VW Golf 7 now in SA

So the new Golf 7 is here and SA is in a state of excitement it appears. When Cars.co.za published an article on it, it received a record number of Facebook likes and views. read article here

I can't help but wonder what has given the golf its almost cult appeal in our country.

From the very first Golf 1, South Africa has been loyally devoted. I can still remember their ad line "Red, Yellow Blue...which one's for you?"

Since then it has grown not only in size but in our hearts, and with each new design, VW has taken the old shape and brought in another beloved vehicle. First the Mk1 or Citi which still had amazing sales right up until they ceased production in 2009, then the Polo, and its sister the Polo Vivo which are still reaching high sales in their respective classes.

I must say that I have not quite decided how I feel about the golf 7. I do find the sleek simplicity appealing but it does not call to me, like other vehicles in its class do. Of course, I wouldn't say no if some generous millionaire wanted to give me one :-)

what do you think of the new Golf 7?

Toyota Etios

                                                         

                                                         

   

                                                          Toyota's new budget car with a smile :-)

Finally it's here! A replacement for the legendary Toyota Tazz. It has been many years since the "starter pack" car was discontinued and it left quite a gap in the market for Toyota, but this month Toyota launched their new "budget car" the Etios. It is available in both Hatch and Sedan models and with a starting price of R115 000 it is ready to take the South African market by storm.

So what exactly does this new "friendly" toyota have to offer?

Well here are the engine specs

Model	Engine	Power@rpm	torque@rpm	0–100 km/h acceleration	Top speed	Transmission	Mileage
1.5 2NR-FE	1,496 cc (91.3 cu in) I4 16V DOHC	90 PS (66 kW; 89 hp) @5600	132 N·m (97 lb·ft) @3100	11.6s	175 km/h (109 mph)	5-speed manual	17.75 km/l

The engine was designed specifically for the Etios which was originally sold in India exclusively. After it was so well received in India, it has now been brought to South Africa. The Etios is certainly not one of Toyota's classiest or more stylish of their line. It does not have the sexy lines of the Yaris and Auris, or the pure class or the new Corolla, and it may not be a cute as the Aygo but what it lacks in looks in makes up for in price.

Toyota's have a very good reputation in South Africa for hard working reliable cars and the Etios is no exception. So where you could get a smaller, more fuel efficient hatch for the same price, I feel this is a fantastic deal.

It is the perfect car for anyone, it has space for families but small enough for students. It is comfortable, reliable and lets face it, it has a great smile

How to save fuel in your car

With fuel prices increasing so dramatically, everyone wants to know how they can save fuel. There are many gimmicks and gadgets available on the market, promising to save fuel but do they REALLY work?

MIRACLE MAGNETS , VORTEX GENERATORS , ENGINE IONIZER , VAPOR INJECTORS , and WATER INJECTION 







http://saveonfuel.co.za/        http://fuel-saver.co.za/    http://www.savepetrol.com/   http://www.super-fuelsaver.com/

Popular Mechanics tested some of these miracle gadgets and found that they have no positive effect on fuel economy, in fact some of them increased fuel usage and DECREASED power output

http://www.speednsound.co.za/forum/viewtopic.php?t=33404



So what can you do to save fuel?

Well your first step would be to purchase a vehicle with good fuel economy, if you don't already own one. Diesel vehicles are still a good option even when the diesel price is high as they consume less per km

Once you've got a car that is light on fuel, what else can you do?

 Its quite simple actually, drive in a civilized and gentle manner.

• Follow the speed limit 
• don't accelerate abruptly
• don't break harshly
• keep your tyre pressures correct
• keep your vehicle well maintained and serviced regularly
• change your oil regularly 
• always drive in the highest gear possible for the speed you are doing
• don't carry heavy, unnecessary good in your boot
• don't over rev your car.
• Change gears quickly and smoothly

Here are some great articles I found on the subject

http://www.news24.com/MyNews24/How-to-Save-Petrol-and-make-Money-20120403

http://www.autozone.co.za/fuel-efficiency.html

http://forum.cars.co.za/forums/58-Fuel-economy-Eco-tips

Do you know anyone who has tried the gimmicks?
Or do you know any other ways to save fuel?

Let me know by commenting on this blog

Cars and watches- part 1 a-b

Since the 20th century many car manufacturers have been producing their own range of timepieces as well. Usually as gifts for buyers of elite vehicles or in celebration of certain anniversaries. These watches have been designed and produced by great names such as Jaeger-LeCoultre, Breitling, Parmigiani Fleurier, Tonino, IWC, TAG Heuer and Muhle for Car brands like Mercedes, Audi, BMW and Aston Martin.

Lamborghini and Porsche have their very own factories for their brand name watches.

Here are a few of the great Auto Brand Timepieces

vintage style?

 Aston Martin, designed by Swiss watchmakers Jaeger LeCoultre

I like their designs, to me they look like a car brand watch should and yet they are not o.t.t with their styling

Is it possible for a watch to be sexy?

 Audi


Audi has had watches designed by Valijoux as well as their centennial piece by Chronoswiss

 

 Their centennial piece is a bit better

Audi centennial

Personally I am not a fan, somehow they come across as chunky and heavy, but then again...so do their cars.


Bentley 
Now here we have some real class

"The well-known companies began a collaboration 5 years ago, when Bentley has created the fastest and the most powerful sedan in the world – Continental GT. This car had to tell the world that Bentley is back. British company coped alone with everything except the dashboard. They wanted to create something at once avant-garde and classical. Then they turned to designers of Swiss watchmaker Breitling. Maximally preserved the traditional design of Bentley, the Breitling have given it the features of their own watches, which they call “instruments for professionals”. Especially for the owners of the new supercar Swiss watchmaker created an unique wrist watch. Soon a series of car watches was compiled to a collection titled “Breitling for Bentley”. Since there aren’t two identical Bentley, so it’s impossible to find identical watches Breitling for Bentley. The owner of luxury cars has the opportunity to specify every detail and completion of watch. The dials can be painted only in the original exterior colors Bentley."

Limited addition in british racing green

 

 

BMW 
 


Lets just start with, I am not, have never been and possibly never will be a BMW fan. With that said I did try to look at these without being biased but I'm sorry, they are soooo BMW and therefore in my eyes, ugly. But I am sure the millions of people out there who love BMW will love these because they are so distinctly BMW




 












 So that concludes part one of this blog collection, what do you think of these watches and which ones would you like to see?

Used Car Warranties

                                          How important is getting a warranty on your used car?



From personal opinion, I'd say extremely important.

Lets face it, if you're buying a used car, it's most likely because you can't afford a new one. With that in mind, would you have the extra cash needed/available, should something go wrong with that used car?

Think about it carefully.



Services don't cover everything. What if your starter motor gives in? For a new starter you're looking at about R1300, and that's not including installation. Or maybe your alternator? New one, about R1900, once again, not including installation.






Lets look even bigger, what if you're whole engine seizes? New engine about R20 000.




Do you have that kind of cash lying around?

If you are the kind of person that carefully works out their budget to just cover what they can, then you need a warranty. If you specifically have to budget ahead for a service...you NEED a warranty.

They also cover things like towing the vehicle to the nearest approved mechanic, roadside assistance as well as ensuring you get to where you need to be.






 Now warranties do not cover everything. They do not cover wear and tear items. They cover mechanical failure. And yes, you will have to keep your services up to date, and use mechanics that are approved by your warranty, and yes that will be an extra lump on the initial cost of your vehicle, but believe me I am talking from experience when I say IT IS WORTH IT!



Because when "the fit hits the shan" its essential to have a back-up plan

Speak to your dealer when you buy a car about what warranty plans they have available.

Experiences: Largest Ford Parade-Guiness World Record

What can I say.....I WAS THERE!!!!!!!!!! It was fantastic!

Nothing can compare to that kind of experience.
It was a great day and.....we totally smashed the previous record.

"The largest parade of Ford cars consited of 586 vehicles in an event organized by Ford ST Owners SA Forum (South Africa) at the Phakisa Freeway Circuit in Welkom, South Africa, on 27 February 2010."

http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/records-3000/largest-parade-of-ford-cars/


When we arrived, we were all organised into colours and lined up along the oval track, what a site to behold!

100s of Fords in every shape, size and colour, from the vintage models to the brand new. After getting us all together....eventually, we all took to the track.

Fords in front of us, Fords behind us, we were so many, we took up both tracks!

What a moment to remember!

For more pics check out link below

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.365372926012.200473.738701012&type=3