February 23, 2012

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Just how popular are eco cars?

February 10, 2012 By Corey Lyons

Anything to do with all the new eco cars that are around at the moment, and have been for the past few years, has definitely caught the interest of the car industry media. It’s rare to hear about a car that’s newly launched that doesn’t have some kind of stop start technology, eco-friendly low emissions, ECO driving mode and the like. Of course we all want to do our best to help protect the planet and make up for the years of damage done to the ozone layer before we realised what was happening, but beyond all the talk, how popular have eco cars actually become?

According to Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) figures, in Britain alternatively fuelled cars make up 1.6% of the total number of cars on the road, so they’re certainly in the minority. However, the number of new cars sold that fit into the alternative fuel category has increased by 17.6% on last year, so this shows that people are gradually beginning to buy them. Similarly in the States, only three in every hundred vehicles sold are hybrids or electric vehicles. This means that 97% of the new car sales in the USA are still either diesel or petrol fuelled.

Interestingly, the number of people buying diesels in January this year increased on last year. Diesel sales made up 53.75% of the total number of January sales compared to 50.5% in the same period last year. As well as offering great mileage, manufacturers of diesels have really brought down their emissions in recent years, so maybe consumers are viewing them as just as eco-friendly as hybrid cars like the Honda Insight, the Toyota Prius and the Nissan Leaf.

It would seem that for most people actually buying new cars, the priorities are great fuel efficiency first, and therefore lower running costs, followed by other considerations such as comfort, speed, space and lower down the list, how eco-friendly the vehicle is.

 

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The new Civic gets the balance right

January 31, 2012 By Corey Lyons

The new Civic gets the balance just right between the boring practicality of the saloon car and the sportiness many of us middle-aged types still hanker for but can’t quite afford – or feel a little too embarrassed to be seen in!

And that for me, is the key to what I envisage will be the roaring success of the Civic 2012, and specifically the 2.2 diesel versions.

Unlike its predecessor, the Honda civic 2012 is a little less “obvious” in its sports car statement. Honda extensively surveyed owners of the eights generation Civic (the new car’s predecessor) to canvass their views about what would make the ninth generation Civic better still. The new car, with its slight body-style tweaks and various mechanical and spatial improvements is the result of all that work.

Now there are many facets which make or break a car – but by far the most important among them is pure styling – and it’s for that reason that I think the new Civic model will be such a huge success.

There’s just a tiny bit less of the boy racer about the new car that brings it within the bounds of subtlety for the “discerning gentleman”. And I use the masculine word quite deliberately here as there was, possibly, just an absolute touch of the “hairdresser’s” car about the predecessor model.

The diesel option, meanwhile, does have some genuine grunt to match its appearance – whilst the mpg and emission figures are amazing at 67.3 and 110g/km CO2 respectively.

These figures illustrate what I mean when I say it gets the balance just right between practical and sports considerations. And when you add to that practicality Honda’s proven and unequalled reputation for mechanical excellence and for reliability – then the diesel version of the new Civic truly has everything in just the right combination.

 

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Green MPG maximisation

January 19, 2012 By Corey Lyons

If you want to get maximum mileage per gallon and you also want to be environmentally friendly in the process, then it may all be a little easier than you think; the choice is pretty straightforward.

That’s because the Honda Insight hybrid car tops the best miles per gallon list of UK cars today with over 83 mpg on the combined cycle.

That’s impressive enough in its own right, but the fact that it’s doing far less harm to the environment than its petrol or diesel powered equivalents is the icing on the cake.

Then when you also consider that Honda has been found to be the UK’s most reliable carmaker by a major independent survey conducted by What Car? in conjunction with Warranty Direct for an unprecedented six years in a row – then it really does seem like the proverbial no-brainer.

Of course, you may not like the Insight. But there are plenty more eco cars out there to choose from. And there really are fewer and fewer reasons left not to make a green choice – particularly if you’re buying a brand new car. Hybrids have been around for quite some time now; this is no longer relatively untried technology.

For example, the Honda Insight was first introduced way back in 1999. In its current form in the UK, though, it’s only been around since 2009. The latest version is a five passenger, five-door hybrid – the basis for which was later used by Honda for the CR-Z.

The concept version of the Honda Insight five-door hatchback hybrid had previously been unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.

But the point is, this is no longer untried technology. And the mpg top of the table figures will surely mean this becomes on of the best-selling cars of all?

 

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Just leave the car at home

January 9, 2012 By Corey Lyons

Do you want to…

  • Lose weight?
  • Get fitter?
  • Save money?
  • Feel good?
  • Meet more people?
  • Feel what life was like in a previous time?
  • Be more aware of the seasons?
  • Set a great example to your children?

 

In that case, all you need to do is leave the car at home and get on your bike or walk instead. You don’t need to join a gym – you’ll probably drive there anyway. You don’t need to buy lots of home exercise equipment that will be gathering dust by next Christmas. You just need to walk; or cycle. That’s it. Just try to avoid the new car offers out there and go green.

Once you start doing this more often, you’ll be amazed at the difference in yourself – in your mind, your body and your soul.

These days, we all live crazily busy lives and you may think you don’t have the time to walk or cycle everywhere. But life is passing you by. The truth is you don’t really have the time not to do this. As the late John Lennon once said: “Life is what happens while you’re busy planning other things.”

And once you really get going, you’ll quickly realise how walking, say, 5 miles is really no big thing; it’s what our bodies were designed to do – and what our ancestors have done through hundreds of thousands of years of human development – all up until the last 50 years or so only!

Admittedly, we can’t walk everywhere – and these days, it may well be essential to own a car. So if you have to, at least make sure it’s environmentally friendly like one of the many hybrids now on the road.

They aren’t all crazily expensive. The Honda Insight, for example, has been around a long time now and second hand models aren’t too dear.

But whenever you can do so – walk or cycle, for all sorts of good reasons for your inner self, outer self and the environment.

 

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The Honda Civic’s versatile image

December 23, 2011 By Corey Lyons

Honda has been producing the Honda Civic since 1972. It has been sold in more than 160 countries across the world. The Civic 2012 is the ninth generation of the vehicle.

Honda Civics are manufactured in 11 countries in Europe, North and South America and Asia. It’s one of the most popular Honda models ever, and the second longest running Japanese car model.

The first time a Civic was produced in the States was in 1986 at the Marysville Auto Plant, Ohio. Honda’s second US plant was built in 1989 in East Liberty, Ohio, and the Civic was the main model produced there.

Honda R&D Americas produced a Civic model specifically for the North American market. In 1992, it launched the Civic coupé. This was the first time the Civic’s basic design had been altered for a particular market – before the Civic had been seen as a ‘world car’. The coupé was a hit, and boosted the Civic’s popularity even further.

European sales of the Honda Civic began in 1973, and the image of the Civic has changed following market demand. The compact hatchback is one of the most sought-after shapes in the European car market, and the Honda Civics produced in Europe have mainly been five door hatchbacks. Honda UK has produced a three door Civic since 2001, but it’s for export to the US and Japan.
In the States, the Honda Civic may be thought of as a value for money car, but in Asia it has a different kind of image. In Asia and the Middle East, the Civic is a status symbol, a high value car.

The new honda civic 2012 will be available in seven models in the States, including the Si, the sedan, the coupé, the hybrid and the high-fuel efficiency models. They come with a range of different trims, so the Civic continues its versatile look depending on which level trim and which model you choose.

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How to sell your car

December 14, 2011 By Corey Lyons

If the time has come for you and your car to go your separate ways, then it’s time to get out the wax and polish.

ou may be tired of your old car and want to see the back of it, but unless you’re going to trade it in with a dealer or it’s only worth scrapping, then the only way to shift it in what is undoubtedly a buyer’s market, is to make it look good – better than all the rest on offer anyway. Certain brands sell quicker than others – generally those with the reputation of being trouble free, like Honda, but the same rule applies – the better it looks, the more chance you have of selling.

Maybe you’ve decided it’s time that you got one of the eco cars UK motoring mags are raving about, but put those thoughts aside until you’ve found a buyer for your motor.

Firstly, give the engine a once-over and check it’s running reasonably – top up the oil and water, check tyre pressures, radiator levels etc. No one will want to take on a car that doesn’t appear to be well-cared for.

Next, get the vacuum out and give it a really good clean on the inside. Remove any car ornaments and other bits and pieces that will appear as clutter to a stranger’s eyes.

On the outside, wash it twice – to really make sure all traces of dirt are lifted. Then it’s time to wax. This is best done in the semi-shade, out of direct sunlight. Apply a non-abrasive wax with a soft cloth, using a circular action. Leave it on for ten minutes before using the same circular actions with a clean cloth to buff the wax off.

When you’ve finished, go through the waxing and polishing process again, and make sure you lift all streaks of wax.

So there you have it – a gleaming, well-maintained car sitting on your driveway. Are you sure you want to sell it now?

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A cheaper way of owning a classic

November 24, 2011 By Corey Lyons

If you’ve always wanted to own a classic vehicle but haven’t ever had the funds available to do so, then maybe you need to think laterally.

Motorbikes can be classics, too, and they generally cost a lot less than cars. Another plus is that they’re smaller than a car and can easily be stored in your garage alongside your existing motor.

Take, for example, the world’s best-selling motorbike ever – the Honda Cub.

First built and manufactured in 1958, the Honda Cub has also been known as the Honda 50 or Honda C100. Its engine is a 49cc four stroke engine.

It has been made without interruption by Honda since its launch in 1958 and over 60 million Cubs have been sold world wide.

The Cub is so beloved that the Beach Boys even wrote a song about it – “Little Honda”.

You can still buy the equivalent to a new Cub in the United States today. The San Yang Motorcyle Company, Taiwan, makes and exports the Super Cub to the US. They sell for about US $2,600, and if you bought one now, and kept it in mint condition, it could well become a classic in thirty or forty years’ time.

Of course, you can still pick up original Honda Cubs, but the new ones are much more economical and cleaner to run. The best way to enjoy a classic like the Cub, is to own it, nurture it and keep it in as close a condition to perfect as you can, but to get the pleasure out of riding it, too.

It’s all very well mothballing it for the value, but really, where’s the fun in owning a motorbike that you don’t ride?

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Beware protection packages

November 21, 2011 By Corey Lyons

If you’ve decided to invest in a new car, you’re likely to have put some serious thought into the finances of the purchase. Any sensible buyer will have done some research online and looked at the ticket prices, but also thought about running costs for the car.

This doesn’t just mean checking the miles per gallon, you also have to look at what road tax band the car will be in, as this can vary the amount you’ll have to pay enormously. In the UK, for example, low emission cars can be in Band A and pay no road tax, while cars with high CO2 emissions can cost as much as £460 a year in road tax. So, if you’re looking for ways to save on running costs, it may be that one of the many eco cars UK dealerships now sell will be suitable for you.

However, when you’ve gone through the whole buying process and are sitting down in the car dealer’s office, just be on your guard if and when they start to offer you any extras before you sign your name to the contract.

One thing that frequently gets purchased by unprepared buyers is a ‘protection package’. This isn’t insurance – it’s something else that some salesmen offer at the point of a sale. A protection package usually includes rust proofing, pain protection and fabric protection. It’s the kind of thing that will ring alarm bells as you angst over whether to spend another big wedge of money. What if you don’t? Will your new car rust the minute the rain falls?

In short, no, it won’t. A protection package is purely an extra. Many car manufacturers offer a ten-year warranty on the bodywork. When cars leave the factory, they are put through a series of sophisticated paint treatments in order to last the duration of their warranties. The only time it might be worth considering a ‘protection package’ is if you never plan to wash or wax your car – ever! If you do plan to keep it clean and waxed, then you’ll be wasting money unnecessarily.

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Footballers’ cars set a bad example

October 25, 2011 By Corey Lyons

When it comes to buying expensive sports cars, the excesses of today’s top footballers are legendary.
These days, no self-respecting Chelsea / Man U / Arsenal / Liverpool or Man City prima donna would be seen dead in a run-of-the-mill motor. As for the “WAGS” – they’re even worse!
Consider the evidence from previous sales of cars by Wayne Rooney:
Audi RS4 Quattro cabriolet, Aston Martin Vanquish S, 582bhp Mercedes CLK DTM AMG, black Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, Audi RS6 Avant, Bentley Continental (and a convertible GTC version for Coleen), Mercedes G55 AMG, Mini GP, supercharged Range Rover and Range Rover Sport.
Of course, young Mr Rooney may be something of an extreme example. Few players can command the kind of salary and emoluments his skills permit.
But most of the Premier League’s top names can be seen flashing around in Aston Martins, Ferraris, Porsches, Bentleys, Lamborghinis and the like. And they all like to spend a bit more with a specialist design company to make sure their new car offers something unique to them.
“So what’s the problem?” I hear you ask.
Well the problem is that youngsters (particularly boys) look up to footballers – possibly more than anyone else in any other walk of life. But only a few will ever be able to afford this kind of luxury. So the fact that we all fall short of this perceived glamorous lifestyle breeds resentment and a ceaseless desire for material things which don’t bring happiness.
Also – they’re hardly setting the best of environmental examples. “The bigger, the better” seems to be the motto for them. When did you last hear of a Premier League star opting for a Honda hybrid instead of a gas-guzzling SUV? As most manufacturers nowadays, Honda UK offer a hybrid version of their most popular sports car, the CR-Z, so people can drive a sports car and show they care about the environment.
This kind of thing would set a truly great example – a far better one than spending a bomb personalising an already ludicrously expensive, environmentally unfriendly beast of a sports car.

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If Microsoft Built Cars…

October 5, 2011 By Corey Lyons

Occasionally your car would simply freeze up on the road, you’d have to pull over, wait a while, re-start the car and drive on. You would do this without bothering to complain to the car maker or seller as it’s too much hassle.
Now and again, whilst doing something a little more out of the ordinary – like a three point turn for instance – your car would cut out and be unable to re-start and you’d have to install a new engine. You would accept this too for the same reason re hassle.
Every time the lines on the road were repainted, you would need a new car. This would happen once every three or four years and the re-sale value of your car would be next to nothing.
All new car offers would be unbelievably cheap – but only without the necessary equipment to make them work. Steering wheels, gear knobs, foot pedals and ignition keys would cost 40% as much again as the basic car.
Apple would make available hybrid cars which were a little more to buy, but much faster, twice as reliable, far cheaper to run and which never broke down. But these cars would only be allowed to drive on less than ten per cent of all roads.
Now and again, an expert would service your car, installing new gadgetry which would make it run much more slowly – and crash more often. You would pay handsomely for this service and s/he would make you feel like a complete idiot in the process for not knowing how to do this yourself.
If your car crashed, you would have no idea how or why this happened.
Now and again, without warning, the car would go a lot slower – then whizz along at great speed for a bit.
When signalling right or left, you would first be asked: “Are you sure?”
Strangers would be able to break into your car and steal your stuff as you drove along.
When turning the car off at your house at night, you would have to wait ages for it to lose power.

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