Category Archives: Cars

It’s that time of the year once again. The weather is mercifully cooler, business is picking up after the holidays and everyone’s returning to education. This is especially true if you’re a university student and you may be thinking of investing your student loan into a new set of wheels – especially if you got to a University where the campus is a long way from majority of the accommodation.

We have gone through the marketplace and asked what kind of car can you get for a rather reasonable £3,000 investment? Of course most students are pushed for money so we’ve taken a view that most will want a reliable motor that isn’t going to cost the world to run. So here is our shortlist of the top 7 motors you can buy in your student years. Continue reading →

Spring is here and summer is coming. Even though the rest of the world and their dog might be looking at purchasing a convertible, this might not be too bad an idea. After all, this article caught your attention so you’re probably considering getting some top-down motoring into your life anyway.

Furnish yourself with the information you need to make a sensible buy. With our best 8 used convertibles you should be able to find something that suits your style and needs – whilst looking good on the road. Everything we have looked at ranges from stylish to downright elegant, so with the look guaranteed, it’s all about finding the performance, reliability and comfort that suits you. Continue reading →

The Toyota Avensis is manufactured in the UK by the well-known Japanese car company since 1997. Available in 4 door saloon, 5 door estate and 5 door lift back editions it has the power to transport the average family round the country’s roads in a relaxed, comfortable style.

Over the years the Avensis has seen 3 generations, with each receiving a new facelift to keep the look of this vehicle up with the times. Each successive iteration has seen Toyota add new features such as adaptive cruise control and front lighting systems.

It’s always tough writing our famous common problems lists for Toyotas as these cars are known for their reliability. However, no vehicle gets off completely scot-free. There are a few issues that worry rather than plague the Avensis so be on your guard against the following faults when considering purchasing a second hand vehicle. Continue reading →

The Volvo V70 is one of those cars that you simply can’t fail to recognise out on the streets. With a strong, boxy look that somehow manages to be effortlessly stylish, you can see why this vehicle has been a mainstay of Volvo’s range for a number of years now.

Evolved from the famous 850 that enjoyed a high degree of popularity in the 1990s, the V70 first appeared in 1996 and has been on our roads ever since with subsequent iterations enjoying bodywork upgrades from the studios of Peter Horbury.

The V70 makes a great second hand car, but beware; it is not completely immune from faults and issues. Fortunately with our common problems guide you can stay one step ahead of any tricky sellers that try to catch you out. Continue reading →

The Saab 9-3 is a popular, high quality executive car. If you like efficient motoring that puts a lot of power underneath the pedal, then this is a great place to start. Originally unleashed on the motoring public back in 1998, various iterations of the vehicle have featured a range of power systems including 1.8t BioPower and 2.8T V6 Diesel engines.

You should be able to find a good selection of Saab 9-3s available on the second hand market when looking for a used car. This solid car is a great choice for reliable motoring and with special editions like the Viggen still kicking around, you can even find something a little more collectable within the range.

It’s always advisable to be cautious when purchasing any second hand car – and with our common problems guide you can stay alert to some of the most prevalent issues affecting the Saab 9-3. Continue reading →

The Peugeot 406 was first produced by the French manufacturer in 1995 and remained part of their European range until 2005. It was available in a number of styles and engines including economical 1.6L petrol and more powerful 2.9L V6 petrol models. With saloons, estates and coupe variants, there was something for everyone in this updated version of the 405.

There are still plenty of 406s out there on the UK roads and thanks to the popularity of this car, it is still possible to find many in good working order. However, as with all second hand cars it is best to err on the side of caution. Use our handy guide to make sure that your potential purchase is free from faults and that it won’t end up costing you more down the line.

The Seat Alhambra is one of those cars that possibly doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. Originally hitting the streets in 1996, it was revised in 2010 to bring it up to date with all new modern looks and features. Available in choice of 6 speed manual or 5 speed automatic models with a range of engines including a powerful 2.8L VR6 20 valve petrol model, this car offers great motoring, awesome space and an attractive rate of economy.

Overall this Seat is one of the best cars we have looked at during our run of common problem articles. During its tenure on the UK roads there have not been any recalls, which is a testament to the build quality of this motor. Still, nothing is immune to trouble and even though the Alhambra is a bastion of reliability, you can arm yourself against buying a lemon with our handy guide to often occurring problems.

The Ford Fusion is a popular mini multi-purpose vehicle that owes its heritage to the unbelievably ubiquitous Ford Fiesta. After a launch in 2002, it saw a ten year production run in Europe with several different editions giving a choice of 4 speed automatic, 5 speed semi-automatic and 5 speed manual cars available across 1.4L and 1.6L engines.

A number of revisions were made to the range, introducing more stylish body trim and comfort features. When it comes to on the road reliability, it has that Ford feeling and parts for the car are plentiful and cost effective. This doesn’t however mean that it is a completely safe buy, and in this article we explore some of the most common faults.