Image at Flickr

When you’re buying a car, people throw all kinds of figures at you. There are mileage figures, safety ratings, insurance brackets etc, etc. If you ask us, cars shouldn’t be about statistics and numbers. It’s all about the driving experience. What does it feel like to get behind the wheel and put your foot down? At the end of the day, that’s all that really matters.

You’re going to spend a lot of time in your car. And all the fuel economy statistics in the world won’t make up for a poor driving experience. Don’t get us wrong, we’re not for a second suggesting you go out and buy a Ferrari because it’s fun. Super cars aren’t the only cars with a little excitement under the bonnet. Today, we’re focusing exclusively on small, affordable cars. So you can have fun, even on a budget.

Mazda MX5

The Mazda MX5 is generally considered the most exciting small car on the planet. Honestly, it will even give Porsche and Ferrari a run for their money. The engine isn’t particularly big, so what makes it so exciting? Well, it’s all about the build quality. Mazda have mastered the art of 50-50 weight distribution, and it’s light as hell. The steering is edgy and responsive, so you can fling it around the corners. The little roadster is like driving a go-kart.

Ford Fiesta

When it comes to small cars, the Fiesta comes out on top, every single time. We know it’s the most popular car on the planet (it has consistently topped the buyer’s chart for nearly a decade). But, that’s only because it’s so fantastic. Again, the engine is nothing to write home about. In fact, it’s smaller than some of its rivals. Yet, Ford have filled the Fiesta full of magic fairy dust, because it’s incredibly fast. Not only that, but it handles like a dream. All in all, it’s a great first car. Critics are already calling the latest ST model a future classic. It’s that much fun.

Fiat Punto

Fiat have always has a quirky side. The little Fiat Panda has tons of character with its small frame and bodywork, for example. The Punto is no different. It’s one of the most practical cars on the list, but it has that Italian flare for fun and style. Fiat design their cars with the twisty, windy mountains of Italy in mind. That means they know how to make a car that corners well. The Punto nips around tight corners with nimble footing, making it super fun to drive. Our friends at the Hilton Garage tell us that people always bring it back from the test drive with a smile on their face!

Mini Cooper S

The Mini has always been one of the most iconic styled cars. The new model is no different. It’s bursting with character and personality. Luckily, the fun doesn’t end there. The Mini is a firecracker under the bonnet. It’s the fastest in it’s class, and a true thrill to drive.

You can’t go wrong with any of these cars. Each has a fun personality, and plenty of power under the bonnet.

It can often seem like the car market is totally focused on male drivers, rather than women. But there are plenty of great cars that appeal primarily to female drivers. Here are my top picks.

Volkswagen Jetta

The Volkswagen Jetta is stylish and modern enough to satisfy a modern, independent woman while also having the space to cater for a growing family. This offers buyers the best of both worlds without having to make any big sacrifices, and that’s exactly what a lot of women buyers are looking for.

It’s a 4-door sedan, yet remains relatively compact. Many sedans can be a nightmare to drive around packed cities, but the Jettas seems to have solved that problem by making the body more slim line. And you can go for the turbo version if you want something a little more sporty and less practical.

Mini Cooper

The Mini Cooper has a strong legacy to fall back on, but what makes them so popular with women today, is the fact that they’re comfortable, stylish and easy to drive. They don’t offer many frills or fancy features, but they do exactly what you want from them, and they do it with style too.

The other big attraction of the Mini Cooper is the fact that they can be bought so cheaply. They fall in value quite quickly, making the second-hand models very cheap. But even the brand new Minis are relatively cheap compared to their rivals, you can see this by visiting coopermini.co.uk where new and used Minis are sold.

Nissan Qashqai

Crossovers are a big deal in the car market now, especially with women who have large families. The Nissan Qashqai is easily the best SUV crossover in the world right now. Critics and consumers alike have fallen in love with the car, so it’s no surprise that even more people are now considering buying one.

But what makes the Qashqai stand out even more isn’t the fact that it’s versatile or fun to drive, it’s the fact that the car is so stylish. It has an overall classy look and stands out as one of the best-designed cars to be made over the past decade. And the interiors are even more sophisticated still.

Image Credit

If you’re considering picking up a good quality second hand Mazda car this year, you’re probably on the lookout for some handy tips and tricks that will help you save the most money possible, right? Well, luckily, I’ve been buying used for many years, and Mazda is one of my all time favourite manufacturers. So, I’m the perfect person to give you a helping hand. Don’t get me wrong, you’re not going to save thousands by following my advice, but doing so could mean you get to purchase an extra couple of beers the next time you’re in the pub.

So, if you fancy driving around in a cool sportscar like the MX-5, or even if you’d like something a little larger like the CX-5, it’s best to check all the details before ploughing ahead. Luckily, you can see the full car spec at Mil Cars Mazda and many other relevant websites, so there’s nothing stopping you from getting started straight away. Without any further delays then, here’s how to get the most for your money when buying a second hand Mazda this year.

Research Research Research

Before you even start looking as used Mazda models in the real world, you’ll want to spend some time browsing the internet in search of the best prices. Online auction websites are a good place to start, as they will give you an accurate idea of how much each model sells for. You can obviously expect to pay a bit more at your local garage or forecourt, but you should get a ballpark figure. Also, knowing how much they sell for online will give you some leverage when it comes to negotiating the price down slightly.

Credit Here

There are no hard and fast rules for buying a used car, but if you want to get the best possible deal for your money, and you want to avoid falling victim to frauds, you’ll need to be very careful when parting with your cash. You see, although you might well be an honest person, the same can’t be said for everyone, which is precisely why I’ve chosen to write this article today. I’ve been purchasing my cars second hand for a long time, and so I’ve got to learn about common issues and lies frequently told to buyers. With that in mind, spend the next few minutes reading through all the information in this post, and you should come away with a better understanding of how to make sure you don’t get ripped off.

I actually bought an amazing 2004 Mazda MX-5 last week, and through following my own advice I got a brilliant deal. You could easily achieve the same if you pay attention to all the points I’m about to make. So, without any further delays, here are 4 tips for people buying a used car this summer.

1. Do Your Research

The best way to avoid losing out is to spend some time researching your model of choice. That way; you should know enough about it to spot when something is wrong. Also, researching the model will mean that you’re more aware of how much it’s worth, and so in a much better position to haggle and get the price down.