How To Negotiate The Best Deal On A Car

  The first thing to appreciate when buying a car is you're negotiating 4 deals:

1. Car price
2. Part-exchange price
3. Finance rate
4. Add-on prices for other financial products, options and accessories

A salesperson can focus the negotiation on one deal while they win on the other three. For example they can play difficult on the car price and discount and then conditionally cave in saying, ‘if I give you that discount does that make it a deal for you?’ If you deal you do so without fully negotiating the other three where they maximize their profit.

They’ll pick one of the four where you seem most interested and pretend to thwart you. Sometimes they switch the negotiation from your interest to their special offer. You want discount or a better part-exchange price but they keep referring to the value in their 0% finance offer. It can get more complicated when they claim the best small car deal with car insurance included because then you need to compare it with real quotes for car insurance.

Some dealers make it easy for you. They divide an A4 piece of paper into 4 squares - 2 columns by 2 rows. This means you can focus on one square at a time. You could do this for yourself.

The best way to negotiate a price is to

have a next best negotiable alternative.

In the past having a next best negotiable alternative - you can get a better deal elsewhere - didn't work that well. Today it's a killer strategy.

In the past if you told a salesperson you could get a better deal elsewhere it didn't work because salesperson knew their market, would have worked elsewhere and knew lots of people in the trade.

Also if you told a salesperson you are considering alternatives, it just gave them the opportunity to sell the qualities of their product.

Today things are very different because:

• Salespeople’s claims of different qualities can be revealed as motoring myths by making car comparisons.
• Your alternative can be a car on the same platform badged as a different make and model.
• Many modern cars share the same platform. For example the Citroen C1, Peugeot 107 and Toyota Aygo are virtually the same car. The Ford Ka, Fiat 500 are both on a Panda platform. The premium brand Volvo V50 estate is based on a ubiquitous Ford Focus. The C-Max, Kuga, Mazda3, Mazda5, Volvo S40, C30, C70 are also based on the Focus platform. Some Fiats and GM cars share platforms. Audi, Seat and Skoda are on VW platforms.
• By making changes in styling and perceived prestige they can charge different prices. 
• However, when you make comparisons for mpg, emissions and performance there may be no significant difference. These are laboratory figures and there may be no real difference when on the road. 
• Basically cars in the same class are more or less the same size, with similar interior space and trim options. The engine options will also be similar, engine sharing is even more common than platform sharing.
• Quality claims are myths when surveys and magazines nominate Skoda above Lexus for customer satisfaction. Hyundai and Kia can rank above Mercedes, BMW and Audi. 
• Prestige also becomes a nonsense idea when compared with the history and achievements of manufacturers like Peugeot, Renault, Ford and Chevrolet.

So remember there are 4 deals to negotiate separately before you put them together in a total package. Your approach needs to be, 'it then depends on the part-exchange price, finance rate, and cost of add-ons.' All are negotiable by having next best negotiable alternatives.

Most car shoppers are armed with smart-phone internet access to quickly find or pre-find information on alternatives to support their case for a better price on all 4 deals. You can even load a four-square document into your device.

The 4 deals need to be completely negotiated before talking about signing up. You can recognize when a salesperson is trying to prematurely close the deal in one of three ways – automatic, alternative, conditional.

An automatic close is when the salesperson automatically switches from selling the car to talking about preparing the car for delivery, invoicing, car insurance, vehicle excise duty, guarantees and finance. You need to hold them up until you've completed your negotiations.

An alternative close is when they offer alternative colours, delivery dates, finance options, etc. When you pick one you close the deal. So refuse to decide until you've negotiated your 4 deals.

A conditional close is where you’re offered a condition the salesperson knows they can satisfy – ‘if I throw in,’ or ‘if I give you X discount,’ or ‘if I give you Y for your part-exchange,’ or ‘if I can get the finance rate at Z, will you do a deal?’ When you say yes they snatch your hand off. So remind them there are 4 deals to do.

Even then don't commit yourself before going through preparing the car for delivery, invoicing, car insurance, vehicle excise duty, guarantees and finance which we'll look at in a later post. Don't think of it as placing an order because what you're really doing is subscribing to years of fixed costs for depreciation, interest and maintenance.

Happy Hunting
Ralph
carbuyersinfo car comparison website

What is driving pleasure?

A Google 2011 survey revealed car shoppers can spend over 1-year researching cars. Most research for 4-6 months trying to find the best car. A typical car shopper will use over 18 sources of information and 97% will be influenced by what they read.

Then it’s off to the car dealer for a test drive and to see what’s their best deal.

I once heard most people would rather visit the dentist than a car dealership. So keep it simple when you look over a car. Look at it from all SIDES = Size, Interior, Drive, Economy, Safety, leaving the capacity for keeping your wits about you.

Here we look a the test drive. First be sure to test drive a car that's exactly the same as the one you intend to purchase for driving pleasure which is a combination of: 

• versatile handling characteristics,
• an engine which performs well on every type of road, and
• smooth gear changes with tight gear ratios for better pick-up in town

Check the car is:

• easy to manoeuvre,
• quiet,
• free from vibration,
• overtakes in complete safety,
• with control of roll on bends.
• Ideally engine torque has been optimised at low engine speed to increase punch. 

Try to arrange a 3-day test which includes a very long journey. This probably isn't possible at your local car dealership but there's no harm in asking. Alternatively you could hire the car of your dreams when you next intend to go on a long trip provided you're guaranteed to get the exact car you're considering buying.

A long trip and a test over days will tell you if the car is comfortable for you. A car's soft seats in the showroom may feel nice but if they don’t support you when you’re actually driving you’ll finish a journey with all sorts of aches and pains.

So see if you can get your hands on a car for a few days and do a long trip.

Regards
Ralph

The First Step To Making Savings In Your Motoring Costs

is to fully investigate what they are so you know where you can intervene and make improvements. Here are some guidelines:

A small car that cost £10,000 will depreciate by on average over £1,100 every year over 8-years or about £1,500 per year over 4-years. If you buy a larger more expensive car depreciation will increase.

If you pay cash for the car you lose the opportunity to earn interest. If you borrow the money you pay interest. If you borrowed £8,000 it would cost about £650 per year in interest and charges.

What you pay for car insurance depends on you shopping around. Let's say it's £400 per year. Vehicle excise duty is determined by a car's emissions - say £120 for a small car. To fuel a car for 12,000 miles at 40 mpg costs about £1,800. A service will probably cost £150 and replacing parts that inevitably wear out will cost an additional £250 per year. If we add breakdown cover and total it all up it's about £4,700 per year just to run a small car.

Motoring costs are important because that figure is around 20% of the average person's take home pay of £22,000 and could be 25% or more for a larger or more expensive car.

Now you know the costs - when you do this for yourself - the next question is can you intervene and make improvements?

You can't do anything about car depreciation because it's determined by the market. You can lessen the impact by maximizing the discount on the price you pay or buying a second-hand or an older car. You might also try to improve your price when you sell the car.

Shopping around for cheap car insurance is the one area of motoring costs where you can definitely make a saving of hundreds if not over £1,000. Shopping for the cheapest car finance can also save you a huge amount of money.

Vehicle Excise Duty is set in government budgets and is determined and fixed by the car you buy. To a large extent the same applies to fuel consumption. You also need to keep your car in serviceable condition for it to pass an MOT.

You can make improvements in your motoring costs. The type of car you buy will determine most of the costs. It pays to compare new with used cars and petrol with diesel engines without making assumptions. So much of your total cost will also depend on how good a deal you can get on the car and finance.

There are a lot of topics to look into - depreciation, finance, insurance, VED, mpg, parts, new v used, petrol v diesel, negotiating - which I'll return to one-by-one in later posts. When it comes to negotiating I'm your best source of info'. I profitably sold cars for 43-years and have remained involved for a further 3-years to date which I think is a record that can't be physically beaten.

Regards
Ralph
P.S. the easiest way to understand the difference and similarities in cars is to use car comparison websites

Before you buy a car ask yourself

just 5 simple questions. This will give you an idea of what you need to know about cars. Most importantly it will suggest what car is the best car for your purpose and purse.

It's best if you write the answers down.

1. What's your present car's make, model, body style, engine size, transmission and trim level? For example a Renault Clio, small 5-door hatchback, 1.2 petrol engine, manual gearbox, Dynamique trim. This helps with question #2.
2. What do you like about your car - it's performance, versatility, comfort, reliability, durability, appearance, prestige, economy, safety? Try to list them by importance.
3. Who drives the car now and who will be driving the car in the future?
4. What do you carry in the car - people, luggage, equipment - now and in the foreseeable future?
5. What's your annual mileage and is it mainly in the town, country or on motorways?

Describing your present situation should bring to mind changes and improvements you might have been thinking about. Some answers may stick out as very important to you. All this gives you the topics for your research on car comparison sites.

You might or might not decide performance, durability and reliability are suffice in all cars and not a consideration. 

Versatility may be important with family changes or you're intending taking up a hobby or sport. Second partnerships can bring together children from two previous partnerships and the need for a roomy family car. So it raises the questions, which MPV is best or would a Crossover/SUV style be better?

You may deny the importance of appearance and prestige. If you drive mainly in town then the urban mpg could be important if you do enough miles. 

It would be a mistake to buy the 2.0 Clio RenaultSport of your dreams if a 17-year old will be sharing the car and be on your car insurance in the near future. The cheapest car for insurance might be most important. There are loads of issues I could raise.

Regards
Ralph

Car insurance remains one of the major concerns for most motorists

It's little wonder, especially when some car insurance companies alarm their old customers by trying to jack-up the renewal premium around 50% causing the wise to shop around.

However be careful when looking for cheap car insurance. If you shop around you can find significantly cheaper quotes and ask what's the catch. Here's one. If there's a mistake in the detail submitted or documents are not returned on time - check their post dates on the envelope - then they may cancel on you making it difficult to get insurance elsewhere. Then they can charge hefty cancellation charges and double the price of a replacement policy.

Be certain when you say you have a no-claims bonus your previous insurance companies are going to confirm this.Also make sure you keep old certificates and your driving licence at hand.

It can be difficult to correctly describe a vehicle you're buying. If it's a new car the salesperson should provide good information. If it's a used car then entering the registration can download the details. Check these car details are correct because an engine can have several different power-outputs.

If you look at the small car market there are not just three sizes - city, super, super-sized - they can come in half a dozen different trims with diesel of petrol engines. Some small cars can have four different powers for one size engine.

It's just another problem motorists have to be aware of. Shopping for car insurance is a must because it's probably the biggest and only saving you can make in motoring. This applies to the young, old, female, male. Even when promotions are targeted at you doesn't mean they're value. Renewals is like giving intravenous permission to be bled of your hard earned money.

I can see it from the car insurance companies point of view. Lots of customers signing up is great, it gets good with repeat business but it wonderful when a high price is charged. Imagine how all those 50% increases pile up when people don't take the trouble to shop around.

Changing the subject, I didn't shop around on my house insurance for decades and when I did I got it for 10% of what I was paying. How about you?

Regards
Ralph
carbuyersinfo.co.uk before you buy a car make car comparisons for costs, dimensions, engine options, and safety

Announcing An All New Smart Phone Friendly Car Review & Comparison Site

I've planned, produced and published car reviews on a thumb friendly mobile site to help you with shopping for a car on the move. The product info is presented to fit a small mobile screen. I've kept images small but the links are large. Its reads without the need to zoom in. You just scroll the single column pages.

Mobile is so much quicker than going to your laptop and firing it up. With a smart phone you can do your research in several small moments of time.

If your looking for a car to fit your purpose and purse you'll find data for prices, dimensions, mpg, CO2s, performance and safety for both petrol and diesel.

At present the data is a copy of from my car comparison site carbuyersinfo.co.UK which for technical reasons will no longer be updated. I'll leave it on the server because as the years go by it might be useful information for used car buyers who outnumber new car buyers by more than 3 to 1.

If you use carbuyersinfo as a guide to used cars be concious of the data only being useful for 2011 models. For example if your looking for the best small car for you most of these models were retuned for 2011 and in some cases advanced fuel technolgy features were fitted so its only good info' for 2011.

Now the UK budget is over and car manufacturers have updated tweaks to their models and prices I'll update the mobile site during April and highlight how features are similar or different. Then I'll add a couple of thousand comparisons over the following months.

I hope you find the new mobile site fits your thumb and is useful and interesting. If so please tell a friend.

Regards
Ralph

https://sites.google.com/site/carreviewscomparisons/

Surviving 24 hrs in your car in ice cold conditions

Early snow and freezing weather is predicted in the UK for the third year running. There will be lots of advice posted on the Internet about driving in the snow and preparing your car. But they don't tell you how to survive if you get stuck in the cold. How do you cope when you're stranded in your car overnight in freezing conditions?

Driving in heavy snow is not a good idea and normally there are broadcasts not to drive then followed by pressure to drive and get back to work. It's worth remembering heavy snow is an extreme weather conditions that can have extreme consequences. It's time to consider your own ability and willingness to drive in heavy snow. Also consider if you can realistically reach your destination. Your journey could be halted by closed roads. Even if you drive one of the best 4x4 vehicles you can be thwarted by less capable cars and breakdowns blocking the road.

There will be plenty of advice about checking your vehicle's wipers, lights and anti-freeze. You might also carry equipment like snow-chains, a shovel, torch, and old carpet to use for traction. Again is the driver both willing and able to get out of their car into freezing conditions to make their way? It can be dangerous working around a car that's slipping and sliding with wheels spinning. Even if you make some headway if conditions are that bad you will eventually find your route blocked.

The important point is heavy snow is an extreme weather condition and it can have extreme implications if you are stranded. It's time to forget the car as a means of transport and realise you need to look after your body which is what really transports you about in life.

Surviving freezing conditions can seem so simple it can be dismissed as a consideration. Here's a list you'll immediately recognise with hindsight. The vital point is to do it.

1. Wear or carry warm clothing. Which means every garment - underwear, socks, shoes, trousers, tops, gloves, hat, scarf. Ski, camping and rambling gear are normally protective.
2. Carry blankets and sleeping bags. You may have some foil sheets you kept from a charity run.
3. Pack food, snacks, and a flask of hot drink.
4. When stranded and stationary use your snow shovel to ventilate underneath your car. Snow can build up around your car to the door sill and bumper levels both blocking your exhaust pipe and trapping air underneath your car which can eventually leak into the passenger compartment. If you turn on your engine to use the heater and the exhaust emissions leak into the cabin it could be fatal.
5. Place warning triangles and lamps on your roof out of the snow on the ground.
6. Always take your mobile phone charger with you.
7. Carry a wind-up charging torch.
8. Pack any necessary medication.

Once you're warm, nourished and safe be aware of perspiration. Also MPV cars full of passengers can generate a lot of condensation. The idea is to keep dry and ventilated because you become even colder when the cold gets to any moisture.

This may all seem simple stuff but is can become serious if you get stranded. It pays to give a lot of thought to a survival kit and the extent you are both able and willing to venture into extreme snow conditions in a car.

Regards
Ralph
Car comparison websites.

NOW is a good time to get your car battery checked

... for your peace of mind and safety.

You can find many car dealers offering free battery checks or complete winter checks for a token amount. These are real offers they provide to keep in touch with car owners.

It's a great idea to take up these offers before the dark, damp and cold cause your car problems.

If you make small car comparisons they're loaded with electronics for engine management, locking, security, in-car-entertainment and power steering.

Make a SUV comparison and you'll find many have advanced fuel saving technology and AWD controlled and or powered by the battery.

This all means it's essential your car battery is in tip-top condition for reliability and your safety.

Today cars have more electronic toys and battery driven motors all increasing battery use.

Now darker, damper, colder days are near we'll be using our car lights, heaters and wipers more which all increase the burden on your car battery increasing the chances of a breakdown and being dangerously stranded in the dark.

So it's a good idea to look up local car dealers offering special deals on battery or winter checks.

Regards
Ralph
Car Comparisons to help find the right car for you.

Citroen C1 v Peugeot 107 v Toyota Aygo

If you've ever considered a C1, 107 or Aygo and know they're basically the same car you'll have wondered what's the difference?

The answer is not a lot. They share the same platform and body. The only difference is the badge on the bonnet and style detail like grill shape, headlight clusters, rear tailgate, rear light clusters, bumpers and interior trim. You can see over on carbuyersinfo there's no difference in the data for dimensions, fuel consumption, emissions or performance. You can make detailed comparisons from Citroen C1 review, Peugeot 107 review, and Toyota Aygo review.

The most important factor is how they differ from other small city cars. When announced the C1, 107 and Aygo were a major leap forward in their sector and they sold like hot-cakes. Obviously other manufacturers don't just sit there and watch so other cars in this sector have since significantly improved.

When you look at the town car sector you soon become aware the Fiat 500, Panda and Ford Ka are on the same platform. The i10 and Picanto are the same message in different envelopes. The Twingo is on the old Clio platform. This enables manufacturers to share R&D and keep costs down.

But why sell them with different badges. The big advantage is these cars don't become too ubiquitous. Think how many times you've heard someone say about a Fiesta, Corsa, Focus, Astra, 'everyone's got one.' People like to be different. Because the C1, 107 and Aygo appear different from each other they continue to sell in volume.

It's the sharing of platforms that keeps costs down while the buyer gets an up to the mark car that's a little different while the manufacturers get the volume of production they need. So everybody's happy as is evident by the number of these cars on the road.

Regards
Ralph

The Most Car You Can Buy For Your Money

This is for car buyers who need a big car for the family and fun with 7-seats and AWD capability. In other words it's about the most motor you can buy. Here we're looking at what you can buy for the least money.

It's important to always be absolutely certain a car will fit your purposes and purse. If you get it wrong the consequences can be disastrous.

Here we look at the Chevrolet Captiva, Citroen Crosser and Kia Sorento as a guide to what's available. Normally I'd say the ideal family car is a large MPV like the Galaxy, Espace or Sharan but in this case I'm imagining AWD is needed to go off the tarmac onto poor road and fields. I'm not suggesting these cars are suitable for extreme off-road driving or extreme weather conditions. They're no mountain climbers and they're not for social climbers being value and popular brands.

A quick look over the three cars shows they all have 7-seat options, AWD options and have lower price ranges than similar cars. A Chevrolet Captiva has a significantly lower price range than the Citroen Crosser. The Sorento sits in the middle. Let's examine the detail to see what you get for your money.

Chevrolet Captiva Review
2.4 petrol FWD, 2.0 diesel FWD or AWD, auto option.

mpg 31.7 to 39.2 mpg, 191 to 225 CO2s
size 4.63m long, 465/930 load space as 5-seater,2-seater.
performance 117/124 mph, 9.9/6 secs to 62 mph


Citroen Crosser Review
2.2 diesel AWD, auto option.

mpg 39.2 to 40.4 mpg, 185 to 189 CO2s
size 4.68m long, 184/510/1686 load space as 7-seater, 5-seater,2-seater.
performance 123/4 mph, 9.9 to 11.1 secs to 62 mph


Kia Sorento Review
2.2 diesel 2WD or AWD, auto option.
mpg 38.2 to 43.5 mpg, 171 to 194 CO2s
size 4.68m long, 111/531/1546 load space as 7-seater, 5-seater, 2-seater.
performance 118 mph, 9.2 to 9.6 secs to 62 mph

Ignoring the Captiva petrol option you can see all three rank very closely for fuel consumption so bearing in mind these are lab' figues there may be no significant difference in real on the road driving. The same could be said for performance. There is a small difference in emissions.

The Crosser and Sorento have similar load capacities. However the Captiva has generous 6th and 7th seats which are simple and light to operate. It's important to test all three for youself for space and ease of operation to know you'll fully utilize the car's versatility. All three are vitually the same overall medium size.

The main differences will be in your personal taste regarding style and driver comfort. Devoting time to test drives is essential.

All three deliver space with 7-seat and AWD options. They're OK for fuel consumption on paper but not wonderful for emissions. If AWD is not essential there are many medium size 7-seat MPVs that provide more space and versatility, more efficient engines at a much lower price.

The data makes the Captiva, Crosser and Sorento very similar so demonstrations will provide the real proof of which is the best car for you subject to the best deals you can negotiate.

Personally I'd think twice about AWD. Even on skiing holidays and in my caravanning days I've never found the need for 4WD. I managed to get around the UK in the snow last year and the year before with FWD.

Regards
Ralph

Errors & Omissions in Car Buyers' Research

In my previous post I looked at Google reporting that before visiting a car dealer:

• 83% of car buyers research online.
• They visit on average over 18 information sources.
• 97% say they were influenced by their findings.

More generally,

• 70% of buyers read product reviews.
• 54% make product comparisons before visiting sales outlets.

What if they miss something or make a mistake?

The consequences of buying a car which turns out not to match the buyers' lifestyle or budget could be devastating. Surely a researcher needs some sense of purpose before reading a Ford Kuga review for example and will have considered what they already know and need to know so they know what they're looking for in a car.

What I've got for you here are some question to ask yourself and features to look for in a car. It's a guide to help you avoid missing an important point and making mistakes. Hopefully it will trigger more thoughts. Rather than think what's the best SUV car in the case of a Kuga, think what's the best car for you.

Ask yourself:

• what you like about your present car,
• what are the most important features,
• what improvements would you like?

Then ask:

• who drives the car,
• what do they use it for,
• what type of roads do they travel on,
• what do they carry in the car?
• How many miles a year does the car average?

This should give you a start in your research for your replacement car and needs. If you make a car comparison it will give you the differences and similarities in car features and may reveal things are not as you might think. Here are some car features and mistakes to avoid:

• Car prices are usually similar for the same body type and size. Differences can be found between value, popular and premium brands.
• Cars of the same body type, size and engine capacity normally rank closely for fuel consumption. These are lab' test figures and the DVLA advise you there may be no significant difference in real on the road conditions.
• Similar cars can have different load capacities and versatility you need to see for yourself.
• Difference in performance figures need to be significant to mean anything on the road. Other factors such as torque and gear ratios come into play. A test drive is vital.
• Safety. Any car with less than a 5-star Euro NCAP rating without ESP/ESC is less than the safest car you can buy.
• Diesel cars may be more economical but calculate at what total mileage you start to make savings over the added price you pay for the car compared with a petrol car with the same performance and trim. Some diesel cars are not viable from this point of view.
• Small differences in emissions may not seem significant but they are when multiplied by the millions of cars manufactured and the impact on our ecology is considered.
• Reliability is not a real issue with cars these days. Value brands rank very highly for customer satisfaction. Anything less than satisfactory with premium brands can be multiplied by expectations and price paid to dissatisfaction.
• The best car isn't necessarily a best seller. It's the one that best suits your purpose and purse.
• Comfort is often overlooked. If there is any disappointment with a car in may well be the car is not comfortable for you. It's not the car, it's your taste in comfort so be sure you feel at ease and happy on a test drive.
• Style is sometimes the only difference you'll find between cars of the same body style and size.
• Don't be persuaded by a deal. You'll forget the details within months. You have to live with the car for years. Find the right car for you and your budget then negotiate, price, finance and part-exchange deals.

97% of you may well be influenced by your research. We all believe the ideas in our own head. Write those ideas down on paper outside yourself and you'll then judge them as whether being true and useful as you judge a salespersons' talk and all things outside yourself.

Please accept all errors and omissions in this post - we all make them.

Regards
Ralph

Has Your Car Buying Decision Journey Changed?

According to Google we no longer see an ad, pop down to the store, buy one, and enjoy the user experience.

Today when we see an ad we go online to do our research before visiting the shops. What's more is owners are posting their user experiences online adding to huge amount of articles, blogs, forums, reviews and comparison sites.

What's changed is the number of researchers, sources of information and the ease of transmitting and receiving information.

If a car buyer is interested in a crossover, SUV, 4x4 type car because they've seen an advert or maybe a gleaming example in a car park this may cause them to read a Land Rover Freelander review for example. Google say 70% of buyers read reviews before making a purchase. Car buyers use an amazing 18-plus sources of information before buying.

The car buyer may go on to make comparisons. 54% of buyers make comparisons before buying a product. They're more likely to search 'best in category'. So in our case it might be best SUV, best 4x4 or best crossover car and they'll probably end up on a car comparison website.

83% of car buyers now do online research before visiting a car dealer. 97% are influenced by their research.

Going armed with information to do battle with a car salesperson may not be a good approach. Car dealers have experienced researchers way before the Internet existed. They'll want to know your source of information. If you don't give it up they won't take you seriously. They'll then look it up online. Battle then commenses. No matter what you might think of car salespeople a salesperson has always been the best source of information.

I think it's advisable to work out what information you need in advance. You need to be asking the right questions online.

It still remains a test drive will always be your very best source of information regarding how you feel about a car. Were you comfortable, did you feel at ease, did you feel happy? Never mind about the car. What about you?

Always bear in mind what you most like about your present car. Try to rank what features you think are most important. The type of roads you use, who will drive the car and what you might carry are also important.

Regards
Ralph

Ford Galaxy v VW Sharan v Renault Espace

The Renault Espace is credited with defining the first purpose built people carrier car. It was followed by Ford who teamed up with VW to make the Galaxy and Sharan. Peugeot/Citroen with Fiat also entered this market. Other manufacturers have entered this market, usually with what they sell in the US. I think it's safe to say after a couple of decades the Galaxy, Sharan and Espace are the winners. Today they're the only large 7-seaters with any presence in this market niche. Most buyers opt for the more medium size MPV 7-seaters

When you compare the three a quick look tells you they have very similar price ranges and are similar in size. Renault offer a more compact medium size version and have discontinued their top end engines and trims. Here's an interesting fact. Did you know the original Espace was only the length of today's 5-seat Scenic. These cars have grown near 2-foot in length over the decades.

 

There are differences when you examine the detail.

Renault Espace Review
Engines now limited to one diesel engine, 150 manual 175 auto with limited trim options.

Ford Galaxy Review
2.0 diesel engine 115, 140, 163 power outputs. 2.0 203 petrol engine. 2 trim levels.

VW Sharan Review
1.4 petrol engine. 2.0 diesel engine 140 and 170. 3 trims levels.

 

• Like for like the VW diesel engine is only slightly more efficient than the Ford on paper but as they rank so closely in lab' tests there may be no significant difference on the road.
• VW offer a small advanced technology petrol engine.
• Both Ford and VW offer a high performance petrol engine but it depends on how closely you think they're matched in overall efficiency by both Ford and VW diesel engines.
• Renault's old dCi diesel although state of the art a decade ago is not up to the mark today. You should watch out for huge steps forward from Renault, Peugeot/Citroen in the near future as they change technologies. 

Although there may no significant differences in the engine efficiency of the Galaxy and Sharan, the Espace highlights the issue. Car manufacturers have made really significant improvements in fuel consumption and emissions. Although little differences may not amount to much for a buyer it's the improvements that matter when they're multiplied by the millions of cars made and the total impact on our environment.

Engine and trim options maybe limited by comparison to past offers. However Renault, Ford and VW have been in this market for a long time and know what sells and where to cut unwanted production saving them and hopefully the buyer - money.

 

You can see Ford, VW and Renault have been successful because they've remained committed to this sector and the ideas behind it. The Espace needs to catch up but we'll have to wait because the replacement model cycle in this market is longer than others.

I haven't mentioned space or versatility. Just to say these cars are as good as it gets and much better than SUVs. When it comes to comfort and stability the Galaxy, Sharan and Espace are often considered as alternatives to large luxury cars.

One of the pleasures of running a large people carrier is family and friends can do more together. Years after the old motor's gone you still get to keep some very happy memories.

Regards

Ralph

 

Are you sure which type of car fits your life and budget?

In my last post I was talking about how today we do research online before shopping the car dealerships and how we no longer need to answer the salespersons' questions but ask these questions of ourselves as we do our research.

The salesperson was trying to figure out what car would suit you and lead you to it. Today most buyers will have made their own minds up before they go to the dealer. The question is has the buyer got it right?

To take it a step further what does the buyer believe car types promise and do they deliver?

I need to warn you todays' car body types are styled to suggest a lifestyle to spectators and don't necessarily deliver the features the owner might think a type of car promises. I suggested in my last post the bigger the car, the bigger the problem - you may not experience what you wanted. So make a car comparison or three.

Let's simplify this to promises of space, driving pleasure, economy, safety and comfort, and expectations along with my flippant comments.

Small City Car - typical Citroen C1- the class is very good overall though dating.

• Space - Good up front, poor in the back and boot but no promises were made.
• Driving - more for comfort than go-kart handling.
• Economy - exceeded expectations back in the day but where's tomorrow's figures?
• Safety - acceptable at 4-star but no excuse for new models not being 5-star like the Fiat 500.
• Comfort - OK

 Small Car - Mini, Micra, Swift, Yaris - you could say the same about this class as city cars. They've a little more space and power. They deliver for economy, safety and comfort. They're ideal if you think Corsas and Clios have grown too bulky and could be the best small car for you.

Small Super-Sized Car - typical Ford Fiesta

• Space - long enough at 4m to claim this is all the car you need but is it? You judge.
• Driving - my favourite class of car but some think it's too big for a small car.
• Economy - good and getting very much better.
• Safety - it's the makers excuse for making them so long so 5-star is a promise, accept nothing less.
• Comfort - better than a small car once promised.

You get the format, so -

Medium Small - cars in this class deliver the promise they're car for everybody - family cars. If they're not for you their platforms support many estates, mpvs, crossovers, even coupe cabriolets.

Medium Size - once the benchmark for all other types of car they're now growing to a size many might find to big. They are excellent cars that deliver on all features.

Estate Cars come in all sizes. The space/versatility feature may not be there with some, so there's no advantage, no benefit, Why? Style for spectators. The higher the brand equity the more you pay, the more dimension comparisons are important.

MPV Cars perfect family cars which should have well thought out interiors and versatility. The originals, the innovators - Renault, Citroen, Ford, Vauxhall, VW all remain committed to the job.

Crossovers, SUVs, 4x4s a mishmash to figure out for yourself.

Luxury Car - driving a luxury car can be one of life's greatest pleasures. But an overlooked feature like tyre noise can trigger a medical condition. The slightest rattle can flip the owners' mind into thinking they can justifiably threaten to smash their car through the car dealers' showroom windows and demand their money back. If you consider this class of car then every tiny detail has to meet expectations.

The above are my personal guidelines. You're the judge of what these car types should promise and what they deliver.

Regards
Ralph

  

How To Evaluate Car Reviews

A decade ago a car buyer might have seen an ad or a car they liked on the road and start visiting car dealer premises. Today they're more likely to do online research before they shop car dealerships. It's so easy. They mostly make car comparisons or read car reviews.

The difference is a car salesperson would ask you questions to lead you to the right car for you. Today you ask those questions of yourself or are guided by the topics in a car review. The salesman might ask:

•  about your present car and what you like about it - that's your start state.
• They would ask you what your car was used for, who drives it and what you carry.
• They'd also ask the types of roads you used and your annual mileage.

So it's not a bad idea to write the answers down as your starting point.

When the salesperson led you to a car they would explain the cars features. I used to talk about performance, versatility, comfort, economy and safety before we got down to talking about price. Surveys reveal the most important factors are the car fits your lifestyle - versatility, and it being affordable - economy and price. Safety was the next most important factor before performance and comfort was never mentioned.

To judge a car ask what the car holds itself out to be or promises. A city car promises little more than low costs and easy parking. Crossover cars promise more space but are not necessarily as good for economy, safety and performance as you might expect. A general rule is the larger the car the greater a buyers' expectations. The question is, do they deliver? You're the judge, not the pundit in print.

It's worth noting your findings for space, economy, safety and performance.

You should NEVER accept advice about comfort. The writer does not have your shoulders, back, hips, knees etc. I'm not talking old people. Young people can be very tall and vulnerable to discomfort. My experience is if an owner has any dissatisfaction from their old car the culprit is mostly comfort. The solution is to take a long test drive or better still ask for a loan or hire car.

I say all this but it doesn't mean you're going to like the look of the thing which again is your taste

Regards
Ralph

Suzuki Swift v Nissan Micra

When buyers make a car comparison they're looking for the best cars. For small cars this most often means the lowest costs and best fuel efficiency. If it were so simple I could keep this simple and say the Swift and Micra have virtually the same fuel consumption and performance but the Micra has the lower entry price so it's the best small car of the two.

If you don't believe it can be so simple you can compare the data on my car comparison site carbuyersinfo.co.uk Nissan Micra vs Suzuki Swift. You can see:

• The Micra has the lower entry price.
• Fuel consumption, emissions and performance are near identical if you compare like for like engines.
• The Swift has higher level engine options.
• Both cars are nearly the same size - similar to the Mini,Yaris and Fox.

The only features left to consider are style, driver comfort and where you think they stand in the market. Both cars are well though of and both have clean lines which leaves anyone interested in need of a test drive to find out which car feels most comfortable to them - comfort being a matter of taste.

The difference could simply be the car you like the most - for some reason - either way if you went for one I doubt you'd regret it. I once tried to compare cars giving the features values but when I totted up the scores I never got what I liked.

Regards
Ralph

What Is The Best Crossover Car To Buy?

We all want the best because we've all been burnt by a bad product or service at some time and we don't want to repeat our mistakes. Regret is hard to live with.

Then again you may have bought the best brand to be equally disappointed. I've certainly been in both places with white goods, many times. I can't seem to win.

Finding the best crossover car may seem difficult with over 30 crossovers, SUVs and 4x4s for sale in the UK. However you can dismiss many as premium brands and traditional 4x4s and not what you'd call a crossover which is a car that looks like a SUV but is built like a car. Crossovers are built more like an MPV car. The difference being a crossover has a horizontal bonnet and is generally not quite as versatile.

Whether old best sellers like the RAV4, CR-V and Freelander count as crossovers I'm not too sure but we can put them aside as too much money.

With things as they are most of us are looking for cutbacks. The word cheap spings to mind and although it doesn't sit well with the word best many of us have bought cheap brands for them to be relaible and durable whilst some of us have bought the best brands and suffered regret.

Let's start making a car comparison of cheap crossover cars. We can always change course if some car feature suggests we need to. The cheapest crossover car is the Skoda Yeti, followed by the Hyundai ix35, then the Mitsubishi ASX, Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai.

At this stage you may not be influenced by cheap because you're worried about cost - depreciation, interest charges, running costs. It's not just the money, it's the cost of time if things go wrong. Historically these are valid concerns. But not nowadays.

Most car reviews you read are good. There are claims premium cars have a lower rate of depreciation. That's percentage which can be a large amount of money. I've known owners lose £13, 17, even £20,000 in one year of ownership. You can't lose that kind of money on a cheap car. It can be the case a low price is reclaimed by high interest charges. You can walk away from that marketing approach. When you check the data running costs they look like they're  going to be low. If you make comparisons at this point the differences are not enough to declare a winner. They seem similar.

It won't escape you that by cheapest I'm referring to entry prices, two-wheel drive models but with acceptable trim and equipment levels. If you want a larger engine, AWD and a higher trim level you're fast approaching £20,000. Accepting cheap can be OK, there are no hidden costs, with an eye on the range of prices are there differences in the detail - the data.

Obviously mpg is a concern with the fuel cost of 12,000 miles motoring coming close to annual depreciation - historically the biggest motoring cost. Like engine for like there are small differences in the combined mpg but as the DVLA point out these are lab' figures and when cars rank closely for fuel consumption the differences may not be present on the road in real conditions.

You should also be careful when considering diesel and calculate at what mileage your saving in fuel costs pay back the extra you pay for a diesel car. I know in larger SUVs diesel is the only option suggesting it's the way to go. But I can't figure it's definitely the case in this class for a private motorist.

If I had to pick a winner for fuel economy it would be the Mitsubishi ASX 1.6 although it's not the most economical, it's not the most expensive to buy.

Where you will find differences is in the cargo capacity with all 5-seats up. The Yeti and Qashqai are similar. The ASX is a tiny bit better.The ix35 is significantly more spacious being a little larger than the Sportage. Note there are small differences in overall length but all five crossovers can be classified as compact.

When it comes to performance none of these crossovers has sluggish acceleration that would frustrate a driver. Maybe the Qashqai 1.5 dci is on the limit. If you want more performance you pay more. Once you go over the £20,000 the Ford Kuga and VW Tiguan become contenders.

It seems to me Ford and VW have positioned their products and prices as alternatives to expensive SUVs and 4x4s. Hyundai, Kia, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Skoda seem to be positioned as interesting and viable alternatives to the ubiquitous hatchback - Focus, Astra, Golf.

You would also have to clarify safety ratings and features. ESP or ESC will shortly become standard on all new cars in the UK. The entry model Yeti did not have ESP. Some of the recent models have not been Euro NCAP rated. 5-stars is today's standard.

The old idea of SUVs impacting on the environment is vanishing. You should find with the exception of larger petrol engines the emissions on these cars acceptable and not making too much difference to the cost of annual vehicle excise duty

So you can see if you want the cheapest the Yeti is the car to go for although the rest may also be within reach. Overall the ASX maybe slightly more efficient but the ix35 and Sportage are more versatile.

I've not mentioned style or driver comfort because they are matters for your personal taste. Personally I like the look of the ASX and Qashqai plus I find them the most comfortable which would sway me. But there's one thing for sure of Skoda, Hyundai, Kia, Mitsubishi and Nissan are highly respected brands with high levels of owner satisfaction. More than that they are among the best in surveys. So best and cheap can go together and I can see no evidence you'd regret buying one of these five crossovers.

Regards
Ralph

Are you still looking for the best small car?

Whilst we may all want the best the response we often get is, 'best for what?' This is valid with small cars because they come in three different sizes and have different purposes for different people. You have:

• tiny city cars about 3.5m long
• super-minis about 3.75m long and more recently
• super-sized small cars around 4m long.

So the first decision may be to make a car comparison to find the size to fit your life.

The best small car for you will probably be the car that suits both your lifestyle and budget.

With things the way they are most people just think 'cheap car.' But we can see it may not be the best small car for you. I'm not saying cheap cars are less cars than others. Most reviews and comparisons reveal cheap cars are well thought of and are often the most efficient.

Another guide we use is the top ten new car sellers list. Just because a car is in the list doesn't make it the best small car for you. This list doesn't take into account manufacturers' marketing programmes and the used car market which is over three times larger than new.

You may also find even the latest small cars to be announced are not a significant improvement on older models.

If a small car fits both your budget and lifestyle then safety should be your next concern. With regards to engine efficiency you'll find most small cars of a similar size with similar engines have similar fuel consumption, emissions, and performance. It's fair to say most small cars are good cars.

If you consider diesel calculate at what total mileage your fuel savings pay-back the extra cost of a diesel car. Another cost to continually be aware of is the changes in insurance groups as you look at different models and variants. Shopping for the best car insurance is the biggest saving you can make in your car budget.

Otherwise, if a small car fits your purpose and purse subject to you personally liking the look of the car and its driver comfort, you may have the best small car for you.

Regards
Ralph

Important changes to the UK MOT 2011


Have you heard the DVLA are making changes to the MOT test as of 16/10/11?


It mainly concerns the MOT certificate and cutting costs. Obviously this changes how you check an MOT certificate is genuine and replacing lost or damaged certificates.


I've published the detail of changes to the MOT test on carbuyersinfo.


They're obviously on the DVLA site. You might also want to look at their motoring page and what they have to say about owning a vehicle to keep up to date because most of us no longer visit the local DVLA to tax our cars - we do it online - so we don't get alerted by posters or informed by leaflets in their office.


Hope it helps
Ralph

How To Find The Best Small Car For You

The best car of any size is the one that fits your purpose and purse. In other words it has to have the size, space and versatility to fit your lifestyle. Plus it needs to be affordable in terms of finance, depreciation and running costs especially with rising fuel and car insurance prices.

Most buyers next consider car safety. Nearly all new model cars are achieving 5-star Euro NCAP ratings and all cars manufactured will soon have ESP/ESC as standard. If you buy a car which is not 5-star and is without ESP then it's less than the safest car you can buy.

Other considerations are performance, comfort, style, and prestige. I don't think car durability or reliability are a concern these days.

My experience is car buyers look at a small car and say it's all they need. However small cars come in three sizes - tiny city cars around 3.5m in length, super minis about 3.75m and what I call super-sized small cars near 4m long. So the best small car will be first the one that fits your life.

If you make a car comparison or two you'll notice small cars of the same size are nearly all very similar for price range, space, fuel consumption, emissions, maximum speed and acceleration. Where there are differences in engine efficiency they may make little difference in real on the road conditions because the figures quoted are lab' tests.

That leaves us with style, comfort and prestige. All three are matters for your personal taste.

Small cars can have a clean simple style or be dynamic with sweeping lines and curves. It looks like the new Renault Clio and Peugeot 207 replacement will attempt new and different approaches. We already have the Nissan Juke and Citroen DS3 setting new anti retro styles.

I've found if an owner is dissatisfied with their car comfort is normally the cause. There are a whole host of small aspects to check in ease of access, seating position, visibility, driving comfort. The overall feeling you should personally get is one of being happy and at ease. As prices, space and engine efficiency can be so similar for the same size car and engine it does free your attention to focus on comfort.

While small car may not be prestigious most have either street cred' or a large loyal following of satisfied customers. Just because the Fiesta and Corsa are the best selling small new cars doesn't mean they're the best. New car sales are determined by all kinds of marketing and do not take into account the much larger used car market.

The Mini, Corsa, Clio and 207 seem to have the most street cred'.  The Fiesta, Polo, Micra, Ka, and Yaris all have a large loyal following. Skoda, Suzuki, Hyundai, KIA, Honda have high levels of customer satisfaction. The Mazda2 and Ibiza are considered very stylish. City cars - C1, 500, 107 and Twingo - have become increasingly popular.

It seems every small car has something going for it so subject to it fitting your purpose and purse, it being safe, there a few differences to consider which means you can compare their style and comfort to decide which small car you personally like.

Regards
Ralph

Skoda Fabia vs VW Polo

It's a common comparison because car buyers realise the Fabia and Polo are built on the same platform and want to see if there's an advantage in one over the other in a search for the best small cars.

It's interesting that although there are over 30 small cars for sale in the UK they're built on little more than a dozen different platforms.

The VW Polo has always been the baby brother to the Golf which has grown from a small to medium size hatchback. However the Polo never seemed to have caught car buyers imagination in the same way the Golf did. The new model Polo with its stronger clean lines - like a Golf - has changed that.

The Polo can now join the Corsa, Clio, Mini, and 207 who amongst others enjoy great street cred' especially now the Polo line-up includes a GTi.

The Skoda Fabia has been cleverly marketed by VW as a value brand with amazing sales results. Today the Skoda is highly respected with extremely high levels of customer satisfaction. Like the Polo the Fabia has clean simple lines and like the Polo of the past it's been nothing to get excited about. It's a nice car run by nice polite motorists.

But again this image is about to change with Skoda advertising the Fabia vRS as a bad-boy racer in their amusing new TV ads.

So the Polo and Fabia seem very similar. It's the same story when you compare their entry prices and price range - the Polo GTi is more expensive. So the idea Skodas are cheap and VWs expensive could be just a marketing myth.

The Fabia and Polo also share virtually the same dimensions and almost identical range of engine options. This means they have close rankings or near identical figures for performance, emissions and fuel consumption figures which also means there's unlikely to be any difference on the road.

When considering the wide range of engine and trim options be aware of the changing car insurance groups as the table has widened to 1-50. Also when considering diesel engine options calculate at what to total mileage savings in fuel costs cover the extra you pay for a diesel car.

It makes you wonder why VW manufacture the two cars when they are so similar. It is possible to over-sell a car to the point they become so ubiquitous they're dismissed by buyers because everyone's got one. Some people have said that about Fords and Vauxhalls. I can remember the trade thinking the old 206 was over-sold and I think the Clio came close. Imagine the C1, 107 and Aygo being sold with the one badge. It wouldn't be half so successful.

The good news is when cars are so similar you can focus on what you personally like in driver comfort and style subject to being able to get the best deal.

You should get the feel of driver comfort for yourself rather than take notice of pundits who seem to compare bread-and-butter cars with their favourite Ferrari which they don't promise to be. Comfort or lack of it can be the major source of disatisfaction for a car owner so it's worth trusting your own feeling of ease and happiness.

We all have different tastes. Some cars are wonderfully quiet and smooth which some regard as lacking driver experience. Some drivers are very aware of a cars handling and stability whilst others may not notice or be concerned.

In surveys motorists deny being concerned with style but I can recall that in over four decades selling cars one of the first thing visitors would say is, 'I like the look of that,' or 'I don't like the look of that.'

Probably the only real difference between a Polo and Fabia is the look of them.

Regards
Ralph

Mitsubishi ASX vs Hyundai ix35


Since 2006 most new entrants to the SUV, 4x4 sector have been Crossovers. Crossovers are built like cars on car platforms where older SUVs were little more than an estate car styled body on a truck platform. Crossovers benefit from having car like features for performance, versatility, comfort, economy and safety.


The Ford Kuga based on a Focus platform and the VW Tiguan based on a Golf platform have positioned their products against the best selling Freelander, RAV4 and CR-V with £20,000 plus price ranges.


Only the Nissan Qashqai built on a Megane platform was positioned as an interesting alternative to a family hatch with a price range well under £20,000. It was joined by the Skoda Yeti and more recently the Hyundai ix35, Kia Sportage and Mitsubishi ASX.


All five of these Crossovers are a very similar size with slightly different load spaces. The Yeti is the most compact with the largest maximum load space. If you compare their entry level engines they rank closely for fuel consumption, emissions, speed and acceleration so there may not be too much difference on the road.


The main feature is all are priced as viable alternatives to hatchbacks like the Focus, Astra and Golf.


Car comparisons between the Mitsubishi ASX vs Hyundai ix35 is a guide to the differences and similarities in the value for money Crossover sector.


At £15999 the ASX enters the market at less than the ix35s £16605. The ASX at 4.3m long is shorter than the ix35 at 4.41m. The ix35 591/1436(l) minimum/maximum load space is more than the ASX 442/1193(l).


Both enter the market with a 2WD 1.6 petrol engine. The ix35 has a 1.7 diesel 2WD option or a 2.0 diesel 2WD or 4WD. The ASX has a 1.8 diesel 2WD or 4WD. As we'll see they have similar efficiency.

The ASX 1.6 2WD returns a combined 47.9 mpg, 135 CO2s, 113 max speed, 11.4 seconds 0 to 62 mph.
The ix351.6 2WD returns a combined 44.1 mpg, 149 CO2s, 111max speed, 11.1 seconds 0 to 62 mph.
These lab figures are so closely ranked it may mean little if anything in real driving conditions. The ASX has the edge on combined mpg and a slightly cheaper VED cost.

The ASX 1.8 diesel 2WD returns a combined 51.4mpg, 145 CO2s, 124 max speed, 9.7 seconds 0 to 62 mph.
The ix35 2.0 diesel 2WD returns a combined 51.4 mpg, 147 CO2s, 113 max speed, 10.8 seconds 0 to 62 mph.

Again they rank very closely with the ASX having slightly better performance. It's the same story for the 4WD drive options.

It's worth noting diesel options cost more to buy. The saving you make on fuel consumption will take tens of thousands of miles to recover the added cost new. So the petrol option is viable. Personally I'd only consider the diesel options for their performance characteristics.

The good thing about cars being similar in size and efficiency is you can simply buy the car and price you like without worrying about performance, versatility, and economy. If you like the look of a car in this class and you feel it's comfortable plus the price is right then you can buy with your heart, not your head. It may sound sensible to buy with your head but over four decades I've tested charts to find the best car. The problem is I never got a result I liked. So I think if you like a car in this class - go for it.

Certainly all the above brands have great reputations for customer satisfaction. If one fits your purpose, purse and personal tastes it's got your name written on it.

Regards
Ralph

What are the Pros and Cons of a Vauxhall Corsa?


The Vauxhall Corsa was introduced back in 1993 to compete with the Fiesta, Clio, 206 and other small cars from Citroen, Fiat and VW.
Today the Corsa is in the top ten best selling new cars list. I've never regarded this as evidence its one of the best small cars because new car sales are heavily influenced by manufactuters marketing and it doesn't account for the used car market which is over three times the size of new.  The Vauxhall Corsas popularity in this used car market and its huge strength being social proof it's regarded as a great little car.


The Corsas model range is probably the largest in the new small car market. It's available as a 3 or 5-door with a range of diesel or petrol engines, lots of trim levels and special editions. No matter what small car you might consider the Corsa has it covered from a 1.0 basic entry model to the VXR to take on the RenaultSport Clio and Mini Cooper.

The Ford Fiesta is the Corsas #1 competitor. If you compare the Corsa with a Fiesta, Clio, 207, Polo, they're all about the same size. There's small differences in engine efficiency on paper which may not be present or significant on the road, and they're all up to scratch for safety. The only difference is buyers tastes in style and comfort.

Style or image is probably what makes the Corsa so popular as a used car. Plus BSM learner drivers had their lessons in a Corsa. Young drivers love Corsas, Clios, 207s and there association with ultimate hot hatches which is also the attraction of the Mini.

There's a Corsa model for everyone. The sales pitch is the buyer has choice. The problem is it can confuse a buyer especially when new car marketing programmes are mixed in with discount and finance offers. It's too easy for the buyer to get switched from model to model.

Any objection from the buyer and the salesperson can just switch engines, trims, discounts and finance. It seems choice is arrived at by deduction. However too much switching and a buyer can forget their original desires. A buyer could be switched into a value limited edition special offer which looks good with its alloy wheels but may have the 60/40 split rear seat missing for example. Sports style trims can be attractive but sports seats may be a pinch for some. I know it's the buyers choice but it can be confused by too much choice.

Overall though the Corsa has strong performing engines, it's stable, sure-footed and sharp. It's got loads of street cred' plus fuel economy and 5-star Euro NCAP safety.

I've got three gripes:

• The two door visibility through the rear sides windows is poor.
• I can't calculate the diesel options to be viable given the premium price for the diesel Corsa.
• At any price the 1.0 entry model doesn't seem to be a contender against a Micra, Fabia, Swift or Special Limited Edition Fiestas and Clios.

Having said that the Corsa is one of today's great small cars. Mind you the Clio and 207 will probably be replaced before the Corsa and historically they change the game in style and engine efficiency. Hopefully they'll bring more advanced fuel saving technology to the everyday car.

Today, the Corsa is one of the top two small car contenders which ever way you look at it.

Regards
Ralph

What's the most important car feature?


I remember a survey by Mori for Euro NCAP back in 2005 which asked given a car suited their lifestyle and it was affordable to buy and run, if they would then rank the most important additional features. The top feature according to the survey was safety which must have pleased Euro NCAP.


At the time I thought the rest of the results aligned with car features I'd been selling since 1966.


A few things bothered me.

• respondents denied style and prestige were important
• comfort was not mentioned
• it didn't explain why buyers bought 4x4 SUVs instead of MPVs
• it didn't account for buyers buying less than safe cars - SUVs at the time

When a car buyer visits a showroom they normally say they're just looking. When the salesperson asks them what they're looking for they mostly say they don't know. In the next breath they might say, 'I like the look of that.' If the salesperson suggests a car they may say, 'I don't like the look of that.' It kinda indicates style is important.


When buyers are looking for a family car they'd normally consider a 4x4, SUV or MPV. 4x4 buyers wouldn't consider MPVs and visa versa. They never seemed to entertain the idea they might make a car comparison between the two. I never understood why a family would buy a 4x4, SUV in preference to an MPV.


Generally MPVs were more spacious and versatile, they drove and handled like cars, they were more economical and a lot safer. However the way some buyers talked about their 4x4s revealed they thought them more prestigious.


As it turned out 4x4 SUVs were no longer a viable proposition by 2007. Crossovers have since saved this sector. A Crossover is an SUV body style built on a car platform so they now drive more like cars, are more economical and safe.


One feature of Crossovers is they are two wheel drive with four wheel drive as an option. As a 2WD car a crossover offers no more than an MPV and will normally be less spacious and versatile but more expensive. So why not buy an MPV? Because there's still a difference in style and perceived prestige.


There's little difference between the style of a Crossover and MPV but it seems to matter.

A Crossover/SUV is a tall two box estate car body style. It has an engine in one box and the passenger and cargo areas are merged in a second box.

Exactly the same could be said for an MPV but they normally have a more sloping windscreen with the line continuing into a sloped bonnet. MPVs have the appearance of a one box vehicle without a bonnet.

Crossovers and SUVs have prominent bonnets. That's the difference.


It's difficult to understand why people pay more money for a SUV than an MPV because of style and prestige when an MPV is normally cheaper and has more space and versatility for the family.


It seems no matter what people say in surveys style and prestige is important. It's a bit like people saying one thing and doing another.

Regards
Ralph

Which Small Car Is Best?


The quick answer is the one that fits your lifestyle and budget. But with over 30 small cars for sale in the UK and so many geat deals out there at the moment both new and used it gets more complicated.


Probably the first thing to consider is do you need a tiny city car about 3.5m long or a larger small car near 4m long? Obviously the difference is in size, rear passenger space and boot capacity. The larger small cars are also more likely to be 5-star Euro NCAP rated.


As the best small car is the one that fits your lifestyle be certain the size is all you need - it fits. To make an early unplanned change because a small car wasn't big enough could would cost a fortune in depreciation -the equivalent of several years petrol costs.


Other points to watch out for:

• It's not necessarily the case the newest models are significantly better than ones that have been about for a few years. I'll compare the VW Polo and Mazda2 in a moment.
• When cars rank closely for fuel consumption the DVLA make the point they are lab' figures and in real driving conditions there may be no significant difference in economy.
• Only consider diesel if you are a high mileage driver because it can take near 50,000 miles - even more - before savings in fuel consumption pay back the added cost of buying a diesel car.
• A car being in the top ten new car best sellers list is not social proof it's the best. New car sales volume is heavily influenced by marketing. It does not take into account popularity in the used car market which is more than 3 times the size of the new market. It seems most small cars have their own loyal fan base.
• Pundits are paid to be critical of cars. It's fair to say the vast majority of small cars on the market deliver what they promise. A Kia Picanto isn't pretending to be a RenaultSport Clio.

If we compare the new model VW Polo with the Mazda2 which appears unchanged for a number of years we can see differences and similarities. There was only £310 difference in their entry prices in April. As you walk up the model options the Polo gets more expensive. They're very similar in length. Both are 5-star EuroNCAP rated with ESC as standard.


The Mazda2 1.3 petrol engines are more economical than the Polo 1.2 options. They're also cleaner and quicker. The Mazda2 1.5 is also quicker than the 1.4 Polo. The Polo 1.4 auto is more efficient than the Mazda2 option. The Polo also has high performance 1.2 and 1.4 models. The 1.6 diesel engines in both cars are very similar. The Polo has 1.2 diesel options which are more economical.


As I remember the Mazda2 was launched in 2006 for 2007 but you can see it can still hold its own against the latest competition. This is because legislation and industry targets for engine efficiency and safety means cars will be similar if their solutions meet these standards.


If a car is in the same class as another it will be a similar size and have similar space. The only real differences are in the way you personally feel about a cars styling and comfort. As they're matters for your personal taste you can see it's difficult to go wrong when trying to find the best small car for you. If the car size fits your life and it's affordable , you like the look and feel of it then it's one of the best small cars for you.


I say one of the best small cars because several will probably fit the bill. In that case go for the best deal. There are certainly plenty of great deals about this summer on both new and used cars.


Regards
Ralph

Most SUVs were little more than high riding estate cars


Back in 1970 it may have been highly innovative to take an estate car body and put it up on a truck chassis and drive in with four wheel drive transmission. In the 80s Japanese imports made the SUV more affordable and by the 90s they were the #1 lifestyle vehicle.


Manufacturers stuck with this cheap manufacturing method whilst other styles of car improved. By 2007 a SUV became almost unsaleable because it was comparatively heavy, not as spacious as its bulk promised, juicy and less than safe in every aspect - perception, prevention, protection.


Since 2007 most new model SUVs have been built as crossover cars. In other words they are built with the SUV body style but in the same ways as cars. A VW Tiguan is built on a Golf platform and the Nissan Qashqai is on a Renault Megane platform.


There's also a differences in the way crossovers are positioned in the market. The Qashqai replaced the Almera hatchback and might be seen as a very interesting alternative to a Focus, Astra or Golf. The Tiguan is placed more in the 4x4 SUV sector although it avoids the tonka toy truck styling. Now we have the Peugeot 3008 Crossover which appears more an MPV.


The latest compact crossovers from Mitsubishi, Kia and Hyundai are priced at the entry level as viable alternatives to family hatchbacks which challenges the idea of charging a significant amount more for a vehicle because it has a SUV body style.

The crossover car looks an attractive consideration because it gives car buyers a body style they liked, that's far more economical and when with a 5-star EuroNCAP rating and ESC a much safer car, at popular car prices. The amazing success of the Nissan Qashqai in the UK supports this.

The latest development is the small SUV styled car - Nissan Juke, Audi Q3. It will be interesting to see how the Ford Fusion and Renault Modus are styled when replaced.

Regards
Ralph