September 2009

With the economy suffering the way that it is, we all need a little extra help to get by and make ends meet. One way that we can do this is with a fuel efficient car, as fuel is very expensive and a car that uses a lot of fuel will end up costing us a lot of money to run.

With that in mind, what are the most fuel efficient cars on the market? If you’re looking for a used Vauxhall, the most efficient car Vauxhall has ever produced is the new Vauxhall Corsa ecoFLEX, which gives a reported 59 mpg. This would be very cheap to run and would save you a lot of money at the petrol station.

In terms of the most fuel efficient used BMW, then you can’t get much better than the BMW 3 Series, which offers around the 36 mpg mark. Surprisingly one of the next most fuel efficient BMW cars is the Z4, which offers both performance and economy.

When it comes to buying a used Ford however, the Ford Focus is one of the most fuel efficient cars made by Ford, which offers you a reported 35 mpg. This should save you money and be very reliable.

Whatever car you choose, you can be sure that they’re efficient and won’t cost you the earth to run.

The jaguar is a near threatened species, but the Jaguar X-type car is close to extinction. Earlier this year, it was announced that production of Jaguar’s iconic X-type cars would cease at the end of 2009. One of the most recognisable vehicles in the Jaguar range, the X-type was launched in 2001 as a highlight of the Geneva International Motor Show. The car continued on to become the company’s best-selling model.

The compact executive car still boasts amazing statistics, with the lowest CO2 emissions in its class and the style and sports performance that could only come from a Jaguar. The X-type range combines exhilarating performance with agile handling, with the option of either a saloon or a vibrant spacious estate car. There are four different X-type models still available; S, SE, Sport Premium and the Sovereign, with three different engine types available. All cars offer traction control and dynamic stability control for both safety and high performance. With all the options on offer with the X-type, there is a model and finish to suit everyone.

With production likely to end very soon, the window of opportunity to own a new X-Type Jaguar is becoming smaller and smaller. However, there is still the chance to buy, with showrooms such as Caffyns Jaguar in Eastbourne, where X-types are on offer in conjunction with the government’s scrappage scheme, and the company now also offer 0% APR on this model. This classic British car will not be around much longer so take the chance to test drive a new X-type while you still can.

There is an influx of new cars coming into the market, ready to excite all you petrol (and diesel) heads out there.

Audi have launched the A5 Sportback, a car notable for its exceptional style, as well as its functionality. The new car boasts frameless doors and an outstanding amount of interior space.

Jaguar have two exciting new models on offer; the XF and the XK. Jaguar have been creators and purveyors of sporting luxury for decades, and these new cars are no exception. The XF fuses sports car performance and style with the practicality and space of a saloon. The XK combines advanced technology and legendary performance all in the stylish shape that is so synonymous with the Jaguar brand.

Land Rover have created the new Discovery 4 and the new Range Rover Sport. Both cars excel both on and off road, with progressive and contemporary exteriors.

The new offering from Peugeot is the 3008; a car that manages to be both compact and spacious, featuring interiors that are high-tech and luxurious.

Volkswagen have adapted and re-launched their beloved Polo. The new model stays loyal to the company’s values of robust engineering, with an impressive use of space, in a car that offers you protection, both in the city or on the open road.

Chevrolet have developed their new Cruze Saloon, which has a dual cockpit design that aims to prove that you do not need to compromise on either style or value when purchasing a new car.

The Skoda Yeti is a great neat and compact family car, offering a generous boot and panoramic sunroof that makes it ideal to drive, wherever you want to go.
All of these cars are available to purchase at Caffyns showrooms throughout the South East of England, where many of these new models are eligible for a huge £2000 discount through the government’s scrappage scheme.

Owners of middle-aged cars may feel quite neglected at the moment; with car manufacturers focusing on the government scrappage scheme that offers significant money off for those who buy new cars and trade in a car over ten years old. It seems that everyone is focusing on either old vehicles or new cars. Some businesses haven’t forgotten about these drivers; companies such as Caffyns offer special offers for drivers for several different car makes, including Volvo, Land Rover and Vauxhall .

With showrooms located across the South East of England specialising in a variety of car makes and models, Caffyns sell new and used cars, but also offer deals for those who have neither new, nor very old cars. At their Volvo showrooms, the company offers a free safety inspection, with a VIDA system that uses a direct link with Sweden so that all the latest updates can be downloaded onto your Volvo. With this check up, your car stays as safe and reliable as it can be. You can’t get that in your local garage.

For Land Rover drivers, Caffyns Land Rover Lewes offers an Allegiance service for all Land Rovers over 3 years old. Ask for this Allegiance Service and your servicing costs reduce straight away, it’s as easy as that.

Caffyns’ Vauxhall showrooms have the amazing offer of half price MOTs with every service, and their price match scheme means that they will match every service or repair quote on a your Vauxhall in a 20 mile radius. This offer also applies at their Volvo showrooms, with quotes from garages in a 5 mile radius.

So all of you out there who feel like the motor industry have forgotten about you, don’t worry, some companies are still trying to offer you the best deals.

Ever fancied personalising your number plate so you stand out on the roads? Whether you own new cars or used cars most drivers opt for their name or initials, but others, such as the examples shown below, chose witty ways to catch other motorists’ attention. You never know, they might inspire you to get one yourself:


This hobo is doing very well for himself; with a swanky car and a personalised license plate

Why save when you could have a Bentley with this registration?

This Corvette probably sees flashing blue lights in their rear view mirror more often than the rest of us with this cheeky number plate

Could this be a romantic declaration or a gift from a possessive spouse? We certainly all know that this driver is married

Spiderman seems to be the inspiration behind this Honda’s registration. Or maybe it’s Tobey Maguire’s car….

PMS all day, every day. A very clear message for drivers to stay out of this car’s way!

There are pirates on our seas and our roads if this number plate is anything to go by

If you get cut off by this driver, at least you’ll know why!

What’s classier than a Porsche? Nothing, according to this number plate

This driver probably did a lot of searching before deciding on this Google plate.

So if you want fellow motorists to laugh as you drive past them (preferably at your number plate and not your driving), take note of these examples and get your own funny personalised registration for your car.

Japanese car manufacturers Toyota and Honda have a lot more than just their home country in common; both manufacturers have been committed to developing economically friendly cars with lower fuel emissions for years. They have maintained this environmental stance without forgetting about the style and practicality of their cars. Both companies have developed hybrid vehicles; Toyota with the ground- breaking Prius and Honda with the world’s most affordable hybrid, the Insight.

Toyota has developed Toyota Optimal Drive; an entire range of new engines that have been made to help minimise the environmental impact that their cars have. The new engines offer enhanced performance, lower CO2 emissions and better fuel economy.

Honda are not just focused on lowering on-road emissions, they are also attempting to reduce emissions throughout the whole product life. The company have developed the Eco Assist System; a technological breakthrough which is designed to show drivers how efficiently they are driving, and give them guidance as to how they could reduce their carbon emissions by adapting how they drive.

Both companies are involved in the UK Scrappage scheme, giving drivers with cars over ten years old the opportunity to trade in their car for the more efficient and economically friendly models available from Honda and Toyota.

Cars can be traded through the scrappage scheme at Arnold Clarke Honda and Toyota showrooms, located throughout the UK. The staff at these showrooms are expertly trained and can help drivers with the purchase of new and used Hondas and Toyotas. These Arnold Clarke showrooms also offer parts and servicing information for current Honda and Toyota owners.

With the current financial climate today, customers and businesses are looking for alternative and cheaper ways of buying used and new cars. However, in some instances, you have to ask yourself whether buying a new or used car is really the best option, especially when there are great deals available with hire cars and vans; whether you need one car to drive, or a whole fleet for your business. Companies such as Arnold Clarke, the largest privately owned motor group in Europe, offer low cost leases on cars and vans from reliable car manufacturers such as Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen.

For individual drivers, Arnold Clarke has extremely competitive rates with fully comprehensive insurance included in the hire costs; a bonus when insurance usually incurs an additional cost with other companies. Their book online service makes it easy to hire a car with minimal effort, and their extensive branches nationwide mean that a quality hire car is never too far away.

Arnold Clarke also specialise in the leasing, distribution and management of car and van fleets. Contract hire is a great choice for businesses as it eliminates risks; the company only has to pay for the vehicles for the duration of time that they need them, and they do not need to worry about depreciation of the vehicles. Additionally, the company offer management services with the lease and give clients the opportunity to manage risk and tailor the risk management to the plan that best suits the individual business.

The UK government’s scrappage scheme offers money off new cars in exchange for scrapping an old car that is over ten years old. Critics of the scheme said the discounts for scrapping an old car weren’t sufficient, but recent figures show that the scheme has been very successful.

According to recent figures, the scrappage scheme has been responsible for the sale of nearly 155,000 new cars since May, which is just 3 months. The sales of new cars means that over half of the budget the government set aside for the scrappage scheme has been spent rejuvenating the car industry. Originally the government set aside £300 million to fund the scrappage scheme.

July this year actually saw an increase in sales of new cars, which is the first time that new car sales have increased since April 2008. Sales of new cars in July this year hit 157,149, which is a rise of 2.4% on new car sales in July 2008. Of the sales of new cars, nearly a fifth of the sales were made in the South East.

New car sales are still down this year on last year’s figures, but now thanks to the scrappage scheme they are heading in the right direction.

When you have just passed your driving test you feel on top of the world and can’t wait to rush out and choose your first car. However, you need to slow down and choose your car carefully because insurance companies are very hard on new drivers, so buying a car with a large engine or a high price tag may not be a good idea.

Luckily there are many cars from which to choose that offer you safety and low cost insurance, coupled with that need for drive that first time drivers always crave.

Some ideas for cars for first time drivers include the Vauxhall Corsa, Astra and the venerable Nova. The Corsa is a classic car and a favourite among young drivers because it’s cheap to run, yet packs enough power to impress your friends.

Equally the Nova offers affordability yet maintains that all important ‘cool’ factor because of its pedigree and manoeuvrability.

If it’s a larger car that you’re after then the Vauxhall Astra could be to your liking. The Astra is more of a family car, so would be ideal if you had a lot of friends you wanted to drive around, or if your parents insist that you buy a more practical car.

Whichever car you choose, remember that your budget should always be the key and keep an eye on the insurance brackets of cars before you make any purchasing decisions.