Month: June 2019

With the summer upon us, more and more people will be heading out under pedal power to make the most of the longer days and warmer weather

But what if you want to take your bike a little further afield, or need to transport it somewhere else? That’s where a car comes in – but some are better at facilitating a bike than others. We’ve picked out some of the best.

Tesla Model X

Tesla’s Model X SUV could be the best all-electric car available for cyclists at the moment. Not only is it cutting-edge both in terms of looks and technology, but it’s also extremely practical – and, most importantly, it’s available with a bike rack for the roof.

And with a range of over 300 miles, you shouldn’t have to worry about charging in between cycle rides too often.

BMW 5 Series Touring

The BMW 5 Series Touring has historically been the go-to option in the large estate segment. Furthermore it makes an excellent choice for bikers, thanks to its huge boot capacity and flexible storage options. It’s available with a roof-mounted bike rack, as well as one for the tailgate.

The split boot – which incorporates a separate glass hatch – has always been a handy feature, meaning you can grab items from the boot without having to open the entire door.

Volvo V90

Volvo’s latest large estate car – the V90 – has been somewhat of a smash hit, and it’s little wonder why; plenty of in-car tech, huge levels of safety equipment and simplistic Scandinavian design combine to create a very impressive car indeed.

But it’s the superb boot capacity which makes it ideal for bikers. Volvo is big on additional equipment for its cars, which is why as well as the single bike roof rack, you’ll find a tow bar-mounted system capable of carrying up to four bikes too – ideal for cycling families.

Cupra Ateca

The Cupra Ateca is the first car to come from Cupra since it became a standalone brand, distancing itself from parent company Seat. Though based on the regular Ateca, this Cupra version features a powerful 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with close to 300bhp. Put neatly, it’s a very quick car, capable of going from 0-60mph in five seconds.

Despite being on the compact side of things when it comes to SUVs, the Cupra Ateca manages to be reasonably practical, and it’s not too much of a stretch to fit a bicycle in the back of the car when you fold the seats down. A roof-mounted carrier is available too, of course.

Skoda Superb Estate

Skoda’s Superb Estate probably has the best cycling credentials of any car here, having been the car of choice for Tour de France teams for many years. The ability to carry several bikes at once is a big bonus, but the car’s ride is too – it’s comfortable, and therefore makes journeys when you’re no longer in the saddle a bit easier.

Available with a range of engines and specifications, there’s likely to be a Superb for any cyclist.

Jeep Gladiator

The regular Jeep Wrangler may not be the best choice for cyclists, but the upcoming Gladiator? Now that’s a completely different kettle of fish. With a large rear load bed, it’s ideal for mounting bikes to, and you can keep them all in a row by placing the front wheel of each bike over the folding rear bed.

But more than anything, it just looks incredibly good. In may be one the more out-there choices on this list, that’s for sure.

Mercedes E-Class All-Terrain

It’s funny how estate cars keep cropping up on this list, right? It makes sense, as they offer improved space over a saloon while retaining a comfortable ride and plenty of refinement.

The Merc’s E Class All-Terrain throws a bit of extra go-anywhere ability into that mix. A good choice for off-road cyclists, E-Class All-Terrain will be better suited to dealing with slippery conditions than its more road-orientated rivals.

Jaguar F-Pace

Jaguar’s F-Pace has been designed for lifestyle adventures from the off – it was even released with a special wristband-style ‘activity key’, allowing you to leave the standard key inside the car, locking and unlocking it instead with the band. It means you can go out and cycle without having to worry that you’ll drop the keys along the trail.

It’s a practical car too, and the all-wheel-drive system on the F-Pace is impressively versatile, allowing it to get here, there and everywhere.

Subaru Outback

When it comes to building rugged, go-anywhere cars, Subaru knows a thing or two. The Outback is a case in point; it’s remarkably good of road and it’s robust both inside and out. We’d argue that it’s not one of the most traditional bicycle transport choices, but that’s no reason to dismiss it.

It’ll take all manner of beating and still keep going, and it’s got plenty of places to store all of the kit associated with cycling, too.

Dacia Duster

If you’re after a value-for-money cycling car option, then the Dacia Duster is ideal for you. But don’t let a bargain price fool you into thinking that this is a low-quality car – the Duster is remarkably well rounded.

It’s very good off-road, and it’s superbly practical too. Essentially, it’s a great car for cyclists – be they road cyclists or mountain cyclists.

The way we buy a car today has evolved massively from, say, two decades ago. Rather than purchasing the latest Auto Trader magazine and hoping a good car was within a decent distance away, we now have the ability to see and buy cars all over the country from our living rooms thanks to the rise of online classified adverts.

Though a much more convenient way to buy a car, it’s not without its risks and things to take care of. Here are our dos and don’ts to buying a car online…

Do shop around

The great thing about buying a car online is that an entire country’s worth of classified adverts are at your fingertips. Check a number of sites and a number of listings to see what cars are out there before deciding on a purchase — you might find a better deal on the next page you’re visiting.

Do research

The internet is a giant bank of knowledge, and that’s something that should be taken advantage of. Look at owner’s forums and professional reviews of a car to gauge what to expect from a motor you’re looking at — be it new or used — and also seek out potential issues that could arise with a car.

Do check a car’s history

Take advantage of the DVLA’s website to check basic background history of a car to see its MOT history. It’s free to access, and requires just the vehicle registration.

We’d also suggest forking over the few quid for one of the many background check services available online. These can show information such as outstanding finance, theft history and if a car is written off. This could help avoid a potentially disastrous purchase.

Do message or contact the seller

Don’t be afraid to give the seller of a car you’re looking at a message or a call. Ask any questions about the car you may have, and see if you can get as much information as possible from them. If things seem a little bit sketchy about the sale, then don’t be worried about backing out from it.

Do arrange a viewing and don’t buy ‘sight unseen’

Though the internet is wonderful for many things, it can’t yet let us see cars for sale up close and personal from the comfort of our homes. We’d say it’s a must to see a car before exchanging any cash, as things may not appear all that an online advert may suggest.

Don’t send money through dubious sources

If you’re looking to purchase a car online and a seller is demanding up front payments through strange sources before allowing you to see the car – or even if you’ve committed to a purchase over messages – don’t be afraid to walk away. Though most car sellers will have the best intentions, it’s always possible scammers could be out to trick you.

That said, auction websites like eBay will require payment if you’re bidding on a car — though there’s plenty of measures in place on their side to protect consumers from scammers.

Summer is here, and that means it’s the time of year many of us will be flocking to exotic locations such as Madrid, Zagreb and Torquay.

No matter where you’re heading off to this year though, the fact you’re reading this suggests there’s a good chance you’re thinking about hiring a car for your trip. Though a simple process usually, it can be a little bit of a daunting experience for newcomers — and so, we’ve put together a guide on what to know when hiring a car.

First of all, should I hire a car?

If you’re staying in a major city and don’t plan to venture further out, you can probably get away with sticking to public transport links. For those wanting a little more adventure on their travels though, hiring a car enables that — it’s worth keeping the extra cost in mind

How do I hire a car?

There’s two main ways to hire a car really — either online in advance, or when you arrive at the airport of your destination. Booking online would be our go-to method. This usually presents you with the best deals, and allows you to compare between providers.

That said, it may be easy to forget amidst all the holiday excitement, so it’s always nice to know a car can be booked right as you arrive at your destination.

How much should I expect to pay and how can I cut costs?

Pricing of a hire car can can vary wildly depending on where you are, the type of vehicle you want, the length of your stay and how much driving you plan to do in it. That said, as a general rule, booking well in advance and shopping around for the best deals can save you money no matter what rental motor you’re after.

What does ‘or similar’ mean?

Now this is quite a common sight. If you’re looking to hire say, a Ford Fiesta, and you’re met with ‘or similar’ next to it, don’t be surprised to arrive to another car of the same size.

Companies tend to use a popular car to symbolise the size of a vehicle, rather than using terms such as ‘supermini’ or ‘executive saloon’. This makes it easier to understand for those who may be a little less clued-up when it comes to categories of cars.

Is insurance covered?

Typically, hire car companies will offer some level of insurance coverage — though these tend to be light, so it’s worth checking details closely when making a booking. For extra peace of mind, many third party firms offer more comprehensive hire car insurance.

What’s the deal with fuel?

Fuel policies with hire car firms can vary, but typically you’re given a car with a full tank and then expected to return it as such. Don’t be caught out trying to get away without refuelling though — many terms of conditions when hiring a car will allow the company to invoice you at an inflated rate to cover the extra.

Are there any restrictions when hiring a car?

Though hiring a car tends to be fairly relaxed, the big restriction is often age. Typically, drivers under 25 may struggle to hire a car through mainstream companies, and specialist firms for younger drivers are likely to charge a much higher rate.

Many firms may also deny drivers with a higher number of points on their licence from driving — typically this is for those with higher than six but this can vary.

Be it producing bespoke sports cars or providing vigour to otherwise ordinary passenger vehicles, the Germans have a well-established knack for producing incredible performance machines.

And thankfully, not all of them are flame-spitting supercars, which means that an enthusiast on a budget can take a digital trip to their used car site of choice and find a lot of Munich mental and Leipzig lunacy on offer for reasonable prices.

The range of choice is such that it can be hard to know where to look, but the following list should help you narrow down the market if you’re considering a German-built performance car for less than £15,000.

VW Golf R

‘R or GTI?’ That’s a question that many enthusiasts have to answer when looking at hot hatches, and both are valid answers. But, for our money, the R is the one to have.

A clean example of the outgoing MK7 Golf R isn’t quite available for under £15,000 just yet, but expect that to change within the next two years as the MK8 comes on stream.

With all-wheel drive and 266bhp on tap, the Golf R is as capable as they come when the roads get twisty.

Porsche Boxster

Examples of the first-generation 986 Boxster can be found for well under £6,000, but for the purposes of this entry, all eyes are trained on its successor, the 987.

If you are willing to settle for the standard 2.7-litre version of the Boxster, producing a ‘mere’ 240bhp from its flat-six motor, then tidy examples can be found for little more than £11,000.

The Boxster S – which started life with a 276bhp, 3.2-litre version of the six-cylinder engine, and was bumped up to a 291bhp, 3.4-litre variant from 2007 onwards – can be found for roughly £1,000 extra in good condition with somewhere over 50,000 miles on the clock. 

Audi RS4 Avant

Blending practicality and pace is something that the Germans have made into their own personal art, and there are few better at both than the RS4 Avant.

At this price point the pickings are slightly slim, but some sub 100,000-mile examples can be found for under £15,000, complete with the stellar 4.2-litre, 415bhp V8 that drew applause from critics and enthusiasts alike when new.

BMW M3

A widespread of BMW M3s are available at this price point, and which you go for is purely down to personal preference, as all are exemplary performance saloons.

The 90s E36, the E46 and the 4.4-litre V8 E90/E92 M3 can all be found for under £15,000. A lot of the examples on sale are convertibles, which do lose some of the renowned chassis dynamics thanks to less body rigidity, so carefully consider whether you value a drop-top over driving pleasure before putting money down.

While the three available generations all have their merits, the E46 might well be the wise bet; surely the last M3 with a naturally-aspirated straight-six will see a rise in value in due course?

Mercedes E63 AMG

A step above the M3 and the RS4 on the performance saloon ladder, the E63 is Mercedes’ rival to the M5 and RS6.

Appropriately, the mid-2000s examples you’ll find at this price point provide a step up in performance, with a 6.2-litre, 514bhp engine under the bonnet.

Mercedes’ reliability reputation in the 21^stcentury has been a little shaky, so do be aware of the potential cost implications of taking on this car; that said, we did find a sub-50,000-mile example just under budget, and that may have a lot of life in it yet!

Opel GT

Now for something completely different.

Built from 1968 to 1973, a majority of examples of Opel’s compact sports car come with a 100bhp, 2.0-litre engine, which push the sub-1000kg car from 0-60mph in 10.8 seconds.

It’s a rare car – at least in these borders – with charming styling and unique rotating headlights.  Fancy one? If so, we’ve found a good-looking example for less than £10,000.

BMW Z4 M Coupe

It’s another one that only just limbos under the £15,000 barrier, but the Z4 M Coupe is a wonderful car. If it’s predecessor — the Z3 M — is anything to go by, it may be due a little rise in price also.

This Coupe, which benefits from a sharper handling setup than the convertible, shares its engine with the E46 M3. The combination of the performance and soundtrack of the straight six, and the smart coupe lines, make for a wonderful second-hand buy.

Audi S8

Yes, even the very top of the Audi saloon line-up can be found within budget; well within budget, in fact.

The late-2000s S8 boasts a 5.2-litre V10 engine derived from that of the Lamborghini Gallardo and Audi R8 supercars, delivering an impressive 450bhp. And, as a bonus, Audi’s ‘S’ models possess compromise lacking in the more sport RS variants, meaning that this car is as luxurious and comfortable as it is pacey.

Examples of this car can be found at less than £8,000, but we’d suggest heading north of £10,000 to find one with less than 80,000 miles on the clock.