free web stats News Plus – Page 327 – Zing Velom

News Plus

Category Added in a WPeMatico Campaign

‘Gachiakuta’ Is Already in Good Hands if It Has ‘My Hero Academia: Vigilantes’ Animation Studio

Alright, anime fans, buckle up because Gachiakuta is coming, and it’s about to be absolutely wild. We’re talking about this completely punk-styled, trash-drenched, grunge-soaked, action-packed ride through a world where people literally get thrown away. And now that the new promo video has come out, we have another reason to be totally hyped: the studio […]

This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire

Read More »

Top 10 convertibles selling for under £10k this summer including ‘curvaceous’ Audi, chic Mercedes & ‘cool-looking’ BMW

Red Porsche Boxster driving down a road.

WITH summer getting into full swing you might be dreaming of rolling down a soft-top and feeling the wind in your hair but you think it’s a pipedream – or maybe it’s not.

While convertibles are seen as a luxury they can still be affordable – here are the best affordable convertibles on the market.

BMW 6 Series Convertible

Beige BMW 6-series convertible parked by the ocean.
The Series 6 has the slick, impressive look that BMW provides

The so-called ‘cool’ BMW, has a snazzy exterior look while being a practical car with room for four inside. 

The BMW Series 6 can be picked up at a reasonable £5000 second hand which is far more obtainable than when it was first released. 

The car is a fantastic long-range car due to its comfortable interior but it is a complex car that will also come with higher fuel and maintenance costs.

Mini Convertible

Black Mini Cooper convertible parked in front of a brick building.
Mini’s convertible packs a punch despite being compact

One of the most instantly recognisable cars in the world, the Mini is a smash-hit with thousands of people. 

Its slick and colourful exterior is matched by its welcoming interior which has a lot of room for a compact car.

The convertible can be picked up for as little as £2000 while more expensive models are available that have an engine that packs a little more punch.

Mazda MX-5

Yellow Mazda MX-5 Miata convertible driving on a road.
The Mazda MX-5 is in high supply due to being incredibly popular

The Mazda MX-5 is one of the most sought after convertibles on the market. 

Available from £2000, the MX-5 is loved by many for the driving experience it provides along with rear-wheel drive and an easy to use roof mechanism.

Due to its popularity, there are plenty of MX-5’s available including newer models which range between £2000 and £5000.

Audi TT Roadster

Gray Audi TT Roadster on display.
Audi’s TT Roadster revolutionised convertibles when it was first released

The Audi TT Roadster was revolutionary when it was first released 25 years ago both for its look and the technology it introduced.

This option comes in around £2000 despite it still looking fantastic in 2025 as well as the luxury materials used in building the interior.

Fiat 500c

Black Fiat 500e Cabrio parked in a parking lot.
The Fiat 500c is perfect for every day use especially in cities

Ideal for inner-city driving due to its compact style, the Fiat 500c combines a cute look with practicality.

Priced at around £2300, this car is one of the cheapest on the list to insure and run on a daily basis. 

While the roof doesn’t pack away completely, it still performs the convertible element adequately.

Volvo C70

Black Volvo C70 convertible parked in a parking space.
Volvo’s dip into the convertible market produced a reliable and comfortable car

While Volvo is known for producing SUVs and family cars, they have also produced a convertible that is very affordable. 

The C70 can be found for as little as £1700 and is designed by the Swedish manufacturer to be as refined and comfortable as possible.

It must be noted that the C70 is a metal-folding hard-top rather than soft-top and should be evaluated that it operates properly before purchasing.

Porsche Boxter

Arguably the most impressive on the list, simply by the name alone, the Boxter’s performance is one of the best on the list.

Unlike newer models which will set you back at least £60,000, a second hand Boxter comes in at £10,000.

Due to it being a high performance car, the maintenance and fuel costs will be higher with this one.

Mercedes SLK

Black Mercedes-Benz SLK driving down a road.
Mercedes are known for their luxury cars but the SLK is a bargain

The smallest of convertibles that Mercedes offers but it is packed with loads of great features like a clever metal-folding roof. 

The SLK at its cheapest can be found for £1500 but this would be for a first-generation model. 

For the newer, more modern and comfortable second-generation edition, you would expect to pay £6500 for one in good condition and a reasonable mileage. 

Peugeot 207 CC

Blue Peugeot 207 CC convertible driving on a city street.
Peugeot’s 207CC is highly reliable and cost-efficient

While the 207CC might not win the award for the fastest or highest performance on the list, it would win being one of the most cost-efficient. 

Prices range between £1500 and £3000 depending on how used the vehicle is. 

It’s available with a range of efficient engines and because it’s based around the same design as the standard Peugeot 207 hatchback making it cheap and easy to run. 

Volkswagen Eos

Blue convertible driving down a road.
The Eos comes with the added benefit of a sunroof

The Eos is basically a VW Golf with the roof cut off. 

The folding metal roof also incorporates a sunroof, so you can still get a better view of the sky even when you don’t fancy having the roof entirely lowered.

Prices for a good condition Eos start around £3000.  

Read More »

У кораловому вбранні і перлинних прикрасах: вишукану принцесу Како сфотографували в аеропорту (фото)

Принцеса Како / © Getty Images Фотографи зазнімкували принцесу Како в аеропорту Наріта поблизу Токіо. Її Величність йшла на літак, щоб вирушити з офіційним візитом до Бразилії. Вона візьме участь у заходах з нагоди 130-річчя дипломатичних відносин між Японією та Бразилією. Принцеса мала ніжний і вишуканий вигляд. На ній був білий топ та елегантний костюм коралового кольору, який складався з приталеного жакета без коміра і ґудзиків, прикрашеного поясом-бантом, […]

Read More »

Grading Brock Nelson’s $22.5 million contract extension with Avalanche

The Colorado Avalanche had an eventful regular season. They made a bevy of in-season trades, from re-forming their goalie room on the fly to parting ways with a franchise legend in Mikko Rantanen, general manager Chris MacFarland was busy. One of those moves was trading for Brock Nelson from the New York Islanders at the […]

The post Grading Brock Nelson’s $22.5 million contract extension with Avalanche appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Read More »

3rd-year Giants receiver fires ‘grudge’ warning to critics

After a disappointing season where he caught eight passes on 19 targets in 16 games, third-year New York Giants receiver Jalin Hyatt is sending a warning to his critics. He took to X, formerly Twitter, to issue a blunt response to those who question him. “I hold grudges,” his post began, “I ain’t forget.” In […]

The post 3rd-year Giants receiver fires ‘grudge’ warning to critics appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Read More »

Valkyries’ Natalie Nakase questions Golden State’s “energy” on defense after fourth straight loss

Every team needs an identity if it wants to win games, especially a brand-new expansion franchise looking to establish itself in the WNBA. For Natalie Nakase and the Golden State Valkyries, that identity has been defense. While the shooting has been streaky and the turnovers have been a problem, their hard-nosed, hustling defensive identity is […]

The post Valkyries’ Natalie Nakase questions Golden State’s “energy” on defense after fourth straight loss appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Read More »

Tyrese Haliburton gets real on Pacers’ ‘disbelief’ after ugly first half in Game 1

Throughout the 2025 NBA Playoffs, Tyrese Haliburton’s clutch heroics for the Indiana Pacers have been on full display. On Thursday night, Haliburton once again delivered the goods for the Pacers, as he hit a go-ahead shot with 0.3 seconds left in Game 1 of the 2025 NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, giving Indiana […]

The post Tyrese Haliburton gets real on Pacers’ ‘disbelief’ after ugly first half in Game 1 appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Read More »

Brooklyn Nets’ perfect outcome for No. 8 pick in 2025 NBA Draft

The Brooklyn Nets are in a strong position this offseason, with multiple first-round picks in the 2025 NBA Draft and cap space flexibility to add talented players to the roster. The Nets are currently projected to have around $45 million in cap space, in addition to five roster spots, allowing them to keep all their […]

The post Brooklyn Nets’ perfect outcome for No. 8 pick in 2025 NBA Draft appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Read More »

Can you pay back equity release? 

Senior couple lying on the ground, embracing and smelling flowers.

WITH equity release, you are not required to make regular repayments.

Instead, the amount borrowed, plus any accrued interest, is repaid when you die or move into long-term care. But is there a way you can pay back equity release early?

Older couple lying on the ground, sharing a small bouquet of flowers.

Explore your later life lending options with Age Partnership 

The most common form of equity release is a lifetime mortgage which is a loan secured against your property.

Your lender will determine how much you can borrow based on the value of your home among other factors such as age, whether you’re a joint or single applicant, and what you require the money for. 

This type of lending is only available to homeowners from the age of 55, and it’s often used as a financing option in retirement. 

Your money can then be given in one lump sum or smaller amounts over time, known as drawdown, – but regardless of your choice, it’s tax-free. 

Once you’ve repaid any existing outstanding mortgage, which is a condition of equity release, the money is yours to enjoy spending. 

If you decide to take out a lifetime mortgage, you’ll be given the option to pay back the interest and in some cases part of the loan, but this is subject to certain limits and early repayment charges may apply above a set value.

This means you can choose not to make payments if you wish and, unlike a traditional loan secured against the property, your home won’t be repossessed. 

While these traits make it a viable form of borrowing for some homeowners, there are a few things to consider.

Mainly, if you decide not to make repayments the interest you owe will compound. 

The other form of equity release is a home reversion plan, which involves selling part of your home in return for a lump sum or series of payments.

You can continue living in your home, typically rent-free, until you die or move into long-term care.

At this point, the property is sold and the proceeds from the sale are used to repay the plan provider for their share.

Any remaining proceeds from the sale, if applicable, are distributed as a part of your estate.

Unlike lifetime mortgages, home reversion plans do not accrue interest.

However, the plan provider won’t make a full-market offer for the percentage of your home that they buy.

Both a lifetime mortgage and home reversion plan will reduce the value of your estate and impact funding long-term care. 

How can you pay back a lifetime mortgage? 

Older couple crouching in a forest, looking at wildflowers.

Calculate how much you could unlock

You can start making repayments on your lifetime mortgage arrangement once it begins.

However, how much you can repay without incurring a penalty depends on your agreement and lender. 

If your main goal is to keep your loan as cheap as possible, then these are your options:

Making repayments

While you have the flexibility to make repayments at your own pace, it’s important to keep in mind that this may come with some added costs.

If you choose to not make interest repayments, that debt will compound, meaning that interest will be applied to the interest and the amount outstanding will grow more quickly.

So, if you want to prevent the roll-up of interest, you may decide to repay the interest before it compounds. In instances where you can’t, even repaying some of the money that month can make a difference.

Overpay your loan

If you find yourself with a surplus of cash, there are plans that may allow you to make overpayments on your lifetime mortgage. 

Reducing the amount outstanding will reduce the interest that accrues but make sure you know the terms of your plan as lifetime mortgage providers typically limit the amount you can pay before they begin charging early repayment fees. 

All new plans which meet the Equity Release Council standards must allow penalty free payments, subject to lending criteria. 

To protect the interests of equity release borrowers, this industry body sets an additional set of rules all providers who are members must adhere to.

For example, this includes the no-negative equity guarantee – which means that your estate will never owe more than your property is worth when it is sold. 

It’s important to note that plans from providers who are not part of the Equity Release Council do not have these requirements. 

Repay the entire loan

If you’re looking to exit from your equity release agreement in its entirety, then some providers allow you to repay your loan before you die or move into long-term care. 

But, this usually comes with an early repayment charge which is set out in your agreement. 

Early repayment charges are set differently depending on your lender and could include: 

  • Fixed charge – Where your lender states exactly how much the penalty will be for exiting the agreement. While your charges won’t increase, it could lessen if it’s based on a sliding scale. Often lenders reduce their fixed charges over time. So the longer you’ve had equity release, the less you need to pay in exit charges. 
  • Variable early repayment charge – Where your exit charges fluctuate. In this instance, these early repayment charges will typically be linked to the price of UK government bonds. 

Some lenders calculate your early repayment charges on the original capital borrowed, while others base it on your remaining balance. 

Dangers of equity release

EQUITY release can be a good way to unlock cash in retirement – but there are some dangers to consider, according to The Sun’s Tara Evans.

Interest rates on lifetime mortgages are around 5.5%, with some topping 8%. This means they can be more expensive than a traditional mortgage and you should always consider downsizing first.

You could end up owing more than you borrowed, although it will never be more than the value of your home.

Using equity release to take cash from your home will reduce the assets you have to pass on to loved ones when you die.

It is a long-term commitment and you may be charged an early redemption fee that can be as high as 25% if you want to pay it off.

Be aware that equity release could affect or stop your benefits.

Always seek advice from a qualified equity release adviser.

Will I face early repayment charges? 

You can expect to face early repayment charges if you want to overpay more than your equity release provider allows or if you wish to pay off the loan altogether. 

However, exit fees can be hefty. It could cost thousands of pounds in fees to exit your agreement, and for some, it may be cheaper to keep servicing their interest repayments. 

So if you’re looking to end your agreement, it’s best to get in touch with a financial adviser to evaluate your options. 

Can you get equity release with no early repayment charges?

a man and woman sit at a table looking at a piece of paper

Calculate how much you could unlock

Of course, there are some instances where you don’t need to pay an early repayment charge. These include: 

Moving home 

All plans that meet the standards of the Equity Release Council give you the right to move home, but it does come with a caveat. 

Your lender must be willing to accept your new home as security for your loan based on certain criteria such as property type, condition and value. 

As with any move, you can expect valuation and legal fees to apply and if your new property is of lower value, you might need to repay a portion of the mortgage to maintain the lender’s security.

Downsizing

In the instance where you move to a smaller home that’s less valuable, you’ll be downsizing. 

Equity release lenders treat downsizing differently to moving home. That’s because if the new property is worth less, then they could receive a shortfall from the agreement. 

In these situations you’re allowed to pay off some of the loan without facing an early repayment charge if your arrangement includes a downsizing protection clause.

If not, then check with your lender to understand what will be payable – or seek the advice of a financial advisor to see what options are available.

If your spouse dies or moves into long-term care 

Also known as a “compassionate window” or “significant life event exception”, some equity release providers enable a clause called the “compassionate repayment feature”. 

If you have a joint lifetime mortgage, this feature allows you to repay the loan penalty-free if your spouse or civil partner moves into long-term care or dies.

This typically applies for up to three years following the significant life event.

Unlike the rules set out by the Equity Release Council, this isn’t something all lenders need to adhere to – so it’s worth checking if your agreement has this feature in place. 

As advice is required before proceeding with equity release, Age Partnership can help you find out more and if it could be right for your circumstances. 

Through their service, initial advice is provided for free and without obligation.

Only if your case completes would an advice fee of £1,895 be payable. Other lender and solicitor fees may apply. 

Calculate how much you could unlock


Age Partnership is a trading name of Age Partnership Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.FCA registered number 425432. Company registered in England and
Wales No. 5265969. VAT registration number 162 9355 92. Registered address, 2200 Century Way, Thorpe Park, Leeds, LS15 8ZB.

Read More »