The MINI Cooper One Convertible

August 13th, 2010

When the new style of used Mini cars first came into being the market reacted with great admiration. This was a new breed of Mini that was very much previously a fashion / automotive icon of the 1960’s. The Cooper is available in three different models; the standard Coupe version, the Convertible and the Cooper S, which is the most sporty of the three. Regarding the Convertible, it has many attributes that have now made it a firm favourite. Read the rest of this entry »

A True Convertible – The Mazda MX-5

August 13th, 2010

Living in the UK it is more than understandable that the Coupe dominates over the Convertible given the unpredictable weather that is forced upon us. However, over the last few years there has been many improvements regarding the quality of soft top cars in that they are now much more suitable and fit in with the design of the vehicle; as opposed to being a bold and black cover (like in years gone by). One unit that has withstood the ups and downs of the convertible sector is the MX-5 by Mazda, which really is the ultimate Convertible. This is a car that has brought the enjoyment back to driving and the new version comes with a much improved style when compared to the older used Mazda MX-5. Read the rest of this entry »

The All New Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe

August 13th, 2010

Now this is a car that I would really like to get my hands on! Not often is there a Mercedes-Benz vehicle that tickles the fancy as much as this one and it is widely expected that it will go on to become a true favourite and a popular choice in the market. There have been some used Mercedes vehicles of old that have provided (me personally) with some glorifying moments but none more so than this new E-Class Coupe as it is quite simply stunning. Read the rest of this entry »

Maserati’s MC Sport Line – Excellence in Sport Design

August 13th, 2010

As we know, Maserati cars are ones of elegance, prestige and glamour that very few can match. With models such as the used Maserati Ghibli and the more recent GrandCabrio, Quattroporte and the GranTurismo, the brand has grown to extreme heights and become a real force in the industry. But it seems that they have now took things one step further as they have now enhanced some of their designs by introducing the MC Sport Lines Customisation Program that has brought the level of prestige to a whole new level. Read the rest of this entry »

Lotus – The Handling Experts of Driving

August 13th, 2010

Lots Cars is a company that has had a long association with the racing circuit and, during this time, has managed to produce some truly revolutionary vehicles that have achieved lots of success. The decision was taken to use their experiences in racetrack vehicles and transfer this to the road by manufacturing units that would be made available to consumers. Looking back it was the likes of the used Lotus 2-Eleven and Elise that would give Lotus a foundation for matching their success on the track; with success on the road. Fast forward a few years and it is clear that Lotus have indeed delivered what they had promised and provided us with some truly magnificent vehicles that are now highly regarded in the industry. Read the rest of this entry »

A True Beast – The Dodge Ram 1500

June 11th, 2010

Looking at the Dodge Ram 1500 from afar, you could quite rightly say that it is certainly not a vehicle to be messed with! Perhaps this is fitting then that the term “Ram” is contained within the model name – because it sure looks like it could cause some damage. Put it this way, if there were to be a head on collision, the Dodge Ram 1500 would more than likely come out on top. But it is not just the robustness and sturdiness of the Ram 1500 that is its main offerings; the standard specification is equally impressive. For example some of the features contained include the 5.7 litre V8 engine offering 390 hp, parking sensors, power adjustable pedals, automatic temperature control (dual zone) , 20 inch wheels (chrome), remote start and even an Alpine surround sound system that incorporates a subwoofer! So what about the other trims versions? Well there are an additional 4 trims available (meaning 5 in total); the Sport, TRX, SLT and ST, all of which provide the standard kit as well as individual distinctions. Some of the features include high shoulder bucket seats, leather-wrapped steering wheel, fog lamps and tow hooks, power sliding rear window, armrest / business console, chrome grill and a CD / radio with six speakers. So for a vehicle like this, the new and used Dodge Ram 1500 has a lot to offer; both on the outside and also on the inside. Safety is not compromised either as the Ram 1500 includes electronic stability control, hill start assist, trailer sway control and four wheel anti-lock disc brakes, all of which come as standard! In summary, whether you are buying a Ram 1500 straight from the showroom or from the used Dodge market, you will definitely get your monies worth.

The Chrysler Grand Voyager – Furthering Luxury

June 11th, 2010

With 30 miles per gallon combined and 39 MPG extra urban, it is no wonder that many buyers are switching their attention to Chrysler’s Grand Voyager model. Large and spacious, it makes for an ideal family car as it will easily accommodate a whole host of passengers. Also, it is ideal for transporting cargo, whilst doing it in style. Its exterior looks are decent but not overly stylish, which is probably one area that could do with a little improvement. Nonetheless, it is the performance and practicality of the vehicle that is its main selling point, with the outer design seemingly being secondary. A descendant of Chrysler’s best selling MPV’s, the new and used Chrysler Grand Voyager becomes part of a range of MPV’s that have served the company so well. In fact, Chrysler has been responsible for more innovations into their MPV’s than any other MPV manufacturers. What the exterior doesn’t deliver in terms of style it is very much a different cattle of fish for the interior, which has been designed with practicality and efficiency in mind. One feature that stands out is the excellent “Swivel ‘n Go” and “Stow ‘n Go” and this really is an advancement innovation. In fact, for long journeys with the family, there probably couldn’t be a vehicle better equipped to deal with the boredom of travelling. The Grand Voyager is without doubt one of the most flexible and inspiring MPV’s currently in the market and, as noted above, is just perfect for families. Finally, in terms of the engine performance of the new and used Chrysler Grand Voyager, the standard model comes equipped with 6 speed transmission powering a 2.8 litre engine that offers 161 BHP; which all in all is quite decent for a vehicle of this size.

Chevrolet Spark – An Innovative Design

June 11th, 2010

There are three trim choices available with the Chevrolet Spark. Firstly there is the standard version, which comes with features such as ABS, privacy glass, numerous airbags and power steering. Secondly there is the Spark + trim, which in addition to the features of the standard version includes CD / radio, electric windows (front) and air conditioning. And finally there is the Spark LS, the top of the range Chevrolet Spark and this offers 14 inch wheels, an adjustable steering column, body coloured door handles / mirrors and remote central locking. So between the three trims there are a whole lot of different features available, which make the Spark a decent offering to those in the market for a city car. This is a vehicle that provides an innovative design that is accompanied by an interior, which is rather spacious for a unit of its size. With 5 doors, the space is more convenient and inside there is the sense of quality engineering and style. Simple but very effective, the new and used Chevrolet Spark is a car that is a worthy inner-city car contender. Practical is one word, which probably sums up this vehicle and Chevrolet promote that the Spark could well be ideal for a second family car as it offers something, which is ideal for getting from points A to B. It is also a safe auto and comes equipped with the ISOFIX child seat system; something that is becoming standard for most new car designs. So whether you are buying a new Chevrolet Spark as your main car or you want to dip into the used Chevrolet market for a Spark that will serve as a second car in the household, you will be investing in a compact and practical vehicle that will serve its purpose very well indeed.

Porsche Cars – Possibly the Best from Germany

June 7th, 2010

Along with Ferrari, the brand of Porsche is right up there with the very best of them in terms of top end sports cars. In fact, whilst purchasing a car is often seen as an investment that guarantees a loss, buying a Porsche can often mean the total opposite; their value can increase over time. It is because of this reason, coupled with the fact that their vehicles are of such a good quality, that Porsche can command such a premium price for their autos. The used Porsche 924 was one example of a Porsche production that took the market by storm but without doubt it was the 911 model that catapulted the brand of Porsche to unimaginable heights of success. The 911 created such a buzz that it led to other successful models being introduced such as the Carrera, Boxster and the recent Cayenne and Panamera (the latest addition to the line-up). Once again Germany has managed to manufacture a brand of cars that is very much at the top end of the market and includes some of the world’s most desired auto machines. It is because of their unquestionable quality that the used Porsche market has been just as popular as the new car market arena. Buying a quality assured used Porsche guarantees any potential new owner that they are investing in something that is primed for their driving pleasure. This type of guaranteed is as much of a selling point as it is a reassurance, and Porsche therefore have a strong grip on the market as more and more buyers consider the purchase of the vehicles in their range. As noted above, the now used Porsche 911 was the one car that acted as the biggest step to Porsche’s popularity and today it is quite rightly regarded as the flagship model of the company.

Cars from Saab – Comfort and Luxury Defined

June 7th, 2010

Everyone has their own opinion on anything and everything including the different car manufacturers; this is just everyday reality. However, one thing is for certain and that is that you would be hard pushed to find anyone that disagrees with the statement that new and used Saab cars are among the comfiest around. For long journeys and night time driving, Saab cars are just ideal and many would say perfect. Why? Well the answer comes from a combination of things such as the quality of the soft leather seats, the touch of the furry cloth and the smoothness of the engine. The thing is that even the older used SEAT cars equate to comfort, which is a big testament to this Swedish car company. In fact, it is this uniqueness (being from Sweden) that may well provide Saab with the foundation to be treated differently to the rest, hence, where people recognise their comfort over other car manufacturers. One small downside is that they do not have a wide variety of cars as their model range is quite limited. Nonetheless, those used Saab autos like the 9-3 and 9-5 will definitely satisfy a good number of buyers and drivers. Having said that, it appears Saab new and used cars targets a certain type of audience, which appears to be quite a niche sector in the market. Included in the new and used Saab range, as well as the 9-3 and 9-5 Saloon models is the 9-3 Convertible and the 9-5 SportWagon; both of which are excellent examples of vehicle manufacturing and engineering. The thing about Saab is that they always seem to have been given an unfair platform for success and maybe this is due to the fact that they are not recognised as one of the “leading” automotive manufacturers such as Volkswagen or Toyota. However, this should not mean that this car company produces a lesser quality of cars; in fact this is quite the opposite.