Nissan Qashqai vs Mitsubishi ASX

This is a useful car comparison because the Qashqai was one of the first compact crossover cars to be launched in the UK back in 2006/7. The ASX is one of most recent contenders to enter this market sector so it’ll be interesting to spot the differences and improvements over the past four years.

The Nissan Qashqai was launched at the time large SUVs and 4x4s took a dive in popularity. Since then the Qashqai has become a highly successful car in the UK. It was promoted more as a Sports Urban Vehicle distancing itself from then unpopular Sports Utility Vehicles.

Crossovers like the Qashqai, VW Tiguan, Ford Kuga and Skoda Yeti have revived the SUV, 4×4 sector as fun and family cars. Even prestige makers have entered this niche. The most recent entrants have been value brands – Hyundai ix35, and Kia Sportage.

The Mitsubishi ASX enters this sector with the ix35 and Sportage at prices to compete with the Qashqai which once had the price range to itself. All have significantly lower entry prices than the Kuga and Tiguan as well as the one time market leaders – the Freelander, RAV4 and CR-V. The Yeti is the cheapest.

Nissan Qashqai prices range from £17,000 to £23,000. The Mitsubishi ASX  from £16,000 to £24,000. No real difference there.

Both cars are the same overall length. The ASX has a little more load space with the rear seats up and even more with them folded.

Is there any real difference in engine efficiency?

The Qashqai petrol engine 1.6 2WD has a combined mpg of 42.8/44.1 mpg, 154 CO2s, 112 mph maximum speed and 0 to 62 mph in 12.9 seconds.

The ASX petrol engine 1.6 2WD has a combined mpg of 47.9 mpg, 135 CO2s, 113 mph maximum speed and 0 to 62 mph in 11.4 seconds.

These are lab’ figures so there may be little difference in real on the road conditions. However the ASX is significantly cleaner and slightly quicker.

The Qashqai diesel engine 2.0 2WD has a combined mpg of 47.1 mpg, 159 CO2s, 120 mph maximum speed and 0 to 62 mph in 10.0 seconds.

The ASX diesel engine 1.8 2WD has a combined mpg of 51.1 mpg, 145 CO2s, 124 mph maximum speed and 0 to 62 mph in 9.7 seconds.

Again little difference although the ASX is slightly cleaner. It’s the same story if you compare the 4×4 options.

The Qashqai does have a 2.0 petrol option which is a bit juicy and an economical 1.5 diesel which has a combined 53.3 mpg, 139 CO2s, 108 mph and 0 to 62 mph in 13.2 seconds making it the most economical and clean option.

With similar price ranges, size, space and engine efficiency there’s little to sway the car buyer if they particularly like the look of one or the other or finds the driver comfort of one is more to their taste. Both cars are among the most comfortable in this sector so it may simply be a matter of style.

If you are actually thinking of buying a car in this sector keep an eye on car insurance groups as you consider different models. If you’re considering a diesel engine calculate at what total mileage you recover the added cost of buying a diesel car with savings in fuel costs – you’ll find some big surprises.

If you too consider the Qashqai and ASX similar, both comfortable and stylish you may decide on the best deals for discount, finance, part exchange and add-ons. There can be a good 4 or £5,000 even more to be negotiated in this sector which can help contribute to later depreciation and running costs.

There’s also a longer 7 seat Qashqai which may also set a trend for the future.

It seems the Nissan Qashqai was a good idea at the time since proven by its continued sales successful which is underlined by many other makers entering this sector with very similar cars.

Regards
Ralph
carbuyersinfo.co.uk car comparison site revealing differences and similarities to help you find the car to suit your purpose and purse.
data date March April 2011

Ford Fiesta vs VW Polo

Is the Polo at long last a contender? The Ford Fiesta was launched way back in 1976 following the success of  British, French and Italian small cars.  VW’s small car was the Golf . Over the years the Golf grew from a small car into a medium small hatch competing with the Focus and Astra. The VW Polo filled the space but somehow it has never captured the imagination of buyers in the same way as the Fiesta, Golf and other small cars with street cred’. It seems things have changed.

The Fiesta and VW’s have always stuck with clean simple lines. However the new Fiesta has sleek style curves rather like a Mazda2 while the Polo retains clean lines albeit a bit chunkier like a Golf. So the Fiesta and Polo look different.

The other main difference is there’s a credible Polo GTi. Hot hatches definitely elevate the image of a model. Think what Williams then RenaultSport did for the Clio and VXR for Corsa. It’s said the new 207 will see the return of their GTi. If the new Polo GTi catches on like the original Golf GTi – well.

Otherwise the Fiesta and Polo are very similar:

• They have the same entry-level price.
• They have a similar range of engines and trims.
• The Fiesta and Polo are virtually the same size.
• Both their 1.2 petrol engine versions have very similar fuel consumption, emissions and performance. It’s the same story with their manual 1.4 petrol engines.
• The Polo has a more efficient 1.4 automatic.
• The Polo BlueMotion diesel is highly efficient.
• Overall the Fiesta 1.6 diesel looks to me like it has the better combination of economy, emissions and performance.

So that’s it. The Fiesta and Polo are very similar apart from their style and the significant fact the Polo has a GTi. I think the Polo has at last taken the original Golf’s place in the small car sector and is a real contender. But watch out for the new 207 and Clio.

A few things to watch out for:

• When car fuel consumption figures rank closely the DVLA make the point theirs are lab’ figures and there may or may not be any difference on the road.
• If you’re thinking about diesel compare it with a petrol engine with similar acceleration and the same trim level and note the difference in their prices. Then calculate at what total mileage savings in fuel consumption pay for the premium you pay on a diesel car.
• When you consider different engines and trim options note the different car insurance groups. Car insurance groups have widened to 1 to 50 so a wider range of insurance premiums can be charged.

If you’re looking to buy a Fiesta or Polo you can happily go for the one you like the look of or find nicest to drive – subject to the deal of course. You’re unlikely to regret not buying the other one.

Regards
Ralph
carbuyersinfo.co.uk. car comparisons to help you find the car to suit your lifestyle and budget.

There’s no love lost with car insurance companies

My wife received her car insurance renewal today. In round figures they want £450 to renew when she paid £250 last year. My wife is a keen shopper but she’s also a loyal customer. Whatever she buys is well worth the money but normally from the same sources. Unfortunately she has to become an unfaithful customer.

Because there’s no love lost with car insurance companies. Despite my wife’s loyalty the insurance company will take her for £200. Sounds silly but think how it makes up for the tight deals they do to win new business.

What’s amazing is the results of her shopping around getting direct online car insurance quotes.

The first 9 car insurance companies she got quotes from directly online were all under £250. 4 of which were under £200.

I suggested she search ‘car insurance for over 50s.’ She got the same range of price so they want your business but the quote won’t necessarily be the cheapest because you’re over 50. She didn’t get any advantage by searching, ‘car insurance for women over 50.’

My wife was so incensed she decided to visit her insurers site to get a direct quote. WOW. No £450 quote – they were the cheapest. She wouldn’t give it to them though, out of principle. It’s a pity.

Next she visited one car comparison site because she was ‘confused.’ They asked her for her renewal quote. She entered the sub-£200 direct car insurance quote from her insurer, not the £450 she received in the post.

The car insurance comparison company beat the quote. But the question is what would she have got if she’d entered £450 as a renewal quote. It also mashed up every quote she’s previously received – some higher – some lower.

I can only say after 43 years selling cars that car insurance companies are respected as master marketers. They take a product and create many different products through different distribution channels and different promotions with different prices. You have to pick the bones out of it all.

It is worth the hours of effort to shop directly with car insurance companies before you go compare the market. Saving hundreds of pounds can contribute to other costs like interest payments, fuel costs or servicing.

I’ve tried to unpick car insurance over on carbuyersinfo by detailing what you need to know and making the point savings are real. I’ve detailed the information you need before you start shopping, made the point the quotes are free car insurance quotes and added the FSA’s advice. I maybe patronising when suggesting how to make comparisons and providing a list of car insurance companies to contact direct.

The point is you can save a lot of money. Up to £2,000 in some instances I’ve come across.

I hope this post is interesting and useful. If you go across to carbuyersinfo the advice could help you save money.

If you think your family, friends, colleagues and acquaintances could benefit from this please Facebook or tweet it.

You may wonder why I don’t name and shame our present insurer and recommend our new insurer. The reason is not only do car insurance companies mix products, distribution, promotions and prices, I believe they change the odds like bookies. So if they have a volume of bets, or profit for the day they can switch from profit to volume or visa versa. In the same way if they have their quota for sex, age, occupation – whatever and types of cars they up the price and move to different mixes. It’s fair enough because they must balance their books – I don’t know! Who does – shop around.

Regards
Ralph
carbuyersinfo.co.uk. car comparisons to help you find a car to suit your purpose and purse

Over 50, looking for car insurance? You’ve got problems

Seriously. If you’re over 50 you may have noticed ads for car insurance for 50 years olds. When you see cheap car insurance for over 50s advertised you think you’re going to get cheap car insurance. When it comes to cheap car insurance women – who were previously targeted – will tell you insurers seemed to just want their low risk business and the quotes weren’t that cheap so they still had to shop around.

That’s problem number one.
Problem number two is being over 50 and insuring a small car.
Problem number three is being over 50 and insuring an MPV.
Problem number four is being over 50 and insuring a Crossover, SUV or 4×4.

Problem number five is frustration.

It’s worth looking into because you could save the equivalent of 3-months state pension, even five months.

It sounds unbelievable a driver over 50 would have problems insuring a small car. The problem with insuring small cars is the new car insurance groups 1-50 have widened the range of premiums that can be quoted. In some cases small cars that were group 2 under the old system are now group 8, not 4 as expected. Plus some small engines are now more powerful pushing them further up the group ratings. This all means motorists over 50 not only has to calculate if they are getting value for being a low risk driver, they have to be very careful which small car to go for based on insurance groups.

The problem is worse with Crossovers, SUVs and 4x4s because the variations for sale have expanded with new crossovers and premium brand entrants and therefore the range of premiums has increased. This sector has retail prices ranging from £15000 to over £75000 with various dimensions and engines. The problem is becoming similar for MPVs.

Knowing which car insurance to go for is further confused by various promotions, packages, premiums and different car insurance companies.

This all calls for some serious comparisons to be made which brings me to the last problem – frustration – and the tendency to take the first quote you think suffices. I know what it’s like. I qualify for car insurance for the over 60s. I get very frustrated not being able to talk to people and when I do they have english as a second language and are reading a script. It’s like talking to a wall. Did you know some supposed customer service departments are internally referred to as shield teams. It gets more frustrating filling in online forms with the same information. I feel like I’m doing their job for them and they’re robbing my time.

However it is worth shopping around because of the huge range of quotes available and the huge savings to be made. Car insurance is one cost where you make savings.

All you need is:

• all your personal and car information in front of you
• remember they are free quotes so get as many as possible
• note what you get for your money
• make comparisons in a table not on the back of an envelope
• have a big list of car insurance companies
• shop directly before using car comparison sites

It’s no fun, it’s frustrating but keep going with an eye on saving big money. Don’t take the first quote that seems OK. A car insurance quote can be half the highest quote BUT there are cheap car insurance quotes a quarter of the top price.

Regards
Ralph
carbuyersinfo.co.uk Car Comparisons to help you find the right car for your purpose and purse.

Are you planning to cut your motoring costs?

It’s not a bad idea. If you work it out you might find near a quarter of your take-home pay goes in motoring costs.

Even if you run a small car you’ve over £1,500 per annum in depreciation, probably £500 in interest, another £500 for car insurance, and about the same £500 for replacement parts. VED, say £100. Then there are fuel costs, 12,000 miles - the annual average – at 40 mpg is £2,000 per annum. Total over £5,000 a year, that’s £417 per month. If you make a small cars comparison you’ll find they have similar costs.

Fuel costs have now become a more significant cost than depreciation and rising insurance premiums are a real worry. It’s difficult to know where you stand with the new car insurance groups table which ranks cars 1 to 50 instead of 1 to 20.

At a guess someone earning £40kpa takes home £2,200 per month and might be into MPV cars. Apart from replacement parts all the above costs increase and they could easily be looking at over £500 per month to run an MPV.

The problem is these costs are fixed and out of the car owners control. The used car market determines depreciation, interest rates are fixed for the period of agreement, VED is set in budgets and by emissions. Fuel prices are influenced by the market and tax. Replacing parts which inevitably wear out can’t be avoided. You can shop around for car insurance and save a significant amount of money.

 Many car owners intend to buy a car with cheaper costs when a change is due. Which brings me to the next problem – to most buyers this means buying a smaller car.

In the early 70′s oil crisis many motorists bought small cars only to find they were too small and did not have the space/versatility to suit their lifestyles. This meant they had to change their car earlier than planned and suffered horrendous depreciation. It got worse because the market was swamped with near new small cars the market adjusted prices down accordingly plus the demand had gone.

The big message is – YES, a car has to fit your budget, BUT remember it also has to fit your lifestyle.

There are larger cars, more versatile cars for sale with low fuel consumption, low emissions/VED costs and low car insurance groups. Next problem, most of these cars were launched or updated last year and cost more than a small car. The answer is to look at near new self-registered cars with delivery mileage – there are plenty about. You’ll not only save on the car cost, you’ll save on a large part of the depreciation and interest costs will be lower if the price is.

So yes you can cut motoring costs by shopping around for car insurance. You’ll only cut other cost by buying a car that is not only cheaper to run but also fits your life which is more affordable if you buy a near new car.

Regards
Ralph

Making Sense of Car Insurance Bands

As previously mentioned on this blog car insurance bands changed at the beginning of the year from car insurance groups 1-20 to groups 1-50. The reason given for the change according to most pundits is the increasing variety of cars on the market. In particular Crossovers, SUVs and 4x4s.

The car insurance bands table reflects a cars price, performance, cost of repair and security. To understand the change it’s said car insurance bands have roughly doubled. This means if you have a small 1.2 car which was car insurance group 2, it will now be in car insurance band 4.

But what does this mean for SUVs?

According to my records a Toyota 4×4, RAV4 2.2D was car insurance group 12. Now their models are 22-26 which is about double, as they said.

However, a Honda 4×4, CR-V 2.2D was also group 12. But today they’re 27-29, a bit more than double.

A Nissan SUV, X-Trail 2.0D was group 13. Now they’re 32-35. That’s a lot more than double.

To make you feel better think of those paying for SUVs in car insurance groups 40-50 which include the Audi Q7, BMW X6, BMW X5, Discovery, Infiniti EX, Range Rover, Lexus RX, M-Class, Touareg, and XC90.

Regards
Ralph
carbuyersinfo car comparisons

Looking for a car insurance groups table?

Lots of motorists have been searching the Internet this year for any information they can get regarding car insurance groups which changed at the beginning of this year.

Previously cars were ranked in car insurance groups 1-20. Now there’re car insurance groups 1-50. It’s claimed the old groups were too narrow and the new groups will make premiums more accurate. You just know it’s going to cost Joe Soap more money, don’t you?

They said although the ranking for a car will be very approximately doubled, the premium should remain the same. Some models may move up or down the ranking and premiums be charged accordingly. Premiums have only gone one way this year. They say it’s because of fraud.

Car insurance group ratings are determined by:

• The cost of repairing a car involved in a 15km/h impact.
• The price of the car new and variations in car trim levels.
• Vehicle performance in terms of speed and acceleration.
• The price of replacement parts.
• Repair times.
• Car security levels.

You can look up a single cars’ insurance group quiet easily. You won’t find a car insurance groups table comparing all cars – there are far too many cars and variations to compare. Your best source of information is car manufacturers’ price lists. Here are some random examples:

Mazda2 insurance group 9E to 16E in 1-50 groups.
Mazda3 12E – 22E, Mazda5 14E – 21E, Mazda6 18E – 28E, CX-7 32E.

Skoda Octavia 7E – 28E (50). Compare this with a Mazda6. They’re the same at the top end but the Octavia has a lower powered and priced entry model.

Vauxhall Meriva 9E-14E.

Citroen C3 5E-17E, C4 10E-15E, C5 20E-35E, C-Crossover 37A.

Security is very important. E = Exceeds security requirements for model. A = Acceptable, P= Provisional, D = Does not meet, U = Unacceptable. A car with good security – E –  might have a lower premium than its competitors in the same category.

The lower the group, the lower the premium so get this confirmed before you buy a car. Different trim and engine options will have different premiums so keep re checking when considering different variants of the same model.

I hope this helps.

Regards
Ralph