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Should Parents Buy Their Teens Their First Car?

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  As far as requests from teenagers go, it was pretty tame I suppose, but it’s one that’s sparked a lot of debate in our household over the past couple of months: “Mum, will you buy me a car as soon as I get my driver’s licence?”. I could see why my daughter might have thought a response in the affirmative was even a remote possibility. She had, after all, witnessed plenty of family friends purchasing their own (older) teens' brand-new cars from which to slap P-plates. Why would I think any differently, right? Call me crazy, but I’ve actually always felt sorry for kids whose first car is a luxury vehicle purchased entirely from the bank of mum and dad. What about the thrill of attaining something you’ve saved really hard for? What about all the useful skills you learn from having to drive around a used hatchback ? Studies show humans are happiest when we’re striving for something, so what could our kids possibly have to work towards when their first car is given to them with a big

Reliability Of Used Ford Fiesta Hatchback Models

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  If you’re browsing used Ford Fiesta models for sale - make sure to keep the following possible issues in mind before you select the used Ford Fiesta you will buy. Make sure you check carefully for any clutch problems. Smelly, slipping or otherwise faulty clutches seem to crop up fairly regularly, so make sure the clutch bites smoothly and you can change gear easily. You should also check that the turbo is working properly on examples with one fitted; you should feel a small but noticeable surge of power while accelerating when the turbo cuts in. Fiestas are often used in town, so check carefully for scuffs, scrapes and parking dings, and make sure you examine alloy wheels for kerbing and scuff marks. Some early cars' alloy wheels have also been known to buckle easily, so be sure to pay close attention to their condition and walk away from any car with juddering steering, odd repetitive noises from the wheel area, or other strange symptoms. Also, check to see if the service hist

5 Crucial Things To Check Before Buying A Used Car, According To A Mechanic

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Knowing what to look out for when buying a second-hand car can seem an utterly mystifying and daunting task. It's a booming market, with 6.8 million pre-owned motors sold in the UK last year, compared to 1.65 million brand new, according to SMMT . It pays to know how to navigate it - and the red flags to watch out for when browsing cars for sale in George . Automotive engineer Josh Regis, 34, has spent 18 years as a mechanic and regularly shares car advice with his 18,000 TikTok followers . Here he reveals his top tips for buying a second-hand car and the question you must always ask.   Know what you want Josh says the first thing to do is to decide on the car you really want before you start looking and research it thoroughly. Failing to do so can leave you vulnerable to paying over the odds. He tells us: “The first thing to look at is the year, make, model and value of the vehicle. “Research how reliable it is, what are the common issues,

How To: Buying A Car Online

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Not sure how to buy a car online? Read our step-by-step guide to get you through the process If you’re looking to buy a car for sale in Uitenhage - shopping online is actually an excellent option. The process of online car buying has become so much easier over recent years, but there’s still key information that you need to familiarise yourself with before purchasing your next car on the web. Buying cars online in Uitenhage has grown in popularity thanks to advances in technology and the expansion of home delivery services. The majority of manufacturers and dealers can now deliver a new or used car straight to your doorstep with just a few clicks of your mouse.  This raises some important questions, though. Do you have the same consumer protections when buying online? What happens if your car develops a fault? Is it risky to buy a car without seeing it beforehand? And can you still negotiate for a discount without heading to a dealership in person? Thankfully, numerous retailers

7 Simple Steps To Protect Yourself When Buying A Used Car

These tips will prevent frustration down the road and save you money It’s important to thoroughly check out any vehicle you intend to buy. Even one with a good reliability record can be a problem if it hasn’t been properly maintained. Perhaps even worse is buying a used car in Strand with hidden damage from an accident, flood, or other incident that might affect safety and performance. You don’t want to pay thousands of dollars for someone else’s problems. With the overheated used-car market these days, prices for used cars have never been higher. This means that buying a problematic used car can be an even more expensive problem than ever before. Consumer Reports’ auto and finance experts have come up with savvy tips to ensure that you’re getting a good used car. Remember that when buying a car for sale in Strand from a dealership , you should carefully double-check the agreement and all the numbers. 1. Don't Skip the Test Drive Why you shouldn’t: This is a good opportunity

Chinese Automakers Taking SA (And The World) By Storm

While the South African automotive market sees the introduction of new models from Chinese automakers almost monthly, there are hundreds of other brands on offer from the Far East nation. Here are four taking the world by storm. MG If it sounds like that familiar name and badge, it is! While officially of British origin, MG has become one of the most globally recognized car brands, predominantly under SAIC ownership since 2006. In 2022, it emerged as the most popular “domestic” brand beyond China’s borders. Its potential lies in its capacity to manufacture appealing and highly competitive electric vehicles suitable for both developed and developing economies. Notably, in the first half of 2023, MG secured its position as the fourth best-selling Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) brand in Europe, surpassing established mainstream competitors like Renault, Peugeot, and Hyundai. With nearly a century of history in the automotive industry, MG’s recent success can be attributed t

Expert Advice: How To Finance A Used Car

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Used cars can be expensive. Here's how to finance your purchase without paying more than you have to. Used cars for sale in Johannesburg can offer big savings over new ones, but if you need to finance your purchase, you may not save as much as it seems at first blush. For starters, the average price of a used car is almost R170,000—much higher than in pre-pandemic times. Interest rates for used cars can be double what you would pay for new-car financing, which is often subsidized by the manufacturer to make higher-priced new cars more attractive. With interest rates on the rise, a higher rate could cost you thousands. “The price of the used cars for sale you’re looking at in Jozi may still be pretty elevated, so it’s a good idea to avoid high-cost financing and dealer add-ons,” says Chuck Bell, a financial policy advocate for CR. “It may be better to arrange your own financing, or consider buying from a private seller, which can be more of a hassle but can result in a better pri