SO our money is all spent and our trousers don’t fit anymore. It is time to set new years resolutions, to visit the gym and save the pennies again. What better way to clean up your act than be a bit more environmentally friendly?

If you can’t afford a brand new hybrid, here are three affordable used cars that give very high miles per gallon so will save you money and reduce your carbon footprint.

Renault Clio (1998-present)

Spacious, economical and good value. The Clio has been uprated and from 2001 it was much better. Lots to choose from so don’t buy a scruffy one.

Most economical: 1.5dCi 80 – 67.3mpg

Best used buy: 1.4 Alize

Buy from: Car Supermarkets, independent dealers, private sellers with history.

UsedCarExpert.com faults to avoid: 21

Used Car Expert price guide: A 2001 1.5dCi with 62,000 miles will be around £3,576 at a dealer.

Toyota Yaris (1999-present)

Economical, spacious, practical and now cheaper. One of the best small hatches around and there lots in circulation so you should pay less.

Most economical: 1.4 D-4D – 67.3mpg

Best used buy: 1.3I GLS

Buy from: Car supermarkets, car auctions, independent car dealers, private sellers who bought new.

UsedCarExpert.com faults to avoid: 8

Used Car Expert price guide: A 2002 1.4D with 47,000 miles will be around £5,376 at a dealer.

Citroen C2 (2002-present)

Tiny town centre assault vehicle, which is easy to drive and live with. On a long journey very comfortable ride and decent standard specifications help make it an all rounder.

Most economical: 1.4 Hdi – 68.9mpg

Best used buy: 1.4.

Buy from: Car supermarket, Citroen dealers and private owners.

UsedCarExpert.com faults to avoid: 9

Used Car Expert price guide: A 2003 1.4 Hdi with 55,000 miles will be around £4,863 at a dealer.

Test your motoring knowledge with our weekly motoring quiz:

Q1 After what is Porsche’s Cayenne named?

Q2 Who is the boss of the Renault F1 team?

Q3 What is the wireless connectivity system for mobile phones in cars?

Q4 What is the power output of a Maybach 57S?

Q5 Which UK car is the Japanese Vitz?

Q6 Who are Jordan’s two new F1 drivers for 2005?

Q7 What do the letters DSG stand for?

Q8 What is the replacement for Ferrari’s 360 Modena?

Q9 What is Audi’s German promotional phrase?

Q10 What is the name of cars offering a petrol/electric power combination?

Q11 LPG is a mixture of which two gases?

Q12 Which company sells most cars in America?

Answers:

1 Red powder from dried chillies

2 Flavio Briatore

3 Bluetooth

4 612bhp

5 Toyota Yaris

6 Narain Karthikeyan and Tiago Monteiro

7 Direct Shift Gearbox

8 Ferrari 430

9 Vorsprung durch Technik

10 Hybrid

11 Butane and Propane

12 Ford

A THIRD of all car accidents happen within a mile of the driver’s home and a further third within five miles.

A survey by Churchill Car Insurance suggests that drivers simply switch off on familiar roads, which is claimed to be the cause of accidents.

Journeys within a five-mile radius of home are typically made up of short trips to work, the supermarket and the school run.

The report shows that during these trips, drivers’ minds are wandering, thinking about work, family or home chores.

Almost three quarters of respondents admitted to paying less attention on local roads and more than half said that their driving becomes lazy when they near their home.

Despite recognising that their driving was becoming more relaxed and erratic, a quarter of drivers believed they were unlikely to have an accident close to their neighbourhood.

Darren McCauley, head of car insurance at Churchill, says: “Drivers tend to make many preparations for longer journeys but on routine trips they can be far too flippant.

“For longer journeys drivers often take an early night and make sure their car is safe. However, they can work a 50 hour week and then tackle an hour’s drive home without a second thought.

“The types of accidents we see near the home tend to happen at low speeds as people reverse out of the driveway or park outside their home.

“These happen at the beginning and end of journeys when the driver is not yet switched on, or clearly not switched off from their day.”

Churchill has listed the most common accidents that occur close to home:

1. Reversing into parked cars

2. Collisions with neighbours when parking outside the home

3. Finding unexplained dents and scratches caused by other drivers

4. Clipping wing mirrors when driving up narrow residential streets

5. Scraping the side of the car when parking in the garage

STRONGMAN Richard Gosling is the UK’s ultimate White Van Man and is using his muscle to raise awareness of Citroen’s latest offering.

At a time of soaring van sales in Britain, Citroen has introduced its new Dispatch model, which faces tough competition from a host of accomplished rivals.

In a bid to make its offering stand out from the crowd, Citroen encouraged the weight-lifter to take part in a challenging publicity stunt.

As sponsor of the BBC show Britain’s Strongest Man, the car company challenged him to become the first man ever to lift and hold such a large van.

At 1,400kg, the New Look Dispatch van is significantly heavier than any other vehicle used in the Dead Lift Hold, which is one of the television show’s toughest events.

IF YOU had around £5,000 burning a hole in your pocket in 1962 there were some real corkers that could be had for what was then a princely sum of money.

And one of the most interesting and later controversial options was the Lagonda Rapide.

This was a big, swish five-seater from the Aston Martin company and although feted by the press at the time and favoured by Royalty it just did not hit the spot as one of the grand luxury cars of all time

You have to understand that the post-war history of Lagonda was far from happy.

This once great marque was dominated by the often precarious fortunes of the parent company Aston Martin and this did the Rapide no favours at all.

It wasn’t as though the Rapide was a bad car – in fact it was superb – its just that it did not fire passions in the world of the discerning.

At the Earls Court Motor Show, of 1962 it was described as the ‘new touring flier’ – and it was. With a 125mph top speed and an easy cruise of 100mph, it offered relaxed high-speed luxury for those who could afford it. Its six-cylinder 3,995cc engine turned out a then enormous 236bhp.

With automatic transmission, and disc brakes it was set to go places with its elegant Superleggera body designed by Touring of Milan.

The body was very interesting being of light alloy panels on a steel tube frame welded to a platform chassis. Unlike Bristol which placed the spare wheel in the wings the David Brown Group used the wing space for fuel tanks to give more luggage capacity.

And it had all the mod cons of its day such as rear-window demister, radio with electronically controlled aerial and electric windows.

But in a production run of just three years only 55 were sold.

It is said that there was a degree of apathy at the factory over this model which was pushed through by company boss David Brown. Many discerning buyers did not like its horseshoe grille which was branded as similar to the Ford Edsel. I disagree because the grill enhanced this car’s beautifully balanced profile, but beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.

It was also unlucky that at the same motor show Jaguar launched its MkX which was less than half the price of the Rapide and nearly as fast.

Bearing in mind that you could could buy a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud II for £1,000 more you have to understand that the Rapide, although based on an Aston Martin, just did not have the clout in terms of image to carry the pricetag.

Sadly it was not the Lagonda that people wanted, and in 1964 the name was dropped by Aston Martin for 10 years.

But the good news is that it is estimated that over 40 examples still exist which is an excellent survival rate for such a short production run.

BRITAIN’S foremost driver’s lobby group is the latest organisation to slam the government’s plan to allow drivers to use the hard shoulder on motorways.

The Association of British Drivers says the proposal by Transport Secretary Alistair Darling to reduce congestion shows a breathtaking lack of understanding.

The ABD says Mr Darling has not realised that the hard shoulder is vital for use by the emergency services to quickly gain access to an accident site, and for drivers to have a safe refuge in an emergency.

Brian Gregory, ABD chairman, said: “Time and again, the ABD has called on the government not just to widen many motorways, but also to carry out proper education campaigns advising drivers on correct lane discipline.

“This problem is one of the governments’ own making. They have had deliberate policies of under investment in infrastructure and have totally failed to understand the importance of road user education in both safety and congestion reduction. Instead of listening to road safety experts they have preferred the views of ‘advisers’ with an anti-car agenda.

“This is typical of a government that has run out of ideas, but is desperate to be seen ‘doing something’.

“To remove a vital emergency lane instead of installing extra lanes is a dangerous bodge and can only lead to confusion and an increase in danger. Motorists have paid many times over for a proper road system, the government should put motorists’ taxes back where they belong, investing in necessary road improvements, including extra lanes where necessary.”

The hard-shoulder proposal has already been slammed by emergency rescue organisation RAC which last week issued the results of a nationwide survey showing the vast majority of motorists were against the idea. RAC described the plan as “an accident waiting to happen”.

Question

I’m hoping to change jobs in the New Year and start driving a minibus. Legally where do I stand?

Answer

If you are driving the minibus in the course of your employment this essentially would mean that you would be driving the vehicle ‘for hire or reward’ and, as such, different rules apply.

If you have held a full driving licence since before January 1, 1997 (which would be shown as Group A or Group B for automatics on the old style green/ pink licence, or as category B and D1 on a pink and green or photocard licence) to drive a minibus which has nine or more seats ‘for hire or reward’ you would need to obtain a passenger carrying vehicle category (D1 or D) on your licence by taking an additional driving test. You would also be required to meet higher medical standards to obtain the entitlement to drive a minibus ‘for hire or reward’.

For full driving licences issued after January 1, 1997 you may only drive vehicles with no more than eight passenger seats. To drive a vehicle with between nine and sixteen passenger seats (category D1) you would need to pass an additional test and meet higher medical standards.

THE Ducati Hypermotard’s unique take on the Supermoto class went down a storm when it was unveiled as a concept at the 2005 Milan show.

Everybody loved the sleek chassis with its aggressive beak, and Ducati’s traditonal underseat exhausts, tubular steel trellis frame and single-sided swingarm. Then there were the original touches such as the fold-in mirrors perched on the end of the handlebars

It was enough to convince Ducati to put an 1,100cc version into production for 2007, which it unveiled it at the 2006 Milan show. Where else?

So with the 2009 Milan Show kicking off, you’d think Ducati would wait until then to unveil its Hypermotard 796. But the manufacturer from Bologna clearly couldn’t wait and invited me to try it out now. Perhaps its planned arrival at dealerships as early as December has something to do with it

The engine looks identical to Ducati’s traditional 750cc air-cooled motor with its 90¼ V-twin cylinders and cooling fins. Except it’s brand new with an 803cc capacity. Ducati chose the 796 denomination to evoke the legendary 996 superbike.

Other changes include a seat lowered by 20mm, lower specification suspension to keep the bike affordable, a slipper clutch and a lighter frame. The 796 is 12kg lighter than its big brother – which makes it noticeably more agile.

Although supermotards are essentially dirt bikes kitted out for the road, the Hypermotard is built purely for Tarmac. Rather than being impossibly tall like most dirt-derived machines, it’s a doddle to keep both feet flat on the ground. This isn’t a problem with the 1100 version either, but now even the more vertically-challenged will feel happily confident.

This machine does in fact look different to the way it rides, with none of the compromises of a dirt machine adapted to the road.

The suspension looks tall, yet the forks don’t dive drastically as you brake with the powerful radial-mounted Brembo set-up.

The Hypermotard doesn’t even lend itself to the leg-out supermotard style you’d expect round the twisties. Instead, it rides more like a sports bike, but without the uncomfortable-over-long-distances race crouch. However, the weight’s rear bias does give the 796 a less planted front-end feel round the corners than a dedicated sports machine.

Ducati says the new engine is the most fuel-efficient it’s ever built, averaging at just under 60mpg. So despite the relatively small 12-litre tank, you should still manage 120 miles between petrol stops.

Power comes in strong from as low as 2,000rpm and spills over deep into the midrange. The 796 may have lower power and torque figures than its 1,100cc brethren, but 803cc is still a decent capacity – it just stops short at being the wild beast the 1,100 can be. There’s none of the loud clatter you’d expect from this type of engine either; instead the unmistakably-Ducati V-twin boom sounds almost liquid-cooled in its smooth running. Even fast down-changes are smooth thanks to the slipper clutch.

The slipper clutch has the added benefit of producing a feather-light clutch lever. Oh how things change Stiff Ducati clutches used to kill my wrist in town. And this is exactly what Ducati set out to do: make its smaller capacity Hypermotard easier for women who have inherently weaker wrists, and novices, to ride.

It’s these two growing categories that Ducati wants to appeal to with its new bike. Lets just hope it steals sales from rival manufacturers rather than its own entry-level Monster 696.

Other aspects make this machine ideal for city riding.

The upright riding position is comfortable and spacious and provides a great view of what lies ahead. Meanwhile the wide handlebars give tons of leverage. The above-mentioned mirrors with integrated indicators make the Hypermotard too wide for filtering, but they fold in easily to avoid incurring the wrath of whacked car drivers. The downside is you’re left with no rear view But you can always fit the traditional-mounted side mirrors available as an option.

So why choose the 796 over the 1100? At £6,995, the 796 is kinder on the wallet. It’s also lighter and more agile, and the smaller capacity better suits the less experienced, or those looking for a sexy alternative to our horrendously expensive public transport.

And if you’re lucky enough to make Ducati’s Hypermotard 796 your first ever bike, then that’s quite some dream first bike.

FAST FACTS

Ducati Hypermotard 796

Price: £6,995 matt colours, £7,195 red or white

Available: December 2009

Engine: 803cc aircooled 90¼ V-twin

Power: 81bhp

Torque: 55.7lb/ft

Seat height: 825mm

Transmission: Chain final drive, wet slipper clutch

Weight: 167kg

First published Tuesday 03rd Nov 2009

THE impending arrival of yet more taxes on motorists in the name of environmental friendliness is prompting drivers to embark upon ways of saving money on the road.

The summer holiday season is the time when we take to the roads in records numbers for long distance trips.

And the amount of fuel used on such a journey can vary dramatically depending on driving style.

Driving at 70mph uses about 25 per cent more fuel than at 50mph and this increases by a further ten per cent if the air conditioning is on.

Careful drivers can slash their fuel bills by half and with a bit of forward planning this may not increase journey times.

Tens of thousands of us waste time standing in traffic by needlessly travelling at rush hour, wasting time refuelling en route because we use too much fuel unnecessarily and wasting even more time by getting lost due to a lack of planning before setting off.

On-line motor insurer yesinsurance.co.uk has produced ten tip tips for motorists to save money on the move.

1. Smooth driving at a sensible speed is the best way to keep emissions and expenditure to a minimum. Fuel is used quicker at low and high speeds, with 50mph to 60mph usually the most fuel-efficient speeds.

Try to plan your route and timing to avoid traffic jams. Driving over 70mph dramatically increases emissions and consumption. Even driving at 70mph can use up to 25 per cent more than driving at 50mph. Fast acceleration and heavy braking use more fuel.

2. Air conditioning increases fuel consumption by about ten per cent so it is usually more efficient to open a window. However, at speeds of 50mph and above the additional drag caused by having the window open begins to match the cost of using the air conditioning.

3. Under-inflated tyres waste fuel, adding about two per cent to your fuel bill.

4. Dirty air filters can dramatically reduce fuel economy and can also cause a vehicle to fail a roadside emissions test. They are usually very easy to change.

5. Every extra 50kg of weight can increase fuel costs by about two per cent so avoid driving around with unnecessary items in the car.

6. Roof racks, spoilers and anything that increases drag can dramatically increase the amount of fuel used. Remove the roof rack when not in use.

7. If you are going to be stationary for more than two minutes switch off the engine rather than waste fuel.

8. Batteries and oil can be recycled at your local household waste disposal centre.

9. Plan your trip before you leave home, paying attention to both the route and timing. It is estimated that about 350,000 tonnes of fuel is wasted every year by drivers who get lost.

10. Do not use the car for short journeys. Take a walk and keep fit.

Similarly, public transport can often be an easier and more cost-effective way of travelling and you do not have to worry about parking. When you do use the car try to combine trips into one journey and where possible share trips with friends.

On-line insurer yesinsurance.co.uk specialises in covering drivers of cars over five years old, which represent 60 per cent of all those on UK roads and are also the least fuel-efficient and the most polluting.

IF I had bought a diesel car in the last year or so I would be getting distinctly edgy.

Prices at the pumps are soaring through the roof and there seems to be no let-up in the daily hikes.

Diesel, once known for belching clouds of blue smoke, has been carried along on a wave of technological development which has made it the acceptable fuel of modern motoring, giving up to 20-30 per cent saving in mpg over petrol and lower emissions.

Diesel-powered cars, in addition to becoming cleaner have become quicker, so much so that Audi this week announced an A3 show car that could race from a stand to 62mph in just 6.6 seconds.

Nearly 50 percent of all cars sold in Britain are diesels and the figure is much higher in France.

It was always slightly more expensive than petrol but in recent days it has soared to up to 13p higher in some petrol stations in Britain and is nearing £6 per gallon.

Diesel has become victim of its own success because it is in such demand.

China, once the sleeping giant has woken with a vengeance and is using a massive amount of diesel. Its spiralling demand has led to a shortage of refining capacity and when something is wanted so much, then its price will rocket. But of course two thirds of the pump prices are grabbed by the Chancellor and that is where the real problem lies.

Having driven one of the latest petrol small cars, the Chevrolet Aveo which does around 50mpg with reasonable CO2 emissions, I am beginning to think that the petrol engine could be accelerating back to prominence.