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?

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

My first car

When I was younger, my father always told me that any teenagers first car should be a "scadonk" . His reasoning was quite simple "you are going to crash it, so rather crash a piece of scrap then a nice new car"

Strangely, my father seems to be in the minority in this opinion. Through my teenage years I watched many friends crash their fancy new BMW's and Mercs, watched their parents buy them a new one, only for them to crash that one shortly after, and every
time I remembered my dad's wise words.

So when eventually I did buy my first car, it was worse then a "scadonk"

I bought a  Fiat Uno that was barely holding together.

It had many problems. Its paint had not been finished, so if you touched or leant on it, you'de come away white, which is why it got the nickname "Chalk", If I turned left my drivers side (right) door would fly open. My boot's hydraulic lifts pulled rather then pushed so every time I had to open the boot, I had to use a plank to hold it open. When I changed gears I first had to search for the gear, and it felt like stirring porridge. It had a top speed of 80 and shook like hell when I reached that, but it got me to where I needed to go and it used the tiniest amount of petrol. It was a perfect first car!

And guess what....... I never crashed it , and (touch wood) none of my cars since,  but if I had it would have been cheap to fix

So to all you parents out there, don't buy your recently licensed teenagers new cars, because chances are they are going to crash them, get them a nice used car. It will get them to where they need to go and will teach them to value their car, so that when you do eventually spoil them with a new car, they will be more careful and more appreciative :-)

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.