November 2009

The recession has seen many casualties, with the car industry being one of the hardest hit. This has led to some great choices in new and used cars this year though, with many top of the range vehicles being heavily reduced to try to stimulate the market. Cars that would perhaps have been out of our budget 18 months ago are now within the price ranges of many people.

For example, for a top of the range type of car many car buyers are now opting for a used BMW. BMW cars are, by their very definition, a symbol of quality. They are well made, great to drive and prestigious for the owners. A used BMW such as an X5, 5 Series or a Z4 used to be out of the price range of most people, but their prices have come right down meaning that they are affordable for many.

Another option for those looking for a good quality used car is a used Ford. A used Ford such as a Fiesta, Mondeo or a Focus can be picked up cheaply, and as with all Fords they are very cost effective to run and to maintain. The cheap running cost of a used Ford is a big plus point in the current economic climate.

Another car that offers good value for money this year is a used Vauxhall. Vauxhall cars are well made and offer a similar low cost maintenance to a used Ford. A used Vauxhall such as an Astra or a Corsa can be bought cheaply, and they’re highly reliable.

It’s getting harder to get up for work in the morning. With November drawing to an end and the shortest day of the year creeping up faster than expected, owners of the Vauxhall Insignia will find themselves in a safe and more comfortable commute this winter season.

Vauxhall’s gadgety headlights are one of the manufacturer’s biggest advantages over their competitors. In 2003, they were the first to offer Adaptive Forward Lighting (AFL). The technology allows for the lights’ beam to move with the car as it bends and also shifts upwards to increase drivers’ visibility on both urban roads and motorways.

The new generation of headlights, however, are capable of more. The previous version of AFL was dependent on the driver’s input, whereas now they link to satellite navigation systems to predict the road conditions and therefore adjust automatically. For instance, bright, forward-focus lights are essential on motorways, but a broad spectrum is needed in urban settings where risk is more likely to either side of the vehicle. The lights also adjust to suit weather conditions and terrains, for example decreasing brightness over a hill so as not to startle other drivers.

Alongside their AFL technology, the Insignia holds improved handling, generously spaced interiors, a choice of 7 different engines and a sharper design, the Vauxhall Insignia has been welcomed by car owners as a worthy replacement of the Vauxhall Vectra. And there’s no better way to find your own than with Caffyns. Our Vauxhall dealers give you guaranteed scrappage deals, saving you upto £6,470, as well as 0% finance across all Vauxhall models.

We all like to feel like we’re the only ones on the road. The kings (or queens) of the road – raised above the rest in a spacious, all weather performance 4-wheel-drive. The reality, of course, is that SUVs are expensive, have higher fuel consumption and therefore higher tax bands. The Volvo XC60, one of Volvo’s safest and most fuel efficient cars, is here to change this.

When the car was revealed in March 2009 at the Geneva Motor Show, officials boasted the car’s “toughness of an SUV and luxury of a Coupe.” The car’s “City Safety” feature reduces damage to the engine in low speed impacts. Based on statistics that approximately 50% of accidents occur in low speed scenarios, the car is able to detect when other vehicles brake suddenly and prepares its own for action. If action is not taken by the driver on time, the car brakes automatically. This has resulted in an insurance premium discount of up to 30% across Europe, with the decreased likelihood of both personal and car bodywork damage.

Alongside the XC60, the DRIVe range includes 7 Volvo models that harbour a dramatic reduction in CO2 levels and increased fuel efficiency. The intelligent Start/Stop system allows the engine to switch off when the cars’ gear lever is in neutral and the clutch is released. As soon as the clutch is pressed to start up again, the engine starts again, thus reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by almost 8% in high traffic conditions.

The best part about Start/Stop? Comfort inside the car is not affected. An additional, small battery supports the main car battery with extra power, allowing air conditioning, music and other electronics to be used within the car, even when the engine’s switched off. The batteries themselves are not charged solely by the diesel engine, but by the cars’ kinetic energy produced when a gear is engaged. This second feature, also completely unique to DRIVe cars, saves between 2-3% of overall fuel consumption.

The XC60 is a great family and company car with the advantage of space and comfort on the inside, efficiency and safety on the functional side and a beautiful design all around. If you’re based in the South East of England, why not give your local Caffyns dealer a call for a test drive – For November and December only, you’ll get a 15% discount on this model, and up to 20% on other Volvo models.

•When on a one way street, stay to the right to allow oncoming traffic to pass.

•Never, ever, stop for a pedestrian unless he flings himself under the wheels of your car.

•The first parking space you see will be the last parking space you see. Grab it.

•Never get in the way of a car that needs extensive body work.

• Always look both ways when running a red light.

• Never use directional signals when changing lanes. They only warn other drivers to speed up and not let you in.

• Making eye contact revokes your right of way.

• Whenever possible, stop in the middle of a crosswalk to ensure inconveniencing as many pedestrians as possible. And if a pedestrian ahead of you steps into the road, speed up, honk or yell obscenities loudly and chase him back upon the curb. Pedestrians have no rights.

If you have ever driven in London, Manchester or Birmingham you will have probably experienced extremely high levels of traffic, traffic jams, roadworks and delays. City driving brings a whole load of stress and even worse if you live in London not only do you have to deal with sky high petrol prices but also the congestion charge.

Rising costs of car ownership and petrol coupled with poor driving conditions are making people more and more reluctant to actually get in their car and drive anywhere. Is it really worth it?

I hear you cry what about getting the weekly shop and jumping in a car for that weekend away? Then the pros surely outweigh the cons for city driving or owning a car. There are however alternatives available to car ownership. Quadriga has a ‘car club’ available where you can have use of a selection of luxury pool cars perfect for weekend trips. You can even choose an eco car if you really must drive into the city. Even better Quadriga take care of all the insurance, servicing, congestion charging, maintenance costs, MOT and registration renewals and parking permits. Being able to pick and choose when you need a car sounds like the perfect solution.

With constant traffic, red lights and never ending roadworks setting out on a car journey in the city is not usually something to look forward to.

There are some top tips however to make your driving experience more enjoyable and less stressful.

1. Get a car made for the city
Parking is always a nightmare regardless of whether you are good at it or night. Compact car parks and tricky on road spaces can be made a lot easier by getting a smaller car such as a Smart Car which is smaller in length and width can make parking a lot easier as well as avoiding scratches and scrapes. Car clubs are a good option where you can lease a car perfect for city driving.

2. Weigh up manual vs. automatic
Driving manual cars can make driving stressful and tiring, particularly in hilly cities. The constant stop and go is annoying so you might be better off with an automatic.

3. Get help with your parking
That annoying beeping when a car in reverse can be extremely useful. Rear parking sensors are fairly common, and some luxury cars offer them in the front as well. The camera projects an exact image of what’s behind you on the navigation screen, which can be easier than relying on your ears alone.

4. Drive economically
Not all of us have access to an eco car so to drive more economically try and drive at a steady speed with less use of the break. If you’re stopped go into neutral. Use the accelerator lightly and coast where you can. Remember to fill up before you hit the city, petrol stations are usually in difficult places and hard to find.

5. Stop the lane change game
Believe it or not, changing lanes frequently will get you there only a few seconds earlier, while greatly increasing your chance of a collision.

6. Breathe fresh air
City driving usually means a lot of smog and soot. Your air filter protects you and your occupants from breathing the worst of the fumes and the particulates they carry.

7. Protect your car from crime
You can never be too careful in the city. Never leave valuables or any bags in view. Put all bags in the boot of your car. If you can use anti-theft protection like a wheel lock and car alarm then do.

8. Sat nav anyone?
You may think you know your way around the city but one wrong turn and you could end up stuck. Using a sat nav can help you get out of difficult situations and are useful for areas you don’t know.

So there are the top tips. One final point is STAY CALM. People will cut you up, pedestrians will walk out in front of you but getting stressed won’t prevent this it will just increase your blood pressure!