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!

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

Made available in three trims, the 2006 Volkswagen Golf is a vehicle that has the capacity of five passengers maximum. This vehicle sports four doors and is a family sedan. Its trims range from the GL 2.0 sedan to the GLS 1.9 TDI. When this vehicle was first introduced, the GL 2.0 sedan came equipped with a standard 2.0 liter, I4 engine that could produce 115 horsepower, thus taking 24 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway. Standard is a five-speed manual transmission with overdrive, and given as an option is a four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. On the other hand, the GLS 1.9 TDI comes with the standard engine that is 1.9 liter, I4 with a production of 100 horsepower. It is a turbo diesel engine with overdrive as standard. It can take 37 mpg in the city while 44 mpg max for highway driving and cruising.

The 2006 Volkswagen Golf has been made available with a hatchback version of the Volkswagen Jetta sedan. Both of these vehicles have the same design generation. The sporty GTI is a hatchback with two doors. The Volkswagen Golf offers GL and GLS trims with a 115 horsepower and 4 cylinder engine. These vehicles come with standard anti lock four wheel disc brakes, front torso side airbags, head-protecting curtain side airbags, traction control, and an anti skid system.

In truth, the 2006 Volkswagen Golf has already been on sale in Europe for eighteen months before it was introduced in United States showroom. In comparison, the Volkswagen Golf and the Volkswagen Jetta essentially is the same car from its parts like the front bumper up to the third roof pillar. What differs is that the Jetta’s rear window drops down to the trunk lid while as in the case of the Golf, its roof continues further towards the back of the vehicle, with hatchback access made from the rear. This vehicle carries more cargo volume, and better access to storage space. And, yes, the Volkswagen Golf costs much less than the Volkswagen Jetta.

As per the Volkswagen Golf’s predecessors, this new one is 2.3 inches longer, one inch wider, and 1.5 inches taller that has paved the way for more space in its interior. This new vehicle also carries with it crash protection that highlights front, side impact, and head protection airbags that are standards for this model. There are also redundant controls for the stereo and climate adjustments on the steering wheel hub. The gauges are also trimmed with chrome rings as well as the cabin which is trimmed with aluminum. As per the Volkswagen’s seats, they are made to be hefty and well bolstered.

In a nutshell, although the Volkswagen Golf has its low points like a low acceleration, and less automatic-transmission performance, this vehicle still outshines because of its spacious cargo room, great build quality, excellent fuel economy, comfortable ride, excellent visibility and quality interior materials.