be 36 months not 24 to 30 months which is worth £250 to £500. That’s a minimum of £750 value.

The cost of the discounted new car is £8,114 plus £360 for metallic which is £8,474. The cost of the used car is £7,995 plus £750 value and costs making £8,745.

Regards
Ralph
http://www.carbuyersinfo.co.uk/renault_clio_price_list_with_super_savings.htm

Have you ever bought something and not known you had it?

And if you knew you had it, didn't know how to use it

This has always amazed me.

When handing over a car to a buyer who is simply replacing like for like, for example, replacing a Renault Clio Dynamique 1.2 with exactly the same car, I skip showing some of the controls saying they're the same as on their old car.

When I do this a significant number of people say they didn't know they had the feature or would benefits in a particuar way. Some know a feature is there but don't know how to use it or think they can't learn. Satelite radio CD controls on the steering column is a good example.

This seems to me to be important because many features are not soley for comfort. Some have safety benefits. Satelite radio controls allow the driver to stay concentrated on their driving. It's increasingly important because even small cars can now have features once only found on large luxury cars. For example a Renault Modus and more recently the Clio could have a Navigation System or Cruise Control with Speed limiter, and many have multi-disc CD players. Other cars can have a keycard and automatic handbrake. Automatic headlamps, wipers and cornering lights are now fitted to most new Renaults.

So here's a step-by-step checklist:

Engine compartment - find out about running in, service intervals, how to open the bonnet, find water, oil and other top up points.
How do the keys work and what functionality do they have?
Does the car have an anti-intrusion system, how does it work and what happens in an accident?
How do you deactivate the front passenger air bag?
How do you open the boot?
Where are the spare wheel and tools located?
Has it got locking wheel nuts for the alloy wheels and where are they?
How do you open and lock/unlock the fuel flap and cap?
Where's the aerial and can it be removed?
How do you adjust the seats, headrests and seat belts?
How does the steering column adjust?
Has the car got child safety Isofix points and where are they?
How do you fold the rear seat?
Are there rear air conditioning controls and how do they work?
Where are all the storage compartments?
How do you start and stop the engine?

Then, if fitted you'll need a full demonstration for:

Keycards, emergency key and auto-closure - don't put keycards in back trouser pockets
Automatic parking brake and manual operation
Tyre Pressure monitor
Electric seat adjustments and memory
Automatic lights and wiper commands
Satelite Navigation
Climate control or air conditioning
Radio and CD controls, memory and settings
Cruise control, speed limiter, distance limiter
ESP

In fact it's a worry people buy cars and don't know what features are fitted, how they benefit and use them - BEFORE SIGNING AN ORDER.

It's amazing they take delivery and pay for their car without ever benefiting from features in their life of ownership.

Please make these checks to fully enjoy your next car.

Regards
Ralph

http://www.carbuyersinfo.co.uk/how_to_save_a_fortune_on_a_funky_renault_modus.htm

Mid October
and we can see change in daylight hours, and importantly temperature changes...

Dark, cold and damp evenings and mornings mean you'll be using lights, wipers and heating more often, placing a heavier burden on your battery.

Your battery provides the power for –
heated screens and mirrors
radio
locking and alarm systems
management systems
starting your car
and in some cases power steering.

Changes in temperature are often the cause of battery problems and a battery check just before winter could help you avoid breakdowns. Regular checks help ensure trouble-free starting and helps prolong the life of your engine and catalytic converter.

Also, remember regular tyre checks are important all year round. Wet roads makes checks even more important.

It's also a good idea to get your car serviced sooner, rather than later, if one is due about this time of year.

Regards
Ralph
http://www.carbuyersinfo.co.uk/how_to_save_a_fortune_on_a_funky_renault_modus.htm

Is it Xmas already?

The high street shops already have Christmas displays in their windows. So I need to get in early with my tip about where you can find great gift ideas.

Here's how to find out what people are interested in and might like as a present.

Among the most popular searched words on the Internet are food, sex, jobs and cars. Music used to be the biggest, but searchers now know where to go. It's all evidence of what people are interested in. The subjects most written about in magazines are food, health, sex and cars.

So car related gifts are a great idea. One of the most overlooked products that make great gifts is car manufacturer’s merchandise hidden in the parts departments of car dealers. They supply:

AUDIO, SPEAKERS, NAVIGATION, DVD
AUTO-CARE PRODUCTS
BOY’S & GIRL’S WEAR
CHILD SEATS & ACCESSORIES
DESK & CORPORATE ITEMS
F1 TEAM renault fi team official merchandise
LADY'S WEAR & WATCHES
LUGGAGE & ACCESSORIES
MEN’S WEAR & WATCHES
MINIATURE CARS
MINIATURE CONCEPT CARS
MINIATURE CLASSIC CARS
MINIATURE SPORT CARS
NOVELTY ITEMS
PEDAL CARS
RADIO CONTROLLED CARS
TOYS & GAMES

These products are exclusive – you can only buy them from franchised car dealers. They’re limited editions – manufacturers usually only order one batch in a given season. And they're very high quality. They’re also good value.

Renaults winning Grand Prix FI products are very affordable. They're exclusive to Renault and are limited editions. Even the most expensive car marques stock reasonably priced merchandise.So check out your car dealer’s parts department for your personal, unique and special gift.

Regards
Ralph

http://www.carbuyersinfo.co.uk/how_to_save_a_fortune_on_a_funky_renault_modus.htm

ESP secrets uncovered

Did you know only 1% of those surveyed identified ESP as an active - corrective - safety system?

The life saving potential of ESP has been confirmed by several scientific studies.

Toyota have concluded ESP could reduce driving accidents by 50%.
Daimler-Chrysler reported a 42% reduction in accidents since introducing ESP as standard on Mercedes-Benz in 1999.
VW think it could reduce fatal accidents by 35%.
German studies show 25% of all injuries are due to skidding.
60% of fatal accidents are due to side impacts caused by skidding.
American studies revealed a staggering 67% reduction in single SUV accidents - yep they have accidents all by themselves - when fitted with ESP.

Renault describe how ESP works in the event of under steer or over steer, and when avoiding obstacles. How ESP ensures the control of the vehicle’s correct path. It’s an option on the New Renault Clio and Renault Modus. So there’s something in it when they say these cars can have the equipment of large luxury cars.

ESP was developed in conjunction with Mercedes-Benz who were the first to launch it in 1995 in their S-class. Bosche have since refined the system.

Don’t be confused with manufacturers trying to differentiate themselves with different names for the what is the same system. They may call it DSC, PSM, VSA or VSC but it’s ESP.

Components of ESP from Bosche are:

ESP-Hydraulic unit with integrated ECU.
Wheel speed sensor.
Steering angle sensor.
Yaw rate sensor with integrated acceleration sensor.
Engine management ECU for communication.

Bosch call it the electronic guardian angel

They describe critical manoeuvres with and without ESP.

Vehicle without ESP:

Vehicle approaches an obstacle.
Vehicle goes of course, enters oncoming traffic lane and driver loses control.
Counter steering causes the vehicle to go into a skid.

Vehicle with ESP

Vehicles approaches an obstacle.
Vehicle threatens to break away. ESP intervenes and restores full steerability.
Counter steer results in threat of renewed breakaway. ESP intervenes again
Vehicle is stabilized.

Bosche say the Electronic Stabilty Program (ESP) supports the driver in nearly all critical driving situations. It detect skidding instanteously and actively counteracts it. ESP goes beyond ABS and traction control systems (TCM). Sensors read desired steering direction, the vehicles rotary movement and lateral accelerations.

From this data the control unit calculates the actual movement of the vehicle, comparing it 25 times per second with the drivers desired direction. If the values do not correspond, ESP reacts instantly without any action on the part of the driver. It reduces engine power and brakes individual wheels. Skidding is counteracted and the car remains safe on its desired course.

My tip - buy it. If you haven’t budgeted for it then drop the metallic paint and buy ESP.

Now I’ve told you about ESP if you buy a vehicle without ESP then you are knowingly buying a less than safe vehicle. Strong words but I’ve been on the test track and experienced the tremendous difference it makes. And remember those safety figures, all those 50% and 60%s. A salespersons not going to push you because they just want your order. I’ve no vested interest. I don’t know if such a strong recommendation will cause you to click away. But buy it anyway for roundabout the price of alloy wheels or metallic paint.

Regards
Ralph

I've more or less said the same thing here

A timely tip about car air conditioning

Use it or lose it

Yesterday you may have switched-on your air con. It was pretty sticky in sunny Sussex. But this morning although it was a bright, clear sunny-day, the air had a nip in it.

For some motorists today might be the last day they use their AC until next summer. The problem is if you don't use it you lose it. Then you will most likely have to pay your dealer to have it fixed. Neglect is not covered under a new car warranty.

Here's what happens. If you don't use your air conditioning the contents settle, seperate and won't work. Most systems are self-lubricating and will dry up which may cause leaks.

Here's a tip for the winter.

To keep your air con working you must use it once a week. So in the morning when your windscreen is misted use the AC to clear it. You don't have to wait for your engineto warm-up for the heating system to work. Just use your air conditioning on HOT. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes by which time you can switch to your normal heating system.

Regards
Ralph
More on the subject of air conditioning http://www.carbuyersinfo.co.uk/do_you_know_these_facts_about_air_conditioning.htm

What Do You Think About E&O?

Where have I been and where have all my postings gone?

Don't worry about the tips. I have more for you.

I've been creating a website and I needed the articles to make it more interesting for visitors.

The site is an online car sales site offering big discounts.

I've spent a lot of effort trying to provide a lot of information. You'll find a full description of the cars plus interesting articles which will be renewed regularly. That's where they are. The site is easy to read and understand. Page links are in the text and take you directly to relevant information without the need to use fancy features to navigate multiple pages. It's simple but it works.

There are no fancy features or graphics shouting at visitors. I'll know if this approach works by the number of page views per visitor.

You'll be shocked to know the only cost is £5 per month for the web hosting. This means with lower costs I can offer lower prices.

A friend has warned me about E&O. With so much written information on the site he says there's the risk of errors and omittions. The motor trade is prone to people trying to take financial advantage of every mistake. I'd be grateful if you'd take a look and tell me what you think and if I am at risk.

I think it's a sad day when we can't freely communicate. If a friend gave me a betting tip I couldn't sue him for the winnings if the bet lost. In the UK we hear about crazies in the US making claims against others. Some are so laughable they have become jokes to tell.
There are things people need to know. Many don't know if they don't use their AC they'll lose it. About half of motorists don't know what ABS does. Half of male motorists can't check their oil with a dipstick. And surely information about finding the right car, costs and safety is important.

Research reveals 97% of car buyers look to car dealers to provide safety information. Do they tell you? No. I wonder why. I going to keep writing tips and articles, but ...

What do you think about my site and my exposure to E&O? Comments please.

Regards
Ralph
www.carbuyersinfo.co.uk

I seemed to have vanished

I've just noticed the settings for this blog have been showing the time and date in Los Angeles. I can assure you I have not been posting in the middle of the night. Hopefully I've changed the setting to London time.

Regards
Ralph

tips from a real-world car salesman

Friday, November 13, 2009

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Monday, October 19, 2009

Thursday, October 08, 2009

Friday, October 02, 2009

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Sunday, September 13, 2009

Monday, September 07, 2009

Friday, September 04, 2009

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

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Saturday, October 28, 2006

Tuesday, October 24, 2006

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Thursday, October 05, 2006

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

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Sunday, April 23, 2006

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