Is this the future of our daily transport? Although we recognise that the motives behind having a car that drives itself are excellent, we can’t help but think that this kind of technology still has a long way to go. Many road traffic accidents are caused by motorists jumping traffic lights in which case drivers often rely on awareness and razor sharp reactions to possibly avoid a collision.

More Points to Consider with Self Driving Car Technology:

• Traffic lights that are faulty or broken
• Overtaking other vehicles
• Traffic control Police

Another question is do we yet have enough reliable technology? Computers crash and get hacked all the time. How dangerous it could be if the system had to be rebooted at high speed on a major highway!

But these are just a few initial thoughts that come to mind and we know that a huge company like Google would be testing and testing and developing and testing etc for a very long time before they ever got to the point of release and started to market and sell a car that drives itself.

Here’s a quote from the official Google Blog:

Our automated cars use video cameras, radar sensors and a laser range finder to “see” other traffic, as well as detailed maps (which we collect using manually driven vehicles) to navigate the road ahead. This is all made possible by Google’s data centers, which can process the enormous amounts of information gathered by our cars when mapping their terrain

Check out the following videos for more information on the incentive behind the idea of the Google driverless car and also a short clip on what it feels like to be inside this futuristic vehicle.

Video: Sebastian Thrun on the Google Driverless Car

Video: A Quick Ride in Google’s Self Driving Car

As for us, we love to drive our own precious vehicles. Trusting a machine to do the work and take all the pleasure out of being in control of a car would just scare us to bits and ruin all the fun!

Google Driverless Car, our Future Transport? is an original post from: Used Cars For Africa

No related posts.

Why buy on auction?

Many of the vehicles sold on auction have been repossessed by banks and other lending institutions. Cars are repossessed when the previous owner defaults on payments or violates the terms and condition of the car finance loan. These cars often sell for very good prices, as the bank is not concerned with making a profit; rather, they want to sell the car off as quickly as possible to make up for any losses incurred. This means that you are essentially buying a car that has already been paid for in portion.

How do I know I am buying a reliable car?

Truth being told, you don’t actually know if you are buying a reliable car on auction as you usually don’t have the opportunity of test-driving the car before bidding for it and buying on auction. However, you can assume you are buying a reliable car if you have done through research on the vehicle beforehand. Before the auction you need to get a list of the vehicles being sold to decide which car or cars you are interested in. Once a vehicle catches your eye, you need to compare the asking price with the market price of similar vehicles. If the car is selling for a lot less on auction, you know that you are getting a good deal.

When you attend an auction to buy a vehicle, get there early so that you can fully inspect and examine the car you intend on buying. If cars are not your thing, bring along a mechanic or someone who is very knowledgeable about what you should look for under the hood of the car. Also check the cars interior and exterior for any damage or flaws which decrease the value of the vehicle and may not make it worth your while to purchase.

If you are looking for a reliable car, the newer the car the better. Because many of the vehicles sold on auction are cars that have been repossessed, many of the cars can be on the newer side as the owners are still paying them off. If you need financing for your purchase, the major banks usually have stand at the auction venue to assist you with on site financing for your purchase.

Where were vehicles auctions held in 2011?

Most of the auction venues used in 2011 are still valid in 2012.

• Alberton: Auctions every Monday at 11am through Imperial Auto Auctions
• Midrand: Autoworld Car Auctioneers host an auction every Tuesday at 11am.
• Boksburg: Absa repossession auctions held regularly
• Sandton: Burchmore’s auctions every Saturday and Thursday
• Midrand: Auctions hosted by Aucor every Saturday

For further information about vehicle auctions and when and where they will be happening, contact any of the major vehicle auctioning companies. If you are looking for repossessed vehicles, you can also contact the major banks (First National Bank, Absa, Nedbank and Standard Bank) directly to ask what vehicles they have available and when they will be sold.

Auctioneers sold many reliable cars for sale at 2011 vehicle auctions, so 2012 is your turn to give auctions a try if you haven’t already. Remember that you need to register to bid before the auction, and usually make a refundable deposit of R5000 with a bank guaranteed cheque or credit card. Once you are at the auction, remember your budget and keep your head about you, but also have fun in the exciting auction atmosphere!
 
The following video offers some tips on how to buy a second hand car at a public auction and although it is filmed in the USA, it is still pretty relevant and could still provide some of you with some useful advice.
 

Video: Buying a Car from a Public Auto Auction:

Reliable Cars For Sale at 2012 Vehicle Auctions is an original post from: Used Cars For Africa

You may also be interested in:

1. Weekly Wesbank Vehicle Auctions
2. Bankfin Auctions and Vehicle Finance
3. Get the Cheapest Car Prices at Vehicle Auctions
4. Vehicle Auctions in Johannesburg
5. Repossessed Toyota Cars at Auctions

These days, vehicle tracking systems often use Global Positioning System (GPS) technology to find the location of the vehicle. This information can be viewed on specialized software or on electronic maps on the internet.

Why use a vehicle tracking system?

Knowing where your vehicle is located at any given time is not only a useful safeguard in case of car theft.  Public transit authorities in large urban areas may also make use of vehicle tracking systems to manage their fleet, time schedules, and be able to answer customer questions about vehicle whereabouts. Logistics companies can also make use of vehicle tracking systems to ensure that their deliveries are being conducted on time and via the correct routes.

In the hospitality industry, companies have caught onto vehicle tracking systems for unconventional uses. For example, a 5-star hotel in Singapore installed vehicle tracking systems to ensure that their VIPs can be welcomed when they arrive at the hotel in their limousines. Car rental companies and food delivery services can also make use of vehicle tracking services to manage their business.

Essentially, a vehicle tracking system is a system of surveillance and is a useful way of managing your vehicle or fleet of vehicles.

Check out the video below on realtime GPS vehicle tracking to get a clearer understanding on how these things work:

GPS Vehicle Tracking Video

What types of vehicle tracking are available?

There are several types of vehicle tracking systems in existence, classified wither as “active” or “passive”. The passive vehicle tracking devices store speed, GPS location and heading, as well as other triggers such as doors opening and closing and keys locking and unlocking the vehicle. This data can be retrieved once the vehicle has returned to a certain point. The data is downloaded to a computer and is evaluated. Passive tracking systems can also include devices that automatically download and transfer data to a computer through a wireless connection.

The active vehicle tracking systems collect the same information (speed, GPS location and heading etc.) but these devices transmit the data in real-time to a data centre or computer for evaluation. This is done via satellite or cellular networks.

Vehicle tracking systems these days combine both passive an active tracking systems. If a cellular network is available the data will be transmitted to a server (active); but if a cellular network is unavailable, the data will be stored in the internal memory of the data (passive). This stored data will be transmitted later when a network becomes available once again.

In the past a vehicle tracking system was installed into a vehicle as a small box that ran on a battery or was powered by the vehicle. When it comes to detailed tracking purposes, this method is still largely in use. These days, however, many companies are choosing to harness cellphone technologies to provide tracking of the multiple entities (the vehicles as well as the salesperson). These cell phone network systems can also track calls and texts made, providing an even wider safety net that is transmitted through real-time data.

A GPS tracking system commonly consists of a GPS tracking device that fits into the vehicle and captures data at regular intervals, a GPS tracking server, and a user interface. The GPS tracking device picks up a wide variety of data, including not only location, but fuel amount, altitude, engine temperature, reverse geocoding, tire pressure, ignition turning on and off, battery status, emergency button status and a host of other information. The tracking server is responsible for receiving data from the unit, storing this data securely and serving it to the user on demand. The user interface determines how a user will be able to view vehicle data and access information.

Some well-known South African vehicle tracking companies are Altech Netstar and Ctrack.

Vehicle Tracking Systems is an original post from: Used Cars For Africa

No related posts.

Auto Freeway magazine and other publications are produced by Auto Trader, showcasing a range of used vehicles selling in your area. There are three different Auto Freeway magazines distributed in three regions – Cape Town, Kwa Zulu Natal and Gauteng. The magazines are published on a weekly basis and all are provided free of charge.

The Autotraders Cape Town Auto Freeway magazine is available from a number of outlets in the region, such as most places where newspapers are found. When you are looking for a used car, simply get hold of the magazine and begin your hunt.

Hints and tips before you buy a used car

• Budget, baby: If you have an idea of what kind of vehicle you would like, you need to first establish how much you can afford to spend on your used car. It is also worth contacting a number of vehicle finance providers to see who can provide you with the best finance option and to see if you qualify for vehicle finance. Set a strict budget and don’t be tempted into buying a car that is more expensive than you can afford.
• Do your research: The only way you will know if you are looking at a good deal in the Autotraders Cape Town Auto Freeway magazines to compare similar cars and their prices. Factors to consider include the make and model, as well as the car’s mileage, service history, fuel economy, its depreciation value and other such criteria. If you know what the car you are looking at is worth you will be able to make educated negotiations and get an accurate price for your car.
• Limit the list: Don’t make too long a shopping list of cars and don’t make too many circles in your Auto Freeway magazine. Having too many choices will mean too many cars to follow up on, costing you both time and money. Rather choose a few of the best and chase them up before moving on to the rest.
• Expect to inspect: If you don’t know much about cars yourself, get hold of someone who does. Before you buy a car it is imperative to check it out to discover any faults or flaws. If you discover any faults you can then use them as leverage to lower the price of the car. It is also important to test drive the vehicle to ensure that you feel comfortable behind the wheel. In older vehicles, excessive exhaust fumes are bad news, and keep an ear out for unwanted rattles and shakes and you drive.
• Double-check the docs: Especially if you are buying form a private individual you need to check that the registration documents for the correct name of the seller and their correct address. Check the car’s service history carefully and compare the vehicle’s actual mileage with the roadworthy certificates and receipts.
• Niggle and negotiate: Negotiating a deal can save you a lot of money. You need to come into a negotiation with knowledge about what you should be paying for the vehicle as well as a cool head. Don’t feel pressured into buying the vehicle; just because you are looking it doesn’t mean you are buying.
• Find your finance: Find the best option to finance your vehicle as there are a range of options out there. Always a receipt that states that the vehicle does not have any outstanding money owed. Remember to also sign the Change Of Ownership document, of which you keep half and the other half goes to the seller.

Contact Autotraders Cape Town Auto Freeway magazine

To contact the team at the Auto Freeway Magazine in Cape Town, you can call them on 021 9149190 or email on atcpt@autotrader.co.za. You can find the Auto Traders and Auto Freeway website on http://www.autotrader.co.za and the office address is Unit 5 West Wing Terraces, Old Oak Office Park, Old Oak Road, Bellville, South Africa.

Autotraders Cape Town Auto Freeway Magazine is an original post from: Used Cars For Africa

You may also be interested in:

1. Car Magazine Subscriptions
2. Smart Cars For Sale in Cape Town
3. Preowned Auto Pedigree Cars
4. Car Auctions in Cape Town and the Western Cape
5. Cape Town Used Commercial Vehicles For Sale

• New or used?

Used cars are often a more affordable option for car buyers. Buying a new car does buy you security, as the car won’t have any hidden glitches, but it also buys you a higher price tag when you could find a used vehicle of almost equal quality at a fraction of the price. If you do decide to buy a used model however, do your research into the service history of the car and also find out whether it has been in any accidents.

Beware of very high mileages and make sure that the car won’t give you more trouble than what you paid for it. Remember, another benefit of buying a new car is that newer cars have better technologies and can often be more fuel efficient and cost effective in the long run.

• Budget and negotiate

One of the factors that may help you to decide whether to buy a new or used car is your budget. If you have the cash to splash, buying a new car means buying a car in the best possible condition. Once you have decided how much you can afford to spend and you know what kind of vehicle you want, it’s time to start looking at dealerships and private sales.

Before you even consider buying anything, however, it is important to do your research to find out what you should be paying for the car you want – look at the prices on similar makes and models to what you are looking for so that you will know if you are being cheated out of your hard earned cash. Private sales may be shooting too high, and car dealers may try to intimidate or talk you into buying a car for more than it’s worth. If you think this is the case, don’t be afraid to negotiate your way into a better deal.

• Test and inspect

Whether your vehicle in new or used, it is imperative that you test drive it to make sure that there are no unwelcome shakes, rattles and rolls. Even if your car is new, it is important that test drive it to see that you feel comfortable behind the wheel. All cars should be inspected, regardless of whether you bought it from a private owner or a dealership.

Inspecting the car from top to tow bar is especially important for used vehicles. If you don’t know much about cars, bring along someone who does to check for any wear or damage that will give your problems or cost you money in the future.

Having said that, if you are looking to buy a repossessed car from an auction, you will not be permitted to take the vehicle for a test drive.

• Be scam savvy

Not all dealers are born honest and it can be easy to hide certain imperfections and problems that can reveal themselves later. Car dealer fraud is a common occurrence, and some dealers will even try to sell newer used cars as new cars. When buying a car, use an accredited dealer to prevent fraudulent encounters. If you are buying a used car, make sure that you get a vehicle history report to find out about replacements and repairs of different car parts. You can also ask the owner or dealer about any repairs.

• Safety first

Cars are one of the most dangerous modes of transportation, so safety is one of the most important criteria when choosing a car. This can not only save your own life, but the lives of your passengers and other drivers. Different cars have various safety features, ranging from Anti-Lock Braking Systems (ABS), to Cargo Barriers, Front and Rear Airbags and other technologies that may help reduce your risk of serious accidents and car crashes.

Armed with this information, you can enjoy the process of buying a new or used car that you can drive with pride.

5 Important Points to Consider when Purchasing a Vehicle is an original post from: Used Cars For Africa

No related posts.

This is where a convenient online broker type facility such as Top Car Insurance can come in handy and save you up to 30% of your monthly premiums with South Africa’s leading motor insurance companies.

They offer a service that can save you money on your monthly vehicle cover costs for a few minutes of your time to fill in a simple online form with just a few basic details.

Let’s cut to the chase – Here’s how it works…

Four steps to better and cheaper car insurance:
1. Fill out a simple form.
2. We get quotes from 12 top insurers.
3. We select the 3 best deals for you.
4. Simply choose the best quote.
Click Here

And… as they say… “that’s that!”

With the cost of living being so high these days it is well worth shopping around for the most affordable packages you can find but as far as vehicle insurance cover goes, let Top Car Insurance do the bargain hunting for you!

Take 2 Minutes to Save on Car Insurance is an original post from: Used Cars For Africa

You may also be interested in:

1. Virgin Motor Car Insurance Cover

Why buy a used car?

There are a number of purchases you wouldn’t want to be pre-owned (underwear and cough lozenges come to mind), but when it comes to cars you can be sure that there are a number of benefits to going the used route:

• With a used car, you can enjoy all technology and advancements of a new car without having to pay the premium simply for taking the car fresh out of the showroom.
• Today, dealerships sell a variety of reliable and well-maintained used cars that are almost as good as new (some may even still have the coveted “new car smell”).
• When buying a pre-owned vehicle, you can often get a car similar in quality to a new car, but selling for a fraction of the price).

Here are some of the most useful and popular Used Car Search Websites in SA:

• At Car Find (www.carfind.co.za), the lazy among the licenced actually won’t have to hunt at all. You can simply fill out a form to “Request a Used Vehicle”, filling out your car requirements, such as price, model, and the option to add your own specifications. Car Find will then alert you when a car that suits you becomes available.
• Auto Trader (www.autotrader.co.za) is one of the most user-friendly websites that lets you enter a number of specifications, such as mileage, price, model, year, make. However, if you are less picky and want to conduct broader searches you can choose to leave out these specifications.
• At Auto World (www.autoworld.co.za), you can select the make and model of your used car or select your favourite manufacturer.
• Carshop (www.carshop.co.za) only advertises and sells used cars that are in excellent condition and are almost as good as new.  There are about 3000 cars listed on the Carshop website.  If you can’t find the deal you are looking for, you can also give them a call on 0861 CARSHOP or shoot an email to atcarshop@cmh.co.za

There are also a number of general classifieds where you can find used cars, listed both by private sellers and car dealers. One of the most popular is Gumtree. Just be wary when buying from private buyers and be sure to see the car before you commit to any purchases.

Some hints and tips when using used car search websites in SA:

• Use an online vehicle guide to check what you should be paying for the car that you have your eye on. Be sure to check how the bells and whistles added to cars may affect the price. Other factors that affect the price are economy, servicing and depreciation.
• When you are choosing a car, the most important factors to consider are age, mileage, condition, service history, and specifications.
• When you test drive the vehicle, spend at least 20 minutes behind the wheel, checking for any faults. If you’re choking on the exhaust fumes, or if it sounds like you’re being shaken around in a percussion band, this used car is not for you. Make sure that you feel comfortable in the car and like the way it drives.
• Also make sure to check for any dents, rust, windscreen chips, and inspect the condition of the interior of the car to check that the seats, steering wheel, and gearstick are in good nick.
• When a car has a full service history (FSH) you can usually be sure that the car has been well looked after and will usually be a good buy.

Used Car Search Websites in SA is an original post from: Used Cars For Africa

You may also be interested in:

1. Search Used Car Specials

1. Stick to your budget 

Many people have the best intentions of sticking to their budget and then are enticed to spend more by dealerships. The reason that the dealers want you to buy a more expensive car is because they will earn more commission off of the vehicle. They are not concerned with what you can actually afford, but rather their own bank balances. Therefore before you even go looking for a vehicle, decide on a budget as this way you will be able to stop yourself from being conned by the dealers.

2. Do not purchase a car without a deposit 

Many of the leading car dealerships and brands are offering their customers the chance to purchase vehicles without a deposit. Now as enticing as this may seem, there are a number of catches that apply. Firstly, if you do not pay a deposit, it means that your monthly instalment will be more every month. You will therefore need to factor this increased monthly instalment in to your budget. Many people get so caught up with the idea that they can instantly get a car without actually having saved some money for a deposit and do not realise that this forces the monthly instalments up. As a result, they end up losing the car and get a bad credit record because of it.

What is more is that should you be able to afford the monthly instalments, what you may not realise is that you will have to pay a balloon payment at the end of your loan period. This can sometimes amount to hundreds of thousands of rands and if you cannot pay that amount, the dealership will take back the car and you will be back to square one. However, should you sell your car before you are required to pay the balloon payment, you can pay off the balloon payment as well as have a deposit for another vehicle. This however is seldom the case.

3. Make sure that you get the right interest rate for you 

Many car dealerships offer financing options to their customers through the banks. This means that you can choose between two types of interest options. Firstly you can choose the fixed interest rate. This is probably the safest of the two options as a fixed interest rate means that for the term of your loan, you will pay a set interest amount on your vehicle every month.

The second option is a variable interest rate that is linked to the prime lending rate. Should the lending rate decrease by a point, then you will pay less interest on your vehicle that month. Should the lending rate increase however, you may find yourself not being able to afford your car. Another important thing to note is that you should investigate what other dealerships and banks are offering in terms of interest as you may find the dealership trying to charge too much.

4. Make sure that the car has a full service history 

Many dealerships claim that the vehicles they have on sale have a full service history yet once you have purchased the car, you find that there is no service history for you to refer to.

5. Know your rights 

With the new Consumer Protection Act that came in to play in April 2011, there are a number of dealerships that are trying to hedge their bets and get away with unlawful behaviour due to the fact that consumers are not knowledgeable. It is therefore imperative that you understand the act in order to safeguard yourself against unlawful behaviour. This will also provide you with additional tips to avoid car debt traps.

Tips to Avoid Car Debt Traps is an original post from: Used Cars For Africa

You may also be interested in:

1. Second Hand Car Buying Tips

Firstly, a linked interest rate is linked to the prime lending rate. The prime lending rate is subject to fluctuations and therefore should you purchase a car on credit with a linked interest rate, there is no guarantee that you will pay the same amount each month on your instalment. Should you however purchase a vehicle on finance with a fixed interest rate, you will usually pay a higher amount than if you had taken a linked interest rate. However the benefit to this is that you will have the same instalment amount each month which you will be required to pay back. It is also important to note that this amount cannot change during the duration of the loan period.

One of the ways in which consumers today and save money on their monthly instalments is by deferring a percentage of the purchase price until the end of an instalment sale or lease agreement. Although this may seem like a good idea in terms of your monthly cash flow, you may find yourself in trouble at the end of the lease period and have to pay back that lump sum on the vehicle. What is more is that people generally think that by doing it this way, they will not have to pay as much on interest, this however is not the case. Therefore if you can afford to pay a higher monthly instalment, then I would recommend that over taking out a balloon payment.

The majority of banks allow you to choose between the two rate options. Nedbank claim that the linked rate option is best for individuals and car allowance users. The reason for this is that they will get the benefit decreased interest rates should the interest rate decrease during the time of their payment agreement. However, should the interest rate increase, you will be forced to pay higher amounts on your vehicle. With regards to the fixed interest option, Nedbank claim that this is linked to the prime lending rate and therefore in the event that the interest rate does increase during the agreement period, your repayments will not be affected and your interest rates will stay the same. Nedbank claim that this interest option is best suited for individuals as it allows them to budget appropriately and will protect you against negative cash flow implications.

Nearly all of the banks in South Africa allow you to choose between a fixed or a variable interest rate which therefore means that you can choose the option that works with your cash flow. If you have a lot of disposable income and are willing to take the risks associated with a linked interest rate then this may be the best option for you.

Therefore if the interest rate drops in the market, then your instalment for that month will drop. If the interest rate increases then you will have to pay an increased amount on your instalment. Should you however not have this freedom with regards to your budget, then the best option for you would be  a fixed interest rate. This means that you can budget a certain amount to be paid in instalments each month and that amount would fluctuate. The only downfall to this is that if the interest rate drops drastically then you will not be able to reap the rewards.

Linked or Fixed Credit Rate – Which is best when buying a car? is an original post from: Used Cars For Africa

You may also be interested in:

1. Blacklisted Car Loans
2. Bad Credit Car Finance for Vehicles
3. Benefits to Buying a Demo Car

1. Repossessed car auctions

Every week, auctioneers such as Aucor and Birchmores hold auctions on repossessed cars. These auctions are open to those members of the public who have registered with the auction houses. However, the cars that are on auction cannot be test driven, but rather the auction houses have a viewing day, usually the day before the auction of the vehicles, where you can go and inspect the vehicles yourself.

Should you not be completely in the know about vehicles and how they work, then the best thing for you to do would be to take a qualified motor mechanic or electrician to inspect the vehicle to ensure that you are not purchasing a car with any serious problems. This is extremely important as these cars come “as is”, which means that should you purchase the car and then only realise that there is something wrong with it, the responsibility is yours to fix it. You cannot return the car to the auction house and expect them to fix it. What is great about these auctions though is that nearly every bank in South Africa has vehicle finance administrators who can assist you obtaining vehicle finance at the auctions.

It is however important to note that you have to pay a deposit on the car in order to secure the vehicle from being purchased by another individual. Should you thereafter be denied vehicle finance, you will have to come up with the money for the vehicle in another way. My suggestion therefore is to obtain approval for finance before you attend an auction.

1. Used car dealerships

Some dealerships purchase these repossessed cars themselves. This means that you can visit a local used car dealership to enquire about pre-owned repossessed cars for sale in the Cape Town area. You may end up spending a little bit more on these vehicles due to the fact that the dealership will mark up the vehicle in order to make a profit but there are certain advantages with purchasing a repossessed vehicle in this way.

Firstly, you can test drive the vehicle unlike at auctions. Secondly, should there be a problem with the vehicle which the dealership has not made you aware of before you purchase it, they are liable for the costs to fix it. This is because of the Consumer Protection Act which came in to play in April of this year. Thirdly, you can apply for finance through the dealership and they will be able to tell you almost immediately if you can afford the vehicle. Usually, you would have to put down a deposit to secure the vehicle, however some dealerships will hold the vehicle for you until your finance has been approved.

1. Online dealers

There are also a host of online dealerships that you can visit such as www.mycars.co.za which list all of the repossessed vehicles available. Here the same principles applies with used car dealerships.

So if you are looking for a vehicle at a great price, then you really should consider purchasing a repossessed vehicle as you will be able to purchase a quality brand car at usually less than market value.

Pre-Owned Repossessed Cars for Sale in the Cape Town Area is an original post from: Used Cars For Africa

You may also be interested in:

1. Cars for Sale in Cape Town and Suburbs
2. Cape Town Used Commercial Vehicles For Sale
3. Good Used Cars For Sale in Cape Town
4. Smart Cars For Sale in Cape Town
5. Car Auctions in Cape Town and the Western Cape