Herald Express; Torquay (UK)

Classic Car Sales Are Booming in Recession

IT'S been a tough year for new-car sales - but business has been booming on the classic motors scene, writes Phil Vaughan. A well- preserved classic car has proved a better investment than money in the bank in these troubled times, and top-notch examples have increased massively in value. Andy Rouse, manager of next month's 2009 Classic Motor Show, said: "A well-restored and maintained classic isn't a risky purchase in terms of depreciation, and it's a lot more fun and far better looking than...

Grand Vitara Is Value for Money

BRITISH motorists languish at 16th place in a league table of who buys the most polluting cars in Europe, according to a study carried out on behalf of the Environmental Transport Association, writes Sue Cooke. Portuguese drivers are the "greenest" in Europe when it comes to buying cars with an average CO2 rate of 138 g/km. The least "green" motorists are from Latvia with a figure of 177 g/km. The average British driver comes 16th in the list with 158 g/km. So perhaps there are drivers who wi...

Honda Sings a Merry Tune Thanks to Jazz ; Government

HONDA dealers have seen a wealth of new customers through their doors as a result of the Government's scrappage scheme, with the versatile and economical Jazz proving ever-popular. Through the scheme, Honda (UK) has gained a rich mix of customers who are new to Honda (85 per cent are from rival manufacturers), attracted by Honda's environmental credentials and enviable reputation for reliability and customer service.

Avoid Vat Rise with Toyota's Price Promise ; Government

TOYOTA'S British-built Auris hatchback remains a highly attractive option for buyers following the extension of the scrappage scheme. Taking into account the Pounds 2,000 allowance, Toyota is structuring its incentives and finance packages to make the Auris, built at Toyota's Burnaston plant in Derbyshire, a highly attractive choice. Toyota managing director, Miguel Fonseca, said: "By leveraging the benefits of local production we can make Auris affordable for customers who need a family car....

The Future - or a Last Hurrah?

I'M in two minds about the new Toyota iQ super, supermini. Not because of the car itself which is a remarkable technical tour de force, a superb drive, excellent road holder and a fine city vehicle. No, my doubts arise as to whether it is the future, or not. Is it part of the revolution that motoring needs to keep us all on the move and help combat global warming caused by rising CO2 emissions? Or is it, in reality, just more of the same, the good old internal combustion engine dressed up but...

Nightmare Down Memory Lane

I REMEMBER 20 years ago, having to leave the house half an hour earlier than necessary, just in case my old car didn't start and I had to catch the bus to work. I also remember drilling drainage holes in the floor, as it flooded every time it rained. My trip down memory lane was instigated by Hyundai who wanted to remind motoring journalists just what it was like to drive a 10- year-old car.

Plea to Help Save a Classic From Crusher

THE scrappage scheme has removed thousands of automotive eyesores from the road, but occasionally a car is put forward that even the most hardened trader can't bear to see go to the crusher. This 1958 Morris Minor (pictured) is just such a car. It was traded in by an enthusiastic buyer who used scrappage to get a discount of more than Pounds 6,000 on a Hyundai Coupe at the marque's Gatwick dealership.