Porsche has the highest average repair cost in the UK, according to a just-published reliability survey. The average cost of repair for its cars is £717.36 while Mazda has the second-highest average garage bill of £481.26 followed closely by Audi with £478 average repair costs. The least expensive brand was Renault with an average repair cost of £226, followed by Fiat on £237 and Smart on £251, according to a What Car? and Warranty Direct annual car reliability study. Warranty Direct managing director, Duncan McClure Fisher, said: “When buying a car, certain factors loom larger in your mind than others. For the majority of drivers, how much they can trust that car to get them from A to B is most important. “Car manufacturers are constantly making great strides in building more reliable vehicles, so this survey is not a reflection on new cars coming out now…
New car registrations rose 10.8 per cent in June despite the ending of the scrappage scheme. Sales rose 19.9 per cent in the first half but are set to dip by year end, according to SMMT forecasts. “The new car market continued to perform above expectations in June, with fleet sector registrations up 25 per cent compared to this time last year. “The results indicate improved business confidence and a strengthening economic recovery,” said SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt. “The industry still expects challenging economic conditions in the second half of the year and government action to improve access to credit for consumers and businesses will be important in sustaining the momentum of recovery.” June 2010 recorded the 12th successive monthly increase, with just 0.7 per cent of registrations coming from the scrappage scheme, compared with 19.2 per cent during the same period last…
Porsche dealers have started to sell the new Boxster Spyder, a lightweight soft top version of its mid-engined roadster. The car is the third addition to the Boxster family and is priced from £46,387. Standard specification includes six-speed manual transmission, 19″ alloy wheels, manual two-piece hood, lowered sports chassis lowered, carbon fibre sports bucket seats and heat insulating glass. Lighter The model is 80kg lighter than the equivalent the Boxster S model making it the lightest model in the brand’s line-up. The main difference between the Boxster Spyder and its siblings is its manual roof rather than an electric folding one. Power is supplied by a tuned version of Porsche’s 3.4-litre flat six boxer engine. Maximum output is 320 bhp, 10 bhp more than in the Boxster S. Taken from Motortrader Magazine
Subaru has revealed details of a new collaboration with Cosworth which will see the launch of a new high performance limited edition Impreza this summer. The Cosworth Impreza STI CS400 officially goes on sale through Subaru’s UK dealer network in June. F1 link The new Subarau model will be powered by a 400PS (395bhp) engine capable of 0-62mph in 3.7 seconds. The standard Impreza WRX STI has 300PS (296bhp) and a 0-62mph of 5.2 seconds. Subraru claims the model will be one of the most “accelerative all-wheel-drive hatchbacks ever”. A photograph of the car has yet to be released. This will mark a return to the high street of Cosworth-powered cars and follows a successful and longstanding collaboration with Ford which resulted in a number of iconic cars including the Sierra Cosworth and Escort Cosworth. Cosworth has also returned to F1 this year supplying engines…
Well it’s time for me to announce my top ten cars of the decade. I have tried to minimise the number of very expensive cars in this list, mainly because normal people like me can’t afford them. Some do have to get in the list though, I have allowed for cost to act as a pro and con when weighing up the cars position in the chart. 10. Rolls Royce Phantom – When Rolls Royce was taken over by Ze Germans, I though ‘oh no it can’t be true’. I never considered it would be a marriage made in heaven. The Rolls has kept its feel of total luxury and with it comes total quality. A blend of German efficiency and British brilliance, that has produced the best luxury car ever. 09. BMW Mini – The original Mini is a cult British classic and…
The whispers coming from within the car trade are not good for the coming year. Analysts expect tough trading times in 2010. With a majority of dealers thinking 2011 will be the turn around in fortunes. This mean the consumer should be buying more car for their money in 2010. The only drawback for the consumer is the lack of lending by the finance houses. So if you are a cash buyer 2010 should be a good time to buy.
The Good Garage Scheme, a self regulatory body for independent garages, claims ‘top marques’ are increasingly looking to independent garages and workshops to carry out work. It seems the recession is hitting the high rollers too. With signs still bleak of a winter recovery, everyone is tightening their belts. This will come as another blow to main dealers who are relying heavily on servicing revenues to help prop them up.
The scrappage scheme will be extended to another 100,000 vehicles; the scheme has been changed slightly. It now includes funds for vans eight years and older, instead of the original ten year and over scheme. The new extension was announced by Lord Mandelson at the Labour conference right here in sunny Brighton.
