The impact research...
The impact research, conducted using the three-door model, even saw the newcomer awarded an impressive three stars for pedestrian protection. Also on the firm"s stand at the Frankfurt Motor Show was a new variant of the Panda 4x4. It features the 70bhp 1.3-litre Multijet diesel engine, which promises improved performance and economy. The model currently comes with a 1.2 petrol unit only, but the oil-burner could arrive early next year.
After a quick call round...
After a quick call round, we saved nearly í‚á£20,000 on four models from the MG Rover range. The salesmen we spoke to were only too happy to knock thousands of pounds off list prices in order to move their stock. The biggest saving we found was a whopping í‚á£7,000 discount on a Rover 75 saloon - 35 per cent off the list price! "This deal is only available because MG Rover is no longer backing the warranties," a salesman from Paramount Swansea begrudgingly told us.
However, Pendragon, which owns this dealership and MG Rover franchises across the country, is still going to offer buyers its own 12-month warranty on the vehicles it sells. A spokesman said this should give bargain-hunters some peace of mind. Meanwhile, a showroom in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warks, owned by MG Rover director John Edwards, is selling nearly new cars at virtually half price. One example was a 75 1.8T Connoisseur with 50 miles on the clock for a mere í‚á£11,995 - reduced from í‚á£22,490.
Trade experts have confirmed that there are also some great bargains to be had on the used market as values of older cars have fallen, too.
Herre are some of the deals we discovered:
Rover 25 1.4 GSi 5dr
Usual price: í‚á£12,700
Best price: í‚á£8,995
Saving: í‚á£3,705
Where: Harewood Rover, Leeds, W Yorks
Rover 45 2.0 TD 5dr
Usual price: í‚á£14,200
Best price: í‚á£10,100
Saving: í‚á£4,100
Where: Paramount Rover, Swansea
Rover 75 1.8T C"seur 4dr
Usual price: í‚á£22,095
Best price: í‚á£15,000
Saving: í‚á£7,095
Where: Paramount Rover, Swansea
MG TF 135
Usual price: í‚á£17,745
Best price: í‚á£13,000
Saving: í‚á£4,745
Where: Burden Park Motor Co, Bolton, Lancs