New Cars | Cool Cars & Bikes

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Tell-Tale Signs That You Need To Buy A New Car

By Mark

Some of us feel extremely sentimental about our cars, especially if we have had them for a long time. Every time we turn on the ignition we are filled with nostalgia about drives we’ve taken and places we’ve visited. Sadly, even with the best upkeep and care cars aren’t built to last forever. They wear out and become impractical to drive as often as we would like. Eventually, there comes a time when we need to replace our beloved older car with something more reliable. Unfortunately, this is difficult for some people to accept and their love for their car often causes them to be in denial. So if you or someone you know needs a reality check, take a look at these tell-tale signs that a new car is something you need.

You’re always breaking down

Older cars are expected to break down and need minor repairs every now and then. But if they are happening every few months, multiple areas of your life can be affected. Firstly it stops you from being able to drive anywhere, which can make it difficult to get to work or see friends. If major repairs such as replacing your exhaust system is needed each time, this can be a big drain on your finances too. If you know your mechanics contact details off by heart, this means you’re seeing them far too much. So get your car looked at to see what other potential issues you may have in future. If they think a lot of expensive repair work is needed to get it working correctly, replacing your car might be a more sensible option.

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Your car isn’t fuel efficient anymore

As cars get older, they tend to becomes less energy efficient. This means that your car is using petrol at an alarming rate and needs to be topped up more frequently. It’s no secret that petrol prices can be extortionate, which isn’t ideal if you have to fill up your tank every few days. This adds to the costs of running your car and going to a petrol station continually can be inconvenient and frustrating. Newer cars are designed to be energy efficient, while also being more environmentally friendly. So replacing your older car with something newer can be good for the planet and your bank balance in the long run. Visit Saxton 4×4 or other car dealerships to see just how efficient newer models can be or read reviews online. You might be surprised just how little you have to fill up compared to your current car.

You’re paying more for your insurance

The older your car is, the more expensive it is to get it insured. This is because they are more likely to experiences issues. But also because they don’t have the same level of safety features that newer cars have as standard. Even if you are a model driver with no claims or points on our license, this won’t stop your premiums from increasing. Paying for insurance that continues to increase each year can be difficult for many people. Especially if you are already paying for expensive repairs and petrol. While you could use price comparison sites to try and get a better deal, you won’t necessarily save a great deal. So If you’ve noticed a steady increase in how much you are paying to insure your car, buying a new car could be a good solution.

Your car is becoming unsafe

If you use your car to transport your family or friends, safety should always be a main priority. But if your car is getting old, the safety of your vehicle might be brought into question. Your car may break down in a hazardous location such as on the motorway. If it’s an old model, the interiors such as the headrests and seatbelts might also have started to disintegrate. This can be particularly dangerous if you are involved in a crash as they won’t provide optimal protection. You can pay to have enhanced safety features added to your vehicle, but these can also be expensive to have installed. If you or your family ever feel unsafe when inside your car, an upgrade should be something you consider immediately.

If one or all of these signs sound familiar, replacing your old banger with a newer model is probably the best option. The memories you associate with this car will remain even after your car has been replaced. So take your car out for one last adventure and start searching for a new car that you can create new memories in.

Maintenance Tips

Keep Your Car Looking Its Best With These Easy Tips

By Jodie

Our car is our pride and joy. It may seem silly to some, but we grow seriously attached to our motors. And just like with anything we love, it’s important to show it the proper care and attention it deserves. Here are a few ways to keep your car looking its best at all times.

Keep Your Tyres Inflated

Have you ever been caught off-guard by the awkward observation of a stranger – “your tyres are looking a little flat.” If so, you’ll know there’s nothing more dehumanising than to know you let it slip through your radar. Proper tyre maintenance is often overlooked in comparison to the aesthetics of our vehicles, but it’s just as important.

You should get in the habit of checking the pressure of your tyres every morning. That way you know that you’ll need to stop off to get them pumped up on the way home from work. It’s also important to replace your tyres when they’re showing signs of balding. Bald tyres are not only dangerous, but they’re also illegal.

Clean The Windows Regularly

There’s nothing more off-putting than a shiny new car with dull and dirty windows. Don’t be that guy. Make sure that all your windows and mirrors are gleaming at all times. That doesn’t just go for your front, back and sides either. Don’t overlook your wing or rear-view mirrors either. If you find a crack forming, it doesn’t spell the end of your window if you catch it early enough. Most of the time, you’ll be able to fix it easily with a windscreen chip repair. This is considerably less expensive than having to replace your entire windscreen, so always be on the lookout and don’t leave it too long.

Clean Car Seats Regularly

Don’t forget the seats! Keeping these clean will help your car smell nice and when you come to sell, nobody wants scruffy seats. Ever wondered how you get a milk smell out of a car then check out advice here.

Maintain the Paintwork

The body of your car is arguably its most important aspect. This is what makes people’s heads turn as you drive past them in the street. It’s what makes your car personal to you

Keeping the paintwork gleaming should be your utmost priority, at least as far as your car’s looks are concerned. Take it through the car wash regularly to make sure there is no build-up of dirt. If you’ve accidentally clipped something when parking, get that dent seen to immediately. There are few things worse than seeing a car’s beautifully crafted bodywork scratched. Getting it seen to is generally inexpensive, and most companies like Dent Removal 247 won’t charge you unless they fix the problem.

Check Fluids Often

When it comes to the fuel your car needs to survive; the buck doesn’t stop at changing the oil and topping up the gas. There’s an awful lot more to consider – brake fluid, windshield wash, water and power steering fluid to name just a few. You should check these about once a week. There’s really no excuse for neglecting this. Provided you keep on top of it, it doesn’t need to become a big job. And replacement bottles are readily available at garages, supermarkets, or online. Just think; would you rather take care of it now, or when you’ve broken down on the way home?

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How to Find the Best Deals on a New Car

By Mark

Finding a good deal when you’re looking for a new car can be hard. These ideas will make it easier though.

Weigh Up Your Needs with Your Finances

We all have budgets when buying a car. You should make sure the budget you set is realistic. You don’t want to buy a car and then be struggling to pay the rent for the next few months! So, don’t splash out on a car you can’t afford. Sit down at the table and go through your finances, and add the amount you can afford to the price you got for your old car. If your budget is big, that doesn’t mean you have to use it all. Think about what you need and weigh that up against your budget.

Use Dealerships & the Internet

There are so many channels you can use to find cars nowadays. Of course, there are still the conventional car dealerships, and these can be very useful. The local Mercedes Benz dealership, for example, can be a great place to buy a car for people looking for security and reliability. But you should make the most of the internet as well. There are lots of good deals for people searching for a second-hand car. Be careful not to be ripped off though!

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Always Test Drive

Recent research found that with the rise of the internet and direct person-to-person sales over auction websites, we’re all forgetting to test drive cars before buying them. That’s a huge mistake though, and you should be careful not to make it. If you don’t test drive the car, you could miss the chance to pick up on problems and get a real feel for the car. If you ask me, it’s impossible to know whether a car is the right one for you until you get behind the wheel and drive it.

Think About the Long-Term

Yes, it’s alway easier to think about the short-term, but that’s not a good thing to do. You should think about how much the car will be worth when it comes to selling it. Of course, it’s impossible to know what the exact resale value of the car will be in the future. But you can do a little research. For example, if you’re buying a brand new Fiat 500, have a look how much the price goes down on older models. You can do this by looking at online sales of used Fiat 500s and comparing the prices to the original price of the car when bought new. That way, you can find a car that doesn’t fall in price much.

Don’t be Afraid to Haggle

We’re often worried about haggling, but it’s something that you should always try. Even if you’re not very good at it, you might still be able to knock a bit of money off the price of the car. Don’t be afraid to start with a significantly lower opening offer than the dealer wants. They probably won’t accept this low offer, but it’ll show that you’re serious about getting the car at a reduced rate. They’ll then come back with a lower offer, and the haggling process will be well under way.

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Buying A Used Luxury Car? Watch Out For These Pitfalls

By Jodie

We all dream of parking a brand new luxury car on the driveway. We’d love to show off the new Mercedes badge or show up to the golf course in a new Jaguar. Unfortunately, these cars are usually well out reach for the average buyer. Their price tags race into the hundreds of thousands, and even the most generous finance plan won’t cover it. When this is the case, many buyers start to glance towards the used market. A brand new model may be out of your price range, but what about the second-hand version?

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For many buyers, this is the only way to get your hands on your dream car. We wholeheartedly recommend browsing the used market. We’ve picked up some fantastic bargains ourselves, including a stunning Mercedes at motorlinedirect.co.uk. However, it’s not all plain sailing on the used market. Buyers are easily overcome by the luxury badge, and forget to check the condition. It might have a low price tag, but luxury cars are seriously expensive to maintain and repair. By all means, buy a used luxury car, but avoid the following pitfalls at all costs.

Failing to research

Gathering knowledge is the single most important thing you can do when buying a car. We can’t stress this enough. It’s even more important when it comes to luxury cars. Why? Because, every year or era has a different value when it comes to luxury and classic motors. As a buyer, you need to know why a 1961 Jaguar E-Type is worth more than a 1974 Jaguar E-Type. When buying luxury cars, knowledge is power. Make sure you know how to spot a bargain, and understand what you’re paying for.

Buying for the badge

We often see luxury car owners blinded by the status symbol and badge associated with a car. Yes, the car of your dreams may have the coveted Mercedes badge. But, that doesn’t make it exempt from breakdown, repair, or faults. A super cheap Merc is not necessarily a bargain; it could simply mean it’s a death-trap! Don’t trust the badge. Use your instincts, and check the car thoroughly. We’ll show you a little more about that in the next section. Just remember, you’re looking for more than just a badge. There’s no point buying a Jaguar if it spends half the year in the mechanic’s shop.

Failing to test drive

As a member of multiple classic car clubs and organisations, we hear a lot of horror stories. The most common story on the grapevine involves blind-buying on the internet. Buyers find a bargain classic or luxury car online, and they make an impulse purchase. We’ve seen this happen at car auctions too. They’ve been searching for a specific car for years, and they finally find it at a bargain price. Of course, it arrives in a mess, costing the buyer a fortune to restore to road-legal status. Don’t make this mistake. Always test drive the prospective car before buying.

Follow this advice, and you’ll make a sensible investment. Follow your heart, but listen to your head too!

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Where is the best place to buy a new car?

By Mark

Every year around 6 million used cars change hands. Most of these sales run smoothly, going off without a hitch so both the seller and buyer end up happy with the transaction. However, sometimes problems can occur, so it pays to think carefully about the best place to go when looking for a second-hand car.

Private sellers

You’ve probably driven past parked cars with a ‘For Sale’ sign and price in the window. Some people list used cars in local newspapers and the internet is becoming increasingly popular. You can find private sellers everywhere but however you find them, you should always take care before completing a purchase.

Private sellers are only legally obliged to have the right to actually sell the vehicle, to make sure it is roadworthy (unless it is being sold specifically for spares or scrap) and to give an accurate description of the vehicle, which is usually ‘sold as seen’. It’s generally a good idea to have a vehicle checked out by an independent mechanic. As well as a thorough mechanical inspection, you should get a car history check to help rule out problems such as buying a car that has been stolen, or which still has debt attached.

Auctions

Car auctions can be another great way to pick up bargains, but they’re not recommended for the inexperienced. The terms and conditions of an auction can vary but, as with a private seller, a vehicle will usually be sold as seen. Some auctions may also include guarantees or warranties for an extra fee, but these will usually be limited as to what they cover. You will have the opportunity to inspect the car before bidding so make sure you know exactly what to look for on the bodywork and under the bonnet, or take somebody who does.

Dealers

Dealers and used car programmes can be a far safer solution when it comes to buying quality used cars. You might pay slightly more but there are several benefits. Firstly, there’s likely to be a larger choice, meaning you are more likely to find a specific car if that’s what you’re after. Dealers are also bound by the Sale of Goods Act and the requirements of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations. Dealers must prepare a vehicle before sale, which will mean checking the mileage has not been tampered with and running checks to ensure it has not been stolen. Many dealers will also offer their own range of guarantees, warranties and mechanical and other checks.