While owning a luxury car might not be for everyone; the rewards that come with doing so are well worth the extra little care and attention they require. It’s amazing to note that for the price of an entry level brand new car you could get a fully loaded BMW or Audi that although it is a few years old will boast the kind of specification the new car will never have.

You’ll stand out from the crowds

Few of us wish to blend in; we want to be noticed (for good things!). Yet you’ll never stand out in a conventional hatchback; you need something a little different for that.

You’ll be the envy of your street

Many luxury cars are thought of as nothing short of a work of art. Park this beauty on your front drive and watch your neighbours fawn over it in admiration and envy. Watch as they try and work out how you afforded that Mercedes or Jaguar.

You might meet new friends

Owning a classic or luxury car instantly makes you a member of a very exclusive club. As well as the opportunity to join internet forums and chat with like-minded enthusiasts, you might find yourself invited to regular events around the country, either to display your own car or simply to chat over the exquisite lines of a vintage Aston Martin.

It shouldn’t decrease in value

When we buy brand new cars, in most cases, we’re being ripped off. We are paying a premium for ‘new’ and the minute we sign on the dotted line and hit the road, its value will begin to drop.

A used luxury car on the other hand can boast a relatively stable value. Initial depreciation costs can be frightening but this levels off over time. So long as they are cared for properly they should sustain or increase in value.

You can hide the cars cost

If you don’t want people to ascertain how much you paid for your car, hide its age. The difference in value can vary by thousands in a few short years so if you want people to perceive your car as more valuable than it is; change the registration plates.

Dateless registration plates can ensure that very few people will be able to tell the year your car was built.
What’s more, dateless registration plates are usually quite valuable. They may cost a good few hundred pounds initially, but they should retain their value or if you’re lucky, gain more value.

It’s eco-friendly

Although older cars might not be quite so eco-friendly on the petrol front, the fact that you are recycling an old machine should more than make up for this.
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This article was written by Amy Fowler on behalf of The Plate Market who offer registration plates and number plates for sale.

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Audi are set to augment their renowned subcompact range in spring 2012 with the release of the hotly-anticipated A1 Sportback.
Hitting showrooms in February, the über-sleek supermini is an upgrade on the three-door A1, already a huge seller for the German firm.
The Sportback features a comparable design to its sister model, though it is larger, more spacious and comes with an extra set of doors. As a result of this latter modification, the Sportback has added 25kg to its kerb-weight, though the improved space for rear passengers is a welcome enhancement.
Wider and taller than its A1 counterpart, the Sportback is aimed at young, trendy drivers, though don’t expect to have to flash photo ID and enter the showroom in skinny jeans and a Tweed jacket in order to purchase one. After all, you don’t have to fit any specific demographic to appreciate the choice of four turbo engines, including the fuel-efficient 1.5ltr TDI, whose emission levels are rated at just 99g/km. For some engines, Audi are even supplying a 7-gear S-tronic force transmission, letting you switch swiftly between gears.
Fitted with a five-seat layout as standard, with the four-seat configuration available as a no-cost option, Audi’s versatile newcomer refrains from upgrading the A1’s 270-litre boot, and looks sure to be a rival to MINI’s Cooper SD hatch. After all, who can quibble with the Audi Connect’s internet capabilities?
The campaign trail is already underway for Audi, and their latest promotional video (attests to the model’s sharp, city-friendly dimensions and gorgeous 16-inch alloy wheels.
An altogether smarter, cooler option than the A1, the Sportback comes with remote central locking, air conditioning, electric front and rear windows and mirrors, and a 6.5-inch retractable display with six-speaker single CD Concert audio system.
If the Sportback itself doesn’t satisfy you, there’ll be a 2.0-litre diesel option joining the top range later in 2012, boasting 141bhp and 0.62mph in 8.5 seconds sprint time. Sport model additions, meanwhile, include sports suspension, sports seats and a Driver’s Information System.
What’s to love about this car?  An awful lot, but let’s focus on its evolutionary styling: its coupe-like roof line, its integration of sporty looks with commendable economy of space, and its low CO2 emissions. If you’re after a car that you can truly feel good about driving – both from the point of view of fuel-efficiency and style – the Sportback can’t be faulted.
With prices starting from £14,527 and topping out at £21,270 (for the 1.4 TFSI with S-line trim), you can get your hands on one in February. In an Olympic year, there’s surely no better time to get back into sports than with the new Audi A1 Sportback.
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Morris Minor/Morris 1000

Over 1.3 million Morris Minors were produced between 1948 and 1971, and this was the first British car to break the 1 million sales mark. It had been designed by Alec Issigonis, who later designed the Mini, to be an affordable car for the working classes and it was undoubtedly one of the main catalysts of the post-war motoring boom.
Today, the Minor is well remembered with a thriving community of clubs and groups dedicated to restoring and remembering these family classics. In fact, the Minor lives on, with production continuing in Sri Lanka.

Mini

The Mini is perhaps the most iconic of all British cars and one of the most influential cars ever designed. First made in 1959, production continued until 2000 during which time it became a movie icon, a rally star as well as being one of the most popular cars ever made.
The revolutionary design for the time made it possible to create a very small car that still had room for four passengers, and was a direct response to the fuel rationing that had come about after the Suez Crisis. That it had such longevity is testament to Alec Issigonis, the head designer, and his team.

Ford Cortina

Another classic family car that also saw success in motorsport, the Ford Cortina was introduced in 1962 to replace the Ford Consul Classic. The racing and rally versions, built in conjunction with Lotus, were very successful, winning championships in touring cars and a number of rally victories in the late 1960s.

During the 1970s, it became one of the bestselling British cars right up until it was replaced by the Ford Sierra in 1982.

Rover P6

The Rover P6, introduced in 1963, was voted the first ever European Car of the Year in 1964 and also won awards for its safety features. Imagine that, a British car lauded as Europe’s finest! More than 300,000 vehicles were made before production ceased in 1977, Rover having introduced the SD1 as a replacement.

Mark Chalcraft is a writer with an interest in all things motoring. He is writing on behalf of 4Wheelz, who provide driving lessons in Birmingham for learners who aspire to one day own a classic British family car. Or possibly a Ferrari.

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Contributed by Wish.co.uk – to find out more about their driving experience days click here

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The three cars, pictured above, seem to know exactly what ingredients make the best family cars. Ranging from the safest to the most luxurious, these car companies are some of the top rated family vehicles on the market right now.

First Place: The 2011 Subaru Forester

Pros: The federal government has not yet tested Subaru’s 2011 cross over, however, the 2010 model received top five-star scores for standard safety ratings such as: Driver and passenger protection in frontal crash tests, as well as front and rear-seat occupant protection in side crash tests. The government also awarded a four-star rollover score, indicating a mere 17 percent risk of rollover in a single vehicle crash. Likewise, the insurance industry endowed the Forester with a “Good” rating in roof strength tests and named it a “Top Safety Pick.”

The 2011 Forester gets 24 miles per gallon (MPG), and costs around 20,000 dollars (which makes it the cheapest of the three vehicles).
Cons: For families saving money this is a good option, however, it may not be the best option for large families, as the Subaru only seats 5 people.

Second Place – 2011 Audi Q5

Pros: Among a combination of expert automotive industry publications, the 2011 Q5 was the highest rated. It was also a Top Safety Pick across the insurance industry; this model includes key safety features like: Brake assist, child seat anchors, driver and passenger seat airbags, front fog lights, side and curtain airbags and traction control. As opposed to the Subaru, the Audi has a renowned reputation for drivability, an 8-speed automatic transmission and All-Wheel Drive. But like the Subaru, the Audi gets 24 miles per gallon.

Cons: The Q5 doesn’t do the environment any favors; it got a 58 out of 100 on aggregated expert green ratings. It also costs ,000 (,000 more than the Subaru) and only seats 5 people.

Third Place – 2011 GMC Acadia Denali

Pros: This 2011 GMC Crossover is probably one of the most luxurious family cars on the market. It seats 8 and has the most interior features, which include things like: Hands-free calling, heated and cooled seating, rearview camera control, auto-dimming rearview mirrors and keyless ignition. The Denali also received some of the best safety ratings, mostly due to the center 3-point seating, child safety locks and post-collision safety system. The Denali is the only one of these three vehicles that has both all-wheel and 4-wheel drive.

Cons: Among aggregated expert ratings, the Denali was ranked the lowest of these three vehicles. It also only gets 21 MPG and is 43,200 dollars (23,200 more than the Subaru).

All in all, today’s auto industry has given families a multitude of options to choose from for their vehicles. Once a potential buyer finds what is important to them in their vehicle, they have the power to customize a search built to their needs, essentially finding a personalized automobile specific to their family.

To research and compare other safety concerns such as car seats or car insurance, visit FindTheBest, an unbiased, data-driven comparison engine.

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