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!

The Holden Story

The very first all-Australian car was a Holden that went on sale in 1948.

Before World War II, Holden assembled cars for General Motors and Chrysler. But after the war was over, the Australian government considered it vital to build home industries to support the soldiers coming home (they would need good jobs to support themselves and their families) and to strengthen its economic and political status.

Consequently, it chose to support Holden in manufacturing an all Australian-made motor car. The design of the first Holden was based on a General Motors prototype that was modified to suit the Australian environment, and in 1948 the first Australian made car, the Holden 48-215 (later referred to as the FX Holden), hit the streets of Melbourne. Although it was a pretty basic machine even for that era, the FX Holden was a well-loved car in Australia and long waiting lists stretched into 1949 and beyond. 

The FX Holden was big and robust - spacious enough to fit a large family - and heavy-duty as well, with it's steel frame designed to handle tough conditions. It also managed to deliver 48 kilometres for about 3 litres of petrol without sacrificing performance. 

Owning an Aussie car in the 1950's was a matter of great pride, resonating with the patriotic feelings of the time. To this day, Holden occupies a special place in the hearts of many Australians.

Holden continues to manufacture motor vehicles in Australia as a subsidiary of General Motors, and still exports vehicles and engines to other countries. Among other models, it produces the popular Commodore that was first introduced to the market in 1978. The Holden Commodore is still one of the most loved cars in Australia and has been continually updated to meet the demands of modern consumers.