401(K) 2013 / flickr.com

Everything is now very simple; anything which you need to buy can be easily browsed on the web and purchased within few minutes. The possibilities are endless and you can buy almost everything, but when it comes to vehicles you need to be extremely sure about the condition of all the other features.

Ebay is one such medium, where all the users can easily bid for their desired vehicle and if your bid was the best then you will have that car in your garage within no time.

All your favorite cars are on ebay where you can easily browse and use the filter to reach your desired vehicle, all the users who auction their vehicles explain each and everything about the features and all other aspects which you need to know.

Buy a Car from Ebay or Not?

You can even ask various questions to the seller about any feature of the car which you have decided to buy, the only drawback of this purchasing is that there are a lot of scammers which will be trying their best to sell you something which they don’t even own.

They may even keep the entire process official with ebay but you have to keep your eyes open because on the internet anything can happen. Also the car may not be exactly as it is described and it may get a little frustrating, but if you go through all the users there are literally hundreds of people who will be willing to sell your desired car.

So you have a lot of option, take our time and make the all-important decision.

Before you go on to buy your dream car, keep the

Ebay Protection Policy

in mind because apart from that none of your transaction will be secure and you have to suffer the consequences.

It doesn’t matter how many links you get, never buy any vehicle outside of the ebay’s official website. Make sure that you have the contact number of the seller, this way you can go through all the necessary details you need to know before buying the car.

/kallu / flickr.com

If the car is around your neighborhood then it is always a good idea to take a look at it before buying, this will give you immense satisfaction.

Apart from everything ebay is a fantastic medium to buy or sell your vehicles, you can also see all the feedback of the user you are about to deal with. This will give you a clear idea about, whether you should go ahead with the deal or just back out.

So get started and find you new car on Ebay!

Maximus_W / flickr.com

Sports cars, two-seater and two-door automobiles, are an indulgence when you are looking for power, precision and agility.

To buy a sports car does not necessarily mean having to exhaust all your cash reserves. Even as much as £3000 can fetch you a number of options from fun and reliable budget sports cars.

Here are the top three models of budget sports cars that will suit your pocket and style perfectly.

Mazda MX-5 (2005)

M 93 / flickr.com

The world’s highest selling roadster, it has a sensational chassis that makes it unarguably the best in the list of budget sports cars.

A lightweight machine with nominal mechanical convolution and a spacious and wide boot, this one is a very practical band feasible buy. It comes with a brilliant easy-to-fold-down roof and economical maintenance.

Precise gear change makes for easier handling, while the adjustable and responsive steering wheel makes the ride comfortable. It is not the fastest of the lot, but it is extremely agile. Based on the classic formula, it has the engine in the front and rear wheel driving, which adds to its overall balance and control.

Honda S2000 (1999-2009)

tekniks / flickr.com

Powered by 2.2 litre F22C and 242bhp engine, Honda S2000 is a sheer delight when it comes to driving. It comes with a lightweight carbon-fibre hood, a striking rear and large information displays.

Built on a tough X-bone frame, this piece is not just about raw acceleration, but also has the safety and firmness of a hardtop coupe.

Innovative technology along with a high performance engine, it takes less than 7 seconds to boost from 0 to 100 km/ hr, all that with a speed that goes up to 241 km/ hr. A compact and electric power steering gives you precision and controlled manoeuvering, while its neat proportions and low weight make it exceptionally nimble.

Mercedes-Benz SLK (2004)

NRMA New Cars / flickr.com

A perfect choice for those looking for style and good looks. Inspired by F1 models, it is a hardtop retractable convertible which is light and sporty.

Its composed and silent cruising gives the driver a great deal of confidence. The roof consists of a hard foldable steel top that can be controlled with a remote, without having to hold a button.

With the power to propel from 0-62 mph in a little over 4 seconds, this model is a revered one and makes for a great budget or used sports car.

Petra Bork / pixelio.de

There are several services that provide a reference for used car prices. These usually take the make, model and year of manufacture of the car then provide an estimated price range. This is commonly referred to as the book price of the vehicle and is a useful place to start when deciding its value. However, the book price can be quite simplistic and can suggest an unrealistic value when used alone.

One method for further narrowing down the car’s value is to find similar vehicles on car sales websites. By using a wide search, it is possible to get a general idea of the range of asking prices for the specific make and model. Most sites also offer the opportunity to further narrow the search by mileage, trim, location, transmission type and a variety of other factors. Using these factors to find comparable cars for sale then analysing the asking price range provides a snapshot of the current market and an estimate of the retail value of the car.

Adjusting the estimated value

Several factors can reduce the worth of the car. Damage to the car’s bodywork is the most obvious but mechanical problems or malfunctioning electronics can also have a significant impact on sale price, particularly in private sales.

Having the correct documentation helps to solidify the value of the vehicle. A full service history, coupled with a year’s MOT and Vehicle Excise Duty means the car can go into the higher value range. Cars will sell for less without them.

Where to sell

Selling the car privately will generally lead to a higher sale price. Dealers exist to make a profit so the price they will pay for the car is adjusted accordingly. However, dealers may buy a car that would prove difficult to sell privately so they are worth considering if the car has defects. While combining the book price with some research on asking prices will give the retail value of the car, most private buyers will not buy at that price from a private seller. A good rule of thumb is aim for 10% less than the retail value when selling privately. With dealers, the price may be between 30% and 60% less than the retail value of the car depending on how the sale is structured. check out Autotrader for selling your own car privately http://www.autotrader.co.uk/

Andreas Nikelski / pixelio.de

There are a number of reasons you may want to import a used car from abroad. Perhaps you have previously lived abroad and are coming to, or moving back to the UK, or maybe are looking to buy a car that is more easily available in another country. Whatever the reason there are a number of procedures you will have to go through.

If the car was registered in Northern Ireland then it is not classified as an import to Great Britain and can keep its Northern Ireland number plates and tax disc. If you prefer, you can request a number plate and tax disc registered in Great Britain (the same applies in reverse for cars being taken out of Great Britain and into Northern Ireland).

Before you import the car

If the car you wish to import is less than 10 years old, there are standards that it will need to meet before you can drive it on the road, such as UK road and vehicle lighting legislation as well as construction and use standards.

Depending on where the care originated from, you will have to obtain a certificate from the Vehicle Type Approval Authority (VCA) if the car was first registered in the European Union, or pass an Individual Vehcial Approval (IVA) test if the car was obtained elsewhere to show it meeds EU standards.

Once you have the car

You will need to insure your imported car before you can tax and register it. You will need to get an insurance certificate based on the Vehicle Identification Number (sometimes called the VIN). Not all insurers provide this cover, so get in touch with the British Insurance Brokers’ Association who will be able to point you in the right direction.

You will need to apply to register your car at your local DVLA office, or check on the DVLA website http://www.dft.gov.uk/dvla/ You will need to take a completed V55/5 application form and a £55 registration fee (if applicable), along with your insurance certificate and your foreign registration document. You will also need to bring evidence of when the vehicle was collected, that it meets the standards mentioned above, a British MOT certificate (if applicable), a form from HMRC and documentation proving your name, such as a driving licence, UK or EU passport or birth certificate, and address such as a utility bill from within the last 3 months, bank statement or council tax bill.

Peter-Smola / pixelio.de

Using a professional to inspect a used car is a sure way of gaining peace of mind but it can add to the cost. There are steps you can take if you don’t mind getting your clothes and hands dirty. Apart from the engine condition an important thing is inspecting rust on a second hand vehicle preferable before you think of taking it for a test drive.

Inspection

Always conduct the inspecting in a well-lit garage with a powerful torch or hand light, be mindful that artificial light can make paintwork look shiny if possible look over the vehicle in the day time. The underside of the car is made up of floor pans and a structural section running around the contour of the car this is the best place to start the inspection. Look for tell-tale signs of repairs, differences in colouration or texture can be covering up rusted and corroded metal.

Rust

Rust occurs when bare metal is exposed to atmospheric moisture and Oxygen causing oxidation (corrosion). Acid rain and sea water can speed up the corrosion proses especially to unprotected damaged metal with the paint scrapped off. A reddish- brown coating will first appear on the exposed metal and will slowly eat away at the metal causing almost irreversible damage.

Magnet Check

Along with your eyes use a pliable magnet or place a sheet of paper between the car and a metal magnet so as not to damage any paintwork. Feel inside the wheel wells and arches, the bottom of the doors and the underside of door sills. A clear suggestion that body filler has been used is when the magnet doesn’t stick.
Fresh paint in the engine compartment and over spray on rubber seals are also signs of a rust repair or cover up. The exhaust pipe and muffler along with its brackets attached to the underside of the vehicle should be checked. If possible lift the carpet to visually inspect for rust spots and bubbling paint.

Rust unless it has attacked structural sections of the vehicle is more of an aesthetic problem and shows that the seller of the car has neglected it. This may lead to other more serious mechanical problems and even worse covered up accident damage. After inspecting rust on a second hand vehicle you still want to purchase the car it may be prudent to seek the advice of an independent mechanic.

classic cars for sale’s website has a great blog about dealing with rust on a vehicle http://www.classiccarsforsale.co.uk/

peter l. / pixelio.de

Since the demise of the British motor show new car shows have started up all over the country. There are shows nearly every weekend from small specialist interest classic and vintage vehicles, Kit cars, VW beetle enthusiasts and high tech Japanese cars. The shows draw large crowds and offer auto memorabilia, auctions, auto-jumble stalls, car sales, beer tents and live music.

Goodwood

Goodwood’s moving motor show is one of the top car shows in the UK. The show is held at the Goodwood estate and enables vehicle manufacturers the opportunity to showcase their latest designs it includes the world-famous festival of speed hill-climb. The show is called a moving show because automotive manufactures allow potential buyers to see their cars in action and some get to test drive them around the track.

Motorexpo

Motorexpo is the biggest motoring event in the world. Free to visitors some of the largest leading car manufactures attend the motoring show. This year the show was held at Canary wharf London it went on to Toronto Canada and will be in New York in September 16-21.

Donington

Donington Kit and high performance car show is held at Donington Park Derbyshire at the beginning of September. The park offers family camping facilities, BBQ and live music on the Saturday night. Throughout the weekend there will be 750 motor clubs racing around the track and in the main hall you can watch how to build a sports car in two days.

Beaulieu

Beaulieu, Brockenhurst, Hampshire holds one of the biggest outdoor auto-jumbles in the UK on the 8-9 September it is also home to the National Motor Museum. There will be over two hundred cars for sale with more than 2,000 stalls flogging classic and vintage car parts and paraphernalia. Famous cars from TV and film will be shown there including the James Bond collection and the flying ford Anglia from the Harry Potter films.

Japshow

The Japshow is run from b>Santa Podraceway Northamptonshire on various days in the summer the Finale is on the last weekend in September. Events at the show include car club displays, trader’s stands; run what ya brung and a competition for Europe’s fastest motorcar. Run what ya brung is an opportunity to drive your own car or motorbike on the race track for an unlimited amount of times for a fee of £25.

Car Magazines website has a great list of car expos http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/

PeterFranz /pixelio.de

Whether you’ve had your head turned whilst our driving on the road, or you’ve just never forgotten how a certain car looked in a movie, buying a vintage car is often about wish fulfilment. It’s about taking a fantasy and having it become real on your driveway. It’s a process that can easily go wrong, though, so here are a few pointers to help avoid your fantasies turning into a nightmare.

Prepare your family

Unless you’re single, it would be a good idea if your other half were at least a bit invested in the idea of having a vintage car. You’re going to be spending a lot of time taking care of the vehicle once it’s purchased and more if you’re renovating it yourself, and make no mistake that this is big financial commitment too. If your significant other really isn’t into vintage cars will every hour and pound spent be a battle?

Be realistic

It might be tempting to grab that bargain of a rusting shell, telling yourself that you’ll be able to have that back on the road in no time, but do you really have the time, money and ability to do it? So many vintage cars sit in garages or on driveways under tarpaulins because the owners find that they just can’t get the work done on it. So be realistic, or better still be pessimistic. Take on a car that you think you can get road worthy in the worst case scenario of resources available to you.

Finding a car

So where do you find your dream car? The simplest way is to pop to the Newsagent and have a look at any of the vintage car magazines that are available, but there are also websites that cater to the market which are worth looking into. The usual security tips apply here, don’t pay money for anything until you’ve seen it and if possible don’t take cash to any meeting. You can also find some great vintage car sites which can help.

Inspecting the car

Are there any questions you want to ask the seller? Prepare a list in advance so you don’t forget in the heat of the moment. A checklist of what you need to look over is a good idea too; if you’re not mechanically minded then take someone with you who is.
These few simple tips should help you on the road to buying a classic, without it becoming a nightmare.

For more info check out Wikipedias Vintage car page

Rainer Sturm/ pixelio.de

Kit cars are essentially similar to any other car on the road; with the added feature of being able to fully customize and create a unique vehicle from scratch. Requiring to be assembled, to form a road worthy vehicle for your pleasure.

There’s possibly no better feeling in the world of creating something yourself, and a kit car can blend the love of cars into an exciting hobby. While, they do require more commitment than a conventional car, the time and effort involved in creation can be an exceptionally rewarding experience.

Starting the Adventure

The quality and quantity of kit cars available is outstanding, enabling you to easily find a basic package you like. Buying each part separately is also an option, allowing you to customise it to your hearts content, further exuding that unique appeal. As with most things nowadays, the Internet is your friend. With a multitude of websites available specializing in kit cars, from dealers to manufacturers. While, dedicated magazines are a great source of information, and also supplying a directory of suppliers and manufacturers.

Car shows are invaluable for understanding what’s available from the top manufacturers, and also a great place to purchase a basic package to begin your kit car adventure. Try not to rush into purchasing a kit, take time to research each manufacturer and package you’re interested in; such as, total costs and what parts are included.

Kit Car Construction

Building a kit car does take a lot of time, effort, and financial expenses. While, it’s an enriching experience, something to consider is whether to build it yourself, or professionally. A basic knowledge of mechanics and engineering can set you on your way to making your very own car, and there’s also a huge amount of resources easily available, should you require it. A large work space is required, as well as purchasing specialist equipment to construct your car, not to mention the time involved in creation.

Building it professionally in a workshop, will enable your car to be built more rapidly than if you were doing it by yourself. While, some negative aspects to take into consideration are the added financial costs, as well as not being actively involved in the creation of the car. Which way to construct your car depends on you, and your personal circumstances. Both are equally appealing, and both will enable you to create the car of your dreams. In the end, it’s not just a car you’re buying, it’s also a lifelong hobby. You might also be interested in magazines about Kit Car like this one.

Olaf Schneider/ pixelio.de

With the environment an ever-pressing concern, and oil and petrol prices rising, the forefront of motoring in the modern day arguably lies in the quest to develop commercially viable electric vehicles. While electric cars are improving at a rapid pace the idea of transferring the technology to even larger models has so far proved more elusive. There may be light at the end of the tunnel though.

The history of electric vehicles

Up until the 1980s, the only electric vehicle you’d have been likely to witness anywhere in the world was the humble British milk float. Anyone who has ever been stuck behind one will know that they top out at a measly 20 m.p.h. Used only for very localised, continually truncated deliverys, electricity was deemed their most practical and efficient form of power.

Then in the 80s, modelled on tram systems, only without difficult to install tracks, trolley buses were developed. Taking their electricity from a circuit created by two overhead wires, trolleys are still widely in service across Western Europe. Suiting inner-city locations, they are blissfully quiet compared to their petrol-powered counterparts and of course have the crucial advantage of being much more environmentally friendly. On the downside the wiring is difficult to build and they lack the ability to overtake one another.

Future of electric vehicles

The future of larger electric vehicles is linked directly to research developing and improving the ultra-capacitor battery, capable of a far inferior storage capacity to a lithium ion cell but with lightning fast charging speeds. American company Sinautec, in partnership with Chinese firm Shanghai Aowei are currently trialling a model which, although only capable of 3 miles when fully charged, utilises bus-stops to recharge its battery- it’s only 2 minutes before the bus is back on the road again. The company expects to roll their vehicles out across America in the future and boast that they use only one tenth of the energy of a diesel bus.

Taking inspiration from the trolley bus system, in May 2012 Siemens unveiled a model of hybrid electric trucks which take power from overhead wires on interstate highways. The trucks also possess diesel engines so would not be stranded were they to leave the wires. Plans for the installation of a cross-country interstate system are as yet unconfirmed, but the trucks point to a certain future for long distance electric haulage.

Gisela Peter/ pixelio.de

In today’s economy, buying a new car is a luxury not many people can afford. Car prices have skyrocketed throughout the market, dealership cars hold hidden fees, and car dealers employ high pressure tactics that add insult to injury. As a result, more and more people turn their attention to used cars when shopping for the car of their dreams. Okay, maybe “car of their dreams” is a little far-fetched, but used cars should not be frowned upon as most second-hand cars you find at a car supermarket are in a perfect driving condition. There are many of ways you can get your hands on a good car on a tight budget, but you have to know where to look.

Getting a good deal at a Used Car Supermarket

If you are contemplating the idea of buying a used car, used car supermarkets should be the first places you visit. At a used car supermarket, you can find just about every model of car you can think of, for almost half the price. Not only that, but some of these cars come equipped with a variety of features, most of which you would not be able to afford when shopping for a new car. If this isn’t enough, think about the tax and insurance issue.

You have to understand that when you buy a new car, you pay an awful lot of money on VAT and insurance, whereas used cars are not only easier to insure, but require no VAT payment whatsoever. Some will argue that new cars are more reliable, but which ones? You will find that a 5 years old BMW is undoubtedly more reliable than some random Chinese car, regardless of how new it is. Sometimes you have the chance to get a used limousine and safe money.

Uncovering gems at Car Auctions

Thousands of cars get seized every month in the UK by banks and the government. Their owners either break the law, or have outstanding loans to their bank that they cannot honor. These seized cars, are usually sold at public auctions in order to recuperate what was loaned, or to gain additional funds.

Regardless of the story behind these cars, they’re generally in a good working condition, and for a small amount of money you can get your hands on one of the top brands for the price of a used one. You are advised, however, to closely inspect any car you may have set your eyes on, as some of these cars are seized from reckless drivers. If you see a car which suits your

Sometimes a car lease is exactly what you need

It is rather hard to estimate a used car’s value, and this is mainly due to the fact that a used car’s price is set according to its market value when it is new. This allows vendors and customers alike, to estimate a car’s price with a certain degree of subjectivity. But let’s assume you’ve researched the market thoroughly, and you are now ready to give used cars leasing a go.

First of all, you have to understand that maintenance for used cars can get quite expensive. The good side, however, is that cars depreciate quickly within their first 1-2 years. This means that a used car (preferably one older than 2 years) has already depreciated considerably by the time you start leasing it, thus decreasing the cost of its monthly payments.