Liz Turner
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Muscles flexing in New York

3/21/2012

5 Comments

 
I’m going to be immersed in the New York International Auto Show for the next couple of weeks. I’ll be posting gossip and teaser pics as they appear. It’s incredible how the buzz has changed since last year. The electric and hybrid thing is still humming along, but the reveals this year are SUVs, crossovers and beasts with big engines including the mighty Viper SRT.
New Yorkers feel hard done by because they pay an average $4.04 per gallon (including 69c in taxes), but fuel still doesn’t bite into US weekly budgets the way it does over here. I pay more like $10 (£1.40 per litre).
There’s a real feeling of optimism about the US auto industry: bails-outs have been received, extra weight has been shed (Mercury, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Saturn, Hummer). It’s time for a new start. Or rather it’s back where it was when I arrived in Detroit back in 2004 – SUVs and muscle cars.

If you haven’t seen Clint Eastwood’s Halftime for America Superbowl ad, sponsored by Chrysler, (“Detroit’s showing us what can be done”) have a look: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRtvpMPLQ8o

5 Comments
Breda link
3/22/2012 07:36:18 pm

Darn you are away in New York you lucky person. I was going to suggest that you help this rather pathetic woman driver (sorry for letting the girlhood down here..) as I desperately need to buy another car.

Finance dictates that it is a secondhand car and I'm looking for reliability. My current car is a gorgeous looking Alfa GT JTD. I have to confess that it was the gorgeous red body that attracted me on that forecourt three years ago. Alas however I have had breath-taking repair bills over the last two years and I know that its time for us to part. I have therefore promised that this time I will do my research and buy something sensible. But what?

I don't want anything too old, as I fear the repair bills creeping in again. I can only afford new if I go for a 0% finance and wonder if new is ever worth it? So I am thinking used within three to four years? I think it would be best to go with a dealer and get some kind of comeback in terms of warranty driving away. How many miles do you intend to do in a year? I intend to keep it until it falls apart this time as fed up with this exercise. Ideally I don't want to spend more than 6k to spend, not including hopefully about £2k trade-in (on that I have done some research) I have checked out Kia Cee'd, VW Golf, Vauxhall, Ford, Skoda as possible contenders. Looking at small family type ranges. Ruling out 4x4 given parking is a scourge in this neighbourhood.

Don't suppose you can tear yourself away from the delights of the Big Apple to help me out!!

Reply
Liz Turner link
3/28/2012 03:08:02 am

I completely sympathise. Who can resist the allure of a muscular Italian body?
All the cars you list are good bets, VWs keep their value best, but that makes them expensive to buy. The Ceed is probably the least fun to drive, but it should be reliable and cheap because the badge doesn’t have much kudos (yet, this brand is on the up).
Unfortunately you have a real conundrum. If you buy new, you get the peace of mind offered by a warranty, plus you may be offered 0% finance or other sweeteners subsidised by the manufacturer. But, any car loses the biggest chunk of its value when it first leaves the showroom and becomes ‘used’.
An Approved Used car would be better value while providing the security you’re looking for. Only Skoda seems to offer Approved Used cars within your budget, however.
If you can put up with less space, I would suggest checking out the Car of the Year 2012, the new VW Up! It starts from just £7995, is cute, stylish and fun to drive. It’s even good on the motorway.
If you go for an older car, be careful. There’s no quick, easy way to find a good car three to four years old. You need to be VERY patient, check out all the details, get a condition check and a history check to make sure it’s not a stolen car or fixed-up write-off. This is quite pricey upfront, but can save tears later.

Reply
Breda link
3/28/2012 05:52:01 pm

Thanks Liz, that all sounds very helpful. I have looked at VW online and it certainly looks enticing. I will have to take my significant other along though as with his six foot height and middle aged waistline I will need to see what how comfortable he would be in a city car.
My friend is a big fan of Skoda so I can also get past the old joke associations with skips!
I found it is quite easy to get a history check these days by the way you just have to have the vehicle reg and you can get it online through the likes of What car and others, and I agree spending a fiver at that stage is better than tears down the line.
I'll keep you posted.

Breda link
3/28/2012 05:52:11 pm

Thanks Liz, that all sounds very helpful. I have looked at VW online and it certainly looks enticing. I will have to take my significant other along though as with his six foot height and middle aged waistline I will need to see what how comfortable he would be in a city car.
My friend is a big fan of Skoda so I can also get past the old joke associations with skips!
I found it is quite easy to get a history check these days by the way you just have to have the vehicle reg and you can get it online through the likes of What car and others, and I agree spending a fiver at that stage is better than tears down the line.
I'll keep you posted.

Breda link
3/28/2012 05:52:22 pm

Thanks Liz, that all sounds very helpful. I have looked at VW online and it certainly looks enticing. I will have to take my significant other along though as with his six foot height and middle aged waistline I will need to see what how comfortable he would be in a city car.
My friend is a big fan of Skoda so I can also get past the old joke associations with skips!
I found it is quite easy to get a history check these days by the way you just have to have the vehicle reg and you can get it online through the likes of What car and others, and I agree spending a fiver at that stage is better than tears down the line.
I'll keep you posted.




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