Buying a sports car is a very personal choice.  For some, the drive quality may be the most important thing, whilst others will look for a car’s aesthetic quality.  Since it is such a huge and important investment, there are certain things to bear in mind before buying a sports car in order to make the right decision.

Firstly, think about budget.  Have a figure in mind that you want to spend, but also think about the costs of running such a car.  Sports cars are not usually very fuel-efficient.  Also consider tax and insurance, both of which are likely cost more for a high-performance vehicle.

Although the space in sports cars is usually limited, some are roomier than others are.  Some may have two rear seats, whilst others only have one.  Some may have incredibly tiny boots in order to compensate for large, powerful engines.  If you will be using the car on a day-to-day, think about how practical it will be.

Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, think about what drive quality you want from your sports car.  It may be power that you want, or you may be looking for great handling instead.  The only way to decide whether a sports car is the right one for you is by test-driving it.

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When purchasing a new vehicle, there is no reason to allow oneself to be hoodwinked by cowboy sales people. There are simple ways that potential buyers can prepare themselves for the process of buying. By arming themselves with a little basic knowledge it is possible to ensure they obtain a fair deal for themselves.

It is always advisable to ensure the price being charged is a fair one and the buyer should be sure to do extensive research to ensure this. It is quite probable that they will be taken advantage of if such preparatory work is not done. 
  
There are several factors that may raise or lower the value of a car. One possible factor that may affect the price of second-hand cars is the MOT test. If the car costs a little more than the buyer expected, but has successfully passed its MOT test, the asking price may represent good value. Extras like this are exactly what need to be considered when determining whether financing is a good avenue to go with such a vehicle. 
 
It may seem obvious, but it must be said that any cosmetic flaw in the vehicle is a valid reason for trying to haggle the price down. The buyer must take any opportunity he or she can to achieve a lower price on the vehicle. If at all possible, bringing a friend who has experience working with cars is always a good idea. 

It is not just an overly high price that the buyer should be on the lookout for. If the price of a car is suspiciously low, it may be because there are mechanical problems with the engine or gearbox. The ideal price is one that seems be in keeping with the condition of the vehicle.   

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Car supermarkets are an alternative to dealerships. They are becoming ever more popular because they enable buyers to select from a variety of car manufacturers, as opposed to having an exclusive arrangement with an individual company. There is no doubt that car supermarkets are well suited to buyers who are flexible in terms of the type of car they are looking for.     

The extensive stock held by a car supermarket also allows buyers to potentially negotiate a great deal. Once again, those who do not have an allegiance to a particular brand are more likely to benefit from the deals found in car supermarkets.

Though they can be found online, most car supermarkets operate out of an actual showroom.  In the UK, there are several popular car supermarkets, such as Carcraft. The larger companies tend to have multiple locations within the UK, making it easier for potential customers to find them.  

Some car supermarkets only sell used cars, so it is worth checking out before visiting one. There are also car supermarkets that sell only new cars or a combination of new and used.

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All vehicles in the UK that have motors must get an MOT (Ministry of Transportation) Certificate that confirms the vehicle is safe and environmentally friendly, according to the standards set out by the law. The MOT shows that the vehicle meets certain standards at the time of the test and should not be seen as a replacement for regular safety and maintenance checks.

On the 16 October 2011, a new style of MOT certificate will be issued that is on plain paper instead of a coloured, pre-printed form. These changes do not affect the use or purpose of the certificate, but are intended to be a part of an initiative to reduce waste and costs.

After completing all tests on your vehicle, an MOT test station will enter the results onto a database. You will then receive the verdict on your motor’s result and be informed of failure or given the MOT pass certificate.

It is important to remember that the MOT certificate relates to the condition of the vehicle at the time of testing and as far as tests can go without dismantling the vehicle. The certificate does not show that the condition is good for the entire year the certificate lasts, does not give any indication on the general mechanical condition of the motors it deals with and should not be seen as evidence of full compliance with laws on the construction and use of motor vehicles.

If there are any minor repairs needed, the certificate will highlight them even though they are not serious enough to warrant a failure. These may include:

•    Items that narrowly passed but will need attention before the next MOT test.
•    Items that do not come under the scope of the checks performed, but were noticed by the examiner.
•    Anything that may become a safety or environmental issue in the near future.

Any motor vehicle that fails the test can retake it at the same test station, who will have told the owner what to repair and check these in the retest. If this partial test is unsatisfactory then the vehicle will need to be serviced and have a new full test to ensure its roadworthiness.

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Selling a car doesn’t need to be a difficult process. If you don’t know much about the vehicle that you drive, there are plenty of ways to determine the value and get a decent deal when you decide to sell it on. The first step that you must take is to figure out whether you would like to sell the car privately or take it into a dealership for a part exchange. Selling privately may take a little longer, but you will be more likely to get a higher price than if the car is taken to a dealership. If you are desperate to get a new car straight away, then part exchange is a good way to quickly get a new vehicle at a reduced price.

Pricing a Car

So many people say “I want to sell my car”, but have no idea what to charge! There is a quick and easy solution to this problem. All you need to do is make a list of all of the car’s primary features, including the condition, model, year, time left on the MOT, and mileage. These features should then be compared to other cars on the market that have the same specifications. This way you will be able to determine an average figure of what the car is likely to be worth.

Getting Ready to Sell

When selling a car there are a few things that can be done in order to make the sale go smoothly. When advertising, it’s important to make sure that the car’s description is as accurate as possible, even if it is only suitable for parts. If you don’t do this, you will almost certainly prolong the selling process, as buyers will not make the purchase. Also make sure that you give the buyer a good impression of the vehicle. Make sure that it is cleaned thoroughly. This will show the buyer that you have taken care of the car.

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A number of basic checks should be regularly carried out on your car to ensure it will run reliably and safely.  These checks are particularly important before making a long journey.

First, check the oil level.  Most cars will have an oil warning light on the dashboard that will become visible if the level gets too low.  Do not wait for this light to appear because damage may have already been done to the engine by that point.

Secondly check water levels.  The water helps to keep the engine cool.  If it runs low, the engine could overheat resulting in a breakdown.  Check the windscreen washer fluid too – driving with dirty windscreens can be incredibly dangerous.

Be aware of the age of the car’s battery.  An old battery could let you down without warning; better to think ahead and replace it before it runs out at an inconvenient time.

Ensure that the tires are inflated correctly according to manufacturer’s specifications.  If the tyre pressure is wrong, it could have an effect on fuel consumption or may affect the handling of the car.  Ensure that the tyres are not too worn and are legally roadworthy.

Specifications and instructions for carrying out all of these checks can be found in your car’s handbook.

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When deciding to buy a new car it is important that you completely check it out before handing over your hard earned cash.  It is vital to make certain that you are comfortable behind the wheel, that the car meets your needs and, most important of all, that you will enjoy driving it.

Firstly, you should ensure that you can get in and out of the car easily.  The driver’s seat and steering column should be easy to adjust and allow you to be comfortable behind the wheel.  Make sure you can see all the instruments clearly, and that you can easily see over the bonnet.  Pay attention to any potential blind spots, and make sure that you have good visibility out of the rear window.  If you have a small child, you should ensure that your child’s car seat fits properly and you should also check the luggage space in the boot to ensure that it will meet your needs.  Also make certain that the boot is low enough so that you will be able to lift things in and out of it with ease, without straining your back.

Most places that have cars for sale will happily allow you to test drive the vehicle.  Even if you are buying through a service such as Auto Trader, the seller should be willing to let you test drive the car before you buy.  When taking the test drive, allow at least 30 minutes and try to drive on as many different types of roads as possible to get a good understanding of how the car handles in different types of driving conditions.  Take your time, and don’t let a sales person rush you when it comes to the test drive; you are, after all, going to be spending a lot of money on your new car, and so you want to make certain it is right for you.  Buying a car is not a decision you should feel rushed or pressured into, and if something doesn’t feel right with the car you are test driving, keep shopping around.  There will be something out there that is a better fit for you.

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The used cars market is bigger than ever and prices are going down – two good reasons to buy a used car. But choosing one might be risky, especially for the inexperienced buyer. We have all heard stories about friends of friends being tricked into buying a wreck of a motor. To avoid this, follow our simple guide for buying a used car:

1.    Do your homework. Research models, brands, and ratings. Seek information from the internet, magazines, friends and colleagues. Check insurance and tax costs. You want to narrow down your selection as much as possible before you visit the showroom. Salespeople are impressed by buyers who know what they want, and are consequently less likely to talk you into buying a car you do not need.

2.    Inspect the car. Visit during daylight hours and have a good look at the exterior, interior, and engine. Even if you know nothing about cars, you can identify rust, dents, and suspicious noises. Do not be embarrassed to ask a more knowledgeable friend for help, take the car to a mechanic, or organise a professional inspection – you are the one handing over the cash, so you have every right to do so.

3.    Use common sense. Single-owned cars have a higher value, popular models are generally a better choice, and those older than five years might have serious problems. Do not always opt for the ‘best deal’ – sometimes the shiny make-up and mint interior cover a bad story of accidents and misuse.

4.    Do not always believe the car dealers, but do not ignore them completely. Yes, odometers can easily be reset, but dealers do not necessarily want to trick you. They benefit more from happy customers and do not want to invite difficulties. Ask to see the service history, ask for a test drive, and trust your judgement more than their words.

5.    Negotiate. Most salespeople, both private sellers and corporate dealers, will offer a discount if you ask. Do not focus only on the price. Try to negotiate longer warranty, new tyres or free monthly checks. Read the contract thoroughly before signing it, and ensure you have everything in writing.

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Buying a car will probably be the second largest purchase you will ever make, after buying your house.  Most people are not fortunate enough to be able to pay for their car outright, so making sure you choose the right type of car finance is essential.  Although some car finance plans may seem very complex and complicated at first, in most cases the options tend to be rather straightforward.  It is important when deciding to accept car finance that you make sure the loan and the dealer are SAF approved.  SAF (Specialist Automotive Finance) approval ensures that your loan is aboveboard and all persons at the dealership who are involved in the finance process have passed the SAF competence test.

While there is a range of options available when it comes to car finance, the finance which is available from most car dealers is usually both affordable and can be tailored to suit your budget easily.

In most cases, finance for your car will be offered at a fixed interest rate, and you should be given a choice regarding the length of time you wish to take to make the repayments, within reason of course.  If you are feeling pressured into taking car finance which you do not feel is suitable to your needs, you are well within your rights to refuse it, walk away, and go to another dealer where they will not place you under undue pressure.

Car finance will usually be readily available to those with a good credit rating, and a credit check will be performed to ensure you meet the criteria.  Some dealerships will offer finance to people with poor credit if they can come up with a guarantor, but it is likely that the rate of interest on this loan will be considerably higher than it would be for someone with good credit.

As with all loans, you are advised to look around and speak to family and friends to see where you can get the best deal.  Buying a car is expensive, and you will want to keep your monthly repayments as low as possible.

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For many people, the Jaguar Mark X is synonymous with the criminal underworld of the UK as it was often the car of choice for gangsters and getaway cars. However the car giant did not intend this to be the image of their car, instead it was meant to be the preferred choice of transport for diplomats, film stars and heads of state.

The car was launched in 1961, the same year as the company’s E-type. It had an independent rear suspension system, revolutionary for the time and had a triple carburettor, 3.8 litre engine and despite being bulky and nearly 6 feet 5 inches wide, could reach speeds of 120 mph.

On the inside, the car sported adjustable steering, picnic tables and a complicated heating system. The unitary body was the largest in the country in the early 1960s and was designed with the worst road conditions in mind.

The car giant suffered a number of unofficial strikes in the early 1960s which did not help business and the model never reached the sales target Jaguar wanted for it. In the USA it was seen as too reminiscent of 1950s razor-edged Cadillacs and in the United Kingdom it was seen simply as being too big.

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