Are New Cars Worth the Price?
Dec 3rd
When looking for at car commercials, you have to stop and wonder if the cars that are being made now days worth the price. There are all of these different cars offering newer technology to grab the tech savvy consumers with features like Bluetooth connectivity, touch screen navigation (for the directionally handicapped), car mounted TV screens with DVD players. But there is also a push to grab the family or Mom market with other features like OnStar, better safety designs with stronger frames and more efficient airbags.
An estimated 2.5 million new cars are sold in the United Kingdom each year. But research has shown that many makes and models of vehicles lose thousands of euros as soon as they leave the lot with their new owners. Depreciation in a nasty auto industry term but it takes it toll on the resale value of even cars that have seen only one owner and has been off the sales lot for a short amount of time. In fact, some vehicles may lose in the range of two-thirds of their value after just three years.
Sometimes thinking about buying a used car or even what they term a certified used car is worth the financial risk. Because after paying your rent and car payment you need to make sure you can afford utilities, car insurance and other bills as well as food and personal upkeep. Owning a car can cost you on average a surprising 25% of your net income which with today’s economic rollercoaster ride can feel a bit tight. Because when buying a car most people rely on their credit scores to get an auto loan in order to get their car. And depending on your credit, the APR or annual percentage rate can get quite high and eventually add hundreds of euro more than originally priced which increases the amount that the buyer has to pay every month.
So fiscally minded car shoppers should consider if spending money on new gadgets is worth the price or if sticking with pre owned or used cars are a better bargain. Things like repairs and maintenance should be taken into consideration when thinking about buying a new car. A nifty touch screen that allows you to call home may seem like an awesome convenience but if it were to break would it be worth the hundreds of euros it would cost to replace it. So, is convenience worth the cost of a new car? Or is it just another gimmick to increase retailer revenue?
Nissan LEAF: Revolutionary Design
Nov 23rd
Just a decade ago, electric cars still seemed like a far-reaching concept to many. After all, it didn’t seem practical to have to plug in a car for several hours rather than being able to fuel it up on the go. As years went by, the hybrid trend really took off, showing automakers that drivers were interested in buying vehicles that were better for the environment – and for their budgets.
Now in the new decade, Nissan is rolling out a revolutionary electric car: the Nissan LEAF. LEAF is an acronym that stands for Leading, Environmentally friendly, Affordable, Family car. Probably after seeing the success that electric vans have enjoyed among many businesses, Nissan has decided that they are ready to tackle this eco-conscious market and make a car for the everyday driver.
Because of its simplified powertrain, the LEAF requires less maintenance than a fuel-powered car. Zero emissions means zero oil changes or air filter replacements. The car reaches a maximum speed of about 90 mph, and in optimum conditions, it has a range of 100 miles before an eight-hour-long charge is required. The Eco-mode function can provide up to about 10 percent more range. A particularly useful feature of the car is the remote function that allows the driver to manipulate controls through their mobile phones.
The following are a few additional details for the LEAF:
- Starts at £23,990 after a government subsidy is factored in
- Global data center with 24/7 support for drivers
- Warning sounds for pedestrians
Overall, the LEAF is a highly-anticipated all-electric car that is sure to capture its diverse target audience. It is definitely not the least expensive car on the market. However, the savings will be easily realized once drivers factor in the amount they are not spending on fuel or various types of maintenance.