Picking a good test drive route

•October 1, 2009 • Comments Off on Picking a good test drive route

It can be a great feeling when you finally find a car amongst the thousands available that suits you down to the ground and falls into your price bracket. However, you should not get carried away as private sellers and dealers will use your enthusiasm and interest to make sure you pay over the odds for it. It is vital to keep a cool head and do all the things that you always would when buying a second hand car like checking the service history, undergoing a thorough inspection and taking it for that all important test drive.

The test drive is so important that when accessing the merits of say used cars in Manchester that you give the car a thorough test run by thinking your route out carefully to see how the car copes in all road surfaces. Remember, around a thirty-minute test drive is the only chance you’ll get to get behind the wheel, so make the most of it by including the following:

Inner city driving

The sheer number of cars on the road means that you can spend a lot of your time in a traffic jam, so take your car into congested areas. This will give you an opportunity to see how it copes with regular stopping and starting as well as constant gear changes which will highlight any issues with the clutch and gearbox. Use this test as a chance to see how it manoeuvres around town in your regular routine as well as remember you are the one that has to live with it.

Motorways

Spending a lot of time in the fast lane is a big test for cars, especially second hand ones. Including a short stint on the motorway during a test drive will always be beneficial. Listen out for any knocking noises and just feel how the car copes at speed as it can often be an indication of what condition the car is actually in underneath.

Country roads

Winding roads can cause a lot of trouble for cars that have been in accidents that the seller is trying to cover up. On country roads you are checking for the handling being tight and direct as this will highlight problems with the chassis and steering rack. If applicable, try and test the cars’ ability to climb a reasonably steep hill as well as an emergency stop and a hill start for good measure.

Always make the most of a test drive as it can show up any deficiencies in a car that you will not notice on just an inspection.

Posted in Uncategorized
Tags:

Betting on Moto GP and motorbike casino games

•October 1, 2009 • Comments Off on Betting on Moto GP and motorbike casino games

So, Jorge Lorenzo wrapped up the 2012 Moto GP championship, though the failed to finish the last race coming off when trying to overtake a backmarker. It might have worked, but Lorenzo took one gamble too many when he decided to use slicks on a wet and slippery track. At odds of 7/2 he had been the favourite, but because of his spill it was second favourite Dani Pedrosa who won the race priced at 2/1.

If you were looking forward to a little in play betting on the 2013 Argentina race, then unfortunately you will be disappointed. The planned return to Argentina has been postponed to 2014 due to political issues, in particular because of the government’s decision to nationalise Repsol, the Honda Moto GP team sponsor.

It seems a sure fire bet that Michael Laverty will move to Moto GP from British Superbike where he will join his brother Eugene. Despite a couple of British Superbike offers he favours a move to Paul Bird Motorsport. He has established a great reputation in Superbike, and may well be worth some early bets while the odds are favourable.

It is some time before the 2013 Moto GP season gets going, so why not log on to your online casino such as onlinecasinoaustralia.com.au for some motorbike action. There are some great motorbike slot games to keep you entertained along with some virtual; motorbike racing.

One of our favourites is Reel Thunder, a terrific video slot that emulates riding your bike on the open road. It is a five reel slot with nine pay lines and the symbols all revolve around biking. Examples are a licence plate, a speedometer, and, if you are feeling a little hungry a roadhouse where you can get a bite to eat; favourites on the menu are pancakes, hot dogs and flaming chilli peppers; yum.  The wild symbol is a winged heart.

Posted in Uncategorized

The Ford Transit leaves British shores

•October 1, 2009 • Comments Off on The Ford Transit leaves British shores

The word legendary is banded around about many things in life that don’t quite deserve the hype, but one that does is the Ford Transit van; alongside others words like revolutionary. The iconic van – once labelled “the backbone of Britain” by advertisers – is still going remarkably strong in the UK, but a change is in the offing for this prestigious van.

It is a sad day for the British motor industry that the last ever Ford Transit has rolled off the production line in Swaythling. It brings to an end 60-years of Ford manufacturing in the UK and represents a fresh start for the brand. The reason for the move is purely financial with the car maker claiming that its new base in Turkey will come in at a “significantly lower” cost.

For the loyal staff of the Southampton-based plant it will be a mixed move with just over a fifth of the current employees being redeployed to a new vehicle-refurbishing plant in the same area. Meanwhile, a further forty or so will take positions elsewhere within the Ford business, but the majority have taken voluntary redundancy that was offered to them last October.

At such a time of upheaval for a much-love brand it is a good time to look at the things that have made the Transit such a popular van; the long list includes:

  • Reliable workhorse – Fords are built properly and that is what makes them Britain’s favourite car brand. When you get a Ford Transit van you will know that if you don’t need to, then you’ll probably won’t ever have to replace it. It’s remarkable to think that a van can outlast you, but if any van can then it would be a Ford Transit

  • Unbeatable practicality – It was just like a box on wheels that enabled commercial businesses to really up the amount of cargo that could be transported around the country. This multi-purpose capacity makes them ideal for removals, labourers and couriers to move as much equipment, materials and cargo around as they needed to do their jobs effectively

  • Value for money – Practicality, style and performance makes a Ford Transit the most popular van of all time. Throw in the fact that the price never breaks the bank and you can see instantly why the Ford Transit has won so many admirers over the years.

Despite the manufacturing moving to foreign shores you will still to be able to buy the Transit at the likes of the Vanwise Van Supermarket in Kent and Ford can rest assured that its flagship van will always remain a stable of commercial life in Britain.

Posted in Uncategorized
Tags:

Placeholder

•October 1, 2009 • Comments Off on Placeholder

Posted in Uncategorized

Jaguar XF forges ahead of rivals

•October 1, 2009 • Comments Off on Jaguar XF forges ahead of rivals

The mid-size executive saloon market has predominantly been the domain of the German car makers and with good reason. The likes of Audi, Mercedes and BMW have been rolling out the standard bearers that are amongst the best cars ever built. However, Jaguar decided that it needed to show its hand and take on the establishment that was beginning to lack originality by introducing the elegantly-named Jaguar XF saloon.

Has it worked? Well, the simple answer is yes. Jaguar could not have dreamed that the XF would have succeeded so quickly and steal so many sales from the grips of its main rivals. In 2012, the XF accounted for more then sixty per cent of UK’s executive saloon market. It generated over 500 more new registrations, up until July last year, over the Audi offering to stand at an impressive 5,653 sales when you consider it has limited options compared to the likes of the Mercedes E-Class and BMW 5 –Series. Here’s why a Jaguar XF for sale has turned out to be such a hit with UK buyers and the default choice in its class:

  • Thoughtfully designed – The XF is the best looking car in its class with a beautifully-crafted front grill combined with sleek lines of the bodywork leading to a neatly-sculpted back end. It exposes a tiring look in its rivals to bring a touch of style to the class

  • Dynamic performance – It really is the king in this department being a lovely sporty and responsive car to drive. The XF is a well-balanced, highly-strung car to stick into bends with a sumptuous steering feel and a fluid ride to make it endlessly satisfying

  • Stunning interior – Jaguar’s family saloon is the only one in the class to bring a theatre to the inside that boasts its appeal. Neon lighting, plush finish and revolving vents when you start the engine make it a sight to behold. Everything feels like it belongs and is put together on a par with Audi, which is some compliment

  • Economical to own – You would not expect a Jaguar to perform as highly as it does in this area. However, the insurance tariff, servicing costs and residual values all make pleasant viewing. The fuel economy is especially impressive given the shift that the Jaguar XF is capable of

Jaguar has squared up to the German mainstays toe to toe and is winning; certainly if you are looking at what really matters and that is the results of sales.

Posted in Uncategorized
Tags:

Ford maintains its stranglehold on desirability in 2013

•October 1, 2009 • Comments Off on Ford maintains its stranglehold on desirability in 2013

The motoring industry never ceases to amaze when the latest models are bought out; they always seem funkier and crazier than anything that’s gone before. The Geneva Motorshow 2013 is normally the showcase for car makers to make public their latest line in daring and sometimes ludicrous styling, but also some engineering brilliance that we can look forward to being the norm in models coming up in the next few years.

However, there is always one thing that remains a certainty year after year and that is Ford’s dominance of the small car market. Just like the predictability of petrol prices going up you know that Ford sales are going to be right up there year on year. 2013 is no different with the ever-popular Fiesta and Focus models of Ford’s stable once again at the top of sales so far in the year standing at over twenty-two thousand and fifteen thousand respectively in the first month of the ‘13 license plate. Here’s why new Ford cars for sale remain at the top of their respected classes, the sales charts and the list of the most desirable cars of 2013:

Affordability and value for money

Ford has cornered the market in affordable great-looking cars despite new arrivals such as Kia trying to steal the show. The Ford Fiesta makes a stylish Supermini at a price that will never break the bank, while the Focus oozes style and is inexpensive for a family hatchback.

Smaller cars make financial sense

As petrol prices continue to soar through the roof conscientious drivers are looking to buy more fuel efficient cars that will be frugal as they go about their business and the Focus and Fiesta are at the top of their class for economy.

Easy to live with

Ford’s offer a reliability that you will not find from other car maker’s with every model built to stand the test of time. The Ford Fiesta and Focus are two durable, but refined motors that are practical for their size and able to cope admirably with most everyday situations.

Future-proof

The Ford brand is so strong in Britain having endured a love-affair cemented over many years of loyal service. You won’t have to go far on the roads around your home to find either a Ford Focus or Ford Fiesta smiling back at you from the opposite lane. This presence in the market means that when you come to move-on your new Ford there will be plenty of buyers looking to snap it up.

If you are swayed by new Ford Cars for sale in Chesterfield then get online to find a great deal at an approved dealership, such as GK Group.

Posted in Uncategorized

The thrill of driving the right car on a track day

•October 1, 2009 • Comments Off on The thrill of driving the right car on a track day

There are millions of car enthusiasts across the UK that tune into BBC’s Top Gear religiously to see the best cars racing around a track. But for most of us driving is much more of a mundane task to get us from A to B; whether it is getting to work, picking up family and friends or driving into town and back. We never get to experience the thrill of driving a car to its full potential.

That’s why track days were invented where you can rock up to a track near you, say Castle Combe Circuit near Bristol, and burst around the tight bends to your heart’s content. There are no speed limits and if you spin off well it’s your car you pay the consequences. The point of a track day is to test your everyday car around a race track, but while used cars are good for the day-to-day stuff, which ones come to life around a track?

Small and light cars

Obviously, the lighter the car you have the more fun they usually are to burst around a track while they are far less expensive to run for long periods of time and will wear better. Consider something French, like a Renault Clio, which can do all the everyday stuff admirably, but will come alive when you loosen the taps on a summer’s day when brutally ramming it around a track.

Great-driving roadsters

More often than not you are going to want to take part in a track day during the summer, so a vehicle with a racing pedigree and a retractable roof would be ideal; and you will find none better than the Mazda MX-5. Mazda’s genre-defining two-seater is about as planted as a road car gets with the ability to fire it around corners and winding country roads. Being light and nippy makes the MX-5 ideal for any track day as well as summer driving with the roof down.

More powerful drive trains

If it is the pure adrenaline of raw speed that you want on a track day then you want a powerful motor that can do the turning and twisty bits too. BMW are normally a safe choice with the M3 being the best or simply a Subaru Impreza that will give you the buzz and driving capability to keep you smiling all the way round the track.

If you are looking for a great mix of everyday motors that can moonlight as a track day car in Bristol then you will find a wide range at Car Base Car Dealer Bristol and all at an affordable price.

Posted in Uncategorized

Sponsored content: Ford plans to sell Mustang in Europe, but at what cost?

•October 1, 2009 • Comments Off on Sponsored content: Ford plans to sell Mustang in Europe, but at what cost?

The Ford Mustang has been a classic American car for nearly 50 years. In fact, in 2014, the vehicle will have it’s 50th anniversary. In honor of that anniversary, Ford plans to unveil their new Mustang designed for the European market at the 2014 New York Auto Show. In the face of the failing vehicle economy, Ford hopes to continue to bring in
profits by expanding into the European market.

Ford hopes that by expanding their vehicle sales into other countries, they will be able to improve their overall sales. Although the Mustang is an American car, there are many fans of the brand outside of the United States. Ford hopes to capitalize on these enthusiasts and hopefully bring in more fans, which equals potential customers, by allowing the sale of the new Mustang outside of the United States. Currently, Ford has several other vehicle models sold in Europe, as part of their “One” campaign, but the Mustang has remained strictly on American soil, until now.

So, what exactly does Ford have to do to sell the Mustang brand abroad? To sell Mustangs outside of the United States, Ford will have to make several changes to the design of the vehicle. Some of the options that the company is considering is making the Mustang a smaller, lighter, more fuel efficient car to please European customers. Adding something flashy and “pimping” out an original pony car is not enough to get European customers to bite. Vehicle experts believe that the new Mustang sold in Europe will look similar to the Evos Concept, which combines the sporty look of European vehicles with the power of American cars.

Those wary of the design changes are afraid that giving the Mustang too many variations would destroy the integrity of the brand. These fans are afraid that if you take away the traditional elements of the Mustang’s design, it is no longer a Mustang. Some even feel that by making changes so the vehicle will sell in Europe will dilute the brand, which will actually hinder the sales in both Europe and America. This, obviously, would be the opposite effect of them pursuing the European market in the first place.

Other proposed changes to the Mustang include a right-side drive option for U.K. buyers and an overall smaller and more high-tech design to appeal to younger drivers. This is all in the same plan that Ford has for globalizing all of their vehicles, downsizing car mass, and improving fuel and engine performance with smaller engines rather than larger. Although Ford is still keeping the basic Mustang design and many of its truly American elements, such as Magnum 500 wheels, it is going to have to change some of the core elements that made the car so great in the first place.

Mustang enthusiasts believe that the necessary changes to make the car sell in Europe are betrayals of the brand. These die-hard fans believe that what Europeans like about the Mustang, is what make it a Mustang after all and not like the other European cars. In the end, Ford is going to have to choose between compromising their Mustang brand with the possibility of opening a new market in Europe.

Posted in Uncategorized

Satisfaction is the key to owning a great used car

•October 1, 2009 • Comments Off on Satisfaction is the key to owning a great used car

Surveys are not always the most accurate in terms of the information they provide us with just, look at the latest nationwide census for example. The figures can be skewed by lots of discrepancies and false information making them next to useless. However, a survey about the levels of satisfaction of car drivers can provide a valuable insight into what second hand car you should purchase.

If you have searched for used cars Liverpool in Google and have been inundated with options and can’t decide which car would be best to buy second hand then you can use the latest survey by What Car? It asked drivers across the UK how satisfied they were with their cars including how they were suited to driving around cities and gave an insight into what owners thought of their cars on a daily basis. The range of cars that ranked highest and lowest was surprising; here is how the results panned out:

Top of the tree

The biggest shock comes at the top of the list with Skoda taking up the first two spots. The company that has been the butt of many a joke has seen its aptly-named Superb named top of the satisfaction charts and its Yeti second. The other cars making up the top five are the charming and customisable Citroen DS3, the exceptional and sublime Jaguar XF and finally the Lexus RX, which is most astonishing for a hybrid SUV to make it so high in the reliability and easy-to-live-with charts.

Languishing at the bottom

The survey made grim reading for Fiat with two of its car regarded in the bottom five; the Punto and Panda. It was bad news for Alfa Romeo and Chevrolet with their Mito and Spark models coming under-fire from the driving masses with even the Alfa’s looks and handling not able to hide its dreadful reliability issues.

Best and worst brands

Jaguar came out top in most categories with excellent customer service, great cars to drive and easy-to-live-with cars; as well as cheaper labour and parts cost adding to the enthusiasm of customers. Skoda was hardly a surprise from their recent record with their Superb and Yeti rising through the ranks following up on their positive sales figures up twenty per cent. The likes of Peugeot, Chevrolet, Fiat and Alfa Romeo took a real hammering in the poll. Chevrolet suffered the worst with indifferent looks, build quality and lack of value for money meant they were rock-bottom across the board.

Surveys like this give valuable information on what cars would make a good second hand car and knowledge on what specific brands are like to own and run on a day to day basis.

Posted in Uncategorized
Tags:

NASCAR betting information

•October 1, 2009 • Comments Off on NASCAR betting information

Many people outside of the United States do not realise just how popular the yearly NASCAR Sprint Cup Series is in that country, where it rivals American football NFL games both in terms of the numbers watching and putting bets down. The race events in the NASCAR calendar see thousands of people attending to watch them, and many of these are also fans of NASCAR betting, with the popularity of this activity indicated by the fact that virtually all of the top online bookmakers offer NASCAR odds and gambling markets.

Indeed there are a variety of different bets that you can put on NASCAR, with perhaps the most popular being outright bets. These involve simply gambling on the winner of the overall title, and you will find these types of NASCAR bets available from virtually all bookies. Other popular types of NASCAR bets are match bets, where you wager on which driver will win individual races, pod bets – where it is the winning car that you are betting on – and qualifying bets, where you bet which of two drivers will have the best finish in a race. However, as popular as these bets are with motor sports fans, but few will be as potentially lucrative as playing an online casino motor racing game like Motor Slot Speed Machine.

If you don’t believe this, just consider that the top jackpot that Gaming Club offers on this particular five reel slots game has to offer is $50,000. Realistically you will have to make the NASCAR bet of a lifetime to win that amount, although of course you have no guarantees of winning it by playing Motor Slot Speed Machine. What you do have is a very firm chance of winning serious money though, thanks to the presence of twenty pay lines and a wild symbol (the speedometer) on the reels, which can take the place of any other missing icon to give you a winning line. This means your chances of a payout are very strong, which is why slots are the most popular type of casino game.

Posted in Uncategorized
Tags:

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »