Things start to look really bad for the upcoming Detroit Motor Show. After last week Ferrari, Land Rover, Rolls-Royce, Suzuki and then Mitsubishi announced they won’t bring any cars to the show, today Nissan and Inifiniti also announced their decision to pull out of the motor show. The Japanese carmaker said that they’ve unveiled the 370Z and the new Cube at the LA Show and a presence in Detroit is not necessary at the moment, due to the “depressed economy”. They’ve also cancelled their appearance at the Chicago Motor Show, in February. So, more bad news for Detroit organizers and, considering there’s more than a month left until the show, we’re wondering if Nissan will be the last company to pull out of the show.
Read More: “Nissan and Infiniti decide to pull out of Detroit Motor Show”
Selling your car can sometimes be a stressful, time-consuming chore, and at times like this selling on your car can be even more challenging. But with these 10 killer tips, you can be better prepared, making a quick smooth sale, and not regretting it later.
1. Be realistic with your pricing: You’ve got to price your car realistically in the first place to both attract buyers and ensure that you make a quick sale, saving yourself time and money on adverts. Check the adverts before you decide to sell to see how much similar models are going for and price accordingly.
2. Tell the truth: Making false claims is only likely to waste your time and lead to disputes in the long run. Be honest and be careful in the wording of your advert if you want to make a quick sale.
3. Be specific when advertising: When advertising the car, if you decide to use newspapers or advertise it online, make sure you mention all the basics. Ensure that the make, the model and the style of the car is listed first. This’ll help get the attention of those skimming through the adverts. The car’s colour, its engine size, and the number of miles on the clock are also crucial information for the advert. If there is space ensure to mention any extras, though these can be seen by potential buyers later to seal a deal, so focus on the essentials, the sort of thing you looking for when buying a car.
4. Sell the sizzle, not the sausage: When advertising, or talking to potential sellers, emphasise the car’s best features rather than barraging them with information. How low the mileage is, and how reliable or economical the car is, are very effective ways of selling the car. Mentioning what drew you to the car intially, and why you are getting rid of the car, may help sell the car quickly, and with as much profit as possible.
5. Determine the car’s condition: The condition of the car is crucial. If the car should only be bought for spare parts, or if it requires substantial repairs then be sure to say so: people parting with their money will be sure to check these things either before they buy, or they will raise these issues after you’ve sold the car. Ensure that you state the condition of the car on any contract or receipt you give to the buyer to help avoid subsequent disputes.
6. Be safe when test driving: The buyer, if he is sensible, will want to test drive the car. Ensure that he has car insurance, or that your policy covers someone else test driving the car. Never allow them to test-drive it alone; apart from being able to explain how smooth the ride it, and further explain why the car is so great, you don’t want to ever hand a stranger the keys to the car. If you change seats during the test drive, ensure to take the keys: never leave a potential buyer in the car alone!
7. Be prepared to haggle on price: A buyer will want to haggle. Build in a margin for haggling. The buyer will want to haggle and cut the price down as much as possible. Knowing that you want a sale, the buyer will try to cut the price down. Expect this to happen, and be aware of how much you are prepared to haggle, what your lowest possible price is.
8. Agree on payment terms: When the price has been agreed on, make sure you have the money either in your hand, or in the bank before you hand over the keys. Avoid payment by cheque, or at least wait until it has cleared by handing the keys over.
9. Depersonalize the car: Remove any customization from the car to ensure a blank canvas. Buyers want to think the car is as new as possible, any sort of personalization should be stripped out to help avoid alienating potential buyers.
10. Spit and polish really matters: Make sure the car looks pristine. Give it an expensive or thorough wash, vacuum, polish, wax inside and out. This car needs to look as new as possible, and a clean car will be much more appealing to a potential buyer, especially as the first impression of the car is such an important one. If you haven’t driven the car recently, give it a quick drive around the block once in a while to ensure that when someone does come to test drive it, everything is working.
This guest post was written by Tom Becker who is a personal finance adviser and money management specialist at Money Compare. Photo credits: Flickr.
At the Detroit Motor Show, next January, Volvo will unveiled the S60 Concept, a car which previews the next generation S60, which is scheduled to debut in 2010. After about month ago they released a teaser photo showing the car’s unique Orrefors crystal interior, today we have the first photo of the car’s coupe-like exterior styling.
“The concept car’s design gives a visual promise of enthusiastic driving characteristics and I can assure you that the all-new S60 will deliver a sporty drive like no Volvo before,” says Stephen Odell, President and CEO at Volvo Cars.
“The inspiration comes from the Swedish coastline’s cliffs and seas. An exciting blend of drama and sensuality,” explains Volvo Cars’ design director, Steve Mattin. “This concept car takes our design DNA to the next level. We’re talking about a ‘Dramatic New Approach’, meaning that we gradually turn up our cars’ visual volume. The concept car’s exterior gives a clear indication of what customers can expect of the all-new S60. On the inside we’ve been even more daring – there the focus has been on creating a vision of the future in the slightly longer perspective.”
Read More: “Volvo releases S60 Concept teaser photo”
Probably one of the most spied cars in history, the Porsche Panamera has been officially introduced today. After this weekend a set of official photos were leaked on the web, today Porsche released the first officials details on its upcoming four-doors coupe. Basically, with the Panamera, Porsche joins a new market, still at its beginning, where it will compete cars like the upcoming Lamborghini Estoque or the Aston Martin Rapide. Under the hood, Porsche will offer a range of V6 and V8 engines, developing between 300 and 500 hp, some of those benefiting from turbocharger technology, Direct Fuel Injection, and will be mated either to a manual six-speed gearbox or a new seven-speed Double-Clutch Gearbox (PDK – Porsche Doppelkupplung). Also available will be all-wheel-drive (standard on top versions) and Porsche has also announced that they’re working on a hybrid version of the Panamera.
Complete details will be available closer to the car’s debut, in spring 2009, probably at next year’s Geneva Motor Show. The first deliveries are expected next summer, with the car being built at Porsche’s plant in Leipzig.
Photo Gallery: Porsche Panamera
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Read More: “Porsche Panamera official photos and details released”
Confirmed back in August, today Porsche has officially announced that the Cayenne diesel got a green light and it will be available starting with February 2009. This comes as a response to market demands and to the changing regulations, especially in Europe, which will be the main market for the model. The diesel Cayenne will be powered by a 3.0 liter V6 turbo diesel engine, supplied by Audi, which will deliver 240 hp (176 kW) and max torque of 550 Nm. The fuel consumption will be 9.3 liters/100 km (25 US mpg) in the combined cycle and 244 g/km CO2 emissions.
Porsche has also announced that they’re currently working on a hybrid powertrain for the Cayenne, which will achieve a fuel economy of less than 9 liters/100 km (24 US mpg) and is scheduled to go on sale in 2009 or 2010.
As for the diesel Cayenne, like we said, it will be available starting with next February, and, equipped with the Tiptronic-S automatic gearbox will have a strating price of 47,250 Euros (almost $60,000) without taxes, in Germany.
More photos after the jump. Read More: “Porsche Cayenne diesel officially announced”
EA Games’ “Need for Speed” is probably one of the most popular car video games ever, and its latest installment, Need for Speed Undercover features a bunch of extra cool cars. We’ve already written about the new Nissan 370Z showing up in the game, and this time we’re gonna talk about a special version of the Volkswagen Scirocco, created for the game. But what’s really cool about this car is that there’s also a real version, built by VW Individual, under the supervision of Vau-Max.de founder, Thomas Ebeling.
Starting from a 200 hp 2.0 TSI model, the team created a new body kit, with new front apron, rear bumper, side skirts, Folienbeklebung (side, below the character line, tailgate and rear bumper and rear lights and front bumper) disc tint from B-pillar, EA logo on the bonnet, fuel and left C-pillar. They’ve also made some mechanical upgrades, like new KW-Thread suspension Variant 1 kit, added 345mm front brake discs from the Golf R32, and also added new 19 inch wheels.
The interior features leather all over the place, headrests EA logo laser etched on leather, aluminum steering wheel with “Need for Speed Undercover” logo and a new impressive entertainment system.
Check out more photos of this one of a kind Scirocco after the jump. Read More: “The VW Scirocco from NFS video game to be on display in Essen”
The Essen Motor Show has always been the host of some really cars, and this is one of them, the LUMMA Design CLR 550 R tuning program for the Porsche Cayenne facelift. And the first thing that pops into our eyes is the widebody kit, which features fenders extensions (makes the car 5 cm wider on each side), a special new front bumper, new turn signal unit, individual rear bumper, a more aggressive Carbon Kevlar front hood with air inducts and new side skirts. The car’s ulta aggressive look is completed by 40 mm lowering sport suspension, LUMMA’s ‘evil eye’ headlights and newly designed 23 inch LUMMA Racing 3 wheels.
Under the hood, LUMMA engineers have reprogrammed the electronics in the ECU, added LUMMA GPM (gas pedal power module) for better response of the gas pedal, red coated engine cover with Carbon inlets and a sport exhaust system. After the mods, LUMMA says the Cayenne’s GTS V8 engine delivers 20 percent more power, which means somewhere close to 500 hp.
Of course, the interior has also been modified, in cooperation with Interior Designer LMT Benrath. We’ve got bicolor leather covered interior (Carbonleather and Alcantara), highlighted by colored ornamental seams, new sport steering wheel, new multimedia system with integrated 7,5″ monitors in head rests and floor mats with LUMMA emblem embroidered.
Check out more photos after the jump. Read More: “Porsche Cayenne facelift by LUMMA Design headed for Essen Motor Show”
These are definitely the thing for true petrol heads! While the only word that comes into my mind when saying office chairs is “boring”, these office chair created by Philadelphia based RaceChairs are definitely hot! Because they are actual seats from sports cars like the Ferrari F430, Lamborghini Diablo, Maserati Coupe or Porsche 997 GT3. However, as you’d expect, these things don’t come cheap, prices going up to $11,000. Anyways, if you want to see other office products made from sportscars parts, check out the RaceChairs website.
Photo Gallery: Sportscars office chairs
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Read More: “Not your regular office chairs!”
The Mazda3, the Japanese carmaker’s most successful vehicle, received a new sedan version, which made its debut at the LA Auto Show. The new Mazda3 Sedan has a more dynamic exterior design, improved performance, more environmental and safety features and new standard and optional equipment. The first impression is that the car looks really good, following Mazda’s Zoom Zoom trend and borrowing a lot of styling elements from the gorgeous Mazda6.
Under the hood, the Mazda3 will be available with a MZR 2.0 liter (148 hp at 6500 rpm and 135 lb-ft of torque at 4500 rpm) and a new MZR 2.5 liter four-cylinder, borrowed from its big sister, the Mazda6, which delivers 167 hp at 6000 rpm and 168 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. Both engines benefit from Mazda’s advanced electronic throttle actuation and exclusive torque base control technology. Regarding the transmission, the Mazda3 will be offered with a five-speed manual transmission, a six-speed stick-shift transmission or a five-speed electronically controlled Sport-AT automatic transmission. Unfortunately, the fuel economy figures are not that impressive, the 2.0 liter Mazda3 getting 25 mpg (with manual, and 24 mpg with the automatic) in the city and 33 mpg on the highway, while the 2.5 liter version gets 21 mpg (city) and 29 mpg (highway). I don’t know about you, but for the car’s size and for the current times, this sounds a little too much.
See more photos and a video of the new Mazda3 Sedan after the jump. Read More: “Mazda3 Sedan debuts at the LA Auto Show”
The impressive Ferrari FXX was built by the Italian carmaker for track-use only, but it looks like the German tuner Edo Competition thought about all those people wanting to be able to drive the car on any street and came up with a program for the car, program which they claim makes the FXX comply to every German law. The program includes new windshield, hand brake, new suspension plus a new exhaust system that allows the supercar to meet all emissions standards. No mention on the price, but we suspect it’s not going to be pretty.
Photo Gallery: Ferrari FXX by Edo Competition
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Also, there’s a video of the car, available after the jump. Read More: “Edo Competition makes Ferrari FXX street legal”
In what came somehow as a suprise, Honda has unveiled an interesting new concept at the LA Auto Show, the Honda FC Sport design study. The three-passengers sportscar concept features a powertrain based on the Honda V Flow fuel cell technology, already in use on the FCX Clarity sedan. By combining lightweight materials, improved aerodynamics and a low center of gravity (due to a modular approach to fuel cell component packaging and the electric drivetrain), the concept achieves quite impressive performances, or at least that’s what Honda says, because so far there were no official specs released.
The FC Sport concept, designed at Honda’s Advanced Design Studio in Pasadena, California, by a team led by Jason Wilbure, looks pretty good, with angular shapes in the front of the vehicle that taper into geometric, hex forms in the rear (which house cooling radiators for the fuel cell), F1-style barge boards behind the front wheels and what I really like are the visible hydrogen storage tanks, somewhat similar to what Ferrari or Lamborghini are doing.
More photos and video after the jump. Read More: “Honda FC Sport Concept: the hydrogen sports car of tomorrow?”
The Infiniti G37 Convertible, the first cabrio of the G range, was unveiled yesterday at the LA Auto Show. The car will be powered by a new 3.7-liter V6 delivering 325 hp and will be available either with a 7-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission. For this model, Infiniti decided to go with a three-piece folding steel top and the G37 will come with several interesting features, like an unique Bose Open Air Sound System that dynamically changes equalization based on outside noise, vehicle speed, and top position, and an adaptive climate control system that adjusts fan speed in accordance to top position and vehicle speed. Being an Infiniti, the car will also have high-end technology features, like RearView Monitor, touch-screen Infiniti Navigation system with XM NavTraffic Real-Time Traffic informationm, Pre-Crash Seat Belts, Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) with Preview Braking and Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS).
Beside the standard version, Infiniti will also offer a G37S Convertible Sport 6MT, which features extras like sport-tuned steering and larger sport brakes, 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and W-rated performance tires.
Infiniti has also announced a limited G Convertible Premier Edition, with only 200 units available, offered exclusively through the Bloomingdale’s Holiday Catalog. The special edition features custom Monaco Red Leather interior, handcrafted red-tone Maple Wood trim, Midnight Black front grille and 9-spoke 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and tires.
The Infiniti G37 Convertible will go on sale next spring, in the United States, with global launch following after. Also, they’ve already started taking orders for the Premier Edition, with first deliveries scheduled for 2009.
Complete photo gallery and video after the jump. Read More: “The new Infiniti G37 Convertible revealed”
The LA Auto Show marked the debut of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder, the convertible version of the Gallardo LP 560-4. The new convertible from Lamborghini is powered by a 5.2 liter engine that delivers 560 hp and 540 Nm of torque which takes the car from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4 seconds and up to a top speed of 323 km/h (201 mph). The car is fitted with a new, lighter transmission, which allows increased shift times by 40 percent (Corsa Mode), new chassis and suspension, which allows the convertible to achieve better fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions.
Customers from across the world can already place their orders and the first deliveries are expected in spring 2009. Lamborghini chose the LA show for the car’s debut, because the United States is the company’s main market, 39% of its customers being based in the United States (75% only in Southern California.
Check out more photos of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder after the jump. Read More: “Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder unveiled in L.A.”
The LA Auto Show marks the debut of the Toyota CNG Camry Hybrid Concept which highlights the Japanese carmaker’s new Hybrid Synergy Drive system. The concept was developed by TMS Advanced Product Strategy group and built by Metal Crafters of Fountain Valley, California, who replaced the 2.4 liter gasoline fuel system with a CNG (compressed natural gas) system including two CNG tanks installed in the spare tire well area. The concept also received some exterior changes, like a new front fascia and front bumper cover that got rid of the grill opening, custom rear bumper covering the tail pipe and the exhaust system, new side skirts and 19 inch alloy wheels fitted with run-flat tires (meant to make up for the lack of the spare tire).
Photo Gallery: Toyota CNG Camry Hybrid Concept
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Read More: “Toyota CNG Camry Hybrid Concept debuts at the LA Auto Show”
Italian motorist Marco Menozzi, was driving in his Peugeot 207 on a side road in Cozze, Italy when he hit a stray dog. At 70 mph, you’d expect the impact to be very harsh, and the dog spread across the road. Well, here were the incredible starts. The Italian didn’t even stop the car which is weird, because I would’ve probably stopped at least to check the damages to the car, maybe even the dog. However, fifteen miles later he decided to stop and he was amazed to see the dog alive and stuck in the grille. The stray dog was taken to the vets and treated for a broken leg and for some minor bruises. “He’s a very lucky boy. He was saved because he was hit so hard. Any softer and he would have bounced off the car and been crushed under the wheels,” said a police spokesman. No comment!
