Tag Archives: aston martin

Car Of The Day… Toyota Carina

Todays car of the day is the 1989 Toyota Carina.

This is a very beautiful and rare car today there is only around 20 on UK roads.

Mr M was kind enough to take out this policy with us, which includes both the benefits of salvage retention and agreed value. We are able to offer specially catered policies dependant on your needs!

Thank you Mr M for allowing us to share! If you have a classic vehicle that needs insurance, please call our team today on 02380 268351.

Upgrade To These Top 10 Cars In 2019

If you are thinking about changing your car this year then you will be pleased to read that you have a great deal of choice as vehicle manufacturers are frequently introducing new models. Whether you are looking for an electric family saloon, a high performance two-seater sports car or a luxury vehicle you should not have any difficulty in finding one that suits you. Below we highlight what may be 10 of the top cars that you may wish to consider upgrading to in 2019.

 

Aston Martin Rapide S

This is a four door sports car that meets the exacting standards that you would expect from Aston Martin Rapide SAston Martin that has been manufacturing luxury vehicles for many years here in the UK. Both the exterior and interior are beautifully styled with top of the range materials being used.

It has an eight speed automatic gear box. The V12 5,935 cc engine produces 560 bhp and the car is capable of getting from 0 to 62 mph in a mere 4.4 seconds as it heads for a top speed of 203 mph. Of course, it comes with the unmistakable roar of an Aston Martin.

Prices from £152,749.

If you are thinking about buying an Aston Martin Rapide S or perhaps another model from the range available such as the Aston Martin DBS Superleggera insurance can be arranged through us here at AIB Insurance.

 

Audi A8

The Audi A8 is the German manufacturer’s top of the range family salon car for the discerning executive. As one would expect from this quality car builder it has been beautifully designed and comes with many features including comfortable Valcona leather seats, LED headlights and a fantastic audio and communication system The adaptive air suspension system makes for a particularly comfortable ride.

This is a nippy vehicle with its 335 bhp 3 litre V6 petrol engine propelling you from 0 to 62mph in a mere 5.6 seconds. There is also a diesel option.

Prices start from £69.995

 

Bentley Mulsanne

This is the flagship model of the luxury UK car manufacturer Bentley Motors. This handmade Bentleyvehicle has a choice of three combinations – Mulsanne, Mulsanne Speed that provides a more dynamic drive and the Mulsanne Extended Wheelbase that provides greater legroom.

The V8 6.75 litre twin turbo engine provides an incredible amount of power and the vehicle has wonderful road holding. 0 to 60 mph can be reached in 5.1 seconds and it has a top speed of 184 mph.

The interior personifies luxury in every way with comfortable leather seating and the infotainment system is top quality. You can even have the wood veneer created from a tree in your own garden.

Prices start from £229,360.

If you are considering purchasing a Bentley Mulsanne or buy Bentley Continental GT insurance can be arranged through ourselves.

 

BMW 7 Series

The BMW 7 Series is a luxury family saloon car that is manufactured to exacting standards using the finest materials. It is also available as a long wheel based version providing extra room. There is also a hybrid version.

The interior provides a warm and inviting feel with delightful leather seating that is so comfortable to relax in.

The BMW 730d xDrive has a 6 cylinder twin turbo engine that produces 265bhp and powers the vehicle form 0 to 62 mph in just 6.1 seconds.

Prices from £69,445.

You can arrange insurance cover for the BMW 7 Series or get a competitive BMW M850i xDrive insurance price through us.

 

Jaguar I-Pace S

This is a stunning looking all electric SUV and, as all Jaguar cars are, is fitted out to a luxury Jaguarstandard. It comes with semi-powered sports front seats, LED headlights and a fantastic connectivity and sound system. There are a number of other models in the range.

You may be surprised to read that this electric vehicle is capable of powering you from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.

Prices start at £64,495

 

Maserati GranTurismo Sport

This Italian luxury sports coupe is beautifully crafted with elegant, sleek bodywork that can also be purchased as a soft top enabling you to enjoy the thrill of open-air motoring. Its interior is equally impressive with comfortable sports seats making long journeys a pleasure. Needless to say, the level of equipment is first class.

The exhilarating, powerful 460 bhp V8 4.7 litre engine will take you from 0 to 62mph in just 4.8 seconds producing the roar that discerning motorists have come to expect.

Prices start from £92,230

 

McLaren 600 LT

The name McLaren is associated with FI racing but the company also build road-specification McLarensports cars to an extremely high standard.

The McLaren 600 LT has a twin turbo 3.8 litre V8 engine producing 592 bhp that is capable of rocketing this vehicle from 0 to 62mph in a staggering 2.9 seconds so it is certainly not for the faint hearted.

It is of course beautifully designed both outside and inside but this really is a driver’s car with wonderful road holding.

Prices from £187,625

 

Mercedes-Benz Maybach S650

The Mercedes-Benz Maybach S650 is an exclusive saloon car built to exacting standards both in terms of coachwork and mechanically. The company is renowned for producing executive vehicles but this model goes to another level.

It has wonderfully comfy leather seats that make every journey a pleasure and a delightful wood finish. It features Mercedes-Benz Intelligent Drive and Dynamic Handling resulting in a relaxing trip.

It has a 5,980cc 12 cylinder engine producing 630 bhp. This vehicle powers from 0 to 62 mph in only 4.7 seconds on its way to a top speed of 155 mph

Prices start at £175,875.

 

Range Rover Evoque

Range Rover is renowned for producing quality 4-wheel drive vehicles that perform as well onRange Rover the motorway as they do off-road. With its distinctive styling incorporating a falling roof to the rear it has become unmistakable on the road. It comes with all the refinements you would expect from this British car manufacturer.

It has a 1,999cc engine in either petrol or diesel capable of getting from 0 to 60mph in 9.9 seconds and has a top speed of 125mph.

Prices from £31,600.

 

Rolls-Royce Phantom

This luxury saloon car is a dream to drive and you and your passengers will do so in style and Rolls Roycecomfort. It is described as the quietest Rolls-Royce ever built and every one is unique to the owner.

Inside, it will not come as a surprise to read that the fixtures and fittings are of the highest standard with original wood paneling and delightful leather seating. It is one of the most luxurious cars in the world.

It has a powerful V12 6.7 litre engine that will accelerate smoothly from 0 to 100mph in around 12 seconds.

Prices from £362,000.

Here at AIB Insurance, we have insured many makes and models of cars through our extensive panel of insurers. So, if you would like to obtain the likes of Aston Martin DBS Superleggera insurance, buy Bentley Continental GT insurance or obtain a BMW M850i xDrive insurance price feel free to call us on 02380 268 351 and speak with a friendly member of our team who will discuss your requirements in detail and arrange a no-obligation insurance quotation.

Renting vs Buying A Super Car

LamborghiniIf you are in the financial position to rent or buy a Ferrari, Porsche, Lamborghini, Aston Martin or another make of high performance car, you will need to decide which is the best option and you will also need a super car insurance quote. As with most things, there are for and against both options so let’s have a look at some of them. As a result, you may be better able to decide the best way forward.

Renting – For

  • Depreciation – as you will never own the vehicle you are not going to be bothered if the value of the super car you are driving drops in value.
  • Servicing/Mechanical Repairs – you are unlikely to be responsible for paying for the regular servicing of the vehicle or if it breaks down and needs a mechanical repair. The only thing that you may need to pay for are replacement tyres should one or more be punctured.
  • Poor Credit Rating – you will need to check with the rental company but you may find that you only need to put down a deposit and that no credit reference search will be required which means that it would not matter if you have a poor credit score.
  • Change the Car – if you decide say a couple of months into renting the Ferrari that you fancy driving around in say a Lamborghini, Aston Martin or Porsche then, subject to the terms of the rental agreement, you may be able to change it without any financial penalty enabling you to try out different super cars.
  • Possibly Less Expensive – when you take into account things like car loan repayments, servicing, possible depreciation and repair costs that you would have if you bought the car then you may discover that the monthly rental cost is lower than the overall monthly cost involved in buying the vehicle.
  • Selling the Car – this is something you will not have to worry about as you can just return it to the car rental company when no longer required.

Renting – Against

  • Repairs to Bodywork and Alloys – if you have a dent or scratch on the bodywork or alloy wheels then, depending upon the size of it, you will be responsible for the cost of having it repaired/possibly claiming on your high performance car insurance policy with these repairs either having to be done before you return the vehicle at the end of the rental period or completed once the vehicle has been returned to the rental company and then charged to you.
  • Ownership – you will never own the vehicle. So, as a limited number of supercars may actually go up in value due to them being so rare, you will not benefit financially if that were to happen.

Buying – For

  • Value – whilst most cars reduce in value as soon as they leave the forecourt, there are certain rare super cars that may actually increase in value meaning that when you come to sell the vehicle you may get more for it than you paid for it.
  • Self-esteem – let’s be honest, most car lovers would want to own the likes of an Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini or Porsche and to do so must make them feel very good about themselves.
  • Buying outright – if you are able to pay cash for the super car then you will not have to worry about monthly rental payments or finance repayments.

Buying – Against

  • Maintenance – you will be responsible for having the car serviced and for having any Aston Martinmechanical repairs undertaken. You may initially have a period of time/miles where your warranty covers you for such things but at some point, that will no doubt come to an end and you will have to meet the maintenance costs.
  • Adverse credit score- if you have a bad credit file then you may find it difficult to arrange finance towards buying the car or the lender may charge you a very high interest rate.
  • Sale of super car – if you wish to change the vehicle for another one then you will be responsible for selling your existing vehicle or putting your car in part-exchange and may not achieve the sale price you would have hoped for.

As you can see, there are pros and cons of renting and buying a super car. Ultimately, the decision is yours but we hope that we have provided you with food for thought.

Here at AIB Insurance, we have many years experience in arranging high performance car insurance. We have a bespoke, vetted panel of quality insurers who will provide a competitive quote to insure your super car without any obligation. So, if you are looking for outstanding Lamborghini car insurance, wish to buy Ferrari car insurance, need an Aston Martin insurance quote or want to buy Porsche insurance then why not give us a call on 02380 268 351 and we will be pleased to assist.

Aston Martin Breaks British Record At Auction

1961 Aston Martin ‘MP209’ DB4GT Zagato Grand Touring Two-Seat CoupeClassic car enthusiasts may be interested to read that a 1961 Aston Martin ‘MP209’ DB4GT Zagato Grand Touring Two-Seat Coupe was sold at auction for a record price for a car built in the UK. The car was auctioned by Bonhams at The Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale in July for £10,081,500 including the premium. It is believed to have been bought by a European bidder having been in the same family ownership since way back in 1971 that in itself is most unusual.

The classic sports car came with a racing history as it had been driven by none other than Jim Clark in 1961 and 1962 who has been Formula One World Champion on two occasions. It needed someone of his talents at the wheel as this was a development prototype. He raced it at Goodwood in the RAC Tourist Trophy plus also in Montlhery in the Paris 1,000 Kilometres. It was also raced by a number of other drivers on several occasions.

Only 19 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagatos were built with only 3 of these specific “MP209” models making this car extremely rare. It had a 3.8 litre twin-overhead camshaft straight six cylinder engine and was a real competitor for the Ferrari 250 GT. Its number plate “2 VEV” became so well known around the world.

This wonderful classic sports car won the Volz Trophy in 1996 at the Aston Martin Owners Club (AMOC) Summer Concours. In 1997, it won the award for the most significant British car of the show at the Pebble Beach Concours.

If you are the proud owner of a classic Aston Martin or any other classic vehicle for that matter then why not get in touch with us on 02380 268 351 and speak with a knowledgeable member of our team who will be happy to discuss your insurance requirements and provide a competitive quotation without any obligation.

LEGO Launches James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5 Kit Car

007There are no doubt some of you who are old enough to have watched the James Bond film called Goldfinger back in the 1960s. However, that film was particularly remembered for the sports car driven around by 007, an Aston Martin DB5, in view of the range of gadgets the sleek car was equipped with.

Well, those of you who are into building kit cars may be interested to read that you now have the chance to construct such an iconic classic vehicle but for a fraction of the cost. Furthermore, it will no doubt involve a lot less time being spent in the garage as it should only take a few hours to put together. Unfortunately, before you get too excited, this is a kit car that you are not going to be able to get behind the wheel of but will no doubt have great fun in building.

LEGO, that has also been around for many years, has recently launched its own version of the legendary 1964 Aston Martin DB5. It is a 1:8 scale model measuring 34cm long, 12cm wide and 10cm high. There are 1,295 pieces to put together and it is considered suitable for people from the age of 16 upwards. It retails at £129.99.

It has properly opening and closing doors that reveal a detailed interior. It has a telephone, front and rear number plates that revolve, it has tyre scythes on the wheels, a bullet proof screen that comes up behind the rear windscreen, you can move the gearstick to reveal two machine guns at the front of the sports car plus it also comes with that very famous ejector seat that is activated by pulling back the rear bumper.

The launch of the car took place at the LEGO store in Leicester Square, London at 10.07 am (note the specific time) on 18th July and this was performed by Naomie Harris alias Miss Moneypenny.

For those of you that do decide to purchase and build this kit car, do bear in mind that, for once, it is not a vehicle that we can arrange insurance for!

Classic Cars Once Owned By Beatles Being Auctioned

BeatlesIf you happen to be a fan of the Beatles who you may well remember had a few number one hits many years ago and you also have a keen interest in classic cars then you might wish to consider getting along to The Bond Street Sale at Bonhams on the 2nd December 2017. This is because a couple of classic vehicles once owned by two members of the pop group are being auctioned.

One of these is a 1966 Mini Cooper “S” Radford Conversion once owned by Ringo Starr between June 1967 and December 1968. Whilst all 4 Beatles had Minis this one is believed to have been converted to allow Ringo Starr to get his drums in it.

This delightful iconic vehicle has appeared at numerous locations over the years. For instance, in February 1984 it was on the Blue Peter television show and in 2001 it appeared on Top Gear. It was restored in 1991 and has been owned by the same family for a period of 40 years.

The car has several unique things about it such as a rear seat that folds down, electric windows, walnut dashboard, Manx alloy wheels and door warning lights to name but a few. Interestingly, the logbook has been signed by Richard Starkey – the real name of Ringo Starr.

You Miniwill need a deep pocket if you are interested in bidding for this classic car as it has an estimated price of £90,000 to £120,000.

The other classic car once owned by another of the Beatles is a 1964 Aston Martin DB5 4.2-litre Sports Saloon. Sir Paul McCartney was the original owner. It has also been owned by the radio presenter Chris Evans who is a keen fan of classic cars –in particular Ferraris.

This wonderful sports car was originally purchased for circa £4,593. Sir Paul McCartney retained ownership of the car for 6 years. Restoration work was carried out in both 2002 and a further four-year period of restoration was completed in 2017 to the standard of concours. Apparently, the vehicle even had a record player.

To purchase this pristine classic sports car you will need even deeper pockets as the estimated price is between £1,250.000 to £1,500,000.

Whilst at the auction, you may want to cast your eyes over a 1959 Bentley S1 Continental Sport Saloon. Only 431 of these luxury vehicles were built but the added attraction of this one is that it was owned by the singer and pianist Sir Elton John and was then purchased by Lord Alan Sugar. In its heyday, this was a Beatlespowerful car getting from 0mph to 50mph in just over 9 seconds and was capable of cruising at a top speed of 120mph. Sir Elton John owned the vehicle for 25 years from 1976 to 2001 before being bought by Alan Sugar who kept it until 2007.

If you are looking to purchase a classic car then why not get in touch with us here at AIB Insurance on 02380 268 351 to obtain a competitive quotation for classic car insurance from our extensive panel of insurers.

Race Retro Classic Car Sale 2017

Race RetroIf you are interested in buying a classic car then you may wish to get along to the above auction that is scheduled to take place on the 25th and 26th February 2017 with viewing also being available on the 24th February. The event is happening at Stoneleigh Park, Coventry so is centrally located in the UK.

 

There are so many classic vehicles available such as: –

1965 Jaguar E-Type Series 1 4.2 Roadster – this has a 6 cylinder 4,200 cc engine that has been in the hands of the present owner since 1996. It has been well used but has also been well looked after. It has an estimated price of £80,000 to £100,000.

1966 Volkswagen Beetle – with less than 18,000 miles on the clock this is certainly a low mileage classic car that has also been serviced until 2010. Its bodywork is in Java Green. It has never been restored but is said to be in almost its original condition. It has an estimated price of £15,000 to £20,000.

1970 Aston Martin DBS 6 Vantage – this is powered by a 6 cylinder 4,000 cc engine that was capable of reaching 0 to 60mph in 7.1 seconds as it reached a top speed of 141mph. The bodywork is in Olive Green and the car is said to be in its original condition. The estimated sale price is £115,000 to £130,000.

Ferrari Dino1974 Ferrari Dino 246 GT – this has a 6 cylinder 2,418cc engine. It has had a number of owners with the current one having bought it in January 1995 when it had a little over 30.500 miles on the clock. It has not done many miles since then as it currently reads 34,935. The vehicle has had a considerable amount of work undertaken on it with documents available to support this. This quality Ferrari Dino 246 GT is a rare model that has an estimated price of £300,000 to £350,000.

1963 Jaguar Mark 11 3.8 Manual Overdrive – this is the 6 cylinder 3,781cc engine model that just happened to be the world’s fastest saloon car when it was first produced. Its bodywork is in Carmen Red and it has wire wheels. It was actually transported to South Africa in November 1963. It has an estimated price of £24,000 to £28,000.

There are many other classic cars for sale at the above auction details of which you can find on the website of Silverstone Auctions so why not take a look.

Here at AIB Insurance, we have many years experience in arranging classic car insurance from an extensive panel of insurers. So, why not give us a call on 02380 268 351 and let us provide you with a competitive quotation without any obligation.

Aston Martin Sells For £9.45 Million

Aston MartinAston Martin is known the world over for producing top of the range executive cars that are sleek and fast and catch the eyes of passers-by. The added benefit is that they are manufactured here in the UK so it is something that we can be proud of. Their cars also feature in James Bond films.

Well, recently, a classic Aston Martin DB4/GT Zagato that was built way back in 1962 was sold at auction by Sotheby’s in New York at their “Driven by Disruption” sale for a mouth-watering £9.45 million. It was adapted in Italy by Zagato making it lighter and more aerodynamic. You may be interested to read that was a world record for a British built car being sold at auction although it had been hoped that it would fetch in excess of £10 million. The previous record was a McLaren F1 that went for £8.8 million earlier in 2015.Aston Martin

If you had bought that car when it was brand new you would have paid £5.470. We are sure that you will agree it has increased substantially in value and just goes to confirm that many classic cars have proved to be a wonderful investment.

This particular Aston Martin was one of only 19 built. It comes in green leather with a wooden steering wheel. It had a 3.7 – litre engine producing an incredible 314 bhp that was capable of rocketing from 0 to 60 mph in a mere 6.1 seconds on its way to a top speed of 154 mph. Certainly not a classic car for the faint hearted to be at the wheel of.

You may be interested to read that here at AIB Insurance we have insured many classic cars of varying values. So, if you would like to receive a no-obligation quotation, why not give one of our friendly, experienced team a call on 02380 268 351 and we will be happy to do all that we can to assist.

Aston Martin DB10 To Take Lead Role In Next James Bond Movie

A James Bond movie would not be complete without the appearance of an Aston Martin being driven at great speed and with much skill by the hero of the movie – 007 himself. These cars also demonstrate the many extra gadgets not found on a production Aston Martin!

The most famous of all is the Aston Martin DB5 (pictured below with Daniel Craig) that has been seen in six of the Bond films – Goldfinger, Thunderball, Golden Eye, Tomorrow Never Dies, Casino Royale and Skyfall. Back in October 2010, it was sold to a car collector for $4.6 million and included such extras as a revolving front number plate, a bullet shield at the rear and gun barrels that came out of the front indicator lights.

The Aston Martin DBS made an appearance in four scenes of On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. The Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante was in The Living Daylights and was equipped with gadgets like missiles, spike-producing tyres and rockets. Die Another Day featured an Aston Martin V12 Vanquish with machine guns, rockets and an ejector seat in the passenger seat which the DB5 had also been equipped with.

Anyway, a few days ago, the name of the next James Bond movie was revealed – SPECTRE . It is due to be released on the 6th November 2015 – so, less than ten months to wait for all you diehard Bond fans. Aston Martin and James Bond have been associated together for 50 years this year.

At the same time, the cinema world was introduced to the leading cast member. No, not 007 but a new Aston Martin DB10 (see below). Before all you Aston Martin enthusiasts get excited and flock to their dealerships to place your order for a new one you will be wasting your time. This is because only 10 of these sleek, high-performance sports cars are being produced and are to be used exclusively in the film. Unfortunately, no details were released about any extra gadgets that are being fitted to it but we are sure they will be worth waiting for.Aston Martin DB10It has been described as the ultimate car for the most famous spy in the world and, no matter how much money you have, you won’t be able to buy one. However, although you cannot purchase the DB10, it is believed that the replacement to the current DB9 will be based on this design so you will not be disappointed when it goes on sale in 2016.

If you are considering purchasing an Aston Martin or you are already a proud owner of one you will want tailor-made insurance to cover it. Here at AIB Insurance we have a number of specialist insurers that can meet the most demanding of customer’s requirements so why not give our experienced team a call on 02380 268 351 to discuss your requirements and obtain a quotation.