Car Leasing Blog

With diesel technology pushing the boundaries of the current car market ever further it’s no surprise that major manufacturers are releasing more and more models in high powered diesel guises. The benefits being found in all areas including fuel economy and taxation. So Audi’s recent release (apart from the R8 TDi ‘Le-Man’ style super car diesel) could find its way onto many driveways in the UK… the TT TDi Quattro!

Do you get excited about going down to the dealership to look for a new or used car?  Everybody loves spending a weekend afternoon with a high-pressure car salesman, right?  More and more consumers are foregoing the trip to the lot and getting online instead.  The internet offers a multitude of car buying options, and buyers are taking notice.  In fact, nearly a third of automotive transactions now take place online. 

Shopping online increases selection, helping the consumer find the exact car they desire at a price they can handle.  The problem is that the perfect car might not always be located right around the corner.  Some sites may offer shipping (at a premium or otherwise), but often the customer is left to ponder shipping on their own.  When choosing a shipping method, the buyer must take several important factors into consideration:

Timeframe: Auto shipping can take awhile.  Pencil in about a month of advance planning.  Keep in mind that it will take you some time to properly prepare and inspect the vehicle before shipping.  Document any previous damage and ask the transporter if there is anything special you should do to get your vehicle ready.

Budget:  Do the math!  Consider how you might ship your vehicle before you buy.  If you spend too much on shipping, it may negate the savings from buying online.  Don’t assume that the first quote you get is also the lowest.  Shop around and you could save yourself a substantial amount of money.

Reliability:  If you use a shipping company, make sure to do your homework.  Ask for references and check the company’s insurance.  You should always get a written contract and review it thoroughly.  This will be critical if anything happens to go awry during transport.  If you don not have the terms of your shipment in writing, you could be left with no legal recourse.

Alternatives:  Can you pick the car up and drive it home?  Maybe you can pay someone to drive it for you.  Get creative!

Next time you’re in the market for a new car, don’t be surprised if you find yourself sitting in front of your computer instead of wasting your Sunday haggling at a dealership.  Don’t panic when it comes time to ship your new ride.  Do a little research and you’ll be behind the wheel in no time at all.

Written by Adam Greenspan of uShip.com, an auction style marketplace for Auto Transport.

Get asked this one all of the time.

Quite simply put, in the UK cars require a Ministry Of Transport (MOT) test every 12 months to ensure they are roadworthy.

There is an exception. If the vehicle is less than 3 years old, it does not require an MOT. I have absolutley no idea why the MOT believe a brand new car can not become un-roadworthy in less than 3 years (I’ve seen some great examples) but they do.

So.

If your lease is for 2 years on a brand new car, you will not need to put the vehicle through an MOT. However, on its 3rd birthday, the car WILL need an MOT.

So if the car is on a 3 year lease, there is a real chance you will have to put it through a MOT.

Car leasing blog have now got lease prices on the website.

These are supplied by various car leasing companies throughout the uk and can be viewed using either the link below or in the pages section on the right hand side.

Car Leasing Prices

The Mazda RX-8 is the latest sporty coupe with which Mazda has built its reputation. Its four-door configuration marks a new design style for all of Mazda’s fans.

At the core of this new Mazda is the Renesis 1.3-litre rotary engine. This unique engine stands out not only because of its name but because of its side-located exhaust ports on each of the combustion chambers. This simple change makes this engine more powerful, higher in fuel economy and lower in emissions. The small size of the engine enabled engineers to mount it further back on the chassis which distributes the weight 50/50 from front to rear.

The RX-8 was introduced for 2004, marking the return of the rotary powered engine. Before its reintroduction the U.S. sports car industry had not seen a rotary powered engine in nearly 10 years.

Other features that make this car a jewel to handle are the sharp steering, 3,000 pound curb weight, and balanced suspension tuning. The RX comes in either automatic or manual, but the six-speed manual is the only way to go in this car. The manual shift makes the 1.3-litre engine more powerful and the short-throw shifter makes you feel more connected to the car.

In the manual RX-8 the horsepower peaks at 238 while at 8,500rpm. Below 4,000 rpm the engine does not really feel all that powerful because of the nature of rotary engines not really having low-end torque to speak of. You can rev all you want with the rotary though, and it comes across smoothly.

Mazda’s RX-8 goes from 0-60 in 6.6 seconds, which is respectable as far as straight-line acceleration goes, but the sport coupe wins the prize when it comes to the winding road.

The automatic transmission version will red-line at a much lower 7,500 rpm, with the newer models coming with the more advanced 6-speed auto tranny. Paddle shifters are mounted on the steering column. They have 212hp at 7,500rpm versus earlier 2004 and 2005 versions which were 4-speed automatic transmissions.

While being sporty and comfortable enough for regular commuting, the RX-8 can be used for everyday driving, with seats in the rear which will accommodate adults or awkward car seats, and the rear doors are hinged, allowing for easier access.
The manual RX has standard firmer suspension and 18-inch wheels. These do not come standard with the auto transmission, they are optional. Upgrades include the firmer suspension, navigational systems, and leather upholstery.

The predecessor of the RX-8, the RX-7 had difficulty surviving in the U.S. market, having a rough time meeting emissions requirements, and thus having lacklustre sales. The car continued on in Japan through 2002. The final incarnation of the U.S. RX-7 was more expensive then, in comparison to the RX-8 of today.

The old model being sold between ‘93-95 had the ability to hit 255hp at 6,500rpm. It went from 0-60 in an amazing 5.5 seconds. It handled well too, sometimes being compared to race cars. It wasn’t a nice ride though, so you had to appreciate its turbocharged engine and excellent handling abilities more than the comfort of a smooth ride.

Mazda Contract Hire - Mazda RX8 Leasing