Askaprice.com reveals most bizarre new-car requests
UK car buyers are still attempting to buy old cars like the Nissan Sunny and Ford Escort as new, reveals analysis by Askaprice.com
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND, December 03, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- UK car buyers are still trying to buy obscure cars like the Nissan Sunny and Rover 600 as new, reveals Askaprice.com.
The new-car website says that customers have been searching its site for a number of unlikely or outdated cars - and gone as far as requesting quotes for prices on the models.
Enquiries for Ford Escorts - one of the more familiar sights on British roads in the 1980s through to late 90's - were up in November 2010, while the Rover 600 - not made since last century has also been in demand.
And while an episode of Top Gear earlier this year sparked fears of Reliant Robin tipping, the iconic three-wheeler has been popular among motorists searching for a new vehicle on Askaprice.com
The Nissan Sunny, also evident in Askaprice.com lead data, was another 90's car criticised by Top Gear; with Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond destroying the car, claiming it to be 'the worst car in the world, ever'.
Meanwhile, other oddities searched for this month include the tiny, unloved Aixam 500; Fiat Marea, a booted Bravo whose estate model was called the Weekend; bonkers, seldom-seen sports car the De Tomaso Guara; the do-they-still-make-that? Subaru Justy; and the unfortunately-named Kia Pride.
A spokesman for Askaprice.com professed surprise that these long-gone cars were still being searched for as-new.
"Askaprice does have a used car section, as well as our new-car quote service, but all of these enquiries for models like the Rover 600 and Ford Escort were submitted by customers looking to buy them new."
"We work with a national dealership network so we can pass on customer enquiries to the relevant dealer, but we might raise a few eyebrows if we passed on a request for quote on a Fiat Marea or Nissan Sunny."
"What's more, I'm fairly sure we don't have any Reliant, De Tomaso or Aixam dealerships among our partners," added the spokesman.
"For those working within the car industry, it may come as a surprise that car-buyers may not be aware of which cars are still made and which have had their day; which is why we also run an online car magazine called MotorTorque.com for car buyers who want to research their purchases," concluded the spokesman.
Additionally, a number of request-for-quotes on performance and luxury cars indicates that some motorists will always be immune to prevailing economic conditions.
At the top-end of the market, Aston Martin proved the most popular luxury manufacturer-outperforming Bentley, Rolls-Royce and Maybach.
"Big ticket purchases like houses, holidays and cars are always said to be the first to go in a recession," said the spokesman.
"However, the number of leads we continue to receive for high-end luxury and performance marques indicates that there are car-buyers more worried about the colour of their new car than the price."
Top 10 obscure enquiries
1) Mazda 323
2) Reliant Robin
3) Suzuki Baleno
4) Aixam 500
5) Fiat Marea
6) De Tomaso Guara
7) Subaru Justy
8) Ford Escort
9) Kia Pride
10) Nissan Sunny
About Askaprice.com
Liverpool-based _a href=http://www.askaprice.com_Askaprice.com_/a_ was founded in 2002 and provides car-buyers with free, no-obligation price quotes for new or leased cars.
Askaprice.com is part of The Auto Network and works with dealerships and manufacturers to provide customers with their choice of new car.
About The Auto Network
_a href= http://www.theautonetwork.co.uk/_The Auto Network_/a_ comprises over 35 automotive lead generation and research websites that focus on car enthusiasts, consumers researching a car purchase or consumers who are ready to buy.
The network of sites attracts over 500,000 unique visitors per month combined, mostly in the market to buy or lease new vehicles or purchase a used vehicle.
The Auto Network, which includes in-house instant-pricing car website Oneswoop.com and automotive content website MotorTorque.com.
External clients include General Motors, Lex Autolease and Perrys.
Media contact
Anton Hanley
Tel. 0151 243 1052
www.askaprice.com
www.theautonetwork.co.uk
Press Release Contact Information:
Robin Brown
Askaprice.com
Head of Content
Rumford Place
Liverpool, Merseyside
262 L3 9DG
Voice: 01512431050
