Unique Auto

Posts Tagged ‘Vauxhall’

We live in a society that is gradually becoming more environmentally-friendly, but it is taking time. There is news coverage everywhere about how we need to be greener to avoid damaging our planet. With this in mind, it begs the question of how can we be more economical with our petrol usage.

The Danger

If you own a Vauxhall car, for example, you’ll be aware of whether it is petrol or diesel. The fuel your car takes makes a difference to how it runs and how economical it is. Naturally, putting petrol in a diesel car would be bad. The car probably won’t drive for a start and you can seriously damage the motor.

Diesel Benefits

Make sure you choose a diesel car if you’re wanting something supremely economical. This is because it lasts longer and although it is slightly more expensive to start with, you will find that you won’t be heading to the petrol station every five minutes to fill it up. Some might argue that no cars are environmentally friendly, but if you have to own one than the least you can do is be economical about it. Even though we are in the midst of a recession, people will insist on filling their car up with fuel and driving it. People just love their cars.

People who look to buy used Vauxhall cars, for example, know that they are buying economical cars to start with. Car buyers are taking more of an interest in diesel cars these days too, which is good to see. Money-savers will be glad of diesel cars as they always give more miles to the gallon.

Still, if you’re not sure which to buy then you could always discuss this at your chosen car dealership and they will help you decide.

If you’re going to buy a used car, this by no way means you will end up with a poor quality car. Buying used actually means you will save lots of money on the vehicle itself and also insurance, which can sometimes be very costly.

Cheap Insurance

In most cases, the older the car then the cheaper the insurance. If you’re after a used Vauxhall Corsa then you’ll be in luck for really cheap insurance. Plus, used cars are superb because they are cheaper in general to run and this is a great way to save money during the credit crunch. We all know that cars can cost a fortune, what with the petrol costs eating into wallets up and down the country. Used cars are good because they do at least save you a bit of money due to the lower cost of insurance.

Tax On The Cheap

It doesn’t matter if you pay tax every 6 months of annually, the costs can still mount up. However, the more the car the costs in the first place then the more tax you will inevitably have to pay. With old, used Vauxhall cars though, you won’t be paying half as much as someone with a brand new car. Tax is one cost you can so easily reduce by buying a used car as opposed to a new one.

People love their cars and enjoy driving them, but in many cases the costs of owning them have ruined the pleasure of driving. Its no wonder then that used cars, and used Vauxhall cars in particular, have become much more popular. Its not rocket science to realise that used cars are cheaper, and more people are choosing old over new.

What people need to realise is that buying a car isn’t just a one-off cost and there are many more things you have to take into consideration. Insurance and tax are just two very important essentials of car ownership, so any way you can reduce the costs is favourable. That’s why you should buy used Vauxhall cars.

There are some great reasons why you should buy used Vauxhall cars, not least because you will be buying from a reliable manufacturer. Vauxhall cars are generally considered to be in the mid range of car manufacturers, and it has a long history of being a trusted and safe name in motoring. Buying used always means you save money but it still means you get a good quality car. No matter what Vauxhall model you’re looking for, there are excellent deals on all used Vauxhall cars.

The Meriva

If you need something for the family, the Vauxhall Meriva is a superb family car to use as Dad’s Taxi. The Meriva can accommodate a large family and lots of other extras, like shopping. It looks good and offers great comfort, so that’s why many people choose the Vauxhall Meriva to be the family car.

The Corsa

If the Meriva is too big, why not consider the Corsa, which is a great option. One of the main benefits of a Corsa is that it is very easy to drive. Buying this model used means you can save a significant amount since you’re not buying it new. We all know that Corsa isn’t a pricey car to start with, but buying used can still save you a lot of money.

Good value on all Vauxhall cars

Naturally, when there is a lot of choice with used Vauxhall cars, it can be hard deciding which to buy. That’s the great benefit of buying used – so much choice at such great prices. Plus, the credit crunch has meant that many dealers have cut their prices even further so it’s a really good time to pick up a used car. Everyone has their own preference about which car to buy and it is easy to fall in love with many different models from the used Vauxhall car range.

The Vauxhall Corsa has seamlessly eased itself into the Great British consciousness by providing reasonably priced, stylish and ecologically sound motoring. In the small hatchback market, the target demographic is not often considered to be looking for a high performance vehicle; they are more interested in the MPG ratios and how much CO2 is leaking out of the exhaust. The standard Corsa fills this niche admirably and has become a consistent and popular fantastic seller throughout the country. Vauxhall, however, have had a change of heart with the Corsa’s regulation blueprints and have released a titan.

The Vauxhall Corsa 1.6 16V VXR takes the tried and tested styling of the more common Corsa and puts fire and brimstone under the bonnet. This car seems to be squarely aimed at those amongst us who not only want to get away from the traffic lights first, but want to rip an ever-lasting hole in the space/time continuum whilst we do so.

I, like many people, learned to drive in a Vauxhall Corsa, so I was genuinely looking forward to revisiting the humble beginnings of my driving career. What I was presented with was an unbelievably different beast to the 1.3 CDTi I used to chug down the dual carriageway in. The Corsa VXR has been modelled to look sportier; the bodywork looks like a rally car, the seats hug your contours and the whole affair seems to have much more of a snarl about it.

I was used to the Diesel Corsa 0-60 capabilities of around 13 seconds, so was awesomely surprised when I realised that the VXR model could manage it in half the time. When I say “pleasantly surprised”, I was actually whooping like an delirious Gorilla.

The Vauxhall Corsa VXR may very well appeal to the rather unsavoury boy racers amongst us, but its appeal really deserves to be enjoyed by a wider audience. The price range puts it in direct combination with the higher spec Ford Fiestas and the zippy Vauxhall makes a stupendous case for itself.

If you are looking for a car that can slap a smile on your face, I doubt you will have to look much further than the Vauxhall Corsa 1.6 16V VXR.

Thousands of jobs in the UK are under threat in the wake of the collapse of General Motors (GM), the biggest car manufacturing company in America. The company were forced to finally file for bankruptcy protection in the US, leaving the future of all its workers uncertain. The European branch of GM, which includes Vauxhall in the UK as well as the German brand Opel, has already been sold off to Magna International, a Canadian car parts company.  But although this means that both the British and German brands will continue production, a fall in demand for car sales and car leasing deals could mean that Magna will be making significant job cuts.

The concern for Vauxhall’s workers comes because Magna is a relatively new company in the UK, with ties to Russian oligarch Oleg Deripaska’s vans company and Sberbank, a Russian bank. The Russian involvement has raised worries about production at Vauxhall’s Luton plant, where they make Vivara vans, could be switched to Russia, putting the 1,400 workers at Luton at risk of losing their jobs. The German government also had a hand in making sure the takeover deal went smoothly, causing worries that the Opel factories and workers may be protected as a priority and that any cutbacks would have to be made in the UK. Of course nothing has been officially confirmed to date as Magna have made no promises yet and have made it clear that they will do everything in their power to protect as many jobs as possible in all areas.

For Vauxhall’s 5,500 UK workers, all they can do is to remain hopeful that the company will recover quickly after the takeover by Magna, who obtained the company over other potential buyers including Italian car manufacturer Fiat. Car leasing and car sales will need to improve soon for the decision to keep factories open to be viable. In the meantime for buyers interested in purchasing a car from Vauxhall, car leasing could be a better option as it enables you to choose from a wider range of vehicles, and is less likely to leave you in a difficult position if the company suffers any further disaster in the future.

It is common knowledge that the domain of the light commercial vehicle belongs firmly in the vice-like grip of the Ford Transit and has been for decades. There are, however, certain manufacurers that have emerged are doing all they can to topple the Transit’s stranglehold on the market. Amongst these competitive spirits are such respected manufacturers as Peugeot and Renault, there is one particular rival that seems to be making a very good case for themselves indeed. The manufacturer I am quite take with is Vauxhall.

Vauxhall have seen great success already with their range of vans, each designed to better suit a particular light commercial endeavour. The Vauxhall Movano is the biggest of the vans and is well suited to those who need to transport a large amount of tools or other haulage to complete their mandate. The Vauxhall Vivaro is more style orientated and perhaps the smaller and more mobile brother to the Movano. The Astravan and Corsavan are pretty self-explanatory and provide the small van suitable for the more fledgling business or the smaller end of a fleet.

What is impressive about the Vauxhall Van range is how they have taken everything that is desirable about the Ford Tranist and have added extra elements. For example; the Vivaro has all the practicality of the famous Transit, but has the updated looks and image that will appeal to business owners if they are keen to make a great impression on their clients. In turn, the Movano is available with various wheelbases, to help you make a more informed decision of what vehicle to buy based on the kind of strains that will be placed on your fleet.

 The Transit will continue to be a bestseller based upon its deserved legacy, but it is definitely worth at least investigating the Vauxhall range of Vans, as they will provide an excellent service to you and your business.

Despite the pleading protestations to convince the general public to leave their cars at home and step aboard public transport, the Government and local authorities don’t exactly make it the convenient and cost-friendly solution that one would hope. The prices on buses and trains consistently sky rocket and the quality and frequency of service invariably falls dramatically. So what most of us are looking for is cost-effective transport, which is easily maintained, reliable and isn’t full of litter or smells like a particularly abused dustbin. What the general public are crying out for is a series of cars that are suitable for city driving; great handling, good performance at low revs, economical and ecologically sound. With some research I found, with relative ease, a great choice of car to fit the bill.

Vauxhall have been manufacturing popular cars for years now, but in the emergence of more ecologically aware society, many manufacturers have come under scrutiny for their ‘green’ (or not) policies and products. Fortunately Vauxhall have next to nothing to worry themselves about in this matter. The Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 CDTi produces class-leading low CO2 emissions and is capable of reaching around 70 miles to the gallon, which is not only kinder on your wallet, but considerably kinder on the environment.

 With more and more of us learning to drive every year and with the social stigma placed on gas-guzzling cars, there is a huge scope to be mobile yet environmentally friendly. The Diesel Corsa has all the style and panache you would find desirable in a city car, yet maintains all the practicalities that we are being forced to pay more attention too.

The Vauxhall Corsa 1.3 CDTi is a popular seller in the hatchback market and a suitable vehicle for learners who may not drive the most economically, city dwellers and those who need affordable transport from day to day.

A racing car that you can drive on the British roads; it’s all any driver wants from life. When stopping at traffic lights I still get the (rather immature) urge to rev my engine, as if challenging the person in the next lane to a drag race. In a Hot Rod this would be perfectly rational behaviour, in a Ford Focus it’s just slightly embarrassing. What your average common or garden driver is really looking for is a compromise between the Hot Rod and the Fiesta; a car that is practical, but can still get the heart racing when you put your foot down. With some considerable confidence, Vauxhall claim to have created this elusive amalgamation of form, function and performance in the Vauxhall VXR Range.

This definitely isn’t the first time popular car manufacturers have attempted this enviable feat. Volkswagen have been doing it for years with the Golf GTi ranges and Ford have a rich lineage of racing cars from the RS Cosworth. All of these cars are great to drive and all perform to very high standards. The only grievances I hold against them are the rather insulting connotations that drivers of these vehicles are often labelled with. What started off as a rather jovial and almost friendly “boy racer” has now transformed into the less agreeable “chavs”, “townies” and “neds” (dependent on your geographical location). These derogatory labels don’t seem to concern those who actually are chavs etc…, but the rest of us normal human beings want to drive these wonderful cars without the social stigma.

With the VXR Range, Vauxhall want to readdress the balance and have designed and engineered a car that goes like stink, but retains understated looks. That is until you take a look at the Vauxhall VXR8…which looks like it has careened straight out of a post-apocalyptic landscape in the year 3000 in a hail of fire and bullets. Alas, the VXR8 would be pointless if Vauxhall hadn’t installed it out with an engine that could strip paint from 20 miles. So let’s be thankful that they have done exactly that.

The Vauxhall VXR8 6.2 Litre V8 engine has a manic 431 BHP which when put to the test, will get you from 0-60 in 4.9 seconds. If you count that in your head, you can almost feel the raw power that the VXR8 must have. However, as the popular saying goes, with great power comes huge responsibility. If you push the VXR8 slightly too far, you will find yourself in a ditch with your face through the windscreen. To say its twitchy as speed increases would be something of an understatement, even on a dual carriageway you feel like you might flip at any moment in a huge tidal wave of explosions and noise.

My only fault with the Vauxhall VXR8 would be that it seems to create a drama out of everything, like some kind of stereotypical pantomime performer refusing to grow old gracefully. But unlike most criticisms, it’s impossible not to fall in love with the Vauxhall VXR8 despite all its tendencies toward fuss and commotion. Without descending into the world of horrible clichés, you genuinely feel like the Grim Reaper is stalking you every single time you put the key in the ignition, but for the exhilaration it is worth it. The Vauxhall VXR8 is a car of pure brilliance, but don’t even consider going near one unless you are either a) a skilled driver, or b) completely insane.

Let’s be honest about this; Vauxhall is hardly a ‘glamour’ brand. For as long as I can remember they have been churning out cars that have been…well…a bit underwhelming. The engineers at Vauxhall may be adept at producing comfortable, well performing and reasonably priced vehicles, but they’re hardly setting anyone’s world on fire are they? Until now that is…Enter the new Vauxhall Corsa.

Ok, you can stop cringing and come from behind the sofa; I’m not going to build the Corsa up to be a Zonda F or Lamborghini Gallardo, as it is clearly not. What Vauxhall have done though, is force some much needed ‘OOMPH' into their entry level product. The old Corsa resembled a shoebox on wheels and had all the cool points and street credit of a old woolen jumper. A few carefully designed changes to the bodywork and all of a sudden Vauxhall have created one of the more stylish looking superminis available.

The Corsa comes with a selection of engine options ranging from the bland and rather pathetic 1.0 3 cylinder to the growling 1.6 Turbo VXR, the latter being something of a boy racer’s fantasy. The popularity of the Corsa has some minor drawbacks however. Due to the size, responsive handling, chic looks and cheap running costs, the Corsa has been adopted as the driving teacher’s car of choice. With leading driving school BSM operating a fleet of thousands of Corsas, you’ll be hard pushed to go for a drive in your Corsa without getting stuck behind another Corsa with a big trapezoid with a ‘L’ on top of it. Thus the illusion of cool is mortally ruptured and you end up feeling like a bit of a fool.

The snowball effect aside, you cannot deny that the Corsa probably deserves its popularity. It has taken on the Ford Fiesta, VW Polo and Fiat Panda as the new driver’s first car and is fighting hard. The current market for superminis has found itself in a state of saturation recently, with almost every car manufacturer vying for the precious profit to be made from entry-level vehicles. The Corsa was the 4^th bestselling car in the United Kingdom in 2007 (shifting 94,120 units in the UK) and has consistently been in the top 10 selling cars list since its introduction in 1993; quite an achievement in anyone’s book.

My own experience of the Corsa comes in the form of the 1.3 CDTi. During my drive I often felt as though I was sat in a lounge chair, enjoying the comfort of the seats and the relatively elevated driving position. The plastics all felt rigid and of good quality, the only drawback being the stubby indicators which are as responsive as a dead camel. The central console’s screen was a useful addition, despite having a differing opinion to the speedometer regarding the car’s velocity; barely noticeable and nothing to detract from the driving experience too any serious extent.

The engine was punchy without being overly-erratic, though it has to be said that it did often make a lot of noise without actually achieving anything worth shouting about…but I guess that’s smaller diesel engines for you. The engine was also ecologically sound, producing around 57 mpg, which is not only a relief to the consumer, but also the planet. The gearbox was relatively smooth, though often refused to go into third without me resorting to aggression.

The Vauxhall Corsa is more suited to those amongst us who want to feel more involved in the driving experience, rather than just another passenger in the car. This car must have been engineered to be a relaxing drive, but jolts you every now and then to keep you alert. The race for the ultimate supermini hatch is still a race worth running, though it is refreshing that not everyone is automatically heading to their local Ford dealer. Now let’s all rejoice in free market capitalism and the consumers right to choose whatever they want.

2008 has been a super year, with super vehicles hitting the scene. So let’s take some time to have a look at some of the new cars.

Hyundai i10

The eagerly awaited budget car is a must have, it’s a cute little vehicle with plenty of room for a small family. It is a very economic vehicle.

Fiat 500

Well this car is completely mind blowing, the car was said to be the Car of the Year even prior to its release date, and you can see why people said this. Again the vehicle is very economical, very easy to drive, park and handle and it looks superb.

Peugeot 308

Always a great winner, a possible remake of the 307. Has super performance and the interior is very nice with great pieces or styling and accessories.

Mazda 6

A great family saloon. The new version of this car is completely restyled, has a great new engine and awesome handling. A bit on the expensive side but well worth it.

Let’s now turn our attention to some of the more high performance and luxury vehicles that made a stand in 2008.

Jaguar XF

This car looks very sophisticated. Like all Jags the interior is superb. Its technology is again high end and it’s a very comfortable and exhilarating drive.

Subaru Impreza WRX STi

With 304bhp 2.5-litre lump hits 62mph in 4.9 seconds; this petrol guzzling machine has a lot of power in its hood. It has a four wheel drive and is very affordable on the wallet.

BMW 1-Series Convertible

You can’t go wrong with a BMW; this convertible opens its roof within 20 seconds. It’s also got advanced technology which has the ability to control the air conditioning when the heat roof is down.

There are a lot more vehicles that have also been released throughout 2008. Cars are getting a lot more fuel efficient, economic and cheap. I think that now more than ever is the best time to buy a new car. They last a lot longer than older models and they are created to not burn as much fuel, especially the need breed of hydrogen and electric vehicles. But all in all I feel that 2008 has been a great year and we are in store for a great new set in 2009.

Buy a Mercedes and Buy a Vauxhall