Reviews 4 Cars

STEFAN Hodgetts will contest this weekend’s ELF Renault Clio Cup races for Total Control Racing, replacing Fulvio Mussi in car 27.

The 2007 Clio Cup Vice-Champion won the final round last season, one of five victories after taking four in succession when he joined the series in round two.

His wins included a rain-affected race at Oulton Park, where he hopes to shine once again, saying: “I only ever go out to win races, I’m not there just to take part.

“It will take a few laps to settle back into the Clio and get used to it but I’m usually quite quick at learning.

“I want to go out and as good a job as I can for the team and help the other guys along as well. You know you’re going to get a good car from TCR so it’s up to me to make the most of it.”

Since finishing second to Martin Byford last season, Hodgetts has not driven the Clio Cup race car until free practise at Oulton Park.

The 26-year-old’s race experience in 2008 has included races in the Spanish Endurance Cup, as well as a one-off outing in the BTCC-supporting Porsche Carrera Cup at Croft where he took a win and a second place.

Ignorance, laziness and an over reliance on technology could be costing British motorists up to £300m* every year.

Failure to spend 60 seconds routinely checking oil levels can leave almost 215,000** drivers facing bills of up to £12,000 as engines seize, according to car care company, Comma.

The research has been released to publicise National Oil Check Day (today, 25th July 2008) and the launch of www.checkyouroil.co.uk

An alarming 3 out of 4 motorists don’t know what the oil light on the dashboard means, with 60 percent of all motorists admitting they don’t check their dipstick regularly***.

Damagingly low levels accounted for an estimated 215,000 engine seizures last year with an average repair bill of £1,413****. Although car manufacturers advise stopping immediately when the oil light comes on, a third would continue their journey.

“When the average cost of replacing an engine is £3,462*****, but can easily reach over £12,000 for bigger cars like a Toyota Landcruiser, too many motorists are walking a tightrope. It only takes 60 seconds,” says Mike Bewsey, spokesman for Comma.

Advances in engine technology mean service intervals have increased to 20,000 miles for some models. Bewsey adds: “This has distanced the motorist from traditional DIY car maintenance like checking oil. They feel in a comfort zone today.”

Comma recommends that drivers check their oil at least once a month and always before long journeys.

Research by Comma found that the 17-24 and over 65s were the worst culprits. In each case, nearly 1 in 4 said they never check the dipstick in between services.

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* 215,000 x average engine damage cost of £1,413 = £303,795,000
** One in three passenger cars will break down every year, a total of 9.5 million according to DVLA stats. Of these, Warranty Direct says 2.26% of breakdowns are due to oil-related failure. 2.26% of 9,500,000 is 214,700, rounded up to 215,000.
*** Data from Comma research carried out at Dover Port, May 2008
**** Data from Warranty Direct’s 50,000 policies
***** Average cost of engine replacement at franchised workshops across 25 models –data from Warranty Direct

A car dealership under the name of Max Motors in the US has found an innovative promotion to increase sales, since the start of the offer Max Motors has quadrupled sales. What could quadrupled sales? Giving customers a choice of either a Gun or a $250 fuel card is the answer, and to my surprise even with soaring fuel prices it’s the firearm that most have chosen. 

Both new and old vehicles are sold at the dealership with a logo showing a Cowboy holding pistol in one hand and a petrol nozzle in the other, it’s no surprise potential buyers are drawn to the offer.

Owner of the Dealership Mark Muller boast “We’re just damn glad to live in a free country where you can have a gun if you want to.”
Mr Muller also added, every buyer so far “except one guy from Canada and one old guy” chose the gun, rather than the fuel card.  Thirty cars have been sold in the last three days, with the increase being put down to the promotion.

The promotion was inspired by Barack Obama’s comment about “those people in the Midwest, you’ve got to have compassion for them because they’re clinging to their guns and their Bibles.”  This comment riled Mr Muller who said “I found that quite offensive. We all go to church on Sunday and we all carry guns.”.

The offer does state an approved background check on gun ownership is required, so you can be relieved they’re not giving away pistols recklessly.

Fortunately in the UK we don’t have to be concerned about pistols being given away with cars. To be honest other then attractive finance packages, it’s hard to see what UK dealerships offer to entice buyers into the showrooms. It would be nice of them to offer a petrol card to the value of at least 80-liters (approx 2 full tanks).

Impossible is nothing when it comes to Lego as Nicjasno.com has proved where previously we’ve been presented with the American models Camaro and Mustang. I for one haven’t seen these Lego sets available in Argos, that’s because the Lego pieces are directly manufactured by whom else, but the LEGO Corporation. The Lego body shell is one thing, but what sets these Lego cars apart from the rest is the V8 engines and working transmissions.

Nicjasno.com have managed to develop a V8 engine capable of achieving 1,780 revolutions per minute, which should be getting dropped in a Dodge Challenger. Below a clip to see the V8 in action.

When trying to sell your car, what approach do you take to entice customers interest? Well Mr John Conner has decided to take the “true Jedi Pimp” pitch.

Mr Conner’s 2002 BMW M3 has been listed on autotrader.com boasting modifications such as; Gruppe M intake, Remus exhaust, Fully adjustable coilover suspension, AC Schnitzer rear spoiler, AC Schnitzer roof spoiler, AC Schnitzer clear corners, LED tail lights with smoke colored lenses.

It becomes clear to one, this M3 appeals to a certain market, so Mr Conner decided to list details of just how rewarding driving such a car is:

“This car has gotten me laid so much it is ridiculous. I would like pull up to a pimp club in Scottsdale and the valet would crap his pants, but I wouldn’t let him park it. I just leave it up front and make sure all the ladies saw me get out. I’m also totally ripped so that helps too. I inject myself with pure bull shark testosterone and lift 4 hours a day. My diet also consists of 24 egg whites a day. I’ve got a killer 6 pack and some delts that you would not believe. I only hook up with 9s and 10s. Never less because I’m a winner! I’m not saying this car will do the same for you but it’s a start. If you’re interested in taking the first step to becoming a true Jedi Pimp email me at conner.john2@gmail.com. I’ll probably be working out so I’ll get back to you as soon as I finish my protein shake (and probably hooking up with a hot chick).”

What do you think, is Mr Conner “a winner”, or is this a sign of desperation with a hint of ego issues?

What are your favoured car colours? According to CNW Marketing Research in the US, car colours are linked to confidence levels.

Findings from a study of somewhat 1,900 Americans found; above-average self confident drivers have emerald green, dark blue and silver cars, average self confidence drives have white cars, and below-average self confident drivers choose yellow, orange, blue or red cars.

CNW carried the study out over a period of time, therefore were able to also track responses to calculate the ‘moodiness’ of drivers to find, black, dark blue or silver cars drivers have the most dependable mood, whereas orange, red, bright yellow or green cars drivers have the most distinct mood swings.

I have always believed, the car driven and weather conditions can change a person’s mood, and now I am lead to believe yellow Lamborghini’s are for loonies.

What colour is your personal confidence?

 A Vegas dealership gets delivered a huge box, any ideas what’s inside? Click here to find out.

A new record has been achieved for the UK’s most expensive vehicle number plate, the number plate ‘F1′ fetched £440,625. The number plate has been on sale for three years when it belonged to the county surveyor of Essex. Essex County Council sold the registration privately to automotive designer and businessman Afzal Kahn, of Kahn Design Ltd.
The previous record was held by the vehicle registration ‘M1′ which sold for £331,000.

The money will be put towards the training and education of drivers in the county.

Mr Kahn said: “I am privileged to have acquired such a prestigious plate. I am extremely happy the money raised from the sale will help improve road safety and through the training of young drivers.”
He added: “I look forward to the F1 number plate being placed on the ground-breaking Range Rover Cosworth that we will be launching in the June.”

Lord Hanningfield presented the number plate to Mr Kahn at North Weald Airfield in Essex on Monday. Below a video clip of record breaking number plate being presented.

Thank you for visiting Reviews4Cars.com. In the coming weeks, months and years I will bring you independent road test reviews on the today’s hottest cars, so you can enjoy the thrill from the comfort of your seat.

Stay tuned as I intended to drive the most cars any one mans road tested.

Fuj

Man on the road test mission.

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