http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/ News from The Sunday Mirror en-gb Sunday Mirror http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/13/the-peugeot-380cc-set-to-be-the-prettiest-yet-98487-20641795/ Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/13/the-peugeot-380cc-set-to-be-the-prettiest-yet-98487-20641795/ Here's a little something to cheer up the July gloom. Set to debut at the Paris show in September is Peugeot's prettiest cabrio yet. http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/13/new-fiesta-that-s-fab-and-feisty-98487-20641791/ Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/13/new-fiesta-that-s-fab-and-feisty-98487-20641791/ I had lunch this week with Ford's chief designer Chris Hamilton, who was bursting with pride about the new Fiesta. He was passionate about the car...right down to telling me how many improvements he's made to the wing mirrors. http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/13/rodius-makes-a-top-cab-98487-20641873/ Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/13/rodius-makes-a-top-cab-98487-20641873/ The Ssangyong Rodius may not be the prettiest people-carrier in the world, but the private hire boys tell me it makes a cracking cab. http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/13/help-you-ask-me-98487-20641790/ Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/13/help-you-ask-me-98487-20641790/ Q My company is offering me the chance to buy the 04-plate XType Jaguar 2.0d I have been driving for the last two years. http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/13/low-mileage-reliant-regal-on-offer-98487-20641875/ Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/13/low-mileage-reliant-regal-on-offer-98487-20641875/ If you're downsizing, here's one you might like to consider. How about the lowest-mileage Reliant Regal on the planet? The maroon 1964 5cwt three-wheeler has done just 1,385 miles from new, and is completely original and unmolested. What's more, the tiny 599cc four-pot engine will return a remarkable 65mpg - and you'll pay motorcycle road tax. There's just one downside. This one's £ 6,995. Further details on 01622 851841. http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/13/slide-cheap-98487-20641793/ Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/13/slide-cheap-98487-20641793/ Motor-MAKERS are reacting to global events at lightning speed. And the latest is Hyundai, who might be bringing a "mild hybrid" version of their Elantra hatch to the UK. As well as having the usual petrol-battery drive-train, the LPI HEV Elantra will be even cheaper to run, because it'll have a 1.6-litre LPG-powered engine as well as its 15kW battery pack. LPG is only around 55p a litre, while the batteries will be new-tech lithium-polymer for longer lifespan. If the Koreans have any sense, they'll slide the Elantra Hybrid under the 100g/km barrier, which will mean no road tax. What's more, they'll probably pitch it around 10 grand, which will massively undercut the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic. http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/13/brown-knows-lest-98487-20641800/ Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/13/brown-knows-lest-98487-20641800/ I get very cross with Gordon Brown. Our non-driving Prime Minister has been grabbing headlines at the G8 summit, saying that high fuel prices are for our own good (the sheer arrogance of it), and that we should all buy hybrids and electric cars. http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/13/at-your-service-98487-20641802/ Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/13/at-your-service-98487-20641802/ Jeff Carmichael from Luton has been looking at a 52-plate VW Golf R32 with 61k and full history for £9,000. Jeff wisely asked for an AA inspection to make sure the car hasn't had any damage, but the dealer refused, saying: "It's not our policy." As a result, Jeff is thinking of pulling out of the deal, even though he really likes the car and the price. What should he do? http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/13/quentin-s-previous-columns-98487-20641797/ Sat, 12 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/13/quentin-s-previous-columns-98487-20641797/ Find out how much your car is worth - or how much you should be paying for one - at www.sundaymirror.co.uk/motoring http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/20/help-you-ask-me-98487-20655304/ Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/20/help-you-ask-me-98487-20655304/ Q Every time I renew the insurance on my four-year-old Peugeot 407, I put down the same insured value of £10,000, which is what I paid for it nearlynew in 2005. If the car is written off, will I actually receive £10k? If I were to put a lower valuation, would my premium be less?- Barry Dixon, Evesham, Worcs http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/20/all-aggro-was-truly-terrible-98487-20655380/ Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/20/all-aggro-was-truly-terrible-98487-20655380/ It came as no surprise the Austin Allegro has been voted world's worst car. They were banned from the Blackwall tunnel as dangerous to tow, because their shells would bend and back windscreens pop out. The rectangular Quartic steering wheel was branded unsafe by the police and there were quite a few owners who watched their rear wheels fly off and over take them. That's before you start on the questionable aesthetics. I remember its designer, Harris Mann, showing me his original sketches. It was actually a very handsome car. The villain of the piece was Lord Stokes, head of British Leyland, who insisted on using seats from the Maxi and trim from the Marina, and spoiling Mann's visionary design. The Allegro - nicknamed the All-aggro - is the world's worst car, not because it was a bad design by one man. It was ruined by a committee of meddling fools. http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/20/the-lean-machine-98487-20655382/ Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/20/the-lean-machine-98487-20655382/ Jag's diesel smoothie does 40 to the gallon http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/20/mexican-ravers-98487-20655384/ Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/20/mexican-ravers-98487-20655384/ Mexico has just fielded its first home-grown motor. The Mastretta MXT is claimed to do 150mph, courtesy of a turbo-charged Ford 2.0 Duratec engine, and is coming to the UK in righthand drive guise with prices kicking off at just £32k. Rather charmingly, the MXT's Mexican designer was quoted as saying: "It is most important that our customers are delighted. We want to make our country proud and show the world what we can do." How sweet. http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/20/us-comedian-jack-benny-98487-20655387/ Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/20/us-comedian-jack-benny-98487-20655387/ Recessions are always a good time to buy and here's a bargain Roller to prove it. £16,000 is the current bid on eBay for this glorious 1958 Silver Cloud I, once owned by US comedian Jack Benny (right). "Needing absolutely nothing", it's mint with history, piles of paperwork and just 69,000 miles from new. Sure, it might stand you at £20k by the time you get it back to the UK, but it's still going to be a mega-cheap Cloud with some serious celeb pedigree. http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/20/lotus-takes-on-porsche-98487-20655388/ Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/20/lotus-takes-on-porsche-98487-20655388/ At last, a credible Porsche-chaser from Lotus. The new £45k mid-engined 2x2 Lotus Eagle is rumoured to be good for 170, thanks to a 3.5-litre Toyota V6 that pushes out 280bhp. http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/20/credit-crunch-biting-hard-98487-20655390/ Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/20/credit-crunch-biting-hard-98487-20655390/ With the credit crunch biting hard, car owners are looking to protect themselves from big bills by buying used car warranties. Instead of changing the five-year-old family Focus, they're spending up to £500 on cover against unexpected repairs. As far as I'm concerned, the UK's best used car warranty comes from Warrantywise. There are no weasel words, no list of excluded parts, no cop-outs, and loads of features other warranty providers haven't even dreamed of. More details at www.warrantywise.co.uk. http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/20/london-s-green-cabs-98487-20655393/ Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/20/london-s-green-cabs-98487-20655393/ London cabbies may soon have cause to rejoice. Allied Vehicles of London's E7 are about to challenge the longestablished monopoly held by London Taxis International (makers of the iconic TX cab). Based on a Peugeot 807, the E7 (below) is all-electric taxi with a 100-mile range and a 60mph top whack. Sadly, it's still going to be £30k territory (so not much cheaper than a TX), but if they paint them all green, Islington's econistas will be queuing up to be ferried to and from the BBC in the greenest cab around. http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/20/at-your-service-98487-20655394/ Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/20/at-your-service-98487-20655394/ After your recommendation, Mr R.G.Matthews of Ilford bought a Range Rover Vogue three years ago. He recently saw a TV programme in which you were talking about an add-on you fitted to your car which improves economy and performance. He didn't manage to make a note of the device. What is it and how much does it cost? http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/06/taxes-so-fuelish-98487-20633446/ Sat, 05 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/06/taxes-so-fuelish-98487-20633446/ Wise transport academics at the RAC Foundation support everything that I've been banging on about over the past few months. They agree that urgent action is needed to rethink road taxation. http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/06/at-your-service-98487-20633447/ Sat, 05 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.sundaymirror.co.uk/news/motoring/willson/2008/07/06/at-your-service-98487-20633447/ Will Wright from Cheshire is desperate to save money. He needs a fuelsipping motor for work, as he covers around 15,000 miles a year. He's narrowed his search to a VW Polo BlueMotion or Mini Diesel. Which is best ?