Citroen Van Site

Vans are proving to be the best choices for a motor vehicle, especially for those having an expanding or a huge family. They can also be beneficial for those having a number of items for carting around regularly. Used Citroen vans are especially popular amongst companies wanting a pre-decided monthly expenditure, as against those needing big one-off payments to 'Part With'.

The most economical option

Van leasing has been looked upon as a superb option for the people feeling that need of van is urgent for them, for commercial or personal use. Van leasing implies the company or individual renting van for some predefined time period for a monthly payment which is already set. This continues till the expiry of the lease. There are a number of advantages of van leasing. At the same time, there are also some disadvantages. These need to be taken into consideration prior to deciding on leasing of van.

Advantages

Amongst the greatest advantages of van leasing traces the fact that no huge payment is due initially, i.e. at the starting of leasing period. At the starting, only deposit is due. However, this payment is usually small. It sums up to around 1, 2, or 3 of monthly payments during lease period. Monthly installments relating to van leasing have also been quite less as compared to those involved in buying of a new van. This system not only saves a lot of money of individual or the company involved in van leasing but can make leasing pleasurable in terms of driving van of individual's choice. Of Course, this applies for a short-term only.

Van leasing permits the individual of giving up the van after having driven it for around 2 years. In such cases, the individual is likely to consider his van outdated or might just not wish to continue with the van which has been used day in day out. Once the period of leasing gets completed, the van can simply be returned by the individual to leasing company. He can then make an entry into new lease, towards a fresh van.

Disadvantages

Having discussed all the advantages, it's imperative to discuss the disadvantages of van leasing as well. The greatest one amongst those states that the individual never gets to own the van by this way. It remains the leasing company's property-always! The other disadvantage of van leasing states that calculating annual mileage, along with other charges can prove to be difficult. Any of the leased vans are bound to have pre-decided miles which can be gathered on them. If the 'Number of Miles' tends to exceed this number, charges can go upwards to a great extent. For averting this, it's essential to carry out the calculation of mileage accurately. Miscalculating might result into paying heavy charges. These charges can be beyond the imaginations of company or individual.

Other charges likely to be included through a lease are the damages caused to the van. Though these expenses are generally incurred by the owner, minor damages have to be repaired by the individual only.

By Raven Smith.

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Pimp My 4x4! But Start With The Tyres!

Four-wheel drive, 4WD, or 4x4 is a term used to describe a four-wheeled vehicle with a drive train that allows all four wheels to receive power from the engine simultaneously. The term has traditionally been linked to sports utility vehicles, or SUVs, which have been very popular in the United States, and are now becoming popular across Europe. The benefit of a car with four-wheel drive is that it allows for normal two-wheel drive on normal roads and superior four-wheel mode for low traction conditions such as snow, ice, slippery surfaces, mud or loose gravel.

In response to criticism by civic groups against using larger SUVs for daily urban trips, car manufacturers are now trying to position the smaller versions as green vehicles, with levels of CO2 emissions much closer to their conventional car equivalents than larger models. For example, Citroen recently launched the C-Crosser, only available with a particulate filter and frugal diesel engines.

These newer models are likely to be popular in Europe, where smaller SUVs have been more successful than larger models, and are likely to be a bigger driving force for sales of 4WD vehicles in the near future. Other examples include the Nissan Qashqai and the Renault Koleos, both combining four-by-four drive and limited off-road capabilities with the handling of a passenger car.

J.D. Power Automotive Forecasting estimated SUVs comprise 1.5 million out of 18.3 million vehicles, or 8% of the car market, in Europe in 2007. Of this quotient, 0.6% are small SUVs, 2.4% are large ones and 5.3% are medium-sized. By 2010, the SUV segment is estimated to grow to 10.1%, with medium growing to 7% and large slipping to 2.2%. By 2014, the SUV market is expected to increase to 11.2%, with medium-sized cars responsible for 7.6% and large cars for 2%. The total European new car market is then expected to be 21.9 million vehicles.

This is of course good news for car workshops. In recent years, TV shows such as MTVÕs Pimp My Ride, have increased the popularity of overhauling, or, if you will, customising cars with things like game consoles, chrome wheels and faster engines. But before 4x4 owners go off trying to similarly overhaul their own vehicles, it might be best to invest in a new set of 4x4 tyres.

Donald Cheach, editor of Top Gear Malaysia, recently told the Malaysia Star: ÒThe first thing I would recommend is definitely a set of better tyres. There is nothing wrong with go-fast upgrades as long as there is an equal effort to improve the safety aspect of the vehicle. The wheels represent the unsprung weight of the vehicle. Generally, the lighter this is, the more efficient the performance. Suspension should be looked at next, followed by engine upgradesÓ.

Ultimately, those looking to buy a new SUV in order to take advantage of its 4x4 capabilities, yet stay environmentally conscious, will find their needs well-met by upcoming medium and small sized SUVs, should they decide to pimp them or not.

By Andrew Regan.