Tag Archives: auto trader

Having More Than One Car

In two parent families or family situations where one or more children are old enough to drive, it may seem more economical to all share one car. This is true to some extent, but if an emergency situation arises at home and the car is in use elsewhere, the results could be disastrous. Should a child need to be driven to hospital while the car is at work, the time taken to wait for a taxi could be vital. Less frantic but still important; what happens when your eldest is offered an interview for their perfect job, but they have to drive to Manchester, and you have a meeting in Hull that day? Having more than one car makes our lives less complicated and easier to organise, and with used car sales making it affordable, there’s no real reason not to invest in a second car. There are so many green cars on the market these days that it needn’t even be an environmental issue – choosing your two cars wisely could mean you end up having less negative impact on the environment than your current single car has.

One way to add a second car to the family garage without breaking the bank is to trade in your current vehicle. You could make enough to purchase two smaller cars outright, and perhaps even have a little left over. Car valuations by Auto Trader can help you work out how much capital is tied up in your current family vehicle, and then point you in the direction of bargains. Private sellers, garages and dealers all use Auto Trader, and we cover the whole country – there could be a car right up your street that is, literally, right up your street!

Another point to consider is teaching your children to drive – do you want to let them loose on your Porsche, or is it better to invest in a second hand Ford for your beloved offspring to learn reversing and three-point turns in? A cheap second car has many advantages for a family, so check out Auto Trader today.

Off-Road Car Journeys

Off-road driving can be one of the most exciting experiences of our lives. All those yummy mummies cluttering up the school gates in their SUV’s and 4×4’s have no idea what those cars are capable of and will probably never push them to their full capacity. Taking the cars over the terrain they were designed for is thrilling, and surely using the cars for their correct purpose is what it’s all about.

There are now centres all over the British Isles offering off-road driving experiences, where you can learn new skills including how to perform a full vehicle check before setting off, how to tackle mud-slides and the best way to ford a river without getting out of your car. Pembrokeshire in Wales has many such centres, and most offer one-on-one tuition to begin with. The Scottish Off Road Driving Centre has courses that run for an hour, several hours or even a full day, depending on how enthusiastic you are. The added advantage of Scotland for learning is that there are many rocky highlands, loch-side trails and cavernous glens to explore once you have learnt the basics. Always check in advance if you are allowed to drive off road however – certain areas allow it and others impose heavy fines; for example, if you begin churning up areas of national heritage you are likely to be very unpopular! Sell your car with Auto Trader and you could purchase your own 4×4 and go off road whenever the mood takes you.

With 4×4’s coming in all the time from individual sellers, garages and dealers alike, Auto Trader will be able to find you the perfect set of wheels for your new hobby. Take the Jeep Cherokee – we currently have one on offer for less that £7k, and it’s perfect for off roading. All Cherokees are tested for off road capabilities at the manufacturing stage – after all, it’s what they’re designed for. Or you could try the Toyota Landcruiser with power steering and traction control for around £8,000, or the Mercedes-Benz G Class with BFG all-terrain tyres.