Genius?

Isn’t mowing the lawn therapeutic. Having found that much of the afternoon had passed me by while I updated my website and caught up with some admin, I decided to cut the grass, to complement the great work Mrs C had been doing during the afternoon. With nothing else to think about for a few minutes I pondered England’s chances at this year’s World Cup in Germany, or rather what chance now that our star talent Wayne Rooney has been struck by England’s nemesis the broken metatarsal.

Without going off on a tangent, something I am second to none at, it turns out that this recent flurry of broken feet, something that seems to be fairly unique to English football? is all to do with the nil protection afforded to footballer’s feet from the super thin leather upper of a modern day tech-football boot. It’s no accident that the likes of Beckham, Owen and Rooney are so deft with their feet nowadays. Pele would have killed to have the control afforded by kicking the ball with virtually the surface of your instep and not have a thick lump of leather spoil the pinpoint transference of energy from foot to ball and hopefully goal. Of course the downside is that if you have the likes of Paolo Ferreira  bearing down on you and they (happen) to tread on your foot, you’re for want of a better expression, up the creek without a paddle. Stud to metatarsal equals the entire football following part of a nation’s heart sinking. 

So, back to chances. To win these games you need ‘World Class’ players. These people if there was one, we assume would play for the World Eleven against aliens or extraterrestrials who would field an equally impressive team of defenders, midfield and strikers. World Class players make the difference between a good team and an excellent team. Even International teams only often field one World Class player. Once you have been elevated in a commentator’s opinion to World Class, you may make it to the Grand Master of descriptions ‘Genius’. I’m not even sure Beckham has been described as genius. Well, he might have been, when as a teenager he scored that cheeky goal from the halfway line, of single-handedly beat (Greece?) to ensure our qualification to the last World Cup – thereafter breaking his metatarsal and causing The Sun to distribute prayer mats with its six million copies. No, genius is reserved to the likes of Pele, Cruff, Maradonna (flawed) Best (flawed) there’s a trend here, and Rooney.

As someone who would classify even an average surgeon as a genius, the phrase is a little over-used nowadays, but even I have found myself defending the term against Mrs C’s rant that “How on earth a footballer could be called a genius is beyond me?” Which then often segues into my mother’s catchphrase “Ask them to get the washing in, or put the rubbish out” (add any chore to this), or “Could they perform open heart surgery?” Of course they couldn’t. But ask them to take control of a game where another twenty one people are also participating, odds-on when the going gets tough, they will get going e.g. Steven Gerrard in the second half of last year’s Champions League Final.

Our chances in this year’s finals. Pretty slim. Unless of course we adopt the tactics of one Mr Sam Allardyce, Bolton FC manager and England Football Manager candidate who I quote “If we can’t play them off the field, we get in their faces.” Arsene Wenger hates that”. He hasn’t got the job. But if his tactics were to beat Brazil three nil in a World Cup Final he’s be a genius too!

P.S I am not prepared to discuss the phrase 'Top, top drawer.'

I swear, the Industry is asleep?

What's going on? Is the Retail Motor Industry making so much money they don't need to capitalise on opportunity? Here's my point. In the last few weeks I have advertised, using the most effective vehicles available, e-mail and fax broadcasts, to the trade for cars requested by customers ready to buy. Everything from MINI Cooper Convertibles to Volkswagen Caravelle Shuttle 9 Seater Autos. The response, near ZERO. So, I can only imagine that the trade is bereft of such models…unlikely. I always leave the door open in my description for a sharp individual to offer me something a little 'richer' priced than may be desirable. After all, the request may be for something rare that just may be able to be bought for a premium. Again, few takers to report.

The same can be said for cars offered to the trade. I've been underwriting cars for about 15 years, that is to say pricing likely part-exchanges for dealers who wouldn't wish to stock that car on arrival. I and other dealers buy them, leaving them to concentrate on their own stock. So I offer some very desirable kit to the networks. So often the response " We can't sell that colour/model/gearbox/engine" or "They cost too much to prepare" or even "They don't sell well" Yeah right, the people who DO buy them, sell them in no time and at a good margin – taking desirable 'price-range' part exchanges to go on with.

I am coming to a conclusion. There are now numerous 'Used Car Managers' in dealerships who really have never traded used cars, they have just been responsible for selling six month old and self-registered demos as sales execs so they bring to management no experience of the used car business. Buying and selling opportunity, speculating on 'different' stock or high spec cars with a few more miles and a bristling service history. When they do buy something they steal it – and let you know a dozen times just how cheap a certain car was, casually forgetting all the great cars they missed out on by bidding low. I have many an anecdote to relate for virtually any make/model/mileage and transmission combination – but you know, they all come to me from people who have left the dealer networks, people who, for one reason or another, find themselves outside the franchised networks and who now trade for themselves because they realised there was a whole world of stock out there for the taking.

One particular person calls and e-mails me at all hours, offering me the cars I am searching for and putting bids on all manner of cars offered to the trade. He doesn't buy all of them, but he is in the market. Guess what? He doesn't work for a franchised dealer group.

Footnote. I'm still attempting to find a home for an immaculate affordable Silver Impreza WRX 4Dr or two, trying to find a Black or Dark Silver Hi-Spec MINI Cooper Convertible with A/C. I'd take your hand off if you could offer me a neat Silver VW Shuttle Bus.

Spring Clean

Giving the website a thorough dust off, moving sold cars and adding new stock. This will be done in the next day or so. In the meantime a few cars just in that may be of interest to you, your friends or family. Very diverse and some lower priced cars.

2001 Y Reg Nissan Micra 1.0 S 3 Door Hatchback. 62000 miles, two owners. History to 40000 and I'll have a service and New MOT done prior to delivery. Drives well – don't all Nissans! and it's got a really good Sony Hi-Fi / CD Player and speakers in the parcel shelf. The previous owner had traded Watts Per Channel for Brake Horse Power! Once prepared will be offering at £2495 ono.

1999 T Reg Honda Civic 5 Dr ES 1.6 VTEC (TBC) AUTOMATIC with Power Steering and Full Leather. Very rare car in superb condition throughout. Honda GB plus one lady owner since 2000. Lots of servicing and a genuine 25000 miles only! Again a bright red car that will look superb when polished for delivery. £4495 ono

2003 (52 Plate) Toyota Yaris 1.0 GS 5Dr. Stylish Dark Blue Metallic. Great spec little car that always comes out top in the reliability stakes and thecar to recommend to friends or family. Will confirm specification once here, but expect Power Steering, Electric Windows, Sunroof, Immobiliser. It's got Full Toyota History and very clean throughout. £5295 ono

2002 02 SEAT Ibiza 1.4 16V 5 Door SE (Top Of The Range Spec) Met Silver, One Owner and just 17603 miles. Full SEAT History and beautiful condition throughout. This car is fabulous to drive – you may realise that SEAT are owned by Volkswagen and the Ibiza is basically a Polo with a different body and badging. This really is a case of the pretender being an improvement over the King!Looking for a 5 Door hatch about this price? Come and try this car and the controls and build quality will seriously impress you. So will the zippy performance from the 1.4 engine and 5 speed gearbox. Lots of spec including a Radio CD Player, Full Climate Control Air Conditioning, Electric Front Windows, Remore Central Locking and much more… £5995 ono

As you know, deals always done on price, part exchanges and any upgrades you may wish to carry out. As much as I enjoy buying them, I prefer selling!

Re: The spring clean…."Don't you just love the smell of Autoglym in the morning?" … Back later.

Visit allvehicles online used car pages and links to new stock here

Contact me about any of these cars by clicking here

Like buses..

My Vel Satis Initiale has found it's new owner whose deposit has now arrived and who will be taking delivery next Monday. Just as you come to expect another enquirer soon after looking for something "just like that" – and where does he live? A mile away! This wouldn't be unusual if I advertised locally, but the disparity between the cost of local (expensive) to national (now great value) means that the majority of my cars are flung far and wide around the corners of the country. Living half an hour from Gatwick enables me to easily meet buyers who live farther away. Of course, this is all down to the power of the Internet and digital photography. Not only do people find cars now they never knew existed before, they can see in full technicolour exactly what they are buying. A solid pre-sale check my end means they know pretty much exactly what awaits and adds confidence. Amusingly Mr Local Vel-Satis *Googled* 'Vel Satis For Sale' and my web pages came up near the top of the list, which means despite selling my car, I've hopefully found a sister-car to suit my local man.

A Very Good Friday (Feels Like A Saturday?)

'allvehicles' very much open today. Finally finished preparing three cars for stock today and have them advertised over the Easter holiday. It's been a very busy day handing over sold cars, prepping new stock and even an hour or two chatting with a visiting friend, former employer and fellow car dealer visiting while delivering a car locally (on my manor so to speak, but I did source the car *wink*)

Realised I have now delivered in excess of £300000 of Renaultsport product in 2006, which, while turnover is vanity I know, I'm still very pleased that at the same time I am building a much varied and interesting client base for the future. Yes! I would like all these cars back at some time in the future! Today's happy new Cliosport owner trundled off to Wales for the weekend, may yet get a text back to see how he's getting on, but since he is meeting his girlfriend's family for the first time, he may be otherwise engaged than driving his new kit. I was compelled to remind him not to get into similar scrapes to the hapless Ben Stiller character in Meet The Parents or Meet The Fokkers

So, as they say in the East End, I'm cream crackered this evening, so signing off a short post with a link to a test by Jeremy Clarkson for my favourite car. Oh, I have an immaculate one for £12995 pictured below, so please disregard his price quote!

Have a great Easter break!

What Do Cars In London Run On?

Travelled to the City of London yesterday to collect a car from a seller who works there. Unfortunately the Victoria Line was closed due to maintenance and had to cobble a trip together via District & Circle and then walk across the labyrinth of tunnels between Monument and Bank on the Central line which is where we were meeting. It’s surprising how after a few months of using the tube more often you become accustomed to the stations, anomalies and shortcuts. Nonetheless, it was interesting to emerge at Bank by the Royal Exchange building amongst the city folk, most in casual mode, i.e tie off, with some still chomping on their cigars, i.e non-smoking policy in the office, then walk through the City area past some very old and distinguished institutions.

Having gone through the formalities with a friendly and interesting vendor – the upside of maintaining a business that deals with both the public and the trade,  I intended to make my way to the Blackwall Tunnel, thus taking a route least likely to incur any bumps or scrapes to my new stock. Unfortunately, my sense of direction, particularly when cloudy, is always wanting and I managed to find myself at London Bridge. Across the Thames I was in South London, battling for space on the road with a multitude of buses, taxis and even earth moving equipment. Just what I wanted to avoid. Thankfully, despite the efforts of a number of other road users the car is unscathed and ready to be offered later today.

The other point I noticed is how few petrol stations there are in London itself. Just around the corner from the collection the yellow light was glowing indicating fuel low. It was a good twenty to thirty mins before I came across a petrol station – do cars in London run on fresh air? My own was probably running on fumes by then. The guy in the kiosk, barricaded behind enough security to make the Bank of England envious, told me that this very place was due for closure. I didn’t see another until about Streatham. They must exist, probably monopolised by supermarkets off the beaten A23 track.

With Good Friday being a bank-holiday tomorrow it’s a busy day making cars ready to deliver. It’s also made for a nail-biting day for one customer who is willing the money into his account so he can take his new sports car to Wales for the weekend. Fingers crossed.

Don’t You Just Love It When A Plan Comes Together!

Just taken delivery of my Renault Clio Privilege 5 Door 1.4 Auto and SEAT Ibiza 5 Door 1.4 SE. Both in superb condition and have even been valeted. The weather's been kind over the last two days so their 300 mile delivery hardly shows. After the last few days of rejecting cars on account of their condition, it's refreshing to have found a dealer who sources lovely dealer part-exchanges and properly describes them, as well as an ultra-relaible collection company – who I might add use an army of retired and friendly drivers. Very much all systems go with these two and hopefully many more from this source to come.

Long Day

Another long day which included a (the now usual) three hundred mile round trip to collect a Clio Trophy that I managed to source for one of my customers. The upside though was that this particular car #449/500 has had some useful and uncontroversial modifications that have gone a long way to make an already very good car a great one. The total owner spend on mods was about £1000 but this includes a Magnex free-flowing Rear Silencer, uprated Brembo (higher carbon content and cross drilled) discs and FDS 2500 brake pads, uprated Goodridge braided brake hoses and a performance ITQ air filter insert to replace the stock one. I'll try and link the mods to the manufacturer websites when I have time, but for now an appraisal of the results would be:

Much firmer feeling brakes, with quite significantly more stopping power. A more secure feeling and progressive pedal.
Not driven back-to-back, but seems like more in the mid-range torque, power up hills etc
Freer revving engine from air filter and exhaust flow
Complimentary tuned exhaust note matches the extra induction noise you get from a Trophy with less soundproofing than a regular 182. Sounds great inside over 3500 revs.
Slightly larger rear bore exhaust, by no means 'boy-racer' but definitely gives the car a more purposeful look.

It's also got a carbon fibre air splitter, which from a distance looks far more worthy of the car than the regular plastic one. All in all a 'Big Up', as they say in some circles, to SK for producing a nicely modified Clio 182 Trophy for an affordable amount. Just a shame I have to give it up on Thursday!

Time Flies..

The weekend has flown by. Mind you, was more of a working weekend to make up for the time spent sat on a train last week with no Internet to update or accounts to sort out. Also too many cars sitting around not getting prepared also concerns me, after all I have to sell them as well as buy them!

So, to remedy that I've spent the weekend (?) preparing a couple for advertising this week. Always seems quicker to clean cars on a production line basis (Henry Ford had something there!) The result, a very shiny black Clio Dynamique dCi 5 Door finished. An equally rare, one owner, 51 plate 'price-range' Megane Privilege Convertible about 80% ready to go. The Clio has been photographed and the Megane will be done in time for the Easter break on the next sunny day, with the power hood down.  

Accounts up to date, more cars bought, and website pics uploaded. May have found somewhere suitable to hold 6-8 Clio 182s (more on that soon) Just enough time to catch the last 45 mins of Manchester United v Arsenal this afternoon, then 5-6pm of 24 this evening. Off on my travels again tomorrow to pick up a Clio Trophy for stock. The last person I bought one off thought I must be getting bored with them. Bored? 182 Trophy? Never.

ps: WordPress has a very nifty spell checker. Started your blog yet?

On The Hunt

A number of perfect stock cars mentioned before have failed to materialise this week. On inspection (twice, many miles from home!) a couple failed to live up to the billing given them by their vendors. One thing is certain, I would rather pay a return train fare than buy a car only to overspend on misdescribed reconditioning. I may now be short of what were ostensibly two very desirable cars, but at least I have standards! The third casualty hopefully may just be delayed. The result is that I am now urgently seeking the following (you may be able to help!):

All lower than average miles and no more than two owners / FSH

53 – 04 Plate Renault Clio 5Dr Expression or Dynamique 1.2 16V
53 – 04 Plate Renault Clio 5 Dr AUTOMATIC
04 – 05 Plate Renaultsport Clio V6 255 Low mileage in Blue or Black Metallic
05 – 55 Plate Renaultsport Clio TROPHY. Must be less than 6000 miles
01Y – 02 Plate Honda Civic 5Dr AUTOMATIC. Less than 50000 miles and FHSH – about £4000 to spend on the right car.

OK, I have seen a lot of Wiltshire (very nice too) on my trip to and from Weston Super Mare, and a bit too much of the Victoria Line on my aborted trip to Hitchin, but I have had plenty of time to consider improvements to the business and marketing initiatives – some of which may appear here very soon.

Have a great weekend.