When Jaguar released the XF it brought a new outlook to the company as it meant that Jaguar was able to attract a new breed of customer that had previously been unattainable. Building on the success of the XF, Jaguar then introduced the XJ model, which provides a different option, but a worthwhile choice nonetheless. The XJ is promoted as defining luxury and looking at the vehicle from the outside in, this would seem to be a pretty accurate marketing slogan. Some of the luxurious features include a panoramic roof with electric blinds, the Jaguar smart key system, dual zone climate control, a six speed automatic transmission with ‘Jaguar Sequential’ and even interactive voice recognition. There is also the option to customise the XJ even further through colour choices and alloy wheel options. Comfort is something that is very much high on the agenda for the vehicle and so the new and used Jaguar XJ provides 16/12 ‘Softgrain’ leather seats, mood lighting and heated seats; this really is the new highlight of the executive cars section. In terms of the price, the Jaguar XJ can be obtained from less than 54k (standard version) all the way up to 91k for the Supersport version, which really is a sight to behold! Will the XJ have as much of an effect on the market as the previously introduced XF? Probably not – but it will no doubt create some stern competition in its market sector. And we didn’t even mention its performance!
As is known by virtually every car enthusiast, Ferrari is one of the leading manufacturers for racing and road cars. In fact you could probably go as far to say that Ferrari is the biggest name in the automotive industry – they really are that popular. They are so popular that they are able to produce various prototype vehicles that may or may not ever make it to the production plant. One such Ferrari is the F430 GTC, which is a racing car with a look and feel of a road unit. Unlike other used Ferrari prototypes of the past, the F430 is rather unique in its approach, which is quite standard, but at the same time, extremely effective. It was derived from the highly successful used Ferrari F430 road car and has now gone on to become quite the prototype. What this particular car did is reaffirm the link between the Ferrari GT and the sports divisions that had been promoted to those wanting a fast and speedy driving experience. Our thoughts are that it more than delivered in this area. It was actually four years ago in the year 2006 when the used Ferrari F430 GTC was introduced after being developed by the Corse Clienti department of the company. On the racetrack the F430 GTC has managed to achieve good success and has won titles such as the 2006 and 2007 FIA GT2 Manufactures’ Cup and Drivers’, which highlights just how valuable the vehicle really is.
To those that are familiar with the splendid vehicle that is the Dodge Charger, I’m sure many of you would agree that it is quite a machine. In my personal opinion I liken it to the great Ford Mustang because the Charge has similar exterior attributes. For example the bonnet has a resembling raised grille that gives off the same style effect as the Mustang’s. And then there is the side views and alloy wheels that are definitely extremely close to being a near perfect match to the Ford great. The strange thing about this vehicle though is that it actually, in my opinion of course, provides a better style than the Mustang and I think there will also be some that would find it hard to disagree. In terms of performance the new and used Dodge Charger offers 26 miles to the gallon and has a mouth watering range of engines that provide a truly outstanding driving experience. The smallest unit available is the 2.7 litre DOHC V6 engine and the biggest is the 6.1 litre SRT HEMI V8 engine, which really is the most impressive of the bunch (if a little fuel thirsty). And another added benefit of the new and used Dodge Charger is that it is available with Dodge’s very own SRT track experience. And in terms of the Charger’s handling capabilities, this is a Dodge vehicle that ensures drivers really are in control, which is exactly the case with the Charger.
Over the past few years Chrysler has managed to gain a firm grip on certain sectors of the UK market, which is very much down to their 300C and Grand Voyager cars. Taking the 300C first of all, this is a vehicle that oozes with class and looks more like a Bentley than a Chrysler. From the outside it would be fair to say that the 300C looks like it would cost a pretty penny, but the reality is that this is not actually the case. Prices for a new unit start from less than 27k and there is also the option of buying a used Chrysler 300C as well. So in terms of the executive Saloon market Chrysler seems to have somewhat of a stranglehold in this area. And in terms of the new and used Chrysler Grand Voyager this is a vehicle that takes care of the family car segment that is now an ever growing section in the industry. It is a stylish unit that has many interesting and exciting features that include a swivel seating system that enables up to seven passengers to sit in sheer comfort. And it also includes many unique, subtle and invaluable storage areas that are ideal for those long road journeys with the kids. After all, keeping a car full of passengers entertained is no easy feat but the Grand Voyager enables this to be the case, and with relative ease. So here we have two magnificent vehicles in the Chrysler line-up that offer a good solution to anyone in the market for a new executive saloon or family vehicle.
Day after day, year after year, BMW manage to produce cars that occupy and fulfil its loyal customers. With so many models to choose from in the BMW range, it makes buyer choice a simple task because there is something for everyone. The new BMW 7-Series Saloon is a car that very much fits into the category of “everything you need”. There are three versions available; standard, SE and the M Sport, each with different variants (there is a total of 16 variants to choose from). So straight away you can see that not only do BMW house so many different cars in their overall range, but each car has its own set of options as well; further enhancing the choice for customers. To buy a new BMW 7-Series Saloon it will cost at least upwards of £55,000 for the standard versions. To then add accessories will cost even more so always plan budgets accordingly. The alternative to 7-Series fans is to pay a visit to your local used BMW centre / dealership to see what special offers are in place for the 7-Series and to see if one can be purchased for a more realistic price. A wide range of cars they may have, but BMW also charge a price for the luxury of owning, what they believe, is the best in the business. And with the 7-Series being one of the top Saloon cars in the market, it can quite rightly command a certain price – even if it may be out of reach for the average buyer. It seems that many businesses and business men in particular make for the perfect demographic and is no doubt the type of audience that BMW first targeted when the 7-Series was introduced to the market. Therefore, you could say that the new and used BMW 7-Series is ideally suited to those in the business world that are trying to make an impression.
The used Bentley Brooklands is probably one of the most talked about Bentleys in the entire range as it is one vehicle that certainly epitomises what the brand stands for and the quality of engineering that Bentley has been producing for so many years. This Bentley Coupe is elegant, luxurious and robust all in one, and is no doubt the envy of so many other car manufacturers. The new and used Bentley Brooklands incorporates Bentley’s famous V8 engine and is the most powerful that the company has ever created. A maximum speed of 184 mph can be achieved, which is mighty impressive given the sheer size of the vehicle. Looking from the outside, the Brooklands cannot be mistaken for any car other than a Bentley and immediately, it is evident that this is a remarkable auto that oozes with a unique quality. Engineering of the highest order is put into every Bentley Brooklands car and this is something that the company have been universally known for over the course of their time in the marketplace. Comfort is high on the agenda and the Brooklands gives off a charisma that shows what a glorious piece of machinery it really is. Space is not compromised and is used to the maximum; enabling four adults to occupy the soft and sublime leather seats. Bentley themselves describe the Brooklands as being the “world’s most exclusive coupe that is both unique and individual”, and who am I to argue with such sentiment. One thing’s for sure, the Bentley Brooklands does not come cheap and it is very much a case of getting what you pay for. A dip into the used Bentley marketplace may be a more feasible option to regular car buyers – although you must still be prepared to spend pretty penny!
The Audi A4 range has been very much at the forefront of the success of the Audi brand having produced a number of extremely successful vehicles. The Avant is very much an addition to this range and it comes with a range of features that will no doubt start a trend among other car manufacturers. Every A4 Avant comes with one of Audi’s smart keys; the intelligent key or the advanced key. The intelligent key has a memory function that can remember the driver settings of up to four people and it will cause no damage to trouser pockets / bags due to the materials that it possesses. The advanced key is more complex of the two and enables the driver to keep it in their pocket at all times. When the key gets to within a certain distance of the A4 Avant, the doors will automatically unlock and it has a start / stop function in the centre of the console. So as you can see, the A4 Avant has a number of features that give it the title of being a car that incorporates advanced technology and is one that is a worthy addition to the Audi A4 range of cars. With technology like this; simple but highly effective, it gives Audi an advantage over other manufacturers. The new and used Audi A4 Avant also enables drivers to open the power operated tailgate with ease to make loading the storage area a much easier task. This tailgate can be opened by pressing a button on one of the intelligent keys and / or automatically. Subsequently, it can be closed using the same methods. Overall then the Audi A4 Avant is an Estate car that looks good, performs great and has some of the most innovative and advanced features of the 21st century.
One word, stunning! That is the only way to describe the new Carbon Black Special Edition models from Aston Martin. It seems that black is very much the “in” colour these days with a number of manufacturers releasing their “black line” cars (such as Alfa Romeo). But it is not only the ordinary colour black that is making all the headlines, it is the paint effects such as “pearl effect” and “brilliant black” effects that give the metallic black an improved look and feel. From the perspective of Aston Martin, they now offer two of their leading cars, the DBS and the V12 Vantage in their new carbon black special addition design. The idea behind this is to give proven models the opportunity to add a bit of flair to their design. A delicate black metallic paint is used to add part of what is effectively a new exterior effect and the side strake of these new additions has been constructed using the favoured material for sports cars, carbon fibre. As well as this, the alloy wheels have been improved by adding ten spoke diamonds; very much an improvement on the original and now used Aston Martin DBS and V12 models! The other elements that have been upgraded is the parking sensors (front) and the bright finished grille. So that is the outside taken care of, what about the interior? Obsidian black leather with silver stitching is what awaits the driver, and yet more carbon fibre used to make for lighter seats. Black tread plates are also included, whilst a new stereo system provides further upgrades. To summarise, the carbon black special edition cars from Aston Martin really are something quite extraordinary and mark subtle, but effective improvements on the used Aston Martin DBS and V12 Vantage car models.
Without doubt the 300C is one of Chrysler’s all time greats – especially when it comes to the looks department. You could be forgiven for thinking that this vehicle is something it’s not and that it is a car, which should be much higher up in the price stakes. Well the first part of this statement is a fair assumption, as is the second, although the latter is something that buyers can embrace as the 300C does the command the price it appears it should. Available in some sublime colours such as Stone White Clearcoat, Bright Silver Metallic and my personal favourite, Brilliant Black Crystal Clearcoat, the new and used Chrysler 300C really is something to be adored. The exterior is definitely what makes the car stand out from the rest of the pack and with features such as the front grille and muscular shell; it is no wonder that the outside of the vehicle is the main talking point. However, the interior of this Chrysler auto should not be discarded, even if it does come second to the goings on with the exterior. Incorporating Torino leather-trimmed seats and a dashboard of the highest calibre, the 300C’s inside is also very impressive. So it seems that whether you buy a brand new or a second hand used Chrysler 300C, you are investing in something of class that will place you on a new pedestal regarding the art of driving in style. Looking in from the outside it appears that the 300C is more like a Bentley or a Rolls-Royce than it is a Chrysler, which just adds to the overall concept of the cars styling nature. As the old saying goes “if you have got it, flaunt it”, and nothing could be more true than the 300C from Chrysler.
There are many SUV’s in the marketplace with some obviously being better than others. The Captiva from Chevrolet is best described as being a vehicle that is a cross between an SUV and a family car; it therefore provides a unique mixture of the two types. In fact, the Captiva is very much a family-orientated SUV and its layout has been designed with families very much in mind. With a total of up to seven seats, this is one Chevrolet that is definitely roomy and allows for a lot of storage. The cars features are top of the range, which is another advantage for owning a new or used Chevrolet Captiva. Read the rest of this entry »