Vw 1998-2004 Jetta Passat B5 Golf Gti Polo Mk4 Shark Fin Antenna (vw Fin) on 2040-parts.com

Glass’s Guide Luxury Cars price crash

I think we all knew it was happening, but Glass’s guide, the trade bible for used car values, has confirmed that luxury cars in the UK have fallen out of bed in a big way. Comparing luxury diesel saloons with a year ago, they say that average values have dropped by a massive 21%. And in pure money terms the top end coupes, such as the Porsche 911, have fallen by 18%.

'80s dream-car bargains: The AutoWeek list

'84-'89 C4 Corvette High: $44,000 Low: $2,500 Average: $10,018 Our take: Arguably the best buy on this list '85-'89 Volkswagen GTI High: $5,995 Low: $4,100 Average: $4,865 Our take: The iconic pocket rocket '85-'89 Ford Mustang 5.0 High: $48,995 Low: $1,900 Average: $7,924 Our take: Pony car + V8 = tons of fun '87-'89 Pontiac Firebird Formula High: $22,900 Low: $4,000 Average: $10,293 Our take: One day, you might be able to show it at an Orphan Car Show '84-'87 Buick Grand National High: $31,700 Low: $9,000 Average: $17,442 Our take: If you can find a clean one for less than $20,000, buy it '81-'82 DeLorean DMC-12 High: $26,900 Low: $15,998 Average: $22,572 Our take: Only on the market for a couple years; might always be a collectible '81-'89 Lotus Esprit High: $41,998 Low: $16,495 Average: $23,535 Our take: One of the fastest cars in its day '88-'89 BMW M3 High: $65,000 Low: $14,500 Average: $24,417 Our take: A lot of thrills for the money '83-'85 Ferrari 308 GTS High: $44,950 Low: $32,900 Average: $37,878 Our take: A Ferrari for less than 40 grand? Believe it '81-'89 Porsche 911 Turbo High: $78,500 Low: $24,900 Average: $40,669 Our take: Be careful, these monsters are a handful!

Catalytic converter thefts double in three years

Associated Press Thefts of catalytic converters from cars have more than doubled in less than three years, according to an investigation by the BBC. Data compiled from 40 police regions across the UK reveal that in 2012 a total of 8,947 catalytic converters thefts were reported, compared to 3,957 similar cases recorded in 2010. On Bing: see pictures of catalytic convertersStreet sweepers to mine UK roads for precious metals A car’s catalytic converter reduces its harmful exhaust gas emissions by initiating a chemical process to neutralise many toxic substances emitted from the engine.