New Jaguar XJR Revealed

Jaguar has unveiled a picture of the new XJR ahead of its planned debut at the New York Auto Show later this month.

Performance figures have not been released but the model will feature a 542bhp supercharged 5.0-litre V8 engine.

Jaguar global brand director, Adrian Hallmark, said: “The new XJR epitomises the three pillars of technology, performance and contemporary design which the Jaguar brand stands for in the 21st century, while delivering new levels of dynamic ability in a luxury saloon.”

Full details of the XJR are expected to be released at the New York Auto Show.

Oracle Finance providing flexible finance for exceptional cars.
T: 08450 944 997

German and Swiss Grand-Prix Winning Mercedes-Benz W196 up for Auction

Bonhams will action off a Mercedes-Benz W196 racing car driven by Juan Manuel Fangio this summer at Goodwood.

One of nine surviving, the W196 racer could become one of the world’s most valuable cars.

Bonhams chairman Robert Brooks, said “This is the most exciting machine that any of us have had the privilege to offer

Oracle Finance providing flexible finance for exceptional cars.

T: 08450 944 997

New Porsche Panamera

Porsche has revealed details of the new Panamera ahead of its full unveiling later this month at the Shanghai Motor Show.

The Panamera will be powered by a new 3.0-litre V6 engine and an electric motor that will produce a power output of 410bph. Porsche have claimed it will be able to do a massive 91mpg.

There will also be some minor cosmetic tweaks for the Panamera, which will be 56% more efficient than the outgoing model.

Oracle Finance providing flexible finance for exceptional cars.

T: 08450 944 997

2013 Range Rover Sport

The hotly anticipated all-new Range Rover Sport was revealed at the New York International Motor Show last week.

This year, there will be an option of either a 288bhp 3.0 SDV6 diesel (420kg lighter than the outgoing model) or a 503bhp supercharged 5.0-litre petrol. A TDV6 will join the range in 2014.

The SDV6 will start at £59,995 and the Supercharged 5.0-litre Autobiography will be £81,550. However, next year’s TDV6 will reduce the models start price to £51,550.

Interested drivers won’t have long to wait as first deliveries should start in September. We will be sending out a full information pack on this very important model.         

Oracle Finance providing flexible finance for exceptional cars.
T: 08450 944 997

  

Oracle’s Top 10 Tips For Buying A Car

Next to buying a home, investing in a car is the second most expensive purchase that consumers will make in their life. It’s important to get the right vehicle at the right price so research is essential.

Oracle’s top 10 tips before heading out to buy:

  1. Set your budget – it’s important to not only set a budget but actually stick to it! It’s also a good idea to set some extra aside for future repairs, maintenance, insurance and tax costs.
  2. Research – The internet is a great starting place with various advice guides widely available showing the recommended price of cars based on model, age, mileage etc
  3. Word of Mouth – Talk to other car owners about their experiences, particularly in terms of fuel consumption and reliability, this information can be invaluable.
  4. Finance – A valuable option to preserve your own capital, allowing you to pay for your car from future cash flow. It is important that you compare the total amount payable for the finance rather than just the monthly payment.
  5. Dealer incentives – look out for any cash incentives that dealers are offering to try and boost slow sales.
  6. Test drive – the test drive should last at least 20 minutes to ensure you are comfortable with it, check all the buttons on the dashboard, the electric windows and radio.
  7. Warranty – always check what the warranty does and doesn’t cover. If the dealer is confident in the car, a 6 month warranty should be the minimum they offer.
  8. Get everything in writing – This is extremely important as it can act as a checklist for any agreed or promised work.
  9. Know your credit score – If you know your credit score before you apply for the finance, it will help you determine whether you qualify for special deals such as 0%APR or cash back.
  10. Be flexible – if you can be flexible, often car manufacturers offer dealer incentives for selling certain models so you may be able to spend less money than you budgeted.

 

Buying New vs Buying Used

There are many pros and cons to take in to consideration when buying a prestige or performance car.

Once you’ve decided on the type of model you would like to purchase, quite often the decision of whether to buy brand new or to opt for a second hand vehicle can also come in to play. Oracle Finance is always on hand to offer impartial advice on the purchase of your next luxury car and we’ve compiled a few tips to help you on the way.

Factors to consider when buying your next car

1. Depreciation – most new cars depreciate in value immediately after being bought
2. Costs – a new car may come with higher insurance premiums whereas a used car may incur slightly higher costs for maintenance and repair
3. Warranties – a new car will have a manufacturers warranty, usually for 3 years, whereas buying a used vehicle may see the need to purchase a warranty separately if the initial 3 years has passed
4. Reliability – no car can be guaranteed to be 100% reliable but when buying used you will need to take in to account the possibility of previous problems
5. History – again, there are never any guarantees but with new at least you know it’s only you that has owned the vehicle.

Advantages of buying a new car

• Investing in a new car obviously offers the most reliability.
• A new car will have had a pre-delivery inspection by the dealer, a warranty, free or discounted servicing and no MOT to pay for in its first three years.
• There are also the benefits of the best fuel economy, lower running costs and a decent residual value after its first few years of use.

Disadvantages of buying a new car
• Purchasing a new car will inevitably be more expensive and could depreciate up to 40% in value over 3 years.
• Insurance for new cars is understandably higher than used
• Special edition and much sought after models will maintain a higher re-sale value .

Advantages of buying a used car
• Buying a well-loved and maintained vehicle second hand can often mean you get the model you want or a higher spec than you would on a new version 
• Cheaper car insurance may apply and the running costs can be lower if the car is well looked after.

Disadvantages of buying a used car
• There are always risks buying a used car, especially taking in to account potential reliability and performance concerns.
• It’s also good to run a vehicle check to thoroughly ensure it has not been previously stolen, in a crash or sold by a bogus owner.

Whilst the luxury car market differs from the vehicles of a lesser value it’s always good to take time and consider what you want out of your new car. Is it performance, luxury, reliability, residual value or something else?

By opting for vehicle finance with Oracle you are able to offset some of the financial commitments over a longer period of time and in turn you can often enjoy driving a higher spec vehicle than you would if you were to purchase outright.

Contact Oracle today to discuss the variety of low rate finance deals we offer on any new or used vehicle purchased from a Uk dealership.

Oracle Finance offer solution to new luxury company car tax legislation

Prestige vehicle finance specialists, Oracle Finance, has launched a new initiative to help company directors and business owners beat the blow of impending tax changes relating to people running a luxury company car.

Announced back in 2009, by the then Labour chancellor Alistair Darling, new legislation will come in to play on April 6th which removes the tax break previously enjoyed on company cars by the removal of the £80,000 cap used to calculate the benefit in kind paid on these vehicles.  Applicable if company cars are ever used privately the legislation will mean that vehicle users will see a considerable hit to their pocket as they will be taxed based on the original full list price and will no longer enjoy the benefit of the previous  £80k cap.

Oracle Finance today announced a solution to this impending problem that will allow those most affected by the change in law to save thousands of pounds. Their unique service works around Oracle taking the vehicle out of the company and then instantly re-financing the car back to the end user at today’s market value. This means that the car users business or employer can remunerate the individual through other means such as a car allowance or through a mileage scheme thus allowing the end user to enjoy the benefits of their prestige vehicle of choice without the threat of a huge tax bill. 

Peter Brook, Managing Director at Oracle, commented: “The new legislation has somewhat crept under the radar but it’s going to prove a real financial problem for anyone with a high value company car. Our new service is geared towards working with the companies tax planners to help reduce the costs associated with these new laws. Directors won’t have to have their hand forced in disposing of their vehicles just because new legislation dictates that tax is based on a high original list price when in reality the car could actually be several years old and actually be worth much less.

Is the BMW 6 Series Convertible a good choice this summer?

As summer grows closer (or has it been and gone!) the desire to enjoy a drive with the roof down grows ever stronger. With awealth of cars to choose from the BMW 6 Series Convertible looks to be a inviting choice for car owners wanting reliability and excitement in equal measure.

The previous BMW 6 series convertible had what many deemed to be “controversial styling”  but its distinctive looks have stood the test of time and the new model looks even better. On the inside there’s an instant feel of quality which is complemented by the modern feel of crisp sat nav graphics and even a full colour Head-Up display that hovers clearly in the windscreen.
How does the 6 Series Convertible perform? Well, the simple answer is admirably with BMW delivering two petrol engines badged as the 640i and 650i . The smaller motor is a 3-litre turbocharged six-cylinder with 320bhp, hurrying the Convertible along to 62mph in 5.7 seconds. The 650i is fitted with a 4.4-litre V8 with twin turbochargers and 407bhp, which gets you to 62mph in 5 seconds. 
As with many in the BMW range the running costs are a huge pull and the 6 Series Convertible is helped massively by the Efficient Dynamics technology. The 640i emits 185g/km of CO2, and manages 35.8mpg. BMW is offering a five-year servicing package costing £400 and the 640i is expected to hold on to 39 per cent of its value after three years of ownership from new.
Why buy the BMW 6 Series Convertible?
Ultimately this car is the ideal all rounder offering fantastic performance, excellent handling and with its great looks and manageable running costs it’s a strong challenger to the likes of the Jaguar XK, Maserati Gran Turismo and Mercedes SL.
On the road prices for the BMW 6 Series Convertible start at around £65,680 and Oracle Finance can offer outstanding rates on this vehicle or any BMW bought from any UK dealer. Call 08450 944 997 for more details.

As summer grows closer (or has it been and gone!) the desire to enjoy a drive with the roof down grows ever stronger. With a wealth of cars to choose from the BMW 6 Series Convertible looks to be a inviting choice for car owners wanting reliability and excitement in equal measure.

The previous BMW 6 series convertible had what many deemed to be “controversial styling”  but its distinctive looks have stood the test of time and the new model looks even better. On the inside there’s an instant feel of quality which is complemented by the modern feel of crisp sat nav graphics and even a full colour Head-Up display that hovers clearly in the windscreen.

How does the 6 Series Convertible perform? Well, the simple answer is admirably with BMW delivering two petrol engines badged as the 640i and 650i . The smaller motor is a 3-litre turbocharged six-cylinder with 320bhp, hurrying the Convertible along to 62mph in 5.7 seconds. The 650i is fitted with a 4.4-litre V8 with twin turbochargers and 407bhp, which gets you to 62mph in 5 seconds. 

As with many in the BMW range the running costs are a huge pull and the 6 Series Convertible is helped massively by the Efficient Dynamics technology. The 640i emits 185g/km of CO2, and manages 35.8mpg. BMW is offering a five-year servicing package costing £400 and the 640i is expected to hold on to 39 per cent of its value after three years of ownership from new.

Why buy the BMW 6 Series Convertible?

Ultimately this car is the ideal all rounder offering fantastic performance, excellent handling and with its great looks and manageable running costs it’s a strong challenger to the likes of the Jaguar XK, Maserati Gran Turismo and Mercedes SL.

On the road prices for the BMW 6 Series Convertible start at around £65,680 and Oracle Finance can offer outstanding rates on this vehicle or any BMW bought from any UK dealer. Call 08450 944 997 for more details.