What fun petrol hatch for €5,000?
I'm a newly full licenced driver at the ripe old age of 30, I haven't owned a car in 10 years so I'm looking at getting a used car for €4-5k, but due to insurance I'm limited to cars 1.6-litre or less. I want a petrol hatchback and would love something fun to drive yet affordable to run and good for motorways on the odd occasion so 1.0-litre shoeboxes would be a no no.
Any suggestions?
John Ward (Galway)Jun 2017 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
OK, lots and lots of options. How about a Fiat 500? Great looking, fun to drive, well made and that 1.2-litre petrol engine is willing enough to tackle motorway work from time to time.
Late 2000s MINIs fall into your budget too, and they're great fun to drive, roomier than the 500 (well, a bit) and solid on longer journeys.
You could be dead sensible and go for an Audi A3 1.6 petrol and there'd be nothing wrong with that - ticks all the boxes.
Or maybe something a bit more left-field? How about a Volkswagen Beetle? An original Mini (we did find one in your budget) or even a Smart ForTwo Brabus?
I'd like a sporty car from 142-152...
Hi guys,
I currently drive a late 2012 Audi A3 (new model three-door 2.0 TDI). It's a great car, but I'm in a position to upgrade and I want something that has a bit more oomph on the road and is a bit bigger. I have a good 45-minute commute each way to work and I have friends and family all over the country so I need a diesel for all the miles I'm covering.
I'm looking at purchasing second hand, probably cars registered from 142 - 152. I'd love a BMW 420d M Sport, but they can be pricey and I have heard from a few people that used BMWs can be far from reliable. I have considered sticking with Audi, but I have found that Audi cars from this time period (A4/A5) are a bit underpowered and poorly equipped for the money. Is there anything you can recommend? I find myself only looking at German manufacturers, but I can get over badge snobbery if I found something I really liked.
Thanks guys
Pearse
Pearse McDonagh (Waterford )May 2017 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Pearse,
Would you consider a Lexus? A hybrid engined IS 300h saloon looks good, is good to drive, isn’t German, is frugal and will be so reliable you can pass it onto your grandkids.
Alternatively, a BMW 420d Coupe makes a great buy, and they’re not THAT bad on the reliability front, but it’s a good idea to buy one from a BMW main dealer, as it will come with a very comprehensive two-year warranty.
Well worth looking at a Mercedes C-Class C 220 d coupe too — not as slick looking as the BMW, but with great quality and a really lovely chassis. The Volkswagen CC (four-door coupe on a Passat chassis) is also well worth a look, and what about a Jaguar XF 2.2 diesel, which is a saloon, but looks slinky enough to be a coupe?
Merc GLA, Audi A3, BMW 1 Series or new Golf?
I have just moved to Luxembourg for two years I am looking for a new car (it has to be new), 2.0-litre or close to it. Looking for a two-year lease deal or wondering about buying Mercedes-Benz GLA, Audi A3, Volkswagen Golf or 1 Series BMW. Relative to Ireland, which car is best value to buy?
Brendan McDonagh (Luxembourg)Oct 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
Well, bearing in mind we have literally no idea what the market or running costs are like in Luxembourg, we reckon that a 2.0-litre Golf sounds like the best option there, especially if funds would stretch to either a GTI or GTD.
Read our Mercedes-Benz GLA review here
Read our Audi A3 Saloon review here
Read our Volkswagen Golf GTI review here
Audi A3 TDI or Toyota Auris Hybrid?
Hi,
As our family is fleeing the nest, I am hoping to buy a new or nearly new slightly smaller and economical (possibly hybrid?) car. Changing up from a 2009 Toyota Avensis 2.0-litre high-spec diesel with 98,000km on the clock. Do about 15,000km per year mostly in the city and trips to Wicklow, and odd long trip to West Cork for pleasure.
Not sure if I should go for diesel again, or hybrid. Is hybrid risky and will the residuals drop as newer technology comes onstream? Offered €6K by Audi for my Avensis (poor!) against a brand new A3 Sportback 1.6 TDI diesel (net after discounts and trade in = €25K) or €10k by Toyota against brand new 1.8 Auris Hybrid Luna (€26,225 + €575 + €180 road tax + €575 metallic paint = €16,980). Love the look of the A3 Sportback, but in my heart think Toyota is more practical for a privately run car. I am paying cash so am conscious I might have this car a while, i.e. five years.
Do you think a new car is advisable, or good demo, and also will the Audi be expensive to run?
Thanks,
Linda DJ, Dublin
Linda Dwyer Joyce (Dundrum)Jun 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Linda,
€6k is at the bottom end of 2009 Avensis trade in values and your Toyota dealer is possibly boosting your trade in a bit (€10k is definitely top end) to keep you in the family.
I think with 15,000km annual mileage you definitely don't need a diesel - you'll really struggle to make back the extra purchase cost in fuel savings and if you're not doing lots of long journeys you could run into problems with the particulate filter. The Audi wouldn't be expensive to run at all - they're reliable and frugal, but the servicing would probably be slightly pricier than for a Toyota.
As for the Auris Hybrid, I think it sounds like it might be just about right for you, especially as most of your mileage is around town and that's where it works best. You may find it hard to get the best economy out of it on that long run to West Cork, but the rest of the time it should be about right, and super-reliable too.
An ex-demo is always a good idea as you'll get it cheap with minimal mileage, but there are fewer of them around these days.
Relevant reviews on the site:
Why the different offers for my SEAT Leon?
Went wth the intention or ordering the new Audi A3 Saloon at my local dealership and they quoted me just €11,000 for my 142 SE 1.2 petrol SEAT Leon SC with just 29,500km on the clock! SEAT was offering me €16k for the same car.
What do you think the trade in value should be?
Sean Cotter (Cork)Jun 2016 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Sean,
I'd say your Audi dealer is low-balling you, but perhaps not by that much. Equally, I'd say your SEAT dealer is over-bidding a little to keep you in the brand. Second hand trade in values are never an exact science because it depends as much on what other cars the dealer has on their lot already as on the actual car itself.
Your Leon is a pretty basic one, but that's not necessarily a bad thing and if it were me, I'd probably pitch you between €13,000 and €14,000 as a trade in and that's staying on the safe side. Again though, every dealer's setup and circumstances are different and therefore every trade in offer is different.
Why do the Audi A3's and Golf's tax differ?
Why is the tax between an Audi and Golf such a difference for a 1.6 engine? Seems odd!
Colin Morrissey (Lucan)Apr 2016 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Colin,
It depends which models you mean. I presume you’re looking at an Audi A3 and a Volkswagen Golf, which share a 1.6-litre diesel engine. On the base model of both cars, the quoted CO2 figure is exactly the same – 99g/km. It could be that you’re looking at an A3 Saloon, which, with the optional 18-inch alloy wheels, has a CO2 figure of 109g/km, or possibly even the A3 Saloon quattro 1.6 TDI on 18s, which has a whopping (in comparison) figure of 130g/km. Extra equipment (or indeed a complete four-wheel drive system) and bigger wheels all have an effect on consumption and therefore emissions, you see...
What price to trade my A3 in for new Audi Q2?
Hi,
What trade in price would you expect to get on an Audi A3 three-door, 141, 1.4 TSI petrol with 7,500 kilometres on the clock against the coming Audi Q2? My car was pre-registered, 500km, purchased September 2014 for retail price €27,000.
Frank D (Dublin)Mar 2016 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi F D,
Somewhere around the €18,000 mark I would think.
Differences between the Audi A3 models?
What are the differences between an Audi A3 SE and an Audi A3 Sport, year 2012?
Alison Mccarter (Londonderry)Feb 2016 Filed under: optional extras
Expert answer
Hi Alison,
Audi has never had a 'Sport' trim on the current A3, so I suspect if you've seen one advertised it's the seller getting confused and mis-labelling the S line trim. Over and above standard specification, the SE trim adds 16-inch alloy wheels, nicer seat trim, front fog lights, rear floor mats, aluminium interior trim, a front centre armrest, extra map lights, cruise control, rear parking sensors, a colour display for the trip computer and an iPod connector.
S line gives you Xenon headlamps with LED running lights and LED rear lights, 18-inch alloys, black cloth headlining, Audi Drive Select (which means you can toggle between Sport, Normal, Comfort and Eco modes), a three-spoke flat-bottomed steering wheel, sportier exterior body kit, bucket seats, S line logos everywhere and lower, firmer S line suspension.
Does this 141 Audi A3 Saloon sound ok?
I am seeing a 141 (2014 Apr) Audi A3 Saloon 2.0 TDI 150hp, SE with Milano leather, a good spec car overall and has done only 10,000km so far. The price being quoted is €25,000. I am actually worried because the price quoted is low for its value. What could the seller be hiding? Any suggestions to help not to get cheated? Seller is a dealer (not SIMI) and has no problems me getting a Audi showroom health check.
Gokul Gurijala (Cork)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Gokul,
It's not massively cheap, maybe a couple of grand below the average asking price, but with just 10,000km on it, it does look a touch suspicious. Independent dealers can be, shall we say, very variable in their quality of sales and service, but maybe ask around and see if others in the area have had any experience.
Are electric cars a real option now?
Are electric cars a real option now? Looking to purchase a second hand car 2012 upwards. What do you think?
Paul Mccabe (Kilkenny)Jan 2016 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
Yes, and no. And a bit yes. It still depends on your lifestyle and driving habits. Lots of short journeys, mostly around town? Don't mind taking the time to plan long journeys carefully and be prepared to take breaks for charge ups?
Things are getting dramatically better though. Nissan has just updated the Leaf with a new 30kwh battery (read our review of it here) that extends its range to around 250km, which is a lot more useful, and if you're suitably loaded a Tesla Model S can go for 500km between charges.
If you're not quite ready to take the full electric car plunge, how about a plugin hybrid? Short hops under electric power with a petrol engine for longer journeys. Try the Volkswagen Golf GTE, Audi A3 e-tron, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV or a Volvo XC90 T8.
However, if you're looking for a second hand car, your options with electric power are severely limited, as sales have been slow so far.