There are some of us who do not need or want to know anything about how their car works, as long as they turn the ignition key and the car jumps to life, they are happy. But we mustn’t forget the group of individuals who enjoy working on cars either because they enjoy older cars, or for financial reasons have to work on an old scrap car just to have some transport.
Buying salvage is another option, but do not assume that any salvage project is cheaper to repair than buying a good working car. This is because some makes, especially German makes have a greater value in the parts within that the car on the road, so salvage auctions don’t always shop cheap vehicles that can be put on the road easily.
Here’s to key part of working on cars, keeping it safe. the days of crawling under cars at the scrap yard are nearly gone due to health and safety reasons and when working in enclosed areas or near fuel, intrinsically safe equipment then becomes essential also, even though even large garages do not see the value of intrinsically safe products especially for lone workers. Lifting gear is extremely important, many deaths occur each year as vehicles fall on people, due to lack of attention, or using cheaper equipment. In short when working on cars, think safety first.
We may talk about buying a van until the cows come home, but unless your business has a healthy bottom line, then making do with older vans or leasing is the only option. The decision to lease or not may have a lot to do with the costs of running the van and the image it presents of your business. Older vans means no monthly payments and yes we know some of these vehicles just keep on going and going. But when it comes to fuel economy, one the highest motoring costs and how you represent yourself to the world, then van leasing is probably the way to go.
Van manufacturers have got themselves together recently when it comes to fuel economy with engines that do series miles per gallon. Also the day of taking a car design then adding a van body also seems to have changed on the smaller vans. Modern van manufacturers now design from scratch based on business needs and requirements. Leasing a van also keeps money in the business to use on other things such as surviving or marketing etc, you get the picture. Of course the downside is how well you look after these vans. employees car sometimes not treat a new van as if it were theirs, so residual values may change when it comes to handing the vehicle back. So if you are a business looking for new transport, then at last consider the possibilities, to reducing motoring costs and delivering a better message.
Down out street in the summer we start to see our neighbours, something we have not done since last year, but as well as this the garage doors stay open and within you start to see all the classic car projects and occasionally a car salvage project. many of use, like working on cars, but is often limited by the size of the garage and how warm it is. As we hot September the garage doors start closing at the weekend and we start to see those salvage projects on eBay as uncompleted and hopefully some are advertised as finished cars.
As far as the trade is concerned, buying salvage occurs right through the year, but coming up to Christmas is normally a quieter time to buy, prices start to become a bit cheaper as demand is lower than supply. Sites like salvagesparefinder start showing cars at cheaper prices, especially those that are available in high quantities anyway. We are not taking Mercedes or BMW here, these cars nearly always attract a premium, in fact in many cases cost more to do up, then just but them from an auction. But those cars not so much in demand can go for a song as a salvage project. So if you have a bigger warm garage, not might be the time to start looking for that salvage project.
I was brought up looking a VW campervans and wondering, why would anyone want to own drive and use on of these? I wish I knew then what I know now and bought one and kept in in the garage. But anyway my perception of the campervan has changed big style an probably for many others as the motor home seems to be the new version of a van with some seats that convert to a bed in the back. In fact the level of furnishing and luxury is astonishing and many puts my hoe to shame. Take a company like IHmotohomes based in Yorkshire. The quality and standard of motor homes they build means that no matter what weather the elements throws at you, no matter where you are in Europe, you will be comfortable, even if it means a quiet night in watch TV.
These motor homes are not made by the manufacturers, you have companies like IHmotorhomes who buy the vans new and then covert them into the mobile penthouse units complete with shower, units luxury bed, microwave, flat screen TV and reliability of Mercedes or Fiat, the initial vans these motor homes have been built upon. But then when you see the cost, you may want to sit back and settle first as you consider, you can buy a Mercedes 5 series and a 3 series for the average of these motor homes new. But when you see the price of caravans these days, the perception of price disappears. In fact they are cheap comparing to the static vans I have seen and get mobility too.
Driving these motor homes are as easy as any modern car and certainly quicker and safer than towing a caravan. Depreciation is not bad either as there seems to be dedicated group of people who not like these going to scrap yards. So I have been seduced, have you?
Body work on automobiles comes in all shapes and sizes and amongst the majority is a deciding factor in what car they purchase.
Vehicles are typecast by their body work, for example a 4×4 has a distinctive look, whether it actually has four wheel drive is something else.
Body work does everything from making the car more attractive to protecting the cars passenger and delicate parts.
Customisation of body work is one of the most popular modifications performed on cars these days as full body kits can be purchased at very competitive prices.
The video below shows how new body work is applied to a car in step by step pictures, as you can see it is possible to repair cars in some of the worst cosmetic condition.
But its not always just customisation that may require a
replacement body kit parts, a bump or scrape could be too deep or unfixable in this case replacement wings, side panels or whatever area damaged would be required.
Car breakers are usually the best option for replacement body parts as they ‘break’ or dismantle vehicles and sell on any parts that are suitable for reuse.
Services such as
CarSpareFinder will search breakers nationwide for the part that is required and give you a choice so you can make your own mind up which breaker you want to go with.
As part of the Lexus UK 20th birthday celebrations the company are offering buyers of the IS model the chance to upgrade to IS-F Sport, for free.
The offer could customers save up to £1,700 as the IS-F Sport comes with extra styling’s inside and out such as:
18-inch alloy wheels
Leather and Alcantara sports front seats
Aluminium pedal set
Sports steering wheel
Bootlid spoiler
Mesh front grille
Lowered suspension
F-Sport badging
The company are also offering anyone that buys a new Lexus three years complimentary servicing adding that this the “icing on the cake”.
A brand new Lexus IS will set you back £24,970 (at basic spec) and if you decided to splash out and go for the IS-F Sport from the beginning then you are looking at a little under £30,000.
Recent figures have suggested that many business users can benefit from leasing, especially in the case of the Lexus as it will give you the luxury of the car without the sticker price and with some flexibility, if you like to change cars on a regular basis.
Experts and politicians have said that a rise in fuel cost prices would cripple the Scottish economy.
The Retail Motor Industry Independent Petrol Retailers Association (RMI Petrol) have blamed rises in VAT and fuel duty for the increase, which could be up to 8% by the end of 2011.
Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Tavish Scott MSP has urged the coalition government to cut fuel taxes saying:
"Island and rural Scotland depends on the car, lorry and in a couple of weeks, the school bus. A surge in petrol prices forced by speculators and rich oil barons across the world is the worst economic news for Scotland."
According to website PetrolPrices.com, which records data from fuel prices has said the highest price in Scotland for petrol was £1.16 a litre with diesel at a high of £1.30.
Business owners should be aware that leasing a car for business use can qualify them for dispensation on certain fuel levy’s.
French car manufacturer Renault has caused outrage in a Lancashire village thanks to its new series of adverts.
The campaign which is for the companies new Megane model contrasts a swimming pool in sun drenched Cote d’Azur with a puddle in the Lancashire village of Gisburn.
Renault say they chose the 500 population town in Ribble valley as it has quiet and serene surroundings but the slogan for the ad campaign is “Can a car change a town?” Which has been met with fury by the towns residents.
Olivia Lord, a Gisburn resident said:
“It could put people who see the advert off coming to Gisburn, which will damage trade. Renault should have considered the possible after affects on the village more carefully”
The series of adverts is due to run for 10 days and charts the story of a man driving from France to the village in a bid to bring sunshine to them.
Renault have donated £6,000 to Gisburn’s playing fields and festival hall committee and defended the adverts, saying:
“This is the first phase of a light-hearted comparison of two villages. Once you’ve seen the rest of the campaign, we hope you’ll agree.”
Renault recently announced a profit of £800m for the second quarter of 2010, compared to a loss this time last year which many people put down to the growing number of people who use used Renault spare car parts as a way of prolonging the life of their Renault engine and to keep their Renault vehicle on the road longer.
A 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC which was recently sold for more than $30m, making it the world’s most expensive car has just gone on display in Los Angeles.
The car was a model derived from Bugatti’s prototype “Aerolithe Electron Coupe” and only three were ever built, the model on display is actually the first one ever produced.
Built in 1936 the cars first owner was Lord Victor Rothschild of London, who ordered the vehicle in a light blue, with a dark blue interior. After three years the car was returned to Bugatti to have a supercharger fitted after this it was sold onto its second owner Bob Oliver from Los Angeles.
The third owner of the car paid a then world record price of around $59,000 for the vehicle in 1971 and spent years trying to restore the car to its original specification.
In 2003 the car made its debut at the Pebble Beach motorshow winning the prestigious award of ‘Best In Show’.
The vehicles current owner is unknown as the deal was brokered through Gooding & Company.
Classic car parts can be difficult to get hold of and the best option is sometimes to use part finder services such as ClassicPartFinder who will search dealers nationwide for the part that you need. All you need to do is fill in a simple request form online.
Chinese car manufacturer Geely yesterday completed a $1.5bn deal with Ford to purchase Volvo.
This is one of the first business deals the company has made outside of China but today they are also in talks with Manganese Bronze makers of London Taxis of which they already own 23%. Geely chairman Li Shufu said:
“ (This is) a historic day for Geely.”
The deal marks the first time a global car brand has been subject to a takeover by a Chinese company.
Many were initially concerned about the venture as Volvo have a strong reputation for their Scandinavian values, but Mr Li reassured peoples concerned saying:
“This famous Swedish brand will remain true to its core values of safety, quality, environmental care and modern Scandinavian design.”
Stefan Jacoby, the former boss of Volkswagen America has also been confirmed as the companies new Chief Executive and echoed Mr Li’s comments.
Geely is one of China’s biggest car companies but due to the fragmented market in China they only sold 330,000 vehicles, the same as Volvo.
Geely plan on using Volvo’s technology and development to boost sales in China but also plan to use Volvo’s reputation in the West to get the Geely name out,
Need spare parts for your Volvo engine? Use a find-a-part service who can search breakers nationwide for your replacement Volvo part at the best price.
