We are currently finding it hard to come across anything up to a year old, where as last year we could find anything for our customers in super fast time. Now it seems that stock is scarce, with hire companies keeping their cars on fleet longer and less new cars being registered than ever before, this trend looks set to continue. There is stock out there we just have to be more proactive and quicker in buying. But here at A1 we love challenging markets and of course we will thrive in the current market conditions. Watch this space as things change we will let you know what’s going on.
Well it’s time to buy big, with massive savings on big lumpy stuff. Go on treat yourself to a mega money car for a Ford Fiesta budget. I have been keeping my eyes peeled and look what I have found, take a look at these babies: 2004 Mercedes S Class Saloon Petrol, S350 4dr, Automatic, 30,821 Miles. £9995. This car new £53,000. 2003 BMW 7 Series Saloon Petrol, 745i 4dr, Automatic, 57,842 Miles. £8995. This car new £57,000. 2004 AUDI A8 Saloon Petrol, 4.2 Quattro 4dr, Auto (Tiptronic), 54,700 Miles. £9995. This car new £55,000. These cars make more sense than ever, with used prices on executive cars on the floor and petrol prices coming down, what is stopping you being a flash git for a few years. It’s not like your going to lose much in depreciation, go on take the plunge…
February is seeing another up turn in business for used cars and another slump in new car sales. With the recession now in full swing it looks as if the car buying public are still buying, just not buying new. This makes sense really why buy new? It’s going to depreciate; you will lose the VAT as soon as you drive it off the forecourt. Buy up to a couple of years old save yourself half the cost of a new car and love the savings. I’m sure new cars will start selling again just not anytime soon. In my opinion new cars will be dead this year and maybe 2010 will bring some joy.
January has been an odd month really, here at A1 we have found it difficult to source run of the mill cars and stock levels at our suppliers have been dwindling. There are a few reasons we think for this situation. Firstly dealers had let stock levels run down throughout the later part of 2008 and January has seen replenishment of their stock levels. Secondly due to the credit crunch all the major hire companies have decided to run their vehicles for longer meaning less stock between 3-12 months old. This has kept prices from falling at such rates as we have seen last year, in fact if anything prices on some models could have seen a slight increase from November last year. We do however expect the situation to change throughout February and into March, with more nearly new vehicles becoming available and…
Brand expects its new supermini to contribute 50 per cent of its UK sales in the year ahead Alfa Romeo is pinning hopes on the Mito supermini to give its fortunes a much needed shot in the arm following the sudden departure of chief executive Luca de Meo this month coupled with a European sales slump triggered by the credit crunch. Fiat Group stalwart Sergio Cravero was rapidly installed to replace de Meo and UK managing director Christopher Nicholl insisted the brand would not be distracted from its task of steering a steady course through the economic storm. “Our job in the market doesn’t change,” he said. Alfa Romeo’s new car sales in the UK dropped 19 per cent in 2008 to under 6,000 units as business slumped in the last quarter. “Until September we were on track,” Nicholl said. He claimed the turning…
Has anyone got a gun, I drove the most hideous car in the whole of my career yesterday. It drove like a bag of very wet cement, the ride was harsher than a cheap Cuban cigar, and the interior was as well appointed as a cell in solitary confinement. There are no redeeming features on this rot box, other than the extremely low pricing. You can buy a 2008 for well under six grand, for this you get a 1400cc, five door, family sized vehicle with all this specification: ABS, Adjustable seats, Adjustable steering column/wheel, Air conditioning, Central locking, Driver airbag, Electric windows, Head restraints, Passenger airbag, Power assisted steering, One Owner. Insurance Group 4 and the one I drove only had 4,000 miles on it. You might think this is good value but beware, I have seen a 2003 model with 40,000 miles…
The best small car ever? We simply love the new Fiesta. This is the best small car ever produced; it even beats my other all time favourite the Peugeot 206. The Fiesta drive well, is remarkably well built, reasonably priced and above all looks absolutely fantastic. If you’re looking for the ultimate city car and do the odd long journey, look no further. Don’t bother driving anything else, it’s just not worth it. I have been in the car industry for over 13 years now and pound for pound this is the best car I have ever driven. The model I drove was the 1.25 Zetec (£11,353), it’s got loads of power around town and you might even squeeze 50mph out of it. If you are looking to do longer journeys, I would recommend the 1.4 petrol (£11,842) or the 1.4 TDCi (£12,300). Classy…
How long will we be seeing this XK produced for? The government is in talks with Jaguar / Land Rover to help bail out the troubled car giant. Peter Mandleson is heading up the talks and will be looking to secure the future of the manufacturer. Indian mega company Tata actually own Jaguar / Land Rover and employ 15,000 people in the U.K alone. Things are looking very murky at the moment, with Tata laying the blame elsewhere for the trouble at J/LR. We are not sure whether a bail out will be required at this stage, but things are going to get worse before they get better, so watch this space.
