Find a car to suit your lifestyle

Record breaking Peugeot

Which car would you guess has managed to achieve 126.8 MPG, a figure which has been authenticated by the people at Guinness World Records.




The Peugeot 308 SR HDi 110 drove a total of 3,700 miles, a trip which took 175 hours using just 29.1 gallons of diesel.

The 308 has a 60 litre fuel tank and needed slightly over 2 tanks of diesel for the trip, which cost £136,24. This means you are driving for 3.6p per mile. I am sure everyone will agree this is an outstanding figure

Carmony.co.uk on the Chris Evans show.

Earlier this week Carmony got a call form the lovely Rebecca Pike (Foxy) from BBC Radio 2's Chris Evans Show, asking if we would like to be interviewed in the innovation slot. Obviously we didn't need any time to think of our answer and the next thing you know we are planning trip.

Carmony was to feature on a special show which was dedicated to motoring, a show that was taking place in the New Forest at the stunning Chewton Glenn luxury country hotel and spa. Last November Chris Evans helped raise money for the charity Children In Need with the Children In Need Drive Time Dine and Disco with added Fabulous Ferrari Tour. This week the runners and riders got to live out their dreams and drive one of Chris Evans wonderful cars.

Friday afternoon traffic is never wonderful, so allowing plenty of time I set off just after lunch - hoping to arrive early to explore the hotel and get a good look at the luxury cars. I set off in the pouring rain and could hardly see a thing on the motorway; once past Birmingham the sun came out along with the traffic jams and the accidents. I needed to arrive by 18.00 at the latest, ready for my slot at 18.30. Google Maps had kindly informed me it would take 4 hours and 22 minutes, they clearly had not accounted for everyone else doing the trip and for 50% of those doing the trip on the country roads to be doing so in a tractor. Six hours later and with 10 minutes to spare I arrived, with Rebecca chasing me on the phone.

I was whisked up to the Radio 2 suite introduced to the team and we all stood and watched Andy Murray miss out on the Wimbledon final, if only I was a tennis fan! The teams from the fabulous Ferrari Tour had clearly been having a wonderful time, and who wouldn't given the cars they had to drive. One by one they got their 15 minutes of fame on the radio, waxing lyrical about their day, and a few shout out to their friends and family. Then it was my turn, I was led out to the balcony given headphones and a mic and repeated in my head carmony, carmony, carmony and tried to remember not to swear.

The interview was over in what seemed like seconds and I was sure I had got across the key messages. I remember telling Rebecca about the Lifestyle search allowing you to search by need and I even managed to squeeze in a reference to the running cost data which we provide on the site, along with a few name checks for the site. All in all I was pleased with the performance, and my Mum rang to say I was good so I must have been!!

You can hear the show by clicking here . If you don't want to listen to the award winning DJ Chris Evans and you only want to get to the Carmony.co.uk slot - you need to fast forward to about 1 hour 40 into the show.

Would you get into a car with a drink driver?

You may never think of drinking and driving, but do you ever get into a car being driven by someone who has been drinking?

A study from Direct Line shows that this is much more common than you might imagine. They found that more than a third of adults have got into a car whilst suspecting the driver has been over the drink-drive limit. Many of these occasions may have occurred when the passenger has also been drinking, which may lead to a rash decision being made.

The survey went on to find that despite any reservations, as many as 65% of car passengers decided to stay in the car. A half of all passengers who realise they are being driven by someone who has been drinking admit to acting as a 'look out', watching for speed cameras and police.

Should we ban smoking in cars if kids are onboard?

Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health are calling for a ban on smoking in cars whilst children are passengers.

They argue that the UK falls behind many countries in terms of protection for children. Parts of Canada, Australia and the US have already banned smoking in cars if you are travelling with a child. Smoking has already been made extinct in an office environment and in pubs, in order to protect other adults, yet we can still smoke freely on the school run.

With many drivers seeing their car as an extension of their home they will no doubt feel that the 'nanny state' is taking a step too far. Opponents will also have major concerns as to how this will be policed.

We have talked before about the issues relating to smoking in cars and resell value, a more pressing concern is obviously a child's health and welfare.

What did this guy invent?

He invented an object which has been seen in cars for over 50 years. The item is not essential, but it is instantly recognisable.

The inventor is Julius Sämann, who back in 1952 invented those lovely scented trees that have hung from countless rear view mirrors: The Magic Tree.

It was also rumored that he invented silly string, but this seems to be a misunderstanding. To invent a tree which is magic is one thing, but string which is silly as well that is just too much for one person.

Petrol to hit £1.15 per litre

Petrol prices have been steadily climbing over the past few weeks, and it looks like they could surge to £1.15 per litre before the end of summer. Diesel will climb also, with the figure £1.26 being likely.

The price hike is largely down to the city speculators forcing up the price of crude oil, as they gamble on its future value.

The current average price for Petrol is over a £1 per litre and is hitting motorists, who have already had the impact of the fuel tax rise and the increase in road tax.

Research is now showing that the increase in fuel prices is forcing drivers to use their cars much less, to help control spending. The study by AA/Populus, found that a quarter of the 15,000 drivers surveyed are using their cars less.

It is important to think about all the costs associated with a car when purchasing a car. The asking price for a vehicle should not be the only criteria you think about. At Carmony we display all cars with running costs. These running costs include: road tax, estimated service maintenance and repair costs, plus details on fuel expenditure (for which mileage can be dictated). This is to help you make a much more informed choice when deciding which approved car to purchase.

Lefties - we are not alone

In total 74 countries drive on the left hand side of the road. So if you are thinking of driving abroad this summer and are worried about tackling a roundabout in the wrong direction, then you may want to travel to one of the countries listed below. I appreciate some look more inviting than others, but if you fancy two weeks in Zimbabwe fair play to you.


Anguilla
Antigua & Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Bangladesh
Barbados
Bermuda
Bhutan
Bophuthatswana
Botswana
British Virgin Islands
Brunei
Cayman Islands
Channel Islands
Ciskei
Cyprus
Dominica
Falkland Islands
Fiji
Grenada
Guyana
Hong Kong
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Jamaica
Japan
Kenya
Lesotho
Macau
Malawi
Malaysia
Malta
Mauritius
Montserrat
Mozambique
Namibia
Nepal
New Zealand
Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
St. Vincent & Grenadines
Seychelles
Sikkim
Singapore
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
Sri Lanka
St Kitts & Nevis
St. Helena
St. Lucia
Surinam
Swaziland
Tanzania
Thailand
Tonga
Trinidad & Tobago
Uganda
United Kingdom
US Virgin Islands
Venda
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Spotify on your mobile!

Soon we will be able to link this to the car radio :)

Do you listen to football in the car

Will you be listening to the match tonight whilst driving home in the car? If so then you might want to think again - we are not in the game of predicting the score so this is not a warning that your team will lose.



A study by some research bods at the University of Leicester warns that listening to the match whilst driving can be a dangerous distraction. Their study found that more than two million motorists have had an accident or near-miss while driving and listening to the footie.

It appears that football fans, get as emotional in their cars as they do in the stadium stands. Tests carried out for the study showed casual listeners drove at a consistent pace throughout matches. Whilst, the football fans had a driving style that varied considerably and was sometimes erratic, particularly as the match progressed.

The researchers say if you enjoy football and get emotional and distracted, I recommend you pull over and listen to the match

Are you a flasher?

According to the Highway Code:

Flashing headlights. Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users.

So when I flash my headlights to tell another user to go whilst at a crossroads, am I breaking the law? If so, is this something the police would pull me over for? I am not sure I know anyone or have seen anyone who actually uses this as a warning. Unless I have been reading this incorrectly and annoying drivers up and down the country.

Another misuse of car equipment is the car horn.

The Highway Code details:

The horn. Use only while your vehicle is moving and you need to warn other road users of your presence. Never sound your horn aggressively. You MUST NOT use your horn while stationary on the road or when driving in a built up area between the hours of 11.30 pm and 7.00 am, except when another vehicle poses a danger.

Obviously these laws do not apply to taxi drivers or buses

Scrappage benefit 'lost in 88 days'

Are you thinking of taking advantage of the governments scrappage scheme? If so you might want to think again.

For years people have discussed the depreciation on new cars; we have all heard people say 'it loses value as soon as you drive it off the forecourt'. Now a report from uSwitch states the depreciation kicks in after 88 days.

The scrappage scheme begins on Monday, allowing owners of 10 year old or more cars to trade in old for new and receive £2000.

The research by uSwitch , vehicle depreciation is set to be the "thorn in the side" of the scrappage scheme. The initial £2,000 incentive is wiped out in depreciation in just 88 days of owning the new car.

In total, new vehicles purchased under the Government's car scrappage scheme are set to lose £12.5 billion in depreciation after just one year, it said. Purchasing one of the top 10 most popular new cars costs £16,232 on average and this value plummets by 49% in the first year alone, while the UK's best-selling car - the Ford Focus Style - loses £8,635 or 51% of its value in the first year.

Mark Monteiro, of uSwitch, said: "When choosing a new vehicle, motorists should ensure they research the rate of depreciation of their desired new car, as research highlights how some of the top 10 most-popular vehicles hold their value far better than others. Any motorists tempted to take advantage of the scheme should research the cost of insuring their desired new vehicle as a matter of priority, as the cost could be significantly higher than they are currently paying for their old banger.

"All drivers who are planning to switch their old cars for a newer model need to be prepared for a hike to their premiums of up to 30%."

Where the streets have no cars

A German town on the Swiss/French border has taken the decision to give up their cars. The town of Vauban has rule forbidding street parking, driveways and home garages.

Residents buy a large garage on the border of the town, for the sum of £25,000, and this keeps the streets car free. 57% of the Vauban residents sold a car before moving to the town and 70% do not own a car. Which probably means the 30% who do own a car are constantly being badgered for lifts.

I am not sure that I could take the leap of giving up my car, I like the freedom it gives me. I also like being able to park outside my home, so if this was taken away perhaps I would not be as keen to keep hold of my motor.

Also worth noting, Vauban will have no late night petrol stations - which would leave you at a loss as to where to go for a late night bottle of milk, or some dodgy flowers after an argument.

How the Glove Compartment got its name

All cars have one, some choose to keep their sat-nav stored here, others a bag of sweets (or a cat?). Very few use them as a storage compartment for their gloves. So why do we refer to this as a glove compartment/ glovebox?

I the early part of the 20th century, a female British Motor Racing driver named Dorothy Levitt was a pioneer in the sport, becoming the first woman to compete in a motor race back in 1904. She helped to pave the way for other female drivers: Kay Petre, Gwenda Hawkes, the Hon Mrs Victor Bruce (yes, me neither).



Dorothy Levitt drove around in her fur coat and gloves and was obviously looking for a place to store her gloves, no doubt when she pulled over for tea and cake!

She coined the phrase glove compartment referring to a draw beneath the seat in which female drivers could place their gloves. These did not start being added to cars until much later, and despite the move to the dashboard the name stuck.

Would you drive a Beaver?

What is it with cars being named after animals? We have the Fiat Panda, VW Beetle, VW Fox, Ford Puma, the whole Jaguar range and even the Spider for Ferrari and Alfa Romeo

Naming a car after a wild animal, makes sense. You see it as more adventurous and as something that does not conform. This theory works really well for the Ford Puma, Jaguar and at a push can be stretched to include the VW Fox.

When it comes to naming cars after insects, then you are largely naming a car after animals people don't like or are scared by. Think of Miss Muffet driving a Ferrari Spider! A VW Beetle it could be argued is named because it is small and can travel at great speed, and to be honest the naming has not done them any harm.

Animals car makers probably want to avoid include those in the insect and bug world such as cockroach or head lice. Mammal wise I think it will be a long time before we see people driving a Beaver or cruising the streets in the Pot Bellied Pig.

Family Car

Car drivers with families are becoming increasingly more aware of the need for improved vehicle safety. When looking for a family car, choosing the right vehicle means that there are essential requirements that need to rank higher on the list of priorities.

However, this does not necessarily mean that a family car with better car safety is not going to be sexy, sporty or a real head turner?

Safety

Car Safety is a must for every car driver. Just how safe cars are, is a subject that requires a great deal of consideration when looking for a family car. In fact, since September 2006, ISOFIX standard child car seats have moved towards the top of the list of priorities for car drivers with children, in terms of child car safety.

The Which report is a fantastic source of information on this topic - and these guys are completely impartial.

Entertainment

As the comfort of the family car is moving much closer to the comfort of being at home, keeping the children entertained on journeys is becoming another key consideration when buying a family car. Many parents will have spent journeys playing games like I-Spy or spot the different colour cars - or maybe you will have played game like portable connect 4.

However, children today are much more demanding and want to have the latest in car entertainment available to them - and although they will happily sit in the back with their iPod on - they would much prefer to watch the adventures of Buzz Lightyear, or play the latest PlayStation game. This is a great way to keep the little ones occupied - and often bigger ones too.

Space

Driving with the family can mean anything from journeys to the seaside to dropping them off at one of their many activities - which at times makes you think they have a better social life than you. Space therefore becomes of particular importance, whether how to fit everyone inside the car or to how to make sure you can get the child buggy in the boot.

We have developed the lifestyle search to help you resolve this. Simply enter the number of seats you require, together with the items you will need to put in your boot. We will then show you the contenders that best match your requirements.

MP's Expenses

So who are the worst drivers?

British roads are packed full of drivers, who leave us wondering how they got their driving licence in the first place.

Many groups are targeted as being the worst people behind the wheel: pensioners 'driving Miss Daisy', women - struggling to park, teenagers - behaving like they are on a race track, white van men - cutting you up, taxi drivers - failing to ever use an indicator... the list is endless.

Pensioners: A pensioner reversing in real time - feel the pain.



Teenagers

A recent report from the Co-op said that Top Gear was encouraging teenagers to break the speed limit. I find it hard to believe that any teenager is seeking tips from middle aged men in tight 501 jeans.

Taxi Drivers:

Taking a trip in a cab can often mean taking your life into your own hands, and the only tip you want to leave is a highway code. Still it could be worse, a Karaoke Cab:




White Van men, a phrase coined by Radio 2's Sarah Kennedy and still nobody seems to love them. This clip shows a white van driver in a close shave with a cyclist. Little sympathy for the bike rider however, as he appears to be riding along whilst holding a video camera.



Women Drivers, are the brunt of many male jokes and here is a compilation of female motorists in action (the clip is a little unfair, as most don't prove a woman was involved):




It is clear you don't have to fall into a category to be a bad driver, bad drivers are simply bad drivers regardless of age, sex or occupation. I will try and remind myself of this next time I experience road rage.

Finally a compilation of all types or driver getting in all kinds of trouble:

5 must have car gadgets

Part of my journey into work this morning included following a car which had cushions on the parcel shelf. I am totally up for making your car as comfortable and welcoming as possible, but cushions! My comfort includes moving my seat, having a drink near by and my ipod plugged in. Thankfully we are all different, I don't want cushions and you may not want any music playing.

This got us thinking of what gadgets are available for your car and we came up with:

5 great car gadgets available now

A rechargeable LED torch which plugs into your car lighter to charge



The Econav gives drivers the most fuel-efficient routes. Its makers claim it cuts carbon emissions by 30 per cent.



E Can with USB Socket 240 Volts form your cars Cigarette lighter, plug in a DVD player, your Playstation or even a hoover


The Perfect Palm Device to help you clean and wax your car



Parking Sensor System for anyone who has trouble parking

Do the government want you to speed?

The UK government has raised £87 million from speeding camera fines, a record breaking figure coming from 1.5 million fines.

Many questions are now racing through my mind: first, what does the money generated get spent on (it is certainly not the roads). Does a speed camera act as any kind of deterrent and are the government happy for us to continue speeding therefore providing a huge boost to their coffers.

The past year has seen road deaths fall under 3,000 - the lowest level since 1926, so it could be argued that the cameras are having an impact. Obviously if you stay within the law, then you have nothing to worry about. The average fine of £58 is only relevant if you travel over the speed limit. The £87 million demonstrates clearly that people are not slowing down, or is it simply more are getting caught.

What do you think?

Do speed cameras deter people from driving fast? Is this just a money making scheme for the government or do speeders get what they deserve?

Courtesy Car

Is it just me or does it seem that every time you take your car in for a service or repair the courtesy car you are given is in no way similar to the car you bring in? We all buy a car making sure it matches our needs. This may be the need to get a certain number of passengers on board (the kids), to transport a pushchair around town or on a more aesthetic level one that makes you look good.

So why is it that you end up with a replacement car the only benefit it has is that nobody will steal it. The last one I had felt like it was going to blow over in the wind, and any passengers on board had to spend their journey sniffing their knees. Not much use for me.

I think that this is a missed opportunity from car makers; they could use this time to get me test driving a new model. Showing me a car that I will fall in love with, one that I may purchase next time or at the very least will rave about to friends. A dealership in Bradford has started to offer bikes to customers instead of courtesy cars. You have to applaud their green credentials but wonder how someone with a partner and two kids manages - perhaps they offer a basket on the handle bars for your pushchair!

How a Catherine Tate character coped with the delivery of a hire car

Road Tax increased from today

Unless you are part of the minority who drive around in a car with C02 emissions that are less than 100 (g/km), you are likely to be seeing a rise in your road tax from today.

The government has now split road tax into 13 categories with prices ranging from £35 to £405 - for those looking to tax a vehicle that has emissions of 225.

You can check out the full list of prices and bands here..

Yesterday we read in the news that pot holes can be found every 120 yards on our roads, which sound similar to the statement: you are never more than 3 feet away from a rat. It may make you wonder what the hell does the money get spent on? My guess is traffic cones, who ever is in charge of traffic cones seems to be buying many more and placing them on my route to work.

If you want to check the price of your current car and you are not sure what your emission level is, why not find it on Carmony. You will find the data together with the running cost for a particular model. If you are not happy with your new road tax band why not search for a better model.

Best ever driving school names

This is a list of the top 5 driving school names in the UK:

1) In Worthing a driving school is called 'L Passo'

2) Accelr8 Driving School, London

3) AcciDon't, in Glasgow

4)In Manchester you can be taught by Crash Courses

and

5)L's Angels Driving School in Suffolk

Know any others?

What is the top of your proirty list, when buying a car?

What do you start with when you decide you are going to buy a car? I would imagine most people start with a budget, how much money do you have available or how much are you willing to borrow.

Following budget what helps you to narrow down your choices? In these credit crunch times you may want to look at which car offers you the highest MPG or which has the lowest road tax charge. It is worth including these, along with estimated service, repair and maintenance cost when setting out your budget.

Carmony provide details on these cost with each car to make your decision process a little easier. Choosing a greener car may be top of your list, and can often be a route to saving you cash.




We all have a list of needs which we want to satisfy when choosing our next car. You may simply want to make sure your next car can fit the pushchair in the boot, as the last one was like putting a ship in a bottle.

It is important for lots of people to have a car which looks right and therefore says the right things about you. Perhaps for you this is a colour choice, you may have certain colours which you would not want to go near, whilst others are the ideal choice for you.

Research carried out by Carmony highlighted that the number one consideration was:
1) Price
followed by
2) Fuel Economy
3) MPG
4) General maintenance costs
5) Size of car

Family and friends teaching new drivers

Who taught you to drive? New research by insurance company Swinton has found that more people are turning to family members for lessons.

Cash-strapped times are resulting in learner drivers turning their backs on professional instructors and instead relying in family and friends. This is not a decision anyone should take lightly, as anyone who has been taught by a family member will know. Also if you are asked to teach a new driver, ask yourself how patient you will be.

The survey found that those who passed their driving test in March 2009 received an average 63 hours of tuition from family or friends and just 41 from professional instructors, the poll showed.

Learning to drive started early for some:

This baby loves his car seat, but not tunnels

Carmony's ad's

Carmony has a poster campaign across the UK. Hope you like it.

For those who want to choose an approved car from a list of needs which includes colour:



If speed is more your thing, then tell Carmony how fast you want it to be



You may simply want to choose by size and therefore may find our browse by model search useful or alternatively tells us the number of people you need your car to carry using our lifestyle search



Your first concern may be how green your vehicle will be, perhaps for environmental concerns or maybe to find a more fuel efficient car and save you cash.

Drivers Budget

What will this weeks budget have is store for car drivers?

We have already seen the fuel tax rise, which appears to have come at a time when petrol seems to be on the rise. So surely we have no more rises in store for this area.

Road tax is already scheduled to go up in May, although only by £5 for most cars. The buzz now is around the possible scrappage scheme, which could be modelled on the successful German scheme which has just been extended. Offering around £2000 for people who scrap their 9 year old car and replace it with a brand new one or a year old model. This is being promoted to help support the automotive sector and to encourage drivers to switch to more environmentally friendly vehicles.

So what would you like to see in the budget for drivers?

The revenue generating speed cameras scrapped? Following the example of Swindon.
Cheaper road tax for responsible drivers?
Parking fines related to the price of a vehicle, hurting premiership footballers more than the man on the street?
A reduction in the number of traffic wardens?

So what about you, do you like our suggestions what are yours?

When did your driving life change?

Do you remember taking your first driving lesson, if this was a family member it was no doubt followed by an argument and you storming up to your bedroom. Whoever allowed you to sit behind the wheel for the first time, probably introduced you to the most stressful experience in your life up to that point. You sat in the seat trying to remember 'Mirror, signal, maneuver' and look down at the gear stick with confusion and then you stalled. Now you sit behind the wheel and automatically know what to do, making many journeys on auto pilot.

Your first car may have been one you shared with another family member, I was put on my Mums insurance and therefore drove round in a Fiesta with cushions in the back and a Barry Manilow tape in the stereo (little has changed!). You then graduate to buying your first car, which most choose for aesthetics or fashion. You certainly didn't want a car which would ruin your street cred.

So how do you choose a car today? Has aesthetics gone off your list completely, or are you now trying to marry that up with boot space for a push chair or the family pet. When did everything change, how did you progress to an MPV or a 4x4. Do you choose to add extras to your car, at one time this may have been certain wheel trims, and now its a fancy cup holder or a magic tree. More 'Family Car' than 'Pimp my ride'.

Scrappage Scheme - What are your views?

The discussions over the possibility of a scrappage scheme being introduced by the UK government intensified over the Easter weekend.

Carmony.co.uk want to know your views, please fill in our survey it will only take a minute.

Survey

Thanks for your time we will publish the results here

Is it time to go topless?

First, apologies for the dreadful pun in the headline. However it seems to have caught your eye.

Over the Easter weekend we have started to see the hint of a blue sky, a moment of sunshine and that means thoughts turn to taking the roof down on the car. For those who already own a convertible you will know the joy of driving along with the wind blowing around you. For those who do not have the pleasure of driving one of these cars, you may find yourself looking with envy as these cars go by in the summer, comforting yourself with the thought that it will no doubt rain soon.

For those in the market for a convertible, you will find a long list of cars available. Narrowing your list to convertable still leaves many choices for the car buyer. Looking for a car on Carmony we can help you narrow your search, making sure you are seeing the right cars for you.

Choosing the option 'browse by model type', will lead you to sports cars. This category includes convertibles, you can search by model type and narrow your search using the filter on the left hand side.

Another search option is 'lifestyle' if you want a blue or black convetible choose that, if you want it to be speedy tell us, how many people do you need room for? Answer three questions then see what Carmony have to match your needs. Again use the filter on the left to narrow you search.

So what are you waiting for, summer won't last forever you know. I might not last until June!

A selection of covertible cars currently available on Carmony:

Porsche Boxter £24,995, 29,000 miles

BMW Z4 £18,495, 4,436 miles

VW Beetle Cabriolet £8,990, 25,635 miles

Beware of the car with two steering wheels

Together in electric dreams

Gordon Brown has been teasing us with hints on the contents of this months budget. Admittedly this is not the most exciting tease, but it is a tease all the same. Brown is promising a 'green' route to economic recovery.

High on the list are electric cars, roadside power point to charge your car and incentives for 'green' car makers. Evoasis are one of the organisations bidding to become the power point provider, and have some really cool designs for power stations.

The report in today's Independent talks of potential trials in 3 cities for electric cars. These are likely to take place next year, and will no doubt see a scramble by local councils to premiere these initiative.

As drivers we are all feeling the pressure of rising fuel bills and feel we should be doing our bit for the environment - but are we ready to embrace electric cars? The fear by many is that what we will gain in our wallets we will lose in speed. Fear not an electric car has been developed that can out perform its petrol counterparts.



If you are looking for a car now and don't want to wait for the power station to arrive in your town, how do you make sure you are driving greener (for the world and your wallet).

Find green cars with a straightforward green rating score on www.carmony.co.uk, this helps to show you which cars can be more environmentally friendly in your chosen category.

Easter Traffic

Are you planning to get away from it all this Easter, with a little break in the UK? utilising the long weekend from work. If you are you will be joining around 10 million other drivers, so make sure you plan your time and route in advance.

It is estimated that 10% of this traffic will be made up of caravnners, helping to make this the busiest motoring weekend of the year.

The AA is already warning travelers to expect delays and to make sure they have enough petrol in the car. While many motorist may assume that the 'credit crunch' will keep other car users off the road, the AA believe this will result in more people choosing to holiday at home.

Traffic will be made up of those planning a weekend away (a third), day trippers (half) and the remainder taking longer breaks.

Obvious 'hotspots' include British seaside resorts (although the weather forecast is not looking great) and the major ferry ports. I would add to this traffic to your local B&Q outlet.

If you don't fancy sitting behind the wheel of your car, why not sit at home and eat enough Easter eggs so you can't fit behind the wheel of your car!

Ever had trouble parking your car?

Do you dread parking your car in a tight space? Would an extra wheel take away your anxiety?

Road Tax

This week has already seen a rise in fuel tax, which will reportedly cost the average driver £54 a year. Broken down per week, this does not seem like a huge amount, but once you start to add this to your service and maintenance costs and your road tax - then the figure is important.

The DVLA website currently lists seven categories for car road tax:

Band CO2 (g/km) 12 month rate 12 month rate
A Up to 100 £0 £0
B 101 -120 £35.00 £15.00
C 121 -150 £120.00 £100.00
D 151 -165 £145.00 £125.00
E 166 - 185 £170.00 £150.00
F Over 185 £210.00 £195.00
G Over 225 £400.00 £385.00

The same webiste has details on the new prices and categories coming into effect next month.

Changes to the system

From 1 May 2009, an increase in the number of bands, bringing the total number to 13

The following year will see the introduction of different vehicle tax rates for new cars in the first year of registration. The aim being to provide an environmental signal for motorist at the time of purchasing a new vehicle. This rule does not apply to people buying used cars.

The increase to Road Tax in May will be no more than a £5 addition. 2010 will see higher emitting cars charged between £20 and £30 more, whilst lower emitting cars will be charged up to £30 less.

With all this in mind Carmony.co.uk provides cars with both running costs and green scores. The running cost information includes road tax costs, estimated fuel costs (allowing you to alter your estimated mileage) and estimated service and maintenance costs. The aim is to provide you with a clearer picture on how much the car will cost to own, not just buy. Green scores are also included, for those looking to be a little greener and for those looking to save on other costs.

Any old iron?

A scrappage scheme for cars has been running in Germany for a number of months, and has reportedly delivered 577,000+ sales. A similar scheme has also been running in France, although the incentive was not as high. Westminster gossip says that Mr Darling is looking into a scrap scheme for the UK, and this will most likely be announced on April 22nd 2009 - Budget Day.

So what would such a scheme mean to you and I? The model in Germany offers €2,500 to customers who trade in their 10 year old cars for newer fuel efficient cars. (brand new or a year old). The UK scheme will probably offer £2000 to any car buyer trading in a 10 year old car. £2000 which can then be used against the purchase of a new or nearly new car.

A quick look around the carmony.co.uk site and I find a good list of cars which would qualify for the scheme and would look even more attractive with a discount of £2000.

Golf Special Edition Hatchbacks starting at £16,490

Peugeot 307's from £7,495

And you could trade against a Ford Focus for just under £12,000. Saving £2000 on this car would mean a saving of over 16%

So would this be a big enough incentive for you and if so which car would you get?

Highway code

Be honest, when was the last time you picked up a copy of the highway code. Unless you have recently passed your driving test - you probably don't know the answer.

These days driving tests are preceded by a 'Theory Test', making sure drivers know the highway code inside out. When I took my first driving test questioning in this area involved three random questions asked at the end of the test. Despite getting these questions right, I was failed for almost clipping a pensioner on a pelican crossing. Please note, the fail was not for missing.

When I finally passed my test, the Theory Test had been introduced and I went along to sit a multiple choice exam. Last week a great deal of fuss was made over the standard of the GCSE Science Exam, you should have seen the theory test. From memory the questions level was:



The sign on the left denotes
a) barbers nearby
b) crash helmets must be worn
c) no entry

I could not believe that people failed, but was pleased I would not be encountering them on the road.

Whilst driving at the weekend I noticed the following signs, and was at a loss as to what they stood for:



If like me you have little or no idea what the sign means, then have a guess.

This is when they are used:

Symbols that may be used to indicate a diversion route

Different symbols are used when several location diversions are in place in one area.

So now you know, still not sure if it is an obvious signage system - perhaps it is just me.

Still I am at a higher level to those drivers who don't understand no entry signs and one way systems.

In car smoking

Whilst stopped at the lights this morning on my route to work I noticed that the car next to me had two people smoking sat inside, the driver and a passenger. Before I go any further - I am not anti smoking, but would not want to be trapped in a confined space with other smokers.

My thoughts did not stray to the state of their health, more the damage they would be doing to their car. Which just goes to show I am spending too much time thinking about cars and their values. Laws are being investigated concerning adults smoking with children in the car, which I am sure will get widespread support. Calls for a total ban on smoking in cars will no doubt be thrown out, as a car is viewed as a personal space and nothing to do with anyone else, so therefore this would no doubt be an attack on civil liberties.

Smokers do need to think of the devaluing effect smoking can have on your car (aside from their health). Smoke damage to cars can be both seen and smelt, which could greatly reduce your resale value. The smell may not be that noticeable to you if you are a smokers, but this is something which hits non smokers as soon as the car door is opened. If you smoke in your car you can reduce the value of your car by hundreds of pounds. You wouldn't try to sell your car with a chip in your windscreen, as you know it would devalue your vehicle. Drivers need to look at smoking in the same way, the long term damage can often be impossible to reverse.

Ikea Car

The net is awash with gossip that IKEA is set to launch a car on April 1st. Yes, most people are spotting the obvious April Fools day connection, but is this a red herring? What could IKEA have under the white sheet, if it is not a car? Is this a strangely shaped bed for a child's bedroom or a sofa for a trendy penthouse flat?

The fear is that the IKEA car will arrive like the car below, and will be far more difficult to out together than a bookcase named Billy.

What are you listening to?

A story in the Daily Telegraph today, talks about Digital Radios (DAB) being added to cars. The story does not offer any major commitment from car makers, more that they are 'thinking' of adding them. Many manufacturers offer them as optional extras, but it appears the uptake has been low. Is this because we are not sure what advantage a DAB radio would bring?

The sets would offer wider choice, although that choice is diminishing by the day with many station closing. The BBC offer a number of DAB services: 1Xtra, 6 Music, BBC 7, Asian Network and 5 Live Sports Extra along with digital broadcasts of their FM stations. Commercial stations are less plentiful and appear to have sketchy coverage. One of the national stations, Birdsong offers I kid you not - bird song. Would this be the reason to get a set fitted?

So what do you listen to in the car? Would you welcome the extra stations that DAB could offer? Would Birsdsong improve your journey to work or are have you already moved away from radio and listening to your CD's or ipod.

A quick straw poll in the Carmony office reveals more CD listeners than radio.

Can you defend Traffic Wardens?

Traffic wardens are an easy target, hated by many motorists. They are the butt of many a joke and are often physically attacked by angry drivers. Traffic Wardens in South Yorkshire have even taken martial arts classes to protect themselves. I agree when traffic wardens behave like 'jobs worths' they are easy to deride and hard to defend, but what about the good they do?

If a sign clearly says 'No Parking', then I have to assume it is there for a reason. If a driver chooses to ignore this, believing they are above the law - then they deserve to be fined.

I live on a busy city centre road which needs to be clear at all times to allow traffic to move. Some motorist fail to recognise this and park up and obstruct other cars. The wardens can and do keep traffic moving.

The problems comes when a warden provides a ticket when your meter ran out 2 minutes previously or when your car is an inch outside a white line. Then I join everyone else and despise them.

Can I plug my car in?

Here is a clip from India, showing a car pulling into a petrol station and being connected to the mains for fuel. Imagine those electricity bills!

Car colours

What colour is the car you drive? Did you choose the colour for a reason or was it simply the colour of the car you found?

True, few car buyers’ start off with a colour (some do), but it is becoming an increasingly important factor in the essentials list for many. The reasons for choosing one colour over another are completely subjective; one person’s ultimate choice is another’s nightmare. Paris Hilton recently bought a Pink Bentley, which I am sure angered a number of those who drive this prestige model.

My first car was white, and after the effort I had to go through of constantly cleaning it, I swore never to drive a white car again. Since that time I have stuck to the safe colours of blue and black. One of the designers in the Carmony team has a yellow car (that’s creative types for you), and I am sure that he has little or no trouble finding it in the car park at Sainsbury’s.

Despite my objections white cars have made a comeback, and are more popular than ever. Carmakers are responsible for this uplift in interest and sales, as they have chosen to feature white cars in their advertising. These subliminal messages appear to be working and the white car comes back from its mid 80’s XR3i heights.

Cut your costs and your carbon

I spend more each month on fuel than I do on food, and that includes going out for meals. Sadly I don't get nearly the same satisfaction from a full tank of petrol as I do from a beautiful meal.

The costs associated with motoring are important to most drivers. Filling up, road tax together with service and maintenance all add up and leave many drivers frustrated.

So what can we do to cut our costs and at the same time lower our carbon emissions? The obvious place to start is the car you choose to drive. If you want to ride around in a 4X4, then which is the best option in its class? Carmony.co.uk include green ratings on cars displayed, which help you to easily see the green credentials of the vehicle. We also display running costs for a vehicle, so when choosing a car you can determine which cars on your short list will cost you more or less to run.

Once you have decided on your car - you should spend some time thinking about how you care for it and how you drive it. This will help you to keep your costs down throughout the time of ownership.

Reducing the amount of fuel you burn, will have a huge impact on your monthly outgoings, leaving you with cash to spend on items you will get a lot more enjoyment out of.

Make sure your tyres are pumped.
Close your windows.
Drive smoother.
Swith off your engine.
Choose the right gear.
Drive Less.
Slow Down.
and sweat

For more details on each of these tips click here

Oil spillage aisle 4

Last week the discount supermarket announced they would begin selling discounted cars in Germany. Over the past few years we have seen supermarkets offer so much more than their original grocery offerings. Tesco etal had the accusing finger pointed at them when Woolworth's closed down, as they begin to offer wider and wider ranges of goods.

Would you buy your next car from a shelf stacker at your local store? In my local supermarket it is hard to find someone who knows what a courgette looks like - so lets not start discussing the MPG of the cars on my shortlist.

I think this is harder for Lidl to do with such a big ticket item. I am happy to get a deal on my milk and bread, but not sure that I have the faith to spend a few grand with them. In the UK the Co-op, Tesco and Sainsbury's have all entered the car dealer market, all choosing to operate under different names or with partners but with similar brand values.

Do we want the added stress of supermarket shopping added to the stress of buying a new car?



Just think of the nectar points!

DIY Car Repairs

A report out today suggests that a large number of drivers are repairing their own cars, instead of choosing 'expensive' car servicing. The report is almost identical to one released in America on March 4th, which could either mean the UK and the states are following suit or some PR person has spotted an opportunity. We love that the customer in the BBC film seems to have his own garage with a ramp.

Many drivers have chosen to replace simple things such as oil, water or even a wind screen wiper. This is probably as far as most people get these days. Flip open your bonnet and all you see is a one huge mold of an engine, leaving most people clueless as to how to start fixing a problem. The car manufacturers will also advise you not to tamper with things you don't fully understand, as you could end up doing more damage than good.

F1 goes remote control

A very clever viral from the people at Vodaphone - could be very dangerous if we all chose to operate our cars in this way, although it may help for the times when you have lost your car in the supermarket car park. You just have to hope you don't mislay your phone. Also not sure what happens if you receive a call during your driving, as suppose the same rule applies - only use the phone if its hands free, and certainly no texting whilst driving.


enjoy

A few jokes, as it's Comic Relief today

A few car jokes to hopefully get you in the mood for Comic Relief today.

Joke 1

A policeman pulled alongside a speeding car on the motorway, glancing into the car, he was astounded to see that the lady who was driving was knitting.

Realising that she was oblivious to his flashing lights and the siren, the policeman wound down his window, turned on his loudspeaker and yelled, "Pull over!"

"No", the lady yelled back, "It's a scarf!"

Joke 2:

I was recently riding with a friend of mine.

We were coming to a red light, and he shoots right through it. I ask him, "Why'd you do that?" He tells me this is how his brother drives.

We come to another red light, and again, he shoots right through it. I ask him, "Why'd you do that?" Again, he tells me this is how his brother drives.

We come to a green light, and he SLAMS on the brakes. My heart nearly goes into my throat. I shouted at him, "Why do you do that?!"

He replied, "You never know, my brother could be coming the other way."

Joke 3

A blonde takes her broken car to be repaired at her local garage, fearing a large bill.
But luckly within two minutes the mechanic has it up and running normally "It was nothin serious love, just crap in the air filter"

She Replies "Brilliant, thank you. How often do i have to do that then?"

Joke 4

A man is enjoying a drive along an amazing, bendy, country road when a woman dressed in tweed driving an old muddy 4x4 comes hurtling round a corner.

He moves over to avoid her, but as she passes she leans out the window and screams "PIG!"

Astonished, the man turns and yells abuse back at her

As he rounds the bend he crashes into a pig.

And finally...Joke 5

Policeman: I stopped you because you were doing over fifty miles an hour.

Motorist: That's impossible, I've been driving for less than an hour.

We apologise for these jokes and pray that Comic Relief will be much better!

Great Car Ads

Car adverts on TV are rightly viewed as some of the finest adverts on television. Car manufacturers go all out to grab your attention and out do each other. Recent years have seen anything from dancing robots (Citroen C4) to the live Honda Skydive which was appointment TV.

However this has not always been the case. Here are some gems which you may remember, perhaps they are before your time or maybe you managed to wipe them from your memory.

Peugeot 305




From America a Mitsubishi ad with a jingle we know you will love:


Ford Cortina Advert from the 80's


Another winner, this time from Vauxhall with the Cavalier


And Finally an advert for the Nova


What are your favourites?