Cars that drive themselves

Many of us have dreamed of automated cars since watching Knight Rider in the 1980s.  But the thirst for such technology goes further back than that when a ‘drive-by-wire’ system was being tested by the UK government back in the 1960s.  See here the man reading his book at the wheel of an elegant Citroen DS19!

Look no hands!!

Now we’re well into the 21^st century and it seems that cars that drive themselves are not too far away.  Last year Mercedes-Benz and Nissan announced they will be selling a self-driven or ‘autonomous’ car by 2020. And the race to be the first is clearly on with Audi, BMW, Ford, General Motors and Toyota also developing technology that would allow cars to steer, brake and accelerate with little or no input from the driver. 

Nissan is reportedly working with universities around the world to develop the technology, and has invested in a test track in Japan that will replicate real life conditions for the self-driven cars being worked on. 

Meanwhile Mercedez-Benz stole the show at the Frankfurt (Germany) Auto Show in September last year with its S500 Intelligent Drive research vehicle. This vehicle had just retraced the first road trip of 103kms taken by the first passenger car (also a Benz) in 1888.

Watch a couple of videos here:

But it’s not just the automakers involved, as of course the need for advanced technology is a large part of the progress. Companies such as Nokia, IBM,  Continental and needless to say Google are just some of the players involved in the push for autonomous driving.

Many cars already have short and long range radars front and rear, and front-facing stereoscopic cameras to detect objects and distances.  The Mercedes vehicle seen at Frankfurt has added colour to the front facing cameras to deted traffic lights, a backwards facing camera to recognize and verify landmarks for more precise vehicle location and lane positioning, and additional front facing radars to better track oncoming traffic.

So while cars get increasingly more computer controlled and technology is advancing at a rapid pace it may just be the nervousness of authorities and insurance companies that are the largest hurdle to self driven cars.

Commuters can dream of being able to legally be on the phone or laptop while travelling to work in their own car. But will the roads be safe with no hands on the wheel?  Or will there be less accidents? What do you think?

Tips for Buying a Used Car

Buying a used car is a great option if you're shopping within a limited budget. However, a used car will usually need a rigorous background check to ensure that you get a good deal. 

It's usually a good idea to look for a late-model vehicle that has not clocked up many kilometres. There is a good chance that, in addition to being in better condition, it will also still be covered under the manufacturer's warranty. Later models are generally better as the rate of depreciation is slower, making it even cheaper than a comparable brand new car while offering similar features.

Recent models will generally qualify for an extended warranty program, which protects you in the case that something goes wrong. It's usually advisable to purchase a used car from a dealer, as they often have the best used cars on the market - dealerships will often shift cars with huge mileage or other major problems to road side lots or smaller outlets that specialise in budget cars. 

In order to get the best deal, compare a few models and their prices at different dealers. This not only gives you an idea of the prevailing price in the market, but also provides you with options in case you find something better than you were originally looking for within your budget. 

Another factor that you need to consider is potential maintenance costs that might be in addition to the purchase price. Is the vehicle due for a major - and potentially expensive - service? How long until the brakes need fixing? Does it have overdue mechanical repairs? Has it had major body repairs which have been poorly done?

Just how good a car is it?

If you are not sure, remember that Cooper Automotive offers pre-purchase inspections.

We can carry out a thorough vehicle inspection accompanied with a full written report prior to you buying, which could potentially save you thousands of dollars down the track. One of the best tips you'll ever get for buying a used car is this: talk to an expert before you buy!

Australia's Best Car Awards 2012 - Part 2

Today we’re looking at the winners of the over $50,000 categories in Australia's Best Car Awards 2012.

Following a rigorous testing and analysis process, the winners in each category have been announced on australiasbestcars.com.au by the Australian Automobile Association.

BMW 320i - Best Medium Car Over $50,000
The BMW 320i boasts exquisite design and handling features that make it an absolute pleasure to drive. Powered by a 2.0 litre, 4 cylinder turbo engine with an 8 speed automatic transmission, the 320i gives a mileage of 6.0L/100km. It faced some tough competition from the Volkswagen CC 125 TDI and Mercedes-Benz C250 CDI, however the BMW outclassed them because of its spacious interior, power, improved ride and greater fuel efficiency.

Ford Falcon G6EcoBoost - Best Large Car Under $60,000
The Ford Falcon G6EcoBoost silenced its rivals - the Toyota Aurion AT-X and Peugeot 508 Allure HDi - with a satisfying driving experience backed by a powerful engine. The EcoBoost has a 2.0 litre 4 cylinder engine with a six speed automatic transmission system that yields 8.5L/100km. It retails for $40,835.

Lexus GS350 F Sport - Best Large Car Over $60,000
The Lexus GS350 F Sport has an amazing spec sheet with a 3.5 litre,V6 cylinder engine and a 6 speed automatic transmission system. A true powerhouse, it yields a mileage of 9.7L/100km. The finalists in this category included the BMW 520i and Audi A6 3.0 TDI Quattro, both of which lost out because of the GS350’s spacious interior and superior handling.

Kia Sportage SLi AWD - Best SUV Under $40,000
Kia has once again won the under $40,000 SUV category. The Sportage SLi AWD has a 2.4 litre, 4 cylinder engine, with a 6-speed automatic transmission system. It has a mileage of 9.2 L/100km - remarkable for an SUV. The contenders for this category included the Volkswagen Tiguan 103 TDi and 

Mazda CX-5 Maxx Sport 2WD. 

Land Rover Discovery 4 SDV6 SE - Best All Terrain Four Wheel Drive
The Land Rover Discovery 4 SDV6 SE is a clear winner in the All-Terrain Four Wheel Drive category. With a 3.0 litre V6 diesel engine, and a 6 speed automatic transmission it makes for one of the most powerful four wheel drives available in the country. It yields an average of 9.3L/100km, which is decent considering its size and power. The contenders for this category were the Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo CRD and Toyota Prado GXL.

Australia's Best Car Awards 2012 - Part 1

The year is almost over and the best cars of 2012 have been announced by australiasbestcars.com.au Following a rigorous testing and analysis process, the winners in each category have been announced by the Australian Automobile Association. Today we’re looking at the winners of the under $50,000 categories.

Kia Rio Si - Best Light Car Under $20,000

For the entry level segment winner, under $20,000, we have the Kia Rio Si, with a 1.6 litre petrol engine, 6 speed manual, with a mileage of 5.6l/100km. The finalists for this category included the Hyundai Accent Active and Volkswagen Polo 77TSI Comfortline. However, the Kia outclassed them because of its robust security systems and the smooth design and function of the vehicle.

Volkswagen Polo-66 TDI Comfortline - Best Light Car Over $20,000

In the next category we have a three time winner, the Volkswagen Polo-66 TDI Comfortline. With a 1.6 litre, 4 cylinder diesel engine, the 5 speed manual Polo is priced at $21,490 and gives great mileage at 4.7 l/100km. The Polo has always been a customer favourite due to its sturdy build and wonderful handling on almost all kinds of roads. It beat the Ford Fiesta LX diesel and Peugeot 208 Allure for the top spot this year.

Hyundai i30-Active - Best Small Car Under $35,000

With its spacious cabin design the Hyundai i30-Active is a product of admirable mechanical engineering. It sports a 1.8 litre, 4 cylinder engine, with a 6 speed auto transmission and boasts 6.9l/100km. The new i30 outclassed competitors including the Volkswagen Golf 90 TSI and Hyundai Elantra Active. The i30 is available for $22,990.

Ford Focus Titanium - Best Small Car Over $35,00

The Ford Focus Titanium won the best small car over $35,000 category. Under the hood it sports a 2.0 litre, 4 cylinder diesel engine with a 6 speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) and yields a mileage of 5.4 L/100km. The 2.0 litre engine lends the car amazing power and with a decent fuel economy it beat the BMW 116i and Audi A3 1.6 TDI Attraction for this award.

Toyota Camry Hybrid H - Best Medium Car Under $35,000

The Toyota Camry Hybrid H has a 2.5 litre, 4 cylinder engine, with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) system. It has a hybrid fuel system and yields a mileage of 5.2L/100km. The winner of the best car under $50,000 category. The Camry provides great value for money considering the plethora of features, great performance efficiency and advanced security systems it offers.

Stay tuned - next we’ll look at the winners of the over $50,000 categories.

Don't pay too much for new car servicing!

Prolong the life of your Automatic Transmission

We all know that Automatic Transmission Fluid degrades and deteriorates over time - up to 90% of transmission failures are due to overheating and fluid contamination.

City driving, with it's short trips and frequent gear changes, is particularly hard on ageing Transmission fluid, as is high temperature operation (such as towing a trailer or caravan). Old, tired transmission fluid leads to poor gearshifts, poor performance and poor fuel economy - none of which is good for your car or your wallet.

In order to prolong the life of your transmission and dramatically improve the performance and quality of your gear changes, transmission fluid should always be flushed and changed during major services. However, traditional transmission drain and fill services only replace around 40% of the old fluid, which means that 60% of the fluid is still old and dirty. This can result in loosened sludge and varnish deposits - which causes even more shift problems and can increase the danger of transmission failure.

To avoid transmission problems, we recommend getting a Wynn’s Transmission Flush Service.

The Wynn’s Transmission Flush Service uses advanced equipment to thoroughly clean your automatic transmission internally. It also replaces over 95% of the old fluid with fresh, new fluid and removes sludge and varnish deposits. The result is smoother shifting and revitalised seals (which will prevent fluid leaks). Wynn's Transmission Flush Service will also extend the life of your Transmission and possibly prevent the need for costly Transmission repairs!

Save yourself time and money by taking care of your automatic transmission - you’ll feel the difference!