choosing new car

Hyundai ix35 1.7-litre diesel or Skoda Yeti 1.6 GreenLine? Your opinion please?

Noel Clarke (Drogheda)

I was considering a new Mondeo, but Ford is only putting the 163hp 2.0 diesel in the Titanium Spec at about €34k, where as an Opel Insignia has a 160hp 2.0 diesel available at about €30k. However, I have heard the 130hp Insignia is more drivable.

Any comment?

How does the 1.4 TSI DSG auto perform in the new Golf? And what are the economy figures? Thinking of buying one next year.

What would be the likely trade in value of a silver 2001 BMW 320Ci (85k miles) with extras (sports leather seats, climate control, HK sound system etc) for a new Golf 1.4 TSI? Would I be lucky to get €3,000?

Hi guys,

What is the story with the 1.4 Volkswagen Passats TSI? I know it has 120hp but is it suitable for such a big car? 

Are they economical? Can they overtake without labouring??

I am still shopping around myself and have just come across these, they seem good value, I do about 12,000 kilometres per year.

Any information is welcome.

Thanks Mick

I want to buy a new station wagon with a diesel engine, automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. There seem to be very few options, e.g the Volvo XC70, which is too expensive. Can you recommend any alternatives?

When are the new Hyundai Santa Fe and Mitsubishi Outlander due to go on sale?

Hi,

We're looking at changing my wife's car for something smaller as our daughter is learning to drive. The car is a 2002 Volvo S60 (2.0T petrol, tax €600) and from talking to dealers will be hard to sell privately or get over €2k trade-in.

We were thinking of going for a Skoda Combi (1.2T petrol, €105 tax), but are concerned with resale value. Other smaller cars (e.g. Ford Fiesta, VW Polo) are more expensive, offer less kit and space, but might have better resale values in five years. Any thoughts of suggestions on what to do, or go for?

I have owned Honda Civics for the last 19 years and at present I am on my second 1.8 saloon.

I am considering buying a new car in the new year (2011), but I am wary as the present model was introduced in January 2006. Do you know when this car is due for a revamp?

Would you buy a 2008-09 BMW 535d or a new 2011 520d? As you can see my budget is about €45k. I have been used to plenty of power in the past!

Paul