Look after the pennies with economical used cars

Every car has its place. There are times when a bit of speed and panache are the flavour of the day. If you’re in a position to be shopping around for such a car then lucky you; we hope you find the car of your dreams. However, we are aware the countries in a bit of a mess at the moment, economically speaking anyway, so we feel like you might be better served with an article about the most economical used cars on offer here at Ron Skinner & Sons, in our opinion anyway.

First off, the Citroen C1 1.0

The Citroen C1 is an excellent all-round car. Unlike some economical used cars which are first and foremost cheap to run, often at the cost of drivability, the C1 is a fantastic little car to drive. We see it as the perfect car for an excursion around town. With just a one litre engine there is not all that much power available for long distance motorway journeys, although it is more than capable of dealing with them. We think it really comes into its own on the shorter trips, where it really is a lot of fun to drive.

The C1 is one of the best styled used cars internally and externally, with simplicity and functionality being the watch words. For such a small car it is surprising how easily it can comfortably accommodate four adults; and easily achieving 61.4mpg, this little gem is nothing if not economical.

Toyota Yaris

Of all the used cars on offer here at Ron Skinner, if you’re looking for a high quality, economical hatchback, you can’t go far wrong with the Toyota Yaris. The Yaris may cost slightly more than some of its rivals but it is well worth it when you bring the famed Toyota reliability into the equation. The Yaris’ reliability is almost guaranteed, even on some of the higher mileage used cars you might find, so it is very unlikely to let you down. And achieving 52.3mpg ensures it isn’t too thirsty either.

Citroen C5

Traditionally economical used cars are those that are small, but so-called super minis are not an option or everyone. If you’re looking for a spacious, family vehicle then of all the used cars on offer, the Citroen C5 is an excellent choice. The C5 has plenty of room to seat five adults and there is still room for stretching. There is a great big boot too; we are not suggesting a sixth adult could be hauled into the boot, but if your passengers are replete with luggage, then you can rest assured there’ll be plenty of room. The 1.6 HDi can muster a breathtaking 52.3mpg, making the Citroen C5 an option certainly worth your consideration.

If you’re in the market for economical used cars then browse our huge range of used cars online. Here at Ron Skinner & Sons we currently have the C1, C5 and Yaris sitting proudly on our forecourt, all available at a great price. Pay us a visit and have a look for yourself.  

September sees a rise in the price of used cars

Once again there has been a rise in the average cost of used cars, with September values rising to £6,912. The rise in price of used cars has been consistent since April, along with an increase in the value of part exchange deals.

Industry insiders believe the increase in the price of used cars is predominantly due to sales of new cars slowly dropping off. It is thought current economic conditions are playing a part in the decreasing sales of new cars, as more people are looking for a bargain which they are more likely to find in the used cars market.

The figure for September marks a rise in prices of 5.4 per cent with the value of dealer part exchanges witnessing an increase of 3.5 per cent, up to £2,289.

Small and medium sized used cars fared particularly well. It is thought people are looking to downsize to not only benefit from cheaper used cars in the first instance, but also to make savings on running costs, fuel and tax further down the line.

Part exchanges on medium sized family used cars have fared well, averaging £2,264. Part exchanges on small hatchbacks have also seen a significant rise, up 3.4 per cent to £1,872.

Another development identified by the research shows that the age of used cars sold across the UK is increasing along with the price. The average age of used cars on UK roads has risen to 7.25 years, which represents a 14 year high. It is believed this trend is one which is likely to continue as cars are better made than ever before. 

Here at Ron Skinner & Sons our prices do not reflect a September price rise. The used cars we sell represent fantastic value for money, and with such a wide choice available you are sure to find just the make, model, age and spec of used car you are looking for. Browse online and visit our showroom for a test drive. 

Top five best selling new cars

Here at Ron Skinner we aim to provide a bit of an insight into the future. The used cars in South Wales of tomorrow are the brand new cars of today, and with September’s registrations revealed we can see just which cars are likely to be in the showrooms of Ron Skinner & Sons over the next couple of years.

The Ford Fiesta remained the country’s best selling car last month, with more than 15,000 buyers picking up a new 61-plate supermini from Ford showrooms.

In good news for car manufacturers as well as those specialising in the sale of used cars in South Wales, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders revealed that the number of car registrations were higher than expected.

However, the forecasts for the sale of new cars next year is not anticipated to bring such good news for car sellers and those specialising in the retail of used cars in South Wales, with estimates being lower than industry insiders would like. It is thought the low forecast is down to continued weakness in UK domestic demand and the uncertainty across European economies.

As a seller of used cars in South Wales that is always giving, we thought a guide to the five best selling new cars would help you with those important decisions.

1st – Ford Fiesta

The Fiesta is a responsive car which is great to drive. The pick of the engines is the 1.25 Zetec.

2nd – Ford Focus

There is certainly not going to be a lack of used cars in South Wales with a Ford badge. This superb family hatchback is competitively priced and has a huge range of different specs.

3rd – Vauxhall Corsa

The Corsa is one of the most popular used cars in South Wales. It offers fantastic value and has a roomy, high-quality cabin.

4th – Volkswagen Golf

The Golf is one of the car industry’s great all-rounders. Refined and great to drive, the Golf is one of the most desirable used cars in South Wales. 

5th – Vauxhall Astra

The Vauxhall Astra is currently one of our best selling used cars in South Wales and here at Ron Skinner & Sons we have a large number currently in stock.

If you’re looking for used cars in South Wales the Ron Skinner & sons has one of the largest and most diverse ranges in the whole of the UK. Browse online and call 01495 713400 if you require any further information.

Reliability survey

Credit where it’s due, What Car? magazine do conduct a really expansive survey when they put their minds to it, and this time they’ve really outdone themselves. Here at Ron Skinner we thought it would be a big help for those of you considering buying used cars in South Wales if we brought you some of the highlights of the What Car? survey, so you don’t end up buying a car that’s slowly going to bleed you dry.

So how exactly is the reliability of used cars in South Wales measured? It’s not simply down to the number of times your car breaks down, there’s actually far more to it than that. The time required to fix used cars in South Wales is taken into account as are the costs to put everything right. The 2011 What Car? Reliability Survey has measured the reliability of 35 different makes of car and 250 models to bring you the definitive guide.

If you’ve recently bought a used car in South Wales then here’s hoping your car is in this part of the list.

And the winners are...

First place: Kia Picanto (04 - 11)
Here at Ron Skinner we’ve fallen a little bit in love with the Kia Picanto and this is the reason why. As if you needed proof that fantastic used cars in South Wales couldn’t come in tiny little South Korean packages, along comes the Picanto. Its triumph was based on a low failure rate and very low repair bills.

Second: Vauxhall Agila (00 – 08)
The Vauxhall Agila is another teeny tiny car and is easily Vauxhall’s most dependable model. Due to the Agila’s simplicity, if anything should go wrong it takes an average of just an hour to fix.

Third: Honda HR-V (98 – 06)
If you’re looking to buy used cars in South Wales then it is worth noting that Honda was the runaway winner of the most reliable manufacturer award. And coming in at third was their HR-V. Remarkably only 3% of Honda HR-Vs required any repairs at all.

If you’re in the market for used cars in South Wales, we hope this article helps to make your decision a little more informed. We currently have just one Kia Picanto in our showroom as they sell like hot cakes. This Galaxy Black beauty has just 24,895 miles on the clock and is on the market for just £4,699. For further information about any of our used cars in South Wales call Ron Skinner & Sons on 01495 713400.

Driving green

Driving green is not simply about going out and buying the most planet friendly vehicle money can buy. If that was the case we’d all be travelling around on horse and cart. There are ways of driving green without going out and spending a heap of money. In this guide we aim to help owners of used cars in South Wales drive green.

Shed some weight

No not you personally, although it would still help of course. Lose some weight from the car. There’s no point carrying unnecessary luggage in your car unless you need it. Roof boxes are bad. Simple. Not only do you have the added weight, you also have to accept that your aerodynamics have been completely shot. If they’re not needed, remove them.

Reduce your speed and keep it smooth

Driving at the speed limit will help to save you fuel. Enjoy your drive. Keep it calm and relaxed and your petrol gauge will look all the happier for it. Choosing the highest gear possible when driving used cars in South Wales will help you along the way, as long as you’re not forcing the engine to labour.

Treat your car nicely

Used cars in South Wales ferry us about without so much as a word of gratitude. We just expect them to work when we need them to, and leave them out in the cold when we don’t. It’s a one-sided relationship at best, so you really should try to look after your car as much as you can. Tyre pressure has a direct effect on fuel consumption so make sure they are properly inflated. Also regularly service used cars in South Wales to make sure they are ticking along as they should be.

Try to drive as if you’re out on test

Green driving = safe driving. The secret to driving green is to neither accelerate nor brake firmly at any stage. This requires anticipation. By concentrating on the road ahead you will be able to anticipate when you need to slow down or speed up, and do so gradually. It’s actually quite fun driving used cars in South Wales as smoothly as possible, so give it a go!

Regardless of how you drive, if you buy used cars in South Wales from Ron Skinner & Sons then you will make savings. However, why not kill two birds with one stone, not literally, that wouldn’t help the environment at all; buy used cars in South Wales, drive green, and save twice.

There's no better time to buy used cars

Everything’s really expensive when it first comes out. The scramble to be the first to own a new product ensures manufacturers can charge a premium close to release date. I’m transported back many years to my youth and the scrimping and saving which took place over a period of months so I could be the proud owner of a Nintendo Gameboy. Well this has happened with green cars. As the technology is improved it becomes cheaper to develop, and that green cars have been out a while, they are also starting to hit the used cars market. So if you’re looking for economy, now could be the time to find a great deal on green used cars.

The benefits of green used cars are multiple. Not only will you rest easy at night knowing you are easing your burden on the planet, you will also make tremendous savings on the cost of fuel and taxes. However, not many of us will be happy to completely sacrifice drivability, and now, with the quality of green used cars constantly on the up, you simply don’t have to.

The difficulty when choosing green used cars is just which one to buy. They all give associated CO2 figures, but carbon dioxide is far from the only harmful gas cars produce. So here’s a bit of a helping hand.

• Emissions and consumption – carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas which is causing the planet to slowly heat up. It originates from a wide number of sources, with cars a major contributor. Based purely on levels of CO2, the Toyota Prius is the best performer producing 87g/km.

• Nitrous oxides – are greenhouse gases which are harmful to both the environment and humans as they aggravate conditions such as asthma. Of all green used cars, the Kia Picanto is the big winner producing just 0.0006.

• Particulates – these are a big concern in diesel vehicles as they can cause cancer and heart disease when inhaled. The Seat Alhambra is impeccable in this department, producing 0.0000g/km. 

• MPG – all used cars have an associated miles per gallon rate. Average or combined MPG is based on a mix of urban and rural driving. The leader in this category, the economical Smart Fortwo, which travels 85.6 miles on every gallon of fuel.

So if you’re looking to do your bit for the environment then any of the above green used cars will help to reduce your impact. Take a trip to Ron Skinner where we regularly have green used cars in stock at a fantastic price.

The Corsa offers something for everyone

Here at Ron Skinner & Sons we sell used cars in South Wales of all shapes and sizes. Don’t be fooled into thinking we only specialise in the more petite of vehicles, just because we’ve gone a bit mad over the past few weeks reviewing some of the smallest and most economical cars in existence, that dosen’t mean we don’t like something with a bit more meat on it every now and then. That being said, allow us to introduce the Vauxhall Corsa (yes we know it’s still small, but compared to the Matiz it’s a giant!).

If you’re looking for used cars in South Wales then here at Ron Skinner we are a bit of a Vauxhall specialist. We currently have over 200 different used Vauxhalls in stock, so whatever it is you are looking for, there’s an excellent chance we will offer your dream wheeled chariot at a fantastic price.

Right, the Corsa. The latest reincarnation of the Vauxhall Corsa, launched in 2006, is probably the best to date, offering improved driver involvement compared to previous models. The handling is positive and reassuring guaranteeing stability and body control. The SXi and SRi models, two of our best selling used cars in South Wales, come with 20mm lower suspension and firmer dampers, which ensure a more reactive but firmer ride. They also offer more zip, with the 1.2 and 1.4 producing 85hp and 100hp respectively.

As far as we are concerned the cabin of the Corsa is the best of any of the small used cars in South Wales we sell. The overall fit and finish is better than any of its rivals, and the materials and fabrics would be more typically suited to cars in the class above. Compared to other used cars in South Wales of a similar class and size, the running costs and economy are competitive, with the diesel producing 47.6mpg, which although impressive, is a lot lower than the manufacturer’s claims of 61.4mpg.

If you’re looking for great value used cars in South Wales the Vauxhall Corsa offers a refined, comfortable, and affordable choice.

Pay Ron Skinner & Sons a visit or browse our wide selection of used cars in South Wales online. We ensure the prices we offer on used cars in South Wales are amongst the very best you’ll find anywhere in the UK. For further information call us today on 01495 713400.

Introducing the Economical Chevrolet Matiz

The Chevrolet Matiz is one of the top selling used cars in South Wales, and with its spacious and well-equipped interior, coupled with a fantastic economy rate, it’s really not hard to see why.

There are those supposed experts within the car industry who bemoan the Matiz for its lack of performance and luxury, but there are horses for courses, and this particular horse ensures pennies in your purse. The Chevrolet is a fantastic town car which not only saves customers money with an extremely low retail price; it then continues to help cut the cost of driving with its fantastic economy rates, and with the current price of fuel this is no small feat. If you’ve a lot of money to spend and performance is a key consideration then there are other used cars in South Wales which are more suitable for you. However, the job the Matiz was built to do, it does extremely well. Just take a look at the economy figures:

Urban  37.2 mpg
Extra Urban  61.4 mpg
Combined  49.6 mpg

Aesthetically speaking, the Matiz is a cute little thing, with curves in all the right places. It also looks tiny, making it perfect for driving around town; it is however a deceptively spacious, 5-door hatchback. It also comes in some lively colours, making it a joy to step into on those cold, dark winter mornings; an important quality for all used cars in South Wales!

On the inside the Matiz benefits from some intuitive design. It is pleasingly uncluttered and well-thought out, leaving plenty of space for day trips with family and friends. From the outside you assume that five adults packed into such a small car would be a bit of a squash, but this is not the case at all with five adults able to sit in comfort; an important attribute to consider when buying used cars in South Wales.

As you can see from the above review, here at Ron Skinner & Sons we’ve fallen a little bit in love with the Chevrolet Matiz. We truly believe that of all the used cars in South Wales, along with the Hyundai i10, the value for money it offers is unbeatable.

If you’re looking for used cars in South Wales come and pay us a visit. We stock a huge range of vehicles, from Alfas and Audis through to Volvos to Vauxhalls. Browse our website or visit our showroom for unbeatable deals on used cars in South Wales.

Hyundai’s rapid development into one of the leading players in the used cars market continues forth with the announcement that the new model i30 is to hit the showrooms next spring. The price of Hyundai used cars is one of their major selling points, and with a new i30 due soon, it is anticipated the cost of existing used i30s will drop even further.

Hyundai are famed for their rapid turnaround of new models and this shows no sign of changing with the latest i30 coming to market just five years after the outgoing model was introduced.

The current i30 is competition for the Volkswagen Golf and provides an extremely attractive alternative given the vastly reduced price. The new model i30 replaces the outgoing model which was introduced back in 2007 has been doing extremely well in the used cars market ever since. This regeneration of models sets a benchmark amongst Hyundai’s competitors who expect each reincarnation of their cars to last at least seven years.

Hyundai Europe vice-president Allan Rushford explains: “I see no reason why our rate of change should slow. As the appetite for Hyundais in Korea is so large, the appetite for change on every model we produce is great; we actually have to take our foot off the throttle a little for the European market. With that in mind I think it’s very unlikely our current rate of regeneration will slow.”

In comparison with the old i30, which was such a hit with buyers of used cars, the new model receives a longer wheelbase which has been pushed closer to either end of the car to improve the amount of interior space as well as the ride quality. It is hoped the combination of such features along with improved fuel economy will help to cement the Hyundai’s position as one of the top sellers of both new and used cars.

If you’re in the market for used cars and have your eye on a Hyundia i30 then Ron Skinner & Sons currently have a wide range of engine and specs available all at a fantastic price. Browse our website or visit Ron Skinner & Sons for the best deals on used cars.

The serial award winner, the Hyundia i10, has had its name up in lights once again after being named ‘Best City Car’ by CarBuyer. As if Hyundia’s best seller wasn’t already sweeping the boards with its economy and practicality, the i10 has recently received a refresh both inside and out, complimented by new ultra-modern engines, improved fuel economy, lower emissions and stronger performance. With this award the latest in a long line, if you are looking for used cars in South Wales then the Hyundai i10 is certainly worth careful consideration.

CarBuyer, the expert car reviewer, created a judging panel that focused on the performance, safety, running costs, mpg, owner satisfaction and reliability of the cars on the shortlist. The Hyundai i10 was without compare in the ‘Best City Car’ category as Dan Strong, editor of Car Buyer explains:

“A recent redesign means the i10 now looks better than ever. It has always been affordable and economical to run, fun to drive and extremely practical, but now it can add style as one of the many strings to its bow. If there is a better city car on the market we certainly haven’t come across it.”

Of all the used cars in South Wales, what makes the i10 so desirable is the exceptional value for money it offers. As if the current package wasn’t enough, Hyundai have gone one step further with the new model. The addition of a revised warranty which provides unlimited mileage cover, free car health checks and roadside assistance for five years ensures the i10 leaves the competition trailing in its wake.

Another factor which helped the i10 cruise to the title of ‘Best City Car’ was the deceptively large interior. The compact dimensions of the Hyundai leave many expecting a car unable to cope with the requirements of the modern family, but such is the adaptability of the interior a growing family can be transported comfortably and safely. The value for money, drivability and quality offered by the i10 ensures few used cars in South Wales which such a versatile option. 

If you’re looking for used cars in South Wales then Ron Skinner & Sons is a fantastic place to start. Whether you browse our range online or pay us a visit at our showroom, our extensive range of Hyundai i10s is sure to tantalise any budget. Unbeatable prices on used cars in South Wales!