August 2009

Vauxhall is one of the best loved car manufacturers in the world because of its quality and affordability. Buying a used Vauxhall means you’re buying a car that will last. Here is the rundown on some of the best models of used Vauxhalls.

Corsa: The Vauxhall Corsa is the perfect little car. It’s cheap and reliable and is ideal for first time drivers or young drivers because it’s not only low in costs to run, it’s also fashionable.

Astra: The Vauxhall Astra is one of the most popular Vauxhall cars ever made, combining the compact nature of a hatchback with the power of a saloon. A used Vauxhall Astra makes a great family car.

Nova: The Nova is one of the smallest and cheapest cars you can get, and one of the original ‘hot hatches’.

Insignia: For a more luxurious used Vauxhall, the Vauxhall Insignia has what you’re looking for. The Insignia was launched as a successor to the popular Vauxhall Vectra.

Zafira: If you need a little more space in your family car then the Vauxhall Zafira will provide that for you. The Zafira is a big car that can accommodate a large family. It also has a very high safety rating so you know that your family will be secure.

Caffyns are number one when it comes to cars in the South East of England. Started in 1865 as a family business, Caffyns is now operating as a successful plc with many satisfied customers.

They have the broadest range of cars in the region - from new to several years old, you can be sure they can help you find the right car to meet your needs, as well as your taste.

They operate in 23 locations spread across the South East of England but you can arrange to view and test drive any car at the location that is most convenient for you, all at no charge.

Caffyns hosts a network of special websites for each brand designed to help you browse through specific offers such as pre-ordering new models. They hold the franchise for Audi, Jaguar, Land Rover, Ford, Volkswagen, Volvo, Vauxhall, Skoda, Citroen, Chevrolet, Nissan and Peugeot with dealerships based in Sussex, Hampshire, Surrey and Kent.

Caffyns also provide affordable fixed price service plans and parts. With the Flexi-Serve scheme starting from £99 you can forget about the worries of your future servicing bills and enjoy the benefits of a comprehensive service.

The Flexi-Serve is a fixed price affordable servicing scheme which replaces your car maker’s own annual / major service after the warranty has run out. Specially designed for cars over three years old, Flexi-Serve is suitable for all popular makes of cars.

You can be assured that all the work carried out on your vehicle is done by their factory trained technicians at your local Caffyns dealership.

The dealership staff are very friendly with a wealth of experience in the automotive industry. They can help you find that special car you’re looking for quickly and easily at the very best competitive rates.

Caffyns dealerships are currently running the Scrappage Scheme where in exchange for scrapping your old vehicle and buying a new one, the Government and Manufactures will contribute a total of £2,000 towards the purchase of a new vehicle. Caffyns Dealers will take care of everything for you, including claiming the incentive on your behalf and arranging scrapping of the vehicle.

In addition, Caffyns are all for driving down the costs of motoring. With their exclusive tyre price match offer, they will match any like for like tyre quote from any company within a five mile radius of their branch.

So with all these great offers in place at the moment give Caffyns’ website a visit and find the right car for you!

Buying a car can be a nerve racking experience, especially since most of our first car purchases will be used cars. How do you know which checks to make? Where do you go to buy it? Who can you trust?

To clear up your thoughts, I’ve researched and summarised 5 thoughts to keep in mind when buying your first car to make the process a stress-free and pain-free experience:

1. Research your dealership’s price strategy

A good car dealership will be aware of how their competitors are pricing the same vehicle brands and models. Ask them about their prices, how they match up to their competition and how often they check. It’ll be clear that those with the upper hand in the market will answer your questions with no reluctance.

2. Cheapest isn’t always best

If you’re faced with a bargain that’s too good to be true, it may be. Ask for a car data check from your dealer and make sure you inspect the car thoroughly. It always helps to bring a friend with a keen eye for detail.

3. Research the extras your dealership offers

Will they buy your old car from you, even if you don’t buy from them? Will they offer a service plan with you new, used car? If they aim to make your ownership as easy as possible, they’ll take any hassles with maintenance into their hands so you won’t have to worry about it in the future.

4. Ask your friends

Good experiences speak louder than words… unless of course, those experiences are discussed. Talking to friends and family can help you to decide which dealership is right for you as well as what deals and customer services to look out for. Dealerships should be ready and willing to pick up any car you’ve seen on their website and deliver it to the dealership closest and most convenient to you. Don’t you agree?

5. Check out their websites

A dealership’s website can tell you a lot about the awards, press and customer satisfaction associated with the dealers across the nation. You’ll also be able to search for their latest offerings online and perform the necessary research into the brand and model before stepping foot in the dealership.

So there you have it – follow these 5 steps and ensure your car buying process is a pleasant experience you can continue to count on again and again.