by admin on October 30, 2009
The UK Car Scrappage Scheme has been a total success, with almost 155,000 new cars being ordered as a result. The success of the scheme, in which owners of qualifying used cars will receive £2000 off the price of eco-friendly and efficient new cars, looked doubtful at first. After all, the owners of old bangers would hardly be able to afford to buy new, even with a £2000 discount.
Instead, the opposite happened. Car dealerships saw this as the shot in the arm they needed, and were happy to drop the prices of new cars for sale even further than the £2000 already discounted, if it guaranteed a sale. With loan companies offering preferential rates to customers with poor credit ratings, owners of used cars were queuing up to trade them in.
However, the scheme was a victim of its own success. The £300m allocated to the scheme was fast running out, causing panic among car dealers and owners alike. However, in the nick of time Lord Mandelson announced – at the Labour Party conference this year - that a further £100,000 had been allocated, allowing the used cars scrappage scheme to run until the end of February 2010.
This is great news for both the car dealer, and the owner looking longingly at the “cars for sale” sign in his window.
by admin on October 30, 2009
Small cars are a great way of cutting costs when driving – without sacrificing style and performance. Today, there are even used BMW’s in the small car ranges. But which are the best to buy?
Well, in the mini class, it has to be said that used Fords are holding their own in the second-hand market, both for performance and reliability. Used Ford “Super minis” are the hot favourite among owners right now, with used Ford Fiestas in What Car’s top five for small family car best buys. Incidentally, the Ford Fiesta is in What Car’s top spot for brand new Super minis, as well.
Another good buy is a used Ford Fusion. Although it is basically the old model Ford Fiesta revamped, it does offer higher headroom and is a good, solid drive. Like many used Fords, it’s a bigger drive than it looks, with plenty of “oomph.”
Scaling up slightly, used Vauxhall Astras have to be this year’s best buy in the small family car department. Along with the Ford Focus – another favourite - they are a solid, reliable investment, and you can expect prices to drop sharply now Vauxhall are about to release the latest version. Among the minis, used Vauxhall Corsas are a fun and nippy drive.
You wouldn’t expect a used BMW to be among the small car ranges, but the BMW Series 1 Hatchback is engaging and fun, with frugal fuel economy and sharp handling. Used BMW’s are affordable right now – and you can’t beat owning a Baby Beamer for increasing your street cred!
