Arias Pistons 12.5:1 Compression 82mm Bore Honda B-series on 2040-parts.com

A Right Old Estate of Affairs

A NEW study from car hire Europcar has revealed that, while a practical, versatile estate car might be just the ticket for a busy life, it’s not the car of choice to create a lasting impression on a first date. According to the firm’s survey, just one percent of respondents said they would choose an estate car when hiring for a special day, with women put off by the practicality of estates. Unsurprisingly, prestige vehicles topped the list for the car to make the best impression at 32%.

Aston Martin Rapide Luxe revealed

The Aston Martin Rapide Luxe For some reason Aston Martin has decided that they need to offer a new trim level on the Rapide – the Aston Martin Rapide Luxe. Which, if this were a rather more prosaic car, we’d understand. You need to define for the punter the pecking order within a range, and you need an excuse to extract a few bob more in the showroom.

All used up: Pre-owned sales rise as consumers seek new-car alternatives

Used-car sales took a leap upward in April, and the trend is expected to continue at least until midyear as pent-up demand for affordable pre-owned vehicles jacks up at least one segment of the car marketplace. Sales of new cars continued an unabated slide toward what analysts say is a 30-year low in the United States, but used-car sales showed strength as buyers unable to finance new cars shifted their sights to less expensive used models. As a result, retailers such as the large Penske Automotive Group reported that despite an overall decline in sales in the first three months of 2009, improving used-car sales kept them in the black.