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Monday, January 4, 2010
Used Saab Prices Drop in the UK, but Experts Say it Won't Last Long
0 comments Posted by wedos at 6:14 AM
It's only logical that consumers either turn away or are more cautious price-wise when it comes to buying a used car from a brand that has an unsure future like Saab. And while many people are patiently waiting to see what's going to happen with the Swedish carmaker, "Used Car Expert Magazine" says that used Saab prices in the UK have been falling for the past 18 months.
As an example, the magazine says that the average price for a two-year-old Saab 9-3 2.0t has dropped from close to £14,000 in the January '09 to just over £11,000 in January '10.
"The Saab brand has long been under-supported by GM in the UK and dealers have been discounting stock to get rid of it - most notably Stratstone who have been advertising a half million pound Saab stock clearance," said the magazine's Editor, Matt Tumbridge.
However, Tumbridge believes that the price drop is only temporary and that used Saabs will go up again.
"Prices won't be soft forever, even if they close it down. Rovers, which are nowhere near as good, are now very firm in terms of used car residuals. Saab have a following, are close to BMW in terms of style, performance, comfort. It's lunacy that prices have been so soft so long and as soon as Saab's future is clear, prices will firm up. Now is the time to buy," Tumbridge said.
According to the magazine, a 2008 Saab 9-3 2.0t with average mileage of 12,000 can be yours for £11,000 - £14,000 (more than £10,000 down from a new one) while 2006 year model with 40,000 average miles can be had in the UK from as low as £7,000.
In comparison, the magazine says that a £7,000 budget will only buy you a 2003 3-Series at best. For a 2006 BMW 320i ES (2.0-liter, four cylinder model with 150HP) with average mileage of 29,000, prices are said to start from around £11,500 but the magazine claims that £14,000 is a more realistic price.
Source: Used Car Expert - Today's exchange rate: 1 British Pound = 1.62 USD
2008 SAAB 9-3 GALLERY
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Nissan Skyline GT-R Station Wagon Mash up with Stagea Body, Previous GT-R Engine and First-Gen GT-R Front End
0 comments Posted by wedos at 8:42 AM
This isn't the first time we've seen a custom-made Nissan GT-R Station Wagon - check out this gem with the new R35 GT-R front-end and the M35 Stagea body- but it's certainly one of the weirdest creations put together yet. Made by Japan's Roadster Garage, which we first heard about with the MX-5 / Miata-based Toyota 2000GT speedster and the Nissan 240Z-based Toyota 2000GT Coupe replicas, the car is called the Hakoste.
It combines the body of a Nissan Stagea, commonly referred to as the Skyline wagon, with the front-end of the first-generation Skyline GT-R (1969-1972), the second-gen Skyline GT-R's (1972-1977) body trim and tail lamps, and the RB26DETT 2.6-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six powerplant of the R32-R34 Nissan Skyline GT-Rs.
We don't have any other details on the conversion as the Japanese tuner / builder has yet to publish any information on its official website, but we'll keep you posted if we find anything new.
Via: Kyushakai , 7tune & Minkara
Saturday, January 2, 2010
To begin with, there's no official information about this short film, but unless someone managed to sneak into Aston Martin's headquarters in Gaydon, we have to assume that the British supercar maker and soon-to-become a re-badger of Japanese minis, created the viral video to ignite some online attention on its controversial Cygnet mini.
The Aston Martin-ized Toyota iQ is shown towards the end of the clip and after a minute or so of some guys practicing the French freestyle/urban sport of Parkour that involves negotiating obstacles using just the human body.
To gear heads like ourselves, this film makes as much sense as Aston Martin's decision to go ahead with the Cygnet project... Video after the break.
Via: Autoblog.com
Limo builders in the States love going to extremes with their creations. A perfect example is this 2010 Audi Q7 stretch-limousine conversion that can fit up to 16 passengers. Open the gullwing doors and you'll be greeted by an interior that reeks of alcohol disco bling with neon lights, flat screen TVs, alligator and snake upholstery, and get this - a fishtank... Bling yourselves to death in the photo gallery after the jump.
Link: Royaluxury
