Motoring News
Yesterday, 28 December 2014Britain has only its politicians to fear
Politics stands in the way of the UK leading the European pack
read moreThe best used cars to get over Christmas
Christmas may be over, but there's still time to bag yourself a festive bargain banger
I know Christmas is over but, whether or not you have been naughty or nice this year, it's still worth asking Santa for what you really, really want to drive.There are so many great used cars out there and they offer great value for money. Just think how much happier you will be with a sports car than, say, a pair of hand-knitted socks.We politely suggest that you leave this page open on your partner's/close friend's/mum’s laptop just in case Santa doesn’t get the message. Or, if all else fails, take a look at my used car buying guide.Santa's Grotto – Super-saloonIf you were on Santa’s lap and he asked you what you wanted, chances are it would be a bit of everything. You know, supercar fast, comfy, room for all the family and dead sexy. Well, that could be a BMW M5 of course, but then a Jaguar S-type R is sensational value right now, so we’ll have one of those.Luxury Hamper - LuxobargeOh yes, a bit of this, some of that and plenty of luxury, please. If you're going to enjoy Christmas in any meaningful way you really do need a great big comfy settee on wheels, perhaps even with four wheel drive. An Audi A8 quattro, then, would be truly wonderful, and it won’t fall over in the ice an
read moreVolvo V40 Cross Country D4 review
Can a more powerful and efficient new engine help the Volvo V40 Cross Country overcome its shortcomings?
In essence this is the same Volvo V40 as before with off-road styling tweaks, but it now comes equipped with a new and more efficient Drive-E 2.0-litre diesel engine and an upgraded infotainment system.The D4 moves from five to four cylinders, but despite the loss of a pot, Volvo has been able to squeeze out more power. It now manages a heady 187bhp combined with 295lb ft, all channelled via a standard six-speed manual, or, in the case of our test car, an eight-speed automatic gearbox. It’s an efficient combination, too, metering out fuel at a claimed 65.7mpg combined and emitting just 112g/km of CO2 (the manual manages an even more impressive 70.6mpg and 104g/km).Good news for company car drivers, then? Sadly not, because at £28,770 it’s more expensive than rivals such as the Audi A3 Sportback and Volkswagen Golf SV, while our options-heavy test car was a whopping £37,295. That means despite an 18 per cent tax banding, a higher rate company user would pay £2685 a year.Back in 1997, Volvo was the creator of the off-road estate car genre with its XC70. The idea was to take a standard road car and beef it up with a sprinkling of mud-plugging ability.However, with the V40 D4 Cross Country there’s not much genuine green-lane talent. It’s front-wheel drive (four-wheel drive only being available on T4 and T5 petrol versions), and apart from a ride height that’s been raised by 40mm, basically all that’s changed from the standard hatchback is the addition of some shiny roof rails and a dash of black plastic on
read moreUsed cars – the simple tech checks anyone can make
Buying a used car can seem a little daunting, but you can minimise the chances of problems with these simple tech checks and answers to the most commonly asked questions
Buying a used car can be a daunting experience, but bear our essential used car checklist in mind and you can walk away with peace of mind. Remember, you don't need to get your hands dirty, either. Just use your senses and take a knowing mate along too.Autocar's roadside once-over Tyres – you want the same tread pattern and make on each axle at least, not some remoulds you’ve never heard of. Different tread depths suggest alignment/suspension issues.Alloys – chipped, scraped and caked in brake dust? An owner who doesn’t care.VIN plate – make sure they match and haven’t been tampered with.History – old MOTs are worth studying for continuity. Plus you might find a bill for a new front end after an accident.Electrics – press and prod everything and use your mate to tell you if the lights work.Levels – look at the oil, water and hydraulic fluids. All should be fresh and at the max level. Bodywork – panel gaps, bits of dirt in the paint, overspray? It’s all about observation.Locks – make sure they work smoothly. If they catch, perhaps there’s been a big prang.The owner – do you trust them? Be a snob. Can they afford to run the car you want to buy? Used cars – frequently asked questions:What's the best way to pay for a used car?If someone wants cash, well, it’s their right to ask, but do you
read moreAutocar's guide to buying a used car
Want to buy a previously owned car but don’t know where to begin? Our svengali of the secondhand, James Ruppert, guides you through the used car jungle
So, you're in the market for a used car. Where do you buy? What do you go for? Should you head to the dealer or the auction house? James Ruppert reveals all.Ways to buy a used car – pros and cons1 – Private saleHere’s where you could get lucky and meet a very lovely person who has a truly lovely car to sell. You could be buying from someone who is passionate and protective and has clearly cherished what you want to own, plus they have a folder full of service history and a plausible reason to sell. So the rule is always to buy an enthusiast’s car from an enthusiast, if you can. On the other hand, they may regularly sell cars for cash without a word to the tax man. That makes them car dealers without any of the responsibilities or warranties.Genuine private sellers may have the balance of a factory warranty, or an independent one, or one that applies to specific parts, be they tyres, batteries or alternators, so do ask. There’s no comeback if you have a problem, provided they haven’t misled you or sold an unroadworthy car. Pros: They have the perfect car.Cons: There are no comebacks.2 – Franchised main dealerThe point here is that you’ll pay more for the car because franchises have big, big overheads. The upside, of course, is that the cars should be the very best available and they’ll come with a great warranty. The car should have a main dealer service
read moreBest cars of 2014 – Vauxhall VXR8 GTS
An Australian-born brute it may be, but we love this slice of muscle car madness all the same
This year the pages of Autocar have been graced by many superb cars, from the affordable and charming Hyundai i10 to the costly and utterly enthralling Ferrari 458 Speciale. Out of all those cars, though, it’s Vauxhall’s flagship VXR8 GTS that had me looking at residual value forecasts to see when I’d actually, if ever, be able to afford one.There are, of course, obvious reasons to like the rear-drive GTS. It packs a heady mix of a supercharged 6.2-litre V8 that produces 577bhp and 546lb ft, a six-speed manual gearbox and a limited-slip differential.It’ll dispatch the 0-60mph sprint in just 4.2sec and reach an electronically limited 155mph. More notable is the fact that the muscular-looking VXR8 costs £54,499 new – almost £20k less than similar-performing offerings from Mercedes-Benz and BMW. It’s the flexibility of the GTS that really makes it stand out for me, though. Want a distinctive car in which to cruise, in comfort, with minimal effort? It’s a great choice for just that. The cabin is well appointed, quiet and spacious, the seats are supportive, the controls aren’t overly heavy and the equipment list is lon
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