choosing used car

Hello Paddy,

Great site. I'm looking at a 1.6 2008 Avensis Aura.Very low mileage. is it reliable and economical? I do approx 12000km per year.

Hi folks,

I drive 500 miles a week at my own expense to and from work on the N24 - one of the worst national routes in the country. My 2001 Volvo S60 2 litre Turbo (Petrol) has been mostly a great servant and now has almost 240,000 miles on the clock. The running costs have become a bit tasty in recent times. I have a budget of around €15,000 to replace it with a second hand motor. I'll consider most any marque of car. Running costs, reliability and safety are my most important considerations. Any chance of a few suggestions?

I'd like to buy a sporty second hand car for around €3,000 but would go up to €4500. I have my heart set on a Toyota Levin. Is this a good choice & do they have any common faults to look out for? Any other good suggestions would be appreciated.

Hey, i'm looking to change my car at the minute and am thinking of the VW Golf 1.2 as i like the look of it and it will be cheap to insure, tax and run but as myself and my wife have a baby on the way i'm worried this won't be big enough. I don't do enough mileage to justify the extra cost of a 1.6 diesel and would like to stick to a max of 1.4. Do you think i should go ahead and get the Golf or is there anything else i should consider? My budget is 20k but i don't want a car older that 2010.

What type car would you recommend for about €4000? I'm living in dublin but will not be used for to and from work as I cycle,  but I am looking for a comfortable reliable car for trips round the country at weekends.

Hi!

You have come highly recommended! Can you tell me please what do you mean by 'look at the cost to change'? Looking to trade in a Honda Jazz, 2005, 50k, 2 years left on NCT, against a Honda FRV diesel, 2008. Like this: http://bit.ly/n2soeA What cost to change am I looking at exactly.....(complete car ignoramus!)

Can you recommend a family car (estate) in the €6,000-€7,000 price range? Should I be looking at the engine size to balance the extra weight of a family and dog!?

Hello, I am in the market for a new or second hand car with a budget of €30,000 at a push €35,000. What car would you recommend in terms of price, reliability, maintenance cost and resale value, driving about 20,000 kilometers annual. I like the Mazda 6 sport hatchback, Audi A4 and the BMW 5 series but open to other makes. Thanks for you the advice.

Hi guys. Might be a tricky one as its really a matter of opinion but i'm trying to replace a money pit '01 BMW 5 Series with something a little cheaper to run.

I've about 8 to 9k to spend on something in the Mondeo/407/Passat region. Has to be Diesel. I'm not too pushed about mileage as age is more of a concern reliability wise. Obviously very little compares to my current motor for comfort and build quiality but any major flaws you know of with cars that class would make the decision a bit easier.

For instance i've heard the Passat has major issues with it's electronic handbrake, A/C, and electrics and the Rover 75 may be tricky for parts. Obviously any recomendations would be personal taste but i'm stumped so any help would be much appreciated. My only absolute no is the Vecta. Been there. No interest in going back. All suggestions greatly appreciated.

Gar O'Neill

Howaya.

I have a 2007 Volvo S80 D5 and it's giving me 7 litres per 100km. I'm thinking of exchanging it for either a Ford Mondeo 1.8 TDCi or a Citroen C5 1.6 - both 2008. Which car is better from economy, reliability and safety point of view or should I change at all?

Thanks