Top 10 Car Types for 2009

Looking to buy a new car this year? You may have your heart set on a particular make or model and you’ve explored new and used car prices on the internet and decided you can afford to buy the car of your dreams, but one question to ask yourself is afford to run it?

You may have asked this question in passing before and not given it much thought, but with the changes to the Vehicle Excise Tax in 2009 and skyrocketing fuel and maintenance costs, along with the credit crunch and the In the recession over the next several years, running costs become much more important, so compromising and choosing a car that not only pleases you, but will also save you money in the long run is a sensible thing to do.

What about the changes in the Special Tax on Vehicles? Cars are now classified according to the amount of carbon dioxide they emit, therefore the most environmentally friendly cars will be charged less Excise Tax on Vehicles than the most polluting vehicles. At the time of writing, the least polluting cars will be exempt from paying taxes, while the most polluting cars (class M), such as large 4×4 vehicles with large engines, will have to pay £440 a year. Come 2010-11 then this cost increases further to £455 per year.

If you are looking to buy a new car then there will be another hit to your wallet and it has been called the ‘showroom tax’. If you want to take that M-Class car out of the showroom, you’ll also have to face a bill for a one-time ‘exhibition tax’ payment of £950.

To help you choose the right car in this current environmental and financial climate, we’ve compiled a list of the top ten best cars and car-related schemes to consider that could save you money.

1. Buy a Small Family Hatchback. Small family hatchbacks are generally cheaper to drive and are usually large enough to meet the needs of most people. For example, the VW Polo Bluemotion 1.4 Tdi is a budget minibus that falls into the Group A tax band. Not only do you not have to pay any tax for this vehicle, you can also avoid paying exhibition tax like this diesel because it is so economic that is exempt. This car also gets around 70 mpg which makes it very economical to drive.

2. Buy a diesel. When it comes to economy cars, vehicles with diesel engines are the first to pop into most people’s minds. While this used to be true historically, with the cost of diesel at the pump increasingly exceeding the cost of gasoline, buying a diesel may not be the best way to save money. For drivers who typically need to drive many miles each year, a diesel will still be more cost-effective than its gasoline equivalent. However, if you don’t drive many miles, this may not be true. You’ll need to do the math before you take the step of buying a diesel car. On the plus side, the miles per gallon of a diesel vehicle is typically much higher than gasoline cars, so at least you’ll be doing more for the environment. Diesel vehicles are also typically classified in a lower tax bracket, saving money on vehicle excise duties.

3. Bi-fuel cars. Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as a method of running a car or van is becoming a popular way to run a vehicle in a more environmentally friendly and economical way. Although you can buy a new bi-fuel car, many people pay to convert their current car to support LPG. The cost of converting a car is typically around £1500 and real savings of around 30% in fuel costs can be achieved with every fill up at the pumps. Finding a gas station that sells LPG can be one of the most difficult aspects of owning an LPG vehicle, as at least 10% of service stations now carry this type of alternative fuel.

4. Electric cars. – For many years, electric cars have been presented as saving spiraling fuel costs and saving the environment from car pollution. Unfortunately, in reality, the electric vehicle hasn’t lived up to expectations, with slow vehicles and short battery life limiting range. There are some vehicles on the market that may be suitable depending on your circumstances. If you live in the center of a large capital city like London, then a vehicle like the G-Wiz may be the right vehicle for you. Owning a G-Wiz in London could make a lot of sense, as they are exempt from paying parking fees in Westminster, don’t have to pay the Central London congestion charge, and are free from road taxes and petrol costs. However, there are some pitfalls. The G-Wiz is a tiny vehicle and feels very cramped inside. The car has a top speed of 50 to 60 miles per hour, which may not be the end of the world in a city where traffic barely moves faster than a snail. Another limiting factor is that the range of the vehicle is only 70 miles and it takes a while to recharge the batteries, which is not as simple as refueling at a gas station! A less extreme version of the G-Wiz is the Toyota Prius, a hybrid electric vehicle that runs predominantly on gasoline, but uses electric power at low speeds and recharges the batteries at faster speeds. The Prius can get around 65 mpg, making it an extremely economical car to drive.

5. Large cars for the family and the dog. If you’re single and want to save money on your car’s running costs or do your part for the environment, then you have a lot more options than families who need a bigger vehicle for everyone. While smaller cars are more likely to be economical, there are some larger vehicles that have been designed with both space and economy in mind. For example, the Ford Focus C-Max 1.6 TDCI LX, a minivan designed to offer plenty of interior space. This is a five-seat car that boasts a 1,620-litre boot and a top speed of 115mph. With fairly low emissions, helping save money on vehicle excise taxes, and decent economy at 58 mpg, this vehicle is a good bet for a family looking to save money.

6. Sports performance in a ‘Green Car’. Traditionally being green means that you also have to sacrifice something. However, car manufacturers, being aware of this, have been trying to come up with a compromise: a car that performs well, but can also give decent MPG performance. For example, the Honda Accord 2.2 I-CTDI Sport is one of these cars with 52.3 MPG and a maximum speed of 129 miles per hour, a great combination of efficiency and performance that can meet all your expectations.

7. Buy a classic car. If you are afraid of losing a lot of money on the value of your car, buying a classic car may be the best option for you. Try to avoid hot trends like VW Beetles and Camper Vans that inflate the cost of these vehicles in the short term so they only lock up at a later date. Instead, choose a car that pure enthusiasts crave, as most classic cars tend to hold their value, or indeed increase over time, as long as they’re taken care of. Maintenance costs are likely to be much higher with a classic vehicle and may not be the cheapest on the market, but for sheer return on investment, if you choose the right vehicle, you’ll likely get your money back when you come to buy it. sell it. because.

8. Car sharing schemes. Those looking to save money on the day-to-day running costs of their cars might consider car-sharing schemes. Basically, car sharing schemes are set up so that people take turns driving, saving money on fuel, as well as getting the benefit of not having to drive all the time. There are many car sharing schemes, such as those set up for parents going to school to a scheme for members of the Met Police in London. Explore the options in your local area and you may find that carpooling is a great way to save money. Perhaps if you want to get even more involved, you could consider setting up your own scheme.

9. Timeshare cars. You’ve heard of timeshare villas on the Costa del Sol, but you don’t have to be scared of timeshare car plans. These schemes can range from clubs where you get a part of a Ferrari or Bentley to drive on the occasional weekend, to pay-as-you-go car schemes where you can join a club and simply book a race for yourself. the time you want from an hour to a day. For those who tend to predominantly use public transport and can’t really justify car ownership, then a pay-as-you-go scheme may be the perfect way to get access to a car without having to pay expensive rental costs. Do you live in a city and fancy going on a field trip once a month? No problem, reserve a car online and pick it up, swipe your membership card on the dashboard and voila! In general, fuel costs (to a certain extent) are included and insurance is also taken.

10. Car financing packages.In today’s economic climate, taking out an auto finance package makes a lot of sense, as you can spread your payments over several months, allowing you to fully budget for your vehicle. If you’re considering buying a car for cash at a service yard, you may be worried about recession and redundancy. Having savings in the bank can help provide comfort and peace of mind. Spending those savings in today’s climate may not make the most sense, so buying a car on an auto finance plan may be a smart move. Plus, you can probably afford a better car with financing than if you had to buy a car outright. The newer the car, the more likely maintenance costs will be reduced, again saving you money in the long run.

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