Tips on how to cut motoring costs

Just found this article about ways of cutting down motoring costs. Found it really interesting - did you know that if you fill up your tank more frequently, e.g. half a tank at a time, you can improve your fuel economy? Because your car isn't carrying around the extra weight of an additional half tank of fuel it is more efficient. Also, checking the tyre pressure regaularly means that your car will be more fuel efficient and tyres will last longer.

V Cute Electric Car

Japanese car manufacturer, Mitsubishi, have just launched their first electric car, the iMiev and it's insanely cute!

I have to admit that with a range of just 70 miles, it's a bit unpractical but still a real breakthrough. Apparently it even has plenty of space for four tall adults to fit into it.

Had a funny thought, will telling our kids we had to fill our cars with petrol be like my parents telling me they watched black&white TVs?

http://www.scpr.org/news/2010/04/21/come-ride-me-all-electric-mitsubishi-imiev/

Toyota Takes on the Volcano!

Ok, so this isn't particularly girly but is pretty cool!

The Toyota Hilux has been used to monitor the Icelandic volcano due to the car's tough reputation. The Hilux was the first car to cross the Arctic to the magnetic North Pole and was also the subject of a Top Gear show in which they tried, and failed, to destroy the Toyota in a number of imaginative ways!

Flights may have only just started up but the Hilux has been all over the volcano in the meantime! Toyota and Volcano pic

An eco-sports car?

Just read an article on Digg about the new Lotus Elise and was thrilled to find out that there are some sports cars out there that are not completely destructive to the environment! The new Lotus Elise boasts the lowest C02 emissions for performance in the world and does 45 miles to the gallon (apparently that's pretty good for a sports car!) My nearest Lotus dealer is in Maidstone so may pop along and take a look - slightly out of my price range at the moment but good to know about for the future...and for dreaming about a little too! Lipscomb Lotus in Maidstone seem to have a really nice looking showroom so may go and be nosy! http://www.lipscomb.co.uk/lotus

I'd prefer David Beckham naked!

This is ridiculous - apparently views of scenic countryside are more distracting to drivers than the Armani advert of David Beckham in nothing more than a pair of pants! I have to ask who were car insurance company Zurich aiming their survey at?

According to Zurich, the Top 10 distractions for motorists recorded in their survey were:

• 1. Attractive women
• 2. Stonehenge (& other heritage sites)
• 3. Yorkshire Dales (& other scenic views)
• 4. Flocks of birds
• 5. Angel of the North (& other art installations)
• 6. Ferraris and other supercars
• 7. Shop window displays
• 8. Attractive men
• 9. The David Beckham advert for Armani
• 10. Roadside graffiti

Methinks the advert may have had a few more male participants than females - otherwise naked Beckham would have been way further up the list! Oh, and also men find attractive women the biggest distraction when driving with 2/3 of men surveyed claiming that the find the opposite sex very distracting!

Saving money on car running costs = More to spend on shoes!

Top 10 tips to run your car more efficiently

With petrol prices getting close to record highs again, here are a few tips to help make your car more efficient and therefore cheaper to run = more money for shoes! You’ll be surprised at how just a few simple changes can make your car run more smoothly and feel more fun to drive as well as saving you money.

• 1. Do you really need to drive?
That’s the question you should ask yourself every time you go to pick up your car keys. Most wear and tear happens when the engine’s cold and it can take around three miles of normal driving before cars are up to their proper working temperature. If you can, why not consider leaving the car at home and walking to the shops? It will be far better for both you and your car (think how much better your favourite little black dress will look once you’ve dropped a couple of pounds!) Not only does walking instead of driving for short journeys save harmful wear and tear to the car, it also saves fuel (v expensive at the mo) and the planet (a modern car's pollution-catching catalytic converter can take up to six miles of normal driving before it works effectively).
• 2. Clean up your act!
Keeping your car clean and tidy can actually save you money! Not only does cleaning your car on a regular basis help to protect its value and make driving safer, it can also improve your car's efficiency. If your car resembles more of a travelling wardrobe than a car, it’s time for a clear-out! The weight saved will help reduce your car's fuel consumption = more money for shoes! It's also worth polishing up the body of your car as a sleek, clean car cuts through the air much more easily than a muck-spattered motor. Don’t forget to hose down the underside too.
• 3. Healthy car = low costs = more money for shoes!
Routine maintenance is a sound idea for any car as it helps ensure that it is reliable and safe as well as efficient. A little time spent keeping your car in the best of health can avoid a lot of hassle and expense later on. Make sure to do the simple things, check the oil and the water are toped up and don't let any warning light go unheeded. Come on ladies, we can totally do that!
• 4. Under-pressure
Think about it - tyres are one of the most important parts of your car and the only thing keeping you in touch with the ground. As a general rule, check your tyre pressure every time you fill up the tank. Tyres at the correct air pressure will help reduce fuel consumption, reduce noise and wear, and allow the car to steer and handle as it should. Under-inflated tyres can reduce fuel economy by up to 15 percent. Also, make sure that the tread has plenty of depth and look out for any stones or nails that may cause a puncture. Cheap replacement tyres can be a false economy as many wear more quickly. Look for a quality name at an affordable price – just as would do with a pair of staple black shoes.
• 5. Is it really that hot?
There's nothing more refreshing than a cool blast of air conditioning on a hot day but be aware that air conditioning can reduce fuel economy by up to 10 percent, so using it selectively can save you a bundle of cash when it comes to refilling the tank. Let’s face it though, it’s not that hot in the UK! However, not using your car's air con regularly can lead to some expensive repair bills so even in winter, it’s recommend that you should switch on the air conditioning for a short period every week to keep it working in fine order – just remember to switch it off when you’re done!
• 6. Wind up that window!
Just as air conditioning can lower fuel economy by up to 10 percent, driving with the windows and sunroof open can also increase fuel consumption by the same amount. When driving around town, open windows are fine, just remember to wind them up when heading out onto freer flowing roads and motorways.
• 7. You’re a smoothie!
Driving smoothly is always a good idea both for the car and also for your fuel consumption. Harsh braking and acceleration make the car do a lot more work, use more fuel and cause greater wear on certain parts such as the clutch, brakes and tyres. Look ahead and anticipate what other cars around you are likely to do. This way, you can adapt your driving in advance to avoid sudden changes, so your driving will be smoother and passengers will have a more relaxing journey too.
• 8. Shop around
Any savvy shopaholic knows that shopping around is the best way to a bargain, yet many drivers don't shop around enough when it comes to their cars. Everything from servicing to petrol is available at a keener price if you spend a little time doing your research.
• 9. Remember the 5 Ps!
Proper planning prevents poor performance: plan your route online before heading out to see if there are any likely hold-ups or delays. On your daily commute, try organising a car-share where you can pick up colleagues to share the cost of fuel and parking. The little extra distance you may have to travel will easily be offset by the split costs, and you’ll have someone to have a natter with on your way to and from work.
• 10. R&R does you good
Everyone hates being stuck in traffic jams, so why not use that otherwise wasted time for a little R&R? As long as you've allowed plenty of time for your journey, an occasional hold-up shouldn't cause a problem. So sit back and keep calm: turn on the radio or plug in your MP3 player, let a bit of fresh air in and drink some water as staying hydrated is proven to help driver alertness. If it’s clear that the traffic isn't moving, turn off the engine and wait until the queue begins to move before restarting. This simple practice will save you money in fuel and taking control in this way will make you feel better rather than more stressed.

So there you have it, 10 simple tips to help save you money on your car running costs and leave you with more money for the important things in life, namely shoes, clothes and chocolate!

Sexy cars for girls!

True to my word, I have done a little bit of research and have come up with what I think are the sexiest cars for girls! This list is based purely on my personal perception of what makes a car sexy and has very little to do with engine size, horsepower, etc and a lot to do with looks - who are we kidding girls, looks do matter!

Some of these sexy cars for girls are more affordable than others but this is more a fantasy wish-list than anything else! I'm pretty sure if I won the lottery, I'd buy more than one of these cars tomorrow!

• The streamlined and stylish Renault Megane Coupe
• The very sexy Audi TT
• The world's best-selling roadster Mazda MX5
• The sleek, sassy and stylish Mercedes SLK
• The gorgeous and surprisingly affordable Vauxhall Astra Twintop
• The incredibly sexy and stunning Lotus Europa - all I can say is wow! (Always loved a Lotus and they are definitely designed for girls, or else why would the pedals be so small?)
• The sporty Mazda RX8 - a sports car with bags of style and sex appeal!
• The rather powerful Seat Ibiza Cupra - probably aimed more at boys but sometimes girls crave a little power, sports seats and alloys - they make it look damn sexy in Fast and the Furious!
• The elegant and sophisticated Citroen C5 - not what you'd expect from Citroen in terms of styling. Perfect for girls looking for a stylish car to rack up some motorway miles in
• Last, but by no means least, is the unique and intriguing BMW Z4

Feel free to add to this list, challenge any of my suggestions or put these sexy cars for girls in order from 1-10. Until I win the lottery I may have to keep on dreaming!

Top Ten Girly Cars!

It is my aim to compile a list of the top ten girly cars around at the mo. The below is in no particular order, just a bunch of girly cars that I like. Perhaps if anyone in cyberspace is reading this, they can help me number these cars in order of girliness?!

Top Ten Most Girly Cars

• The diddy and incredibly cute Ford Ka and Ford StreetKa
• The VW Beetle - to make it even more girly go for the pink convertible version and the flower on the dashboard
• Ok, so am being a little biased with this one but only because I love it so much! Chevrolet Matiz
• The ever-popular Ford Fiesta - go for a truly girly colour like purple and some glitzy accessories to make this car even more girly
• An Audi TT Convertible - this is a gorgeous girly car, particularly like it in red
• The world's best-selling roadster, the Mazda MX-5. Granted this is not purely a girly car and it could be argued that this is a unisex roadster but come on, it looks far too small and sexy to be anything other than a girly car!
• Mini Cooper - ok, so this is more of a unisex car but it still has to make the list for being so cute!
• Being so undeniably girly and so small it could almost fit in your handbag, the petite Renault Twingo is a fabulous girly car
• The uber-sexy BMW Z4 oozes style and, although not cute and cuddly, will make you feel amazing when you take it out for a spin! Plus, can be picked up for a pretty good price as a used car
• Again, another cute little run-around, the zippy Citroen C1

Looking back over this list, think I may have favoured the cute little cars too much (with the exception of the awesome BMW Z4). Maybe I should also compile a list of sexy cars for girls? That'll be the next project - watch this space!