2016 Mercedes-AMG G63

Mercedes-Benz knows its customers perhaps better than any other manufacturer, a point best observed from the old-school helm of its burly Geländewagen SUV. When a cadre of highly affluent buyers—about 3600 in the U.S. last year—clamor for a mildly modernized 1970s-era military rig with which to pound the suburban pavement, the German luxury brand obliges. And so the 2016 G-class receives yet another update to further extend its iconoclastic relevance into the 21st century, with the now mid-grade Mercedes-AMG G63 remaining our favorite of the bunch.

 

Goldilocks on Dubs

Lording over the plebian G550 4MATIC and its new-for-2016 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8—yet bowing to the similarly freshened 2016 Mercedes-AMG G65 and its 621-hp twin-turbocharged V-12—the G63 hits the sweet spot in the lineup. The G63 packs the full IMAX experience that is a large, glitzy box on wheels with the bellowing roar of an AMG V-8 coming from its four chrome side pipes. That V-8 is the same hand-built, twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter found in many other high-powered AMG vehicles, but some tuning changes let it produce 27 more horsepower than last year for a total of 563, along with 561 lb-ft of torque from just 1750 rpm.

That boost made our 5961-pound G63 test vehicle the fleetest G-wagen we’ve ever recorded, stomping to 60 mph in an implausible 4.8 seconds and covering the quarter-mile in 13.3 seconds at 117 mph. Mercedes allows the fun to continue up to a governed top speed of 130 mph, at which point the atmosphere is locked in a cage match with the G63’s blocky profile.

Fitted with chunky Yokohama Advan S.T. tires on 20-inch wheels, our G63 also stopped from 70 mph in an impressive 163 feet. However, the big tires—and a hyperactive, undefeatable stability-control system—can’t help much with lateral grip around the skidpad, which amounted to only 0.63 g. Still, given the truck’s narrow track, slow and disconnected steering, and ultrahigh center of gravity, it’s a miracle the G63 doesn’t fall onto its door handles around corners. Fuel economy is as bad as you’d expect, with our test vehicle swilling a gallon of premium every 13 miles.

Righteously Out of Place

But it’s the G’s swagger on the street that matters most here. From the thundering exhaust to the rifle-bolt door locks to the vault-like kachunk when shutting the doors, the G63 is an aural delight. Put the seven-speed AMG automatic into Sport mode, tickle the throttle, and let every Prius driver know the well-heeled antichrist has arrived.

Despite the initially odd driving position with limited fore/aft seat travel and the upright windshield in your face—a design characteristic we found to be highly vulnerable to ice and spray buildup in winter weather—it’s easy to get comfortable in the G63. The plush leather seats are comfy and supportive, as well as heated and ventilated. And there’s the full gamut of Benz’s latest amenities, including auto stop-start capability for the engine, a new instrument cluster and driver-information display, a central COMAND interface, and several driver aides, such as blind-spot monitoring, parking assistance, and adaptive cruise control.

Not that many G63 drivers will explore the full extent of its abilities, but there are still three locking differentials for off-roading, a low-range transfer case, and minimal overhangs for steep inclines and declines. This is a vehicle that was initially designed more than three decades ago, with live axles at both ends and the interior packaging of a shipping container. Despite more than 120 cubic feet of interior space, the cabin is narrow, legroom is limited, and the rear seats are perched, stadium-style, high above the front row of occupants, greatly diminishing headroom for those in back.

You Know You Want To

As you’d expect, the Mercedes-AMG G63 is a properly expensive lifestyle purchase at more than $140,000 to start. Our test truck also tacked on AMG’s carbon-fiber interior trim ($2950), a rear-seat entertainment system with dual monitors ($2650), purple-ish Designo Mystic Blue Metallic paint ($2300), a heated steering wheel ($250), and all-weather floor mats ($200) for a total of $149,175. Buyers looking for maximum visibility can also opt for one of four special color-and-trim packages, including eye-searing Alien Green, for an additional $20,000.

Yet, considering the AMG touches and its outright performance, the G63’s premium over the $120,825 G550 seems like money well spent—and a real bargain versus the G65’s stratospheric $218,825 base price. Mercedes knows that over-the-top-and-tumbling-down-the-backside is just the right amount of crazy for some of the most ardent G-wagen fans, which justifies the existence of the G65. But for those simply looking for the ultimate G-class experience, look no further than the G63.

Read more here: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2016-mercedes-amg-g63-4matic-test-review

Such a beautiful 4×4 and a timeless classic design. I would love to own a G-Wagon one day so this is definitely on my bucket list. Be sure to get in touch with us via our contact page if you would like to learn more about selling your car for cash

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New Aston Martin DB11 leaked ahead of 2016 Geneva Motor Show

Aston Martin’s DB11 successor to the legendary DB9 will get an all-new 600bhp, 5.2-litre twin-turbo V12 engine

The brand-new Aston Martin DB11 has been revealed in a sneaky picture, apparently taken at a customer clinic ahead of the car’s reveal at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

It’s the first time we’ve seen the car undisguised, and proves the brand has ditched the cookie-cutter design that featured so heavily over the last decade. The car will replace the ageing DB9and go on sale later this year.

From the image, posted by @Rudybenjamin13 on Twitter, we can see the new LED headlights in all their glory. The huge grille gives the front end a wide, purposeful stance, while the deep ridges in the bonnet emphasise its muscular look.

Unfortunately, it appears we’ll need to wait a little longer before we’re treated to a full view of the DB11’s rear, though the camouflaged spy shots shown here hint at an even bigger deviation from the Aston we know so well.

Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer told Auto Express last year: “We have the issue with some people saying the cars all look alike – that’s solved in the next generation of cars.”

The leaked image comes just over a month after Aston Martin teased us with a 30-second YouTube video, confirming the car would use an all-new 5.2-litre twin turbo V12 engine.

The film shows the new engine starting up, with ‘V12’, ‘5.2’ and ‘twin turbo’ etched in the top. Power and performance figures have not yet been announced, but this brand-new turbo is expected to be one of the most powerful V12 engines the brand has ever produced. Discounting super-rare models like the One-77 and Vulcan, that could mean in excess of 600bhp and a 0-62mph time of less than four seconds.

Anyone worried about the loss of Aston’s glorious naturally aspirated V12 needn’t be concerned. Even from our sneak preview it’s clear engineers have worked hard to ensure this new twin-turbo unit has all the aural sensation associated with its predecessor – with a familiar roar on start up.

As we revealed back in September last year, Aston’s new sports car will bear the DB11 moniker, after the DB10 name was used by James Bond in his latest film Spectre.

Aston Martin CEO Andy Palmer revealed all to Auto Express, while also explaining the reasoning behind the move. “The current car’s 12 years old now,” said Palmer, “so arguably we’ve missed a step.

“DB10 was a concept car that was already agreed for the [new James Bond] film. But calling it 10 meant we were always going to skip a generation [for DB9] and call the next one 11. So we decided to call [the Bond car] 10 – up to that point it was DB8, I think.”

Spy shots give first glimpse of new DB11

In addition to the leaked image, the long-awaited successor to the DB9 has also been caught testing around the company’s HQ in Warwickshire.

These pictures allow us to see the full shape of the Brit-built supercar from every angle. The front-end retains the signature Aston grille design but with a pointer nose shape and sharper headlamps.

Side on, you can see the long bonnet and jutting lip spoiler below. The windscreen is more steeply raked than the DB9, and distinctive lines can be seen running down the wings.

We can also see an air scoop behind the wing, likely more a styling feature as the DB11 will be front-engined. That pronounced shoulderline then leads round to curvy rear with hints of Jaguar F-Type, and we can see an electric boot spoiler protruding upwards. Twin exhausts and a neat diffuser design complete the look.

Inside, as we’ve seen before, dash displays and central interfaces are lifted from Merc’s S-Class Coupe and grafted onto the dashboard, presumably to allow the prototype to be driven. It’s not clear yet whether Aston will develop its own display designs, but aside from that we can expect the British firm to maintain a truly luxurious cabin design.

Pricing details are unconfirmed as yet, but we could expect a V8 model to sit at a similar £150,000 starting point as the current DB9, while the V12 could nudge £170,000.

You can read the full story here: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/aston-martin/db9/90946/new-aston-martin-db11-leaked-ahead-of-2016-geneva-motor-show

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The 2017 Ferrari GTC4 Lusso Is Your Improved Ferrari FF

How much car mileage is too much?

It’s an oft-asked question when it comes time to shop for a second hand car. If there are lots and lots of miles (or kilometres) on the odometer, should you walk away? Are high miles too many miles and does a six-figure readout mean that the car is on its last legs?

Historically, this was certainly the case. Back in the eighties and into the nineties, cars were quite simply not as robustly built as they are now. Testing regimes were not as punishing, nor were factory-fit tolerances as fine as they now are. As with almost any mechanical object, a car and its components are ‘lifed’ – which is to say that they are designed to have an expected service life of a given number of miles or kilometres, assuming a reasonable regime of care and servicing. Think of it as a sell-by date for oily metal bits.

So, those eighties and nineties cars were really only expected to last until they were about 100,000-miles, or 162,000km old. Doesn’t sound like much, and isn’t but that’s a reflection of the general build quality standards around at the time.

 

Mileage may not mean the car is too old

 

It doesn’t necessarily mean that the cars were junk after that period. Clearly, cars which were carefully looked after and regularly serviced, and once in a while had major components replaced, could run for a lot longer. There is a Saab in the Wisconsin Automotive Museum which has racked up a verified 1,000,000-miles. That’s a million miles, not kilometres. VW has a million-mile Beetle in its museum, while there are a couple of a Passats and at least one Volvo P1800 that have passed the million-mile barrier.

Surely the all-time champion is the 240D saloon in the Mercedes-Benz museum, though. Originally sold in Greece, it has racked up 2.8-million miles and is still in perfect running order. Imagine putting that figure on your classified advert…

So, with care, cars can easily last a lot, lot longer than their original supposed lifetime. And the news gets better. The massive improvements in technology and engineering since the turn of the century, aided and abetted in no small part by the increasing power of computers and innovations such as Toyota’s ‘Kaizen’ philosophy of constant, incremental improvements (a philosophy swiftly adopted by most of the rest of the car industry) means that the expected lifetime of a car is now creeping up to more than 300,000km, or 200,000-miles. In some cases, Volvo for one, car makers boast that their cars are ‘lifed’ for as much as 400,000km.

So, realistically, any mileage less than, say, 200,000km (which is 124,000-miles) would suggest that a car, any car, still has plenty of life left in it.

 

The mileage/age dilemma

 

Of course, all car mileage is not equal and this is where things get tricky. The classic dilemma is the choice between an older car with low miles or a newer car with high mileage – which one is better? The only answer is to delve into each car’s history. If the higher mileage car has done most of its miles on motorways (nowadays a distinct possibility in the Irish market, and one which our fathers and grandfathers couldn’t even take into account) then the higher miles could actually have been better for the car. There will have been less wear and tear on items such as clutches, brakes and gearboxes and, better still, the engine will have been operating in its preferred mean temperature range for most of the time, further reducing wear and tear. In the case of the diesel cars, that goes double and there won’t be any worries about clogged up particulate filters.

Lower mileage cars may look tempting, but if most or all of those miles have been around town, or on country roads, then the wear and tear will be much higher. Brakes will have been used more, clutches will be more worn down and suspension will have taken more of a pounding. The small number on the clock could be hiding a whole lot of problems.

And that’s without even thinking of clocking. Clocking, or turning back the car’s mileage to make it appear more valuable, has thankfully, only recently, been made illegal, not least thanks to a campaign from ourselves at Motorcheck to make it so. Nevertheless, it still goes on and is still worryingly easy to do, so again, low mileage does not mean a better car. If the mileage is lying, it’s likely to be significantly worse than an honest high-miler.

 

The best solution

 

So, what’s the solution? Simple – stop fixating on mileage because, by and large, it’s pointless. Spend much more time focusing on a car’s history and servicing and you’ll do much better. Care and attention are far more important than the distance travelled. Also, consider a car history check from a reputable provider.

Article originally posted here: https://www.motorcheck.ie/blog/how-much-car-mileage-is-too-much/

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DONEGAL IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE COUNTY FOR PETROL

Donegal is the most expensive county for filling-up a tank of petrol with an average of 128.1 cent per litre, 1.6c higher than the national average. The more expensive county for diesel is Wicklow with an average price of 116.3, 3.5c above the national average according to the AA.

The AA has found a number of garages in the border county to be charging the highest in the Republic with rates of 131.9 cent for a litre of the fuel – 5.4 cent more than the national average.

“To be fair there are garages in Donegal and in Wicklow where cheaper prices can be found, and indeed some that are very good value.” Says Director of Consumer Affairs Conor Faughnan. “On the whole though we did find prices in these counties to be a bit ahead of the norm. With prices falling as they are at the moment it can happen that garages that are less busy get less frequent deliveries and hence can appear slow to drop their prices. The message to drivers is to be canny about this and to shop around.”

 “Border counties tend to be more expensive to fuel-up by virtue of geography,” says AA director of consumer affairs Conor Faughnan. “It is common for motorists to cross the border in an effort to dodge the UK’s considerably higher pump prices. That coupled with its rural nature make it unsurprising that Donegal a relatively expensive county. It is certainly worth shopping around for the best deal as there is a significant difference of 7.1 cent in the same county,” says Faughnan.

Laois appeared as the second expensive county for petrol, very slightly cheaper than Donegal. Wicklow ranked in third place with the average litre reporting 127.6 cent for the fuel.

Consistent with previous media reports, Mayo and Roscommon are the cheapest counties to fill a diesel car with an average of 106.5 cent. The AA has found two service stations in respective counties to be selling the fuel for a very impressive 99.9 cent a litre.

Mayo was the cheapest for petrol as well with a local average of 122.7 cent a litre – 3.8 cent cheaper than the national average. With averages of 123.1 cent and 123.7 cent per litre, Kildare and Waterford took respective second and third cheapest counties in the country for the same fuel.

 “There is quite a bit of variation and we should be careful about reading too much into it.” says Faughnan. “Even so there are parts of the country where various factors and local competition mean that drivers are getting better value.”

The AA’s National Fuel Price Index tracks monthly national average figures with petrol now costing 126.5 cent per litre – 5.1 cent less than it was the same time last year. Diesel also dropped this month and is now averaging at 112.8 cent.

The Capital’s average litre petrol rate is in line with the national average, while diesel is trading modestly above at 115.6 cent a litre. The AA’s research indicates an evident price fluctuation where one service station retails at 128.9 cent and another 123.9 cent per litre of petrol. Similarly, diesel rates reach a high of 117.9 cent and as low as 111.9 cent a litre in some parts of the county.

While all motorists are benefitting from the fall in crude oil prices internationally pump prices are still not as low as they were the last time oil fell to these levels because of higher Irish taxes.

Fuel taxes in Ireland are charged by the litre so when the price falls the taxes do not[1]. At the beginning of 2008 motorists would have been charged 70 cent a litre in tax.  Since the emergency budget of 2008 there has been five separate tax increases adding about 20 cent to a litre of petrol and an extra 18 cent for diesel in extra austerity era taxes. The AA calculates that these extra taxes have added about €403 and €360 on motorists’ petrol and diesel bills each year[2].

The AA calls for the abolition of these extra austerity era taxes, as it is effectively taking money out of motorists’ pockets.

“These taxes were applied in response to the economic crisis,” adds Faughnan. The crisis has now passed, meaning these extra taxes have essentially fulfilled their initial purpose. There’s simply no reason why these taxes shouldn’t be reduced.”

• Ends –

Notes to the editor;

Cheapest county for petrol
1. Mayo	122.7c
2. Kildare	123.1c
3. Waterford	123.7c

 

Cheapest county for diesel
1.       Roscommon + Mayo	106.5c
2.       Kerry + Sligo	108.7c
3.       Carlow	109.1c

 

Expensive county for petrol
1.       Donegal	128.1c
2.       Laois	127.7c
3.       Wicklow	127.6c

 

Expensive county for diesel
1.       Wicklow	116.3c
2.       Dublin	115.6c
3.       Laois, Donegal + Louth	113.9c

 

Dublin Fuel Average
Petrol	126.5c
Diesel	115.6c

 

National Fuel Average
Petrol	126.5c
Diesel	112.8c

 

Breakdown of the price of a litre of petrol and diesel for the month of January 2016.

January 2016
	Petrol		Diesel
Pump price	126.5c		112.8c
Price before taxes are added	36.634c		36.954c
Breakdown of taxes x 3:
1. Excise (including carbon)*	58.771		47.902
2. Nora	2c		2c
3. VAT	23%	29.095c	25.944c
Total taxes	89.866c		75.846c
Estimated retailer margin	4c		4c
Estimated wholesaler margin	8c		8c
Average price of a barrel of oil (accurate as of 14th of January)	$30.37		$30.37
Currency exchange rate – US$1 to euro (accurate as of 14th of January)	.91899c		.91899c
Tax as %	71.040%		67.239%

[1] Apart from VAT at 23% which is charged on top of Excise duty & Carbon tax.

[2] The AA calculates that the amount of taxes added to petrol and diesel between 2008 and 2012 is 19.777c and 17.670c per litre. If a car does 12,000 miles per year at 30 miles per gallon (19,200 kilometres at 9.42 litres per 100 kms) it will therefore use 2,038 litres per year.

Find the original article here: http://www.theaa.ie/blog/donegal-is-the-most-expensive-county-for-petrol-wicklow-for-diesel-says-aa/ http://dublin.cashforcarsireland.com – cars for cash

 

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10 QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN BUYING YOUR CAR INSURANCE

 

With motor insurance premiums on the rise, it has never been more important to make sure you’re getting the best value quote that’s fit for purpose. Here are our top ten questions to ask to make sure you get the best deal on your car insurance.

1. What cover is included in the quote?

We always advise motorists to do their homework before signing on the bottom line, which means shopping around for the best deal. When getting quotes from different motor providers, ensure you’re comparing like-with-like.  Have your renewal notice to hand so you can dissect the quotes and check the levels of cover. It’s important to be fully informed about the type of cover, or you could find yourself out of pocket in the event of a claim.

2. What optional extras are included in my price?

Only buy what you need.  Remember, insurance providers are obliged to tell you about any optional extras or add-ons to your policy. If you don’t require these you have the right to decline.

Does your quote include bonus protection?  If you feel this is something you don’t need, request for the cover to be removed – after all, it may save you up to 10 percent on your motor insurance premium.

3. My partner has their own car – do I get a discount for this?

According to a CSO survey conducted in 2011, about 42 percent of Irish households have two or more cars. A number of insurers provide a discount if your spouse or partner also has their own car.  Make sure you tell your insurance provider if this is the case in your household to help you save on your premium. Adding a second family car to your policy will certainly help you save money on your motor insurance premium.

4. Would adding my spouse / partner to the policy reduce my price?

Some motorists are unaware that they could bag themselves a further discount by adding their spouse or partner to their motor insurance policy – just make sure they have a clean driving record before doing so.  Some insurance providers offer a discount of up to 20 percent just for adding your spouse or partner, so it is certainly worth inquiring.

5. Should I haggle?

Some people may associate haggling as a thing of the past or something you might do in a market whilst on holiday. However, there is nothing wrong with asking for a discount from a provider to ensure you get the most competitive deal.  Don’t be afraid to inform them that you’ve shopped around – feel free to tell them the quotes you’ve obtained and ask them if they can offer a better deal.

6. Would increasing my excess give me a discount?

An excess is the amount of money you have to pay in the event of a claim.  Most insurance providers offer discounts if you agree to increase this amount. In theory this can seem like a tempting option as it may reduce your overall premium. Bear in mind, though, that excesses can reach as high as €500 per claim and more for inexperienced drivers and selecting a voluntary excess will increase the amount you have to pay even further.

7. What are my payment options?

There are a couple of payment options that are available to you: an annual lump sum or monthly direct debit. Paying by monthly direct debit is the most common option because it is a convenient way of spreading the total bill over a number of months. However, some people are unaware that insurance providers can charge an additional fee of anything between six and eight percent.

8. Are there any loyalty discounts?

A lot of us require more than one insurance product these days and most providers, including ourselves, offer multi-product discounts so don’t forget to ask what’s available. The AA offers all of its home insurance customers 5 percent off the cost of their motor insurance premiums.

9. How long is my quote guaranteed?

Quote guarantee periods can range from 1 to 30 days which is why it is important to ask the provider when your quotation expires. With the recent increase in the cost of motor premiums it may prompt you to jump at the opportunity of securing your bargain there and then.

10. Can I get a cheaper price online?

Plenty of motor insurance providers offer online discounts, nowadays. It’s always worthwhile to surf the internet in search of a possible price reduction – The AA offers a €40 discount when you purchase your car insurance online.

You can read the rest of this article here: http://www.theaa.ie/blog/10-questions-to-ask-when-buying-your-car-insurance/ Dublin.Cashforcarsireland.com – cash for cars

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Apple Wants to Start Producing Cars as Soon as 2020

For those of you who use Apple products as much as we do you may find this following article interesting. Their products seem to be ingrained in our everyday lives from checking the time to listening to music to speaking with our friends and family. Have a quick read and let us know what you think?

Apple Inc., which has been working secretly on a car, is pushing its team to begin production of an electric vehicle as early as 2020, people with knowledge of the matter said.

The timeframe — automakers typically spend five to seven years developing a car — underscores the project’s aggressive goals and could set the stage for a battle for customers with Tesla Motors Inc. and General Motors Co. Both automakers are targeting a 2017 release of an electric vehicle that can go more than 200 miles on a single charge and cost less than $40,000.

“That’s the inflection point — the proving ground — that brings on the electric age,” Steve LeVine, author of “The Powerhouse,” a book about the automotive battery industry, said on Bloomberg TV Thursday. “Now you have Apple coming in and this is critical mass. Was GM really going to be able to match Tesla? Apple can.”

 Apple, which posted record profit of $18 billion during the past quarter, has $178 billion in cash with few avenues to spend it. The Cupertino, California-based company’s research and development costs were $6.04 billion in the past year, and Chief Executive Officer Tim Cook is facing increased pressure to return cash to shareholders. The CEO has been pushing the iPhone maker to enter new categories to further envelop users’ digital lives with Apple’s products and services.

Apple’s possible foray into cars follows a similar path it’s taken to break into other industries. The company wasn’t the first to make a digital-music player or smartphone, and only entered those markets once it had a product that redefined those categories.

Apple representatives declined to comment for this story.

Photo Credit: http://www.cmlviz.com/cmld3b/images/aaplcar.jpg

Car Team

Tesla’s success in creating a startup car company has shown that the traditional barriers of entry into the auto industry aren’t as difficult to overcome as originally thought, said one person, who asked not to be identified because the matter is private. At the same time, automakers have struggled to bring technical leaps to car development, something that Silicon Valley is also seeking to accomplish. For example, Google Inc. has invested in developing an autonomous vehicle since 2010.

 “Apple would have some advantages as a new entrant to the auto industry,” including its cash, ability to connect with its own devices and the infancy of the electric-vehicle market, Barclays analysts Ben Reitzes and Brian Johnson wrote in a note to investors. “Finally, Apple’s brand – arguably the most important advantage – is a big attraction for the next generation of car customers.”

Apple may decide to scrap its car effort or delay it if executives are unhappy with progress, as they’ve done before with other secret projects, the people said. The car team, which already has about 200 people, began ramping up hiring within the past couple of months as the company sought out experts in technologies for batteries and robotics, said one of the people.

Battery Lawsuit

An experienced automaker typically spends five to seven years developing a new vehicle before bringing it to market, according to Dennis Virag, president of Automotive Consulting Group.

“If you’re starting from scratch, you’re probably talking more like 10 years,” Virag said. “A car is a very complex technological machine.”

A lawsuit filed this month gives a window into Apple’s efforts to create a automotive team for the project. Apple began around June an “aggressive campaign to poach” employees from A123 Systems LLC, the Waltham, Massachusetts-based battery maker said in the lawsuit.

Apple hired five people from A123 and has tried to hire battery experts from LG Chem Ltd., Samsung Electronics Co., Panasonic Corp., Toshiba Corp. and Johnson Controls Inc., according to the lawsuit.

“Apple is currently developing a large-scale battery division to compete in the very same field as A123,” the battery maker said in a separate state-court filing.

The recent hiring effort at A123 began with Mujeeb Ijaz, a former Ford Motor Co. engineer, who founded A123’s Venture Technologies division, which focused on materials research, cell product development and advanced concepts. He began at Apple in June and began hiring direct reports from A123’s venture technologies division, which he had headed.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk told Bloomberg Businessweek this month that Apple was seeking to hire away his workers, offering $250,000 signing bonuses and 60 percent salary increases.

Photo Credit: http://hexus.net/media/uploaded/2015/2/8b3e387f-3833-4f0b-b01f-ad50455b3c5e.jpg

Bricks and Mortar

“Apple is good at developing technology but car making is, and will continue to be, a bricks-and-mortar proposition,” Matt DeLorenzo, an analyst at Kelley Blue Book, wrote in an e-mail. “Apple will need a partner, perhaps a Chinese manufacturer, with an infrastructure if it’s going to hit the five-year goal.”

Some parts of the automotive industry seem unfazed by Silicon Valley’s increasing interest in the market. Last month, before Apple’s efforts were revealed, Volkswagen AG Chief Executive Officer Martin Winterkorn brushed off the increasing competition.

“We’re not afraid of these new competitors,” Winterkorn said at a reception outside Stuttgart, Germany, according to a transcript obtained by Bloomberg. “The opposite is true: they encourage us to look more intensively into the chances of the digital world.”

You can find the original article here: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-02-19/apple-said-to-be-targeting-car-production-as-soon-as-2020

So pretty interesting stuff there. Would you be in a hurry to sell your car in order to pick up a new apple vehicle?

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Retire Your Ride – Canadian Vehicle Recycling

Retire Your Ride is an initiative of The Government of Canada, Summerhill Impact and its partners, designed to enable people to get their high-polluting cars off the road and reward them for doing so. The program is committed to improving air quality by responsibly recycling vehicles and aims to retire at least 50,000 vehicles per year.

If you have a car that needs retiring, we’ll recycle its parts in an environmentally responsible way, and reward you for it.

Reducing Emissions and Saving the Environment

Did you know that 1995 model year and older vehicles produce 19 times more smog-forming pollutants than 2004 and newer models?

By ensuring that vehicles are properly recycled, we can prevent the release of toxins into the environment. By retiring vehicles earlier, you’ll be helping reduce harmful emissions.

Results so far

Province	# of vehicles accepted into the program *	# of vehicles permanently retired **	# of participating recyclers
Alberta	4,262	2,282	21
British Columbia	7,795	7,789	2
Manitoba	2,200	1,052	4
New Brunswick	717	559	12
Newfoundland and Labrador	478	301	7
Nova Scotia	1,218	1,071	21
Ontario	22,844	17,153	115
Quebec	13,133	7,882	52
Prince Edward Island	334	291	5
Saskatchewan	2,071	1,199	15
Total	54,962	39,579	254

*Total number of vehicles accepted into the program.
**Total number of all vehicles completely off the road and handed over to recyclers.

Who Can Participate?

Eligible participants must be owners of 1995 or older model year vehicles that are in running condition and have been registered and insured in their names in Canada for the previous consecutive 6 months.

NOTE: If you are a resident of British Columbia, please visit www.scrapit.ca to view program requirements in your province.

Rewards

We offer participants a wide range of rewards to retire their vehicles. When you Retire Your Ride, we will ensure that it is recycled responsibly, and give you rewards that encourage you to use environmentally-friendly transportation, including a public transit pass or a membership to a car-sharing program, $300 cash or a rebate on the purchase of a 2004 and newer vehicle.

In some regions, you could also receive a charitable tax receipt. So, not only are you helping to improve the environment, you’re contributing to charities.
 

 
To qualify, your vehicle needs to meet the following guidelines:

•	Your vehicle must start and move
•	Your vehicle is currently fully insured and registered in your name and has been for the past 6 consecutive months (minimum) prior to the date of application
•	Your vehicle must be for personal use
•	Your vehicle’s gross vehicle weight rating must be under 3856 kg (8,500 lbs)
•	Your vehicle is complete with no parts removed
•	All liens (parking tickets, 407 fees, etc.) must be paid off before donation of your vehicle
•	Personal vehicles that are used for a small business may be considered.

 

References can be found at:
Retire Your Ride http://retireyourride.ca/
Scrapit http://www.scrapit.ca/

 

Return Home

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Top 10 tips for winter driving

Taking a number of simple precautions can ensure safety on Irish roads during winter. Don’t get caught out if severe weather hits, make the necessary checks on your vehicle now.

There are a number of simple precautions the RSA advises for driving over the winter months:
 
1. Check your tyres…they are your only contact with the road. Tyres should be at least the minimum legal thread depth of 1.6mm but need to be changed before they get this worn. Tyres need to be to the correct tyre pressure to give the motorist the best chance in extreme conditions.
 
2. Use your lights. As we come into the winter months, motorists are advised to use dipped head lights during the day so you are easily seen. Headlights and taillights should be in working order.
 
3. Understand your brakes. Check your car manual and find out if your vehicle has safety assist technology such as Electronic Stability Control (ESC) or Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS). Learn how these technologies can assist your driving in harsh weather conditions.
 
4. Safe Distance. It takes longer to stop a car during the winter weather so slow down and allow extra distance between you and the car in front.
 

 
5. Make sure you can clearly see. All too often motorists do not de-fog or de-ice windows and mirrors which can compromise visibility. This winter ensure windows and mirrors are clear, and carry a de-icer and screen scraper. Do not use boiling water as this can crack the windscreen.
 
6. Beware of “Black Ice”. Black Ice is one of winter’s biggest hazards as it is difficult to see. Watch out for sheltered/ shaded areas on roads, under trees and near high walls.
 
7. Be prepared. During these winter months it is advised that motorists carry a number of essentials in the boot of their car.
 
1) High visibility vest
2) Spare fuel
3) Appropriate footwear in case you need to leave your vehicle e.g. boots
4) A hazard warning triangle
5) Spare wheel (Check that your spare wheel is in good condition and is fully inflated. Some            cars may havean inflation repair kit instead of a spare wheel. Make sure that you know how to        use it.)
6) Tow Rope
7) A shovel
8) De-icing equipment (for glass and door locks)
9) Spare bulbs
10) First aid kit
11) A fire extinguisher
12) A working torch
13) A car blanket, additional clothing & some food and water
 
8. In the event of a breakdown. Drivers need to ensure their vehicle is well in off the road so as not to obstruct other vehicles. The driver should also put on their hazard warning lights. If the vehicle breaks down on the motorway pull in as far as you can, alerting traffic behind you with hazard lights. The driver should leave their vehicle, get behind the barrier (on the embankment) and call the Gardaí, on their mobile phone or roadside telephone.
 
9. Keep up to date. Listen to local weather and traffic reports. Pay heed to the weather warnings alerting drivers of unsafe and dangerous driving conditions.
 
10. Check out the RSA’s publication ‘Severe Weather Advice for Road Users’ for more detailed advice onwhat to do if severe weather strikes!

You can read the rest of this article here: http://www.rsa.ie/Documents/Road%20Safety/Weather/Downloads/Top_10_Tips_for_Winter_Driving.pdf

We are thinking of running a value my car event starting in the new year where anybody can bring along their car for a no obligation quote. We will have coffee facilities, a children’s play area and feel that it will be a great way to meet the team in a casual setting. We will keep you updated over the next few months and please feel free to contact us should you have any event in particular you would like to see us organise.

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Our Dublin office location

We just thought that we would post a little map of our Dublin location and show how far away we are from the city centre. Remember that we do travel to where ever you are at a time that is suited to you so if you would like us to contact you regarding your vehicle be sure to fill out our contact form here or on a contact page and we will be in touch to arrange a meeting

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Greatest Aston Martin of all time

We read this and just had to share it. Even if you don’t consider yourself a “car person” I’m sure you can appreciate the beauty of these classic cars. We especially like the 1956 Ferrari and of course the Aston Martin Zagato which looks as good today as the day it was made.

From 0 to £75m in moments: Motoring world prepares for auction of classic cars including a 1956 Ferrari and an Aston Martin dubbed ‘the greatest of all time’

• Around 30 classic cars, including 1956 Ferrari and an Aston Martin dubbed ‘the greatest of all time’, to be auctioned
• Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato is expected to become most expensive British car ever when it goes under the hammer
• Other classic cars on offer are 1956 Ferrari 290 MM by Scaglietti, 1934 Delage D8 S Cabriolet and 1981 Lamborghini
• The ‘Driven by Disruption’ £75million auction will take place in Sotheby’s, New York City on Thursday, December 10 

Steeped in motoring history and showcasing the moulds broken by engineers and designers, these are some of the 30 classic cars that will make up a £75million auction in New York City next week.

Headlining the lots are a 1956 Ferrari, which experts predict could fetch more than £21million, and an Aston Martin dubbed ‘the greatest of all time’.

The DB4 GT Zagato is expected to become the most expensive British car ever when it goes under the hammer on Thursday, with potential buyers having to splash out in excess of £10million to make motoring history. 

Just 19 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagatos were built in a deal with the Italian design house in the 1960s. They came up with the sports car to race the Ferraris of its day, but also to appeal to wealthy motorists so it could be enjoyed on the road. 

When it went on sale, it cost £5,470 – around twice the £2,770 people paid for a house in the UK at the time. But while the typical English home now costs £180,000, this 1962 Aston is expected to sell for a figure in the millions

The £10million estimate is more than three times the price paid in 2010 for the DB5 driven by James Bond in Goldfinger.

But the DB4 GT Zagato is still expected to fetch less than half of the highest-valued car on offer. The 1956 Ferrari 290 MM by Scaglietti leads the way in an auction which will celebrate 70 years of innovation, while other popular motors include a 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Sportabteilung’ Gullwing, 1934 Delage D8 S Cabriolet and 1981 Lamborghini Countach LP400 S Series III.

• The ‘Driven by Disruption’ auction, will take place on Thursday, December 10 in Sotheby’s 10th floor galleries in New York City.

Iconic: A 1956 Ferrari 290 MM by Scaglietti (pictured) is expected to fetch more than £21million at an auction in New York next Thursday

The greatest of all time: This Aston Martin is soon expected to back up such an accolade by becoming the most expensive British car ever

Vintage: A 1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow (pictured) is also among the 30 classic cars due to go on sale at an auction hosted by Sotheby’s

Groovy: This specially-designed and restored 1964 Porsche 356 C 1600 SC Cabriolet belonged to American singer-songwriter Janis Joplin, who first rose to fame in the late 1960s. It is now being offered for the first time since 1968 by her siblings Michael and Laura

Sleek: This 1969 De Tomaso Mangusta is being offered for between £200,000 and £230,000 at the auction lot being hosted by Sotheby’s

Another classic car up for sale is the 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7 Touring, which is expected to fetch more than half a million pounds

Hugely popular: The 1973 Carrera RS has become one of the most sought-after sports cars to emerge from the German motoring giant

The 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Sportabteilung’ Gullwing, with its distinctive gull-wing doors, was the fastest production car of its day

The interior of the Mercedes-Benz 300 SL ‘Sportabteilung’ Gullwing is pictured. The car on sale has been valued at around £4.5million

Classic: Designed by Howard Darrin, this 1934 Delage D8 S Cabriolet is expected to sell at auction for between £860,000 and £1million

An example of French Art Deco design, the Delage D8 S Cabriolet has a 120bhp eight-cylinder engine with four-speed manual transmission

A close-up view of the 1956 Ferrari 290 MM by Scaglietti, which is expected to fetch more than £20million when it goes under the hammer

High expectations: The sale, featuring the Ferrari 290 MM by Scaglietti, is due to take place on Thursday, December 10 in New York City

Unique colour: A 1981 Lamborghini Countach LP400 S Series III, finished in the colour of verde metallizzato, sits on display at Sotheby’s ahead of next week’s auction. The man who invented it, Brook Stevens, called the vehicle ‘planned obsolescence’

Colourful: Janis Joplin’s 1964 Porsche 356 C 1600 SC Cabriolet is part of the ‘Driven by Disruption’ auction, featuring 30 classic cars

Joplin’s ‘History of the Universe’ Porsche Cabriolet has spent the last 20 years on display at the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame and Museum

Not cheap: The DB4 GT Zagato is set to go under the hammer in New York next Thursday where experts predict it will fetch £10million

Plush: Just 19 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagatos were built in a deal with the Italian design house in the 1960s. The car’s interior is pictured

1962 Aston Martin DB4 GT Zagato

Top speed: 150mph

Acceleration: 0-60 in 6.4 seconds

Engine: 3.7-litre

Transmission: 4-speed manual

Power: 314 brake horsepower at 6,600 rpm

Weight: 1,269kg

Brakes: Girling Servo assisted with front and rear solid discs

Value: Estimated £10million

1998 McLaren F1 LM Specification

Top speed: 225mph

Acceleration: 0-60 in 3.5 seconds

Engine: 6.1-litre

Transmission: 6-speed manual

Power: 680 brake horsepower at 7,800 rpm

Weight: 1,062kg

Brakes: Ventilated four-wheel Brembo brakes

Value: Sold at auction for £8.8million

A 2006 Lamborghini Concept S is shown on display ahead of the auctioning off of 30 vehicles spanning 70 years in automotive innovation

The inside of the Lamborghini Concept S is pictured. The vehicle was based on the Lamborghini Gallardo, with an open roadster body

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Breaking the mould: A 1933 Pierce-Arrow Silver Arrow, the car that inaugurated the streamlined automotive age, will also be up for auction

Expensive: A 2003 Ferrari Enzo sits on display at Sotheby’s ahead of the ‘Driven by Disruption’ auction due to take place next Thursday

Read more here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3347242/Motoring-world-prepares-auction-classic-cars-including-1956-Ferrari-Aston-Martin-dubbed-greatest-time.html#ixzz3tfoYGxf9

Our cash for cars dublin branch is open 7 days a week so contact us anytime even if you are just curious about how much your car is worth give us a call or fill out our contact form to get the conversation started. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

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Driving in fog – tips

As it is now officially winter and the driving conditions are not as great as we would like them to be we have decided to share this article as a reminder to us all to be extra careful on the roads over the next few months. Alot of it is common sense stuff but very important to keep in mind all the same especially giving the weather that we are experiencing at the moment.

Met Éireann has issued a Status Orange fog warning valid until midday today and as a result our Roadwatch team have had a busy morning  responding to the event.  You can view their latest traffic updates on their website here or follow them on Twitter @aaroadwatch.

Everytime there is a fog event our publicaffairs inbox soon become clogged with emails of complaint about the complete lack or incorrect usage of fog lights.  The fact remains that many drivers in this country don’t event know how to turn theirs on.   Out they come to their car on mornings like this in a rush to get to work or their kids to school and take off not knowing if they’ve got the correct light setting.  It will literally only take you a minute to look up your owner’s manual and figure out the correct setting so there really is no excuse.  Driving in fog is challenging and its important to respect your fellow road users.

Below we offer some basic advice on driving in fog:

AA Advice on driving in fog:

• Use your dipped headlights at all times plus your windscreen wipers and demisters.
• Familiarize yourself with your front and rear fog lights. Know how to switch them on and off and use them only when appropriate.
• Beware of other drivers not using headlights.
• Only drive as fast as conditions allow and maintain a greater distance between you and the car in front.  Tailing someone’s rear lights can give a false sense of security and is dangerous.
• If the road has street lights on you probably don’t need to use your fog lights.
• Be able to stop within your range of visibility.  This is particularly important on motorways and dual carriageways where you’ll be travelling at speed.
• Don’t accelerate to get away from a vehicle that is too close behind you.
• Check your mirrors before you slow down.
• At a junction with limited visibility, stop, wind down the window, and listen for traffic. When you are sure it is safe to emerge, do so without hesitation.  Pausing too long puts you in the path of oncoming traffic.

This article was first seen on theaa.ie website here: http://www.theaa.ie/blog/tips-driving-fog/

I hope you found this article useful and just a quick reminder from ourselves that we do buy commercial vehicles as well as passenger cars for cash so please feel free to contact us for a chat and we’ll do our best to make a deal that is a win win for everybody.

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This Little Tikes toy car will put a smile on your face

This article was sent to us the other day and we just had to share it. Does anyone else remember these fun little pedal cars from their childhood?

The Little Tikes toy car has long been a fond childhood memory for Brits everywhere — but what if you could actually drive one on proper, grown-up roads?

Well the thing is, you might now be able to. Mechanic John Bitmead and his brother Geoff of Attitude Autos made a real life, road legal version of the classic children’s toy back in November 2013 — and now they’ve put their creation up for sale on eBay.

The car, which took a total of 16 weeks to make and was adapted from a Daewoo Matiz, has done 5000 miles and is priced at £21,500 ($33,264).

 

Here’s a flash back to early 2014, when the car first became famous.

 

Here it is on an actual real British road.

 

Here’s a slightly dizzying shot from behind the wheel.

 

The car doesn’t look like it provides much rain protection, but it sure does look cool.

“We have covered over 5,000 miles in the past two years driving around shows and charity events in the UK,” reads the item description, “and apart from it not being the fastest car on the planet has been the most incredible fun with people queuing up to take photos along dual carriageways and highways on every trip.

“Guaranteed to create smiles wherever it goes!”

To read the original article visit: http://mashable.com/2015/10/15/little-tikes-drivable-car-ebay/#IoHHDOcLququ

If you do happen to have a road going version of a little tikes toy car we would love to take a look at our cash for cars office in Dublin. Not too sure how to calculate the market value on this one but should have a lot of fun trying to figure it out.

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Tips when selling your car

If you are trying to sell your car you will benefit from these tips. If you are taking photos remember that poor or substandard photos will make your car less attractive to the potential buyers. You’ll want to catch the buyer’s attention and let the car sell itself. There are many cars on the market today so you’ll have to be very good at taking a great picture to get the most benefit out of this for your car.

Always start by taking your absolute best possible picture of your car. If you don’t have a good SLR camera find someone who does and ask them to get a picture for you.

Start by washing your car. Pay special attention to the finer details of the car. Clean the wheels and shine up the windows to give your car a nice detailed look.

You are having a photographer take a picture of your car and you want it to look its absolute best. Choose the golden hour to take your picture. The lighting will be much better and your picture will turn out much better.

Have the photo taken in your driveway, an isolated location or a scenic location for best results. This way, your car will be the sole focus of the photo shoot. Have multiple angles of the car taken in the photo shoot. You should strive for at least 5 separate images of your car. Three of these images should be the outside of the car. One should be the engine and the other should be the interior of the car.

Always take images at eye level. This gives the potential buyer a better idea of how the car actually looks.

Its best to be creative with angles and let the camera do the work. Check cars for sale online and see what images they used and to what advantage it was to use such images. This should help you to find an ideal way to shoot the car and capture the best possible image of your car for your photo shoot.

Thanks for checking out our first post. Should you have any comments or questions be sure to visit the Cash For Cars Ireland – Contact page to get in touch.

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