New Car Purchase

Reasons for and against private number plates

Most people buy a private number plate on a whim , only when they are spending thousands do they think deeply about the pro's and con's of owning one. There are arguments for and against opting out of the current registration number system used in the uk which identifies the age of the car and the area of the country where it was first registered , here we consider a few. Hiding the age of the vehicle .While ageless registration numbers do this superbly and suffix types are catching them up ,

prefix numbers can just make your car look older than it is , while replacing a current 07 number with something like a 51 number is the worst scenario. Vehicle recognition . A short and memorable registration number will mean that anyone that knows you will recognise your car as they pass and maybe they will flash their headlights and wave , however are you always where you should be? What if you are spotted whilst you are off your normal route on a covert mission and then this is mentioned to exactly the wrong person , sometimes it pays to be anonymous. Investment. Whilst it is true that many cherished numbers appreciate over time it should be remembered that there are on costs involved in owning such a registration. Every time you change car the DVLA will charge you £80 for the priviledge of transferring the registration from your old vehicle to your new one . If you put the number on retention you avoid this charge but will have to pay £105 to do this and then £25 per annum to renew the certificate , and what is the point of havin it if it's not on the car? Vehicle personalisation. It is becoming more and more difficult for people to make their car look different from others with type approval and the insurance companies refusal to accept modifications so private number plates have become a popular option. However there may be a danger of loss of exclusivity and the whole thing becoming slightly naff , remember the sunstrips people used to have at the top of their windscreens with their names on?

http://www.carreg.co.uk/number_plates/car_registrations

http://www.newreg.co.uk/extra/Private_Car_Number_Plates.html

http://www.number-plates-car-registrations.co.uk/private_number_plates.htm

http://www.plates4less.co.uk/private-car-number-plates.asp

The all-new 2008 Audi R8 similar to Porsche and Ferrari

Audi the producer of top-of-the-line Audi oxygen sensor has introduced a super car that can function well as an everyday transport and as source of power whenever you get the urge for a high revving road action. The new 2008 Audi R8 super car with its dynamic styling, 420 horse power, V8 engine placed behind the seats together with a plethora of other high-tech innovations has put the R8 to the level of Porsche and Ferrari.

The R8 makes use of an all-wheel-drive configuration and a choice of manual-shifting automatic or manual transmission. The R8's frame and body utilizes lightweight aluminum-frame structure. The underside is also fully enclosed like a race car to boost aerodynamics.
The R8 was developed in connection with the Lamborghini Gallardo, which is also owned by Volkswagen so it is not surprising that the R8 will possess similar components as that of the Gallardo. The big difference however according to those who have driven it, is the fact that the R8 feels like an everyday vehicle that is comfortable in stop-and-go mph. The price of the R8 is set at $118,000 when equipped with the six-speed R Tronic automatic gearbox.

Some details on the all-new 2008 Audi R8

Bodystyles: 2-Dr Coupe;

Engines: 4.2L V 8;

Transmissions: 6 Speed Manual; 6 Speed Semi-Automatic;

Drivetrains: All Wheel Drive;

2008 Audi R8 Performance & Efficiency Standard Features

- 4,200 cc 4.2 liters V 8 front engine with 12.5 compression ratio and four valves per cylinder

- Premium unleaded fuel 91- Gasoline direct injection fuel system- Main premium unleaded fuel tank

- Power: 313 kW , 420 HP SAE @ 8,250 rpm; 317 ft lb , 430 Nm @ 4,500 rpm

2008 Audi R8 Handling, Ride & Braking Standard Features

- Four-wheel ABS- Brake assist system- Four disc brakes including four ventilated discs

- Electronic brake distribution- Immobilizer

- Stability control- Multi-link front and rear suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs

2008 Audi R8 Exterior & Aerodynamics Standard Features
- Body color front and rear bumpers

- Driver and passenger power heated body color door mirrors indicator lights

- Projector beam lens Bi-Xenon headlights- Luxury trim alloy on gearknob- Gloss paint- Fixed rear window with defogger

- Trunk/hatch spoiler- Tinted glass on cabin- Windshield wipers with automatic intermittent wipe and rain sensor.

http://www.audi.com/audi/com/en2.html

http://microsites.audi.com/audir8/html/index.php?CampaignID=R8_microsite?AdvertiserID=brandportal_global?BannerID=R8_micro_link_com

Tips and advice for buying a second hand car

When you drive a new car out of the showroom, it instantly loses about 20% of its value straight away - which goes to say that buying a car is never going to be an investment. However, if you buy a second hand car, you can find an affordable motor at a price which won't depreciate as quickly as that of a new car - so buying a second hand car can prove to be a much more cost effective purchase than buying new car .
But we're sometimes lead to believe that the world of second hand car sales is awash with the stereotypical car salesman, ready to pounce on unsuspecting customers and take advantage of their ignorance of mechanics. So, how do you go about buying a second hand car which is not going to break down the minute you drive off into the sunset? There are three key places to buy a second hand car: from a second hand car dealership, a private seller, or an auction.
Buying from a reputable second hand car dealership is probably the safest way of buying a second hand vehicle, especially if you don't have much knowledge of cars. Dealerships normally test cars for safety and mechanical soundness and often offer some form of guarantee. However, the down side of buying from a dealership is that they tend to be a little more expensive than buying privately - although they are often still open to negotiation on price.
It is possible to pick up some great bargains on second hand cars at auctions. However, buying from a car auction normally doesn't allow you much time to inspect or test drive a vehicle - so caution must be taken; even more so when buying from online auction sites where you only have a photograph and a short description to go on.
Private car sellers can be found in local papers, notice boards and via online second hand car classifieds. There is no shortage of private car sellers and this is probably the most common way of purchasing a second hand car. Upon finding a car of interest, a buyer can contact a seller via phone or email to arrange an inspection and make an offer.
Before buying any second hand car, first check the current market value for the vehicle you want. There are guidebooks available from most newsagents that list makes and models for almost all cars and give an approximate value with relation to the age.
When you are inspecting a car, first check the body work. Is there any corrosion or rust? It's rare to find a car more than 5 years old that is completely rust free, but make sure that any corrosion is cosmetic, rather than structural. Then look at the general state of the engine and check the colour of the oil and coolant, as this can give clues to the condition. Also check the mileage, ask to see the car's log book and check on the amount of tax and M.O.T. left on the car.
As long as you do your background research, and conduct a thorough check before parting with your cash, buying a second hand car can be a very cost effective way of purchasing a vehicle - getting you on the road without breaking the bank.