Test Drives - Car Blog

Unlock Your Entrepreneurial Dreams!

Pop up stores are taking over social media, but what if you could combine that format with a food truck? When it comes to unlocking your entrepreneurial dreams, sometimes you have to take big risks in order to have a dream you’ve held onto for your whole life. Van Monster has put out a cool infographic on the realities of building a food truck and even using a used van to get started. You may have to do some DIY to get it up and running, and there will be laws and regulations that you’ll need to look into. But at the end of the day, it’ll all be worth it. Check it out!

New Driver – Check Out These International Driving Laws

Sometimes new drivers write to us because we’re well known for being super car enthusiasts. We love driving because it truly is one of the most stress relieving activities. Of course, that isn’t to say that there aren’t complications when you’re dealing with being on the open road and handling other drivers. A defensive stance on driving is truly the best stance, especially if you want to keep car insurance premiums as low as possible. We reached out to the great team at Northgate to pull in more facts about driving laws around the road. So the next time you feel like complaining about the driving laws, think about these new ones and count your blessings!

1. You Better Bring Hay

You probably aren’t pulling a horse and carriage combo anytime soon, but if you decided to get a little too vintage for your own good, you’d have to abide by UK law that states a driver of a hackney must have hay and oats for the horses. To us this one isn’t totally crazy, as horses do need food. Haven’t you been hungry on the road? We’re sure you can see our point.

2. Breathalyzers For All

The Eiffel Tower is worth seeing in person, but if you ever wanted to drive through the French countryside, you’d need to carry a breathalyzer. Yes, that means that every single French citizen you see on the roads has one in their car, just in case. Maybe the wine really is too potent?

3. No Speed Limits? (Only in THIS Place!)

It’s actually against the law to stop on the German motorway, also known as the autobahn. There are no speed limits and you cannot break down on the side of the road. Somehow, the German drivers seem to do just fine, and they get where they want to go without too many accidents. How interesting!

4. Don’t Go Topless (Men Included!)

If you want to drive in Thailand, you have to make sure that you are fully dressed. The local government frowns on men and women driving topless, even though there’s always someone that thinks they can get around the rules. Don’t be that person!

Overall, not all of these driving laws are completely crazy. Some are designed to protect animals, while others are designed to promote the modesty norms of the area. Either way, if a law carries penalties for breaking it, it makes sense to be aware of it. It can be frustrating for a new driver because it feels like you’re never going to learn all of it. Trust us, it only feels that way in the beginning — it absolutely gets better with time!

Tesla Just Launched a Vegan Version of the Model X

Are you trying to be more socially conscious? Are you interested in vegan friendly products? Well, Tesla is trying to promote an all vegan version of the Model X, so we figured that we’d tell you all about it.

A lot of top notch cars offer all leather interiors, but very few are offering synthetic interiors that are designed to address the tastes of vegan car owners. Obviously, a vehicle has its own share of issues but Tesla has worked tirelessly on improving the details, increasing the environmental viability dramatically.

Zero emission powertrains help take the pressure off the planet, still allowing us to make it to work on time without tearing the environment apart. The first color offered is “Ultra White”, and it’s an option for the Model X.

If you have been on the fence about investing in Tesla’s vehicles, you might want to check out the Model X. It’s a crossover that’s fully electric, with a driving range of over 250 miles. Seven adults can fit in this vehicle, making it not only efficient but very spacious. The Model X can go from 0-60 mph in roughly 3.2 seconds. Continue reading →

10 things to know about the new Renault Kadjar

Renault revealed its new C-segment crossover earlier this year in Paris. It’s called Renault KADJAR, and it looks absolutely fabulous. For a Renault, that is. It’s mission is to compete with his sibling, the Nissan Qashqai, for supremacy in a segment that brings up to 30% of sales in China and is larger and larger in Europe.

1. It has 4×4, 4×2 and Extended Grip, that will allow it to reach difficult terrain, even if the car is not prepared for hard off-road.

2. It’s 4.45 m long, 1.84 m wide and 1.6 m tall – a compact crossover, larger than the Renault Captur but smaller than the Koleos.

3. It’s geared towards the young living an active lifestyle, with plenty of boot space for its segment (472 litres) and interior modularity at its best (the front passenger’s seat can be transformed into a table, and the rear bench can fold 1/3-2/3.

4. It’s also geared towards the asphalt road, with up to 19 inches wheels, but its 190 mm road clearance means that it can also attack some country roads (18 degrees attack angle, 25 degrees rear angle).

5. It’s spacious enough for 4 adults and a child, that means a family will have no problem using it as a family car.

6. It has a modern interior, with Renault’s R-Link 2 multimedia system and connectivity providing high-tech entertainment and mobile apps designed to help the driver on the road. Continue reading →

Getting a Car Loan with Damaged Credit

As anyone who has dealt with damaged credit knows, a low score can lead to a long list of obstacles when making financial decisions. Finding cars for sale with a less than stellar credit score can be a difficult process, but it’s certainly not impossible. Follow a few of these tips to find and secure your auto loan.

Know Your Credit Score

Before you begin your search for a loan, get the facts. Find out exactly what your credit score is and what that means for your potential to get a loan. There are several companies that will provide you with your credit score at no cost. Go into the process with realistic expectations to avoid being surprised or quickly let down if you’re met with obstacles. This will help you to go into the situation with confidence, showing lenders that you are well prepared.

Keep Your Options Open

You may find that the first place you visit in hopes of finding a loan won’t work out. Don’t let this setback be the end of your search. There are many places to look for a loan and you may be surprised by how many options you’ll have to choose from. Keep in mind that some lenders will be more willing to work with you than others. It’s a matter of doing some research and taking the time to find the right lender for you and your situation.

Look Close to Home

As you begin your search, start with the places that you know well. Go to the bank where you already have an account. Check with your credit union. For an example, when searching for cars for sale in Newcastle, look for the lenders in the area. These lenders may be more willing to work with you if they know you. Others may have a relationship with local car dealers and will know how to best make a loan work for you. Continue reading →

The 5 Most Expensive Cars To Insure

Car insurance is a necessary expense for those of us who drive. What a statement. You are probably thinking, wow, what an obvious thing to say. Cars tend to be a never ending burden on our wallets. From the monthly payments, gas and maintenance, to the dreaded car insurance.

However, for those of us that consider our cars prized possessions, it can really get expensive when we start talking about adding family members, insuring multiple cars, drivers under the age of 21 or 25 but we can really start talking about big bucks, when we involve the type of car we are insuring and trust me, that flashy sports car is really going to cost you.

The Countdown

Now the average American driver isn’t out cruising around in a Lamborghini or Ferrari, but for those lucky few it doesn’t come cheap. Using national averages, we have conjured a list of the top five most expensive cars to insure in the US:

5. Mercedes G55 AMG costs an average of approximately $3000 a year to insure.

4. Porsche 911 Carerra S Coupe costs an average of approximately $3100 a year to insure.

3. Aston Martin DB9 costs an average of approximately $3200 a year to insure.

2. BMW 750Li costs an average of approximately $3300 a year to insure.

And last but certainly not least our number one spot of most expensive car to insure in the United States is:

1. Mercedes Benz SL65 AMG costing an average of approximately $3600 a year to insure.

Now the average cost to insure any of the vehicles above, assumes the insurance covers an individual, experienced driver with a fantastic record. Imagine the cost if you add your 18 year old son to the insurance plan! Continue reading →

Mitsubishi ASX drive test. Fighter jet!

Mitsubishi ASX is a bold move from the Japanese manufacturer in the crossover segment, and after Outlander’s success, it’s presence on this segment was mandatory, especially in the face of such as Nissan Qashqai and co.

We’ve tested the European version fitted with the 1.6 litre 115 PS gas engine, and were surprised by this little SUV destined to be liked by youngsters and small families. The three main points to like? Exterior design, handling and modularity. The three main points not to like? Plastic quality, smallish engine and extremely annoying beeps coming from the car when you start the engine without having put your safety belt in advance.

This having been said, let’s tackle them in order in our Mitsubishi ASX test drive review:

Design 8/10: it really looks like a fighter jet on steroids. Its frontal part seems to be taken directly from the superb Lancer and is so mean that other cars in the fast lane are in a hurry to make way for you. For those looking for the most striking car in the segment: here it is! It’s a pity that the interior doesn’t catch on the exterior and is the usual somber ‘look at me I’m soo serious’ black on black that we usually get from Mitsubishi.

Quality 7/10: the interior materials on the Invite level are hard plastics on the doors combined with somehow softer plastics over the dashboard, durable textiles on the chairs and high-quality plastics on the door handles and central console. If you manage to get the Intense or Instyle packages the leather provided is of good quality but the overall feeling of sturdiness remains. It’s a well-assembled car, but without any refinement. Continue reading →

A Successful Vehicle Transport Business Depends on Solid Revenue

Cars are great for driving long distance and for commuting, but everyone, from an individual to a car broker, eventually needs to have a vehicle transported from one destination to another. In some cases it can be a regional job, and in others the transfer could involve a trip clear across the country. Whatever the case, car transport serves a purpose and useful one for many.

For truck transporter drivers, the jobs can be very lucrative and rewarding, both financially and as a chance to travel and see more of a country by road. That said, a lot depends on making sure that the truck used is maintained well and the car transferred is protected and kept from harm.

The Core Element of a Successful Transporter Venture

Having the means to maintain a truck and the equipment to transfer a car properly depends heavily on keeping a steady stream of jobs and demand going. That comes from fostering good relationships with repeat customers like car collectors, car dealers and personal property moving companies. Smart transporters are always marketing their services as well, whether it be with business cards and flyers or by phone and referrals. The wider a net is cast, the more possible connections and customers can be had.

Maintenance and Equipment

With a steady stream of business revenue established, maintaining a truck properly is key to holding onto business and delivering services. The running truck needs to be considered a top priority since, without it, the transport business won’t happen, period. That means investing the money and repairs when needed, changing tires and oil on time, and maintaining adequate insurance coverage in case of an accident. Continue reading →

What to do if your car fails an MOT test

Many people assume that if your car fails an MOT you have to get it repaired right away with that particular garage that tested your car but you actually have a few options available. We will start by going back to the beginning and looking at when you booked your MOT.

You are allowed to get your car MOT tested up to a month prior to the current MOT expiry date, the new MOT will also be matched to the same date as the current expiry date so you gain additional time on your MOT certificate. The system has now changed making everything computerised so you don’t need any of your old certificates although they are beneficial to keep for when you come to sell the car, you can find more information about an MOT from gov.uk here.

You may have already known about the month period that you can get your car tested which means you know there is no need to panic if your car fails its MOT. Unless your car is really bad and the MOT tester reports it as not roadworthy then you can still drive your car until the MOT expiration date. This allows you to look elsewhere to get the repair work done for a better price, you can then return to the MOT testing station to claim your free re-test. Continue reading →

How Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems Can Help You Save Money

Maintaining the right tyre pressure might not feature among the important tasks in your busy schedule, but are you aware of the ‘price’ you are paying for this?

10% to 50% of tyre tread life is lost when air pressure is not adequately maintained. This means more frequent and expensive tyre replacements. Besides, driving on underinflated tyres brings down fuel efficiency.

Maintaining the right tyre pressure saves fuel and money and increases tyre life as well. More importantly, failure to maintain adequate tyre pressure gravely increases chances of accidents due to tyre blowouts.

How to Maintain the Right Tyre Pressure to Stay Safe and Save Money

This depends on two factors

An awareness of factors affecting tyre pressure

Factors that affect tyre pressure include the quality of driving, driving surface and seasonal changes. Sometimes a screw, a nail or any sharp object on the road might perforate the tyre, causing the air pressure to drop. In winter, usually the air pressure goes down one or two pounds per month, in summers the rate of air loss is much higher.

A Mechanism which indicates low tyre pressure

Such a mechanism is called the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System or TPMS. By alerting you to low tyre pressure, so that you can remedy the issue at once, TPMS systems help you save money. This article looks at different types of TPMS systems and how they work. Continue reading →