Expert answer

Hi Sadhbh,

Autonomous cars are programmed to keep within the speed limits at all times. The driver cannot change that, though of course they can take control and do whatever they want themselves at any time.

Bear in mind that there is no self-driven car on sale as yet.

Here's our article on the experience of being driven by one on the public road.

Expert answer

Hi John,

I put your question to Paul Healy, our News Editor, but also a very experienced man in the way of Japanese imports. Here's his response:

May we first commend you on your choice of choice of cars? There is little that can offer the kind of thrills the MX-5/Eunos Roadster does for the money.

In regards to your question; yes the Eunos Roadster is essentially just a Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) MX-5, but there are a few differences between the two cars. For the most part these are cosmetic or inconsequential differences such as the shape of the number plate surround or the fact that the speedometer will be in km/h instead of mph (which is actually handier). The bigger issues relate to the likes of the thinner windscreen that would require a new surround rubber should you need to replace it with one from a MX-5 and also the engine management system (ECU) differs between the cars, but failure of this system is rare so the likelihood of it being a problem is minimal.

While air conditioning was offered on both models many MX-5s do not have it whereas most Eunos Roadsters do. This means that the power steering belt that would also drive the air conditioning compressor will be different between the two cars. So too will be the radiator, as the Eunos almost certainly (the Japanese like their air conditioning) will have additional mounting points for the unit.

None of these issues present any real problem though. Such is the appeal of the MX-5/Eunos Roadster that a whole industry has sprung up to supply parts for both cars that are sometimes unavailable through official channels. Websites such as mx5parts.co.uk and mx5ireland.com are good resources.

Hope this helps!

Expert answer

Hi Frank,

This isn't quite an exact science and you can't really "work it out" but instead you can guess based on evidence from the past. Take a look at what the cars retail for after one year, two years, three years and so on and see what percentage of the car's original value it has retained. There have traditionally been some brands that have kept their value better than others - Ford, Toyota and Volkswagen would be some that spring to mind.

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Hi Richard,

It's never easy to predict such things, but it's likely that the Subaru would just beat the Skoda to the top spot on this occasion. They're very close in reality.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Deb,

There are loads of four-door city cars that would fit in that space that have ISOFIX, but the problem then is fitting a big travel system buggy into them! I myself have two kids so I understand the challenges...

Some good city cars to consider include the funky new SEAT Mii/Skoda Citigo/Volkswagen up! triplets and the Fiat Panda. They're as narrow as you get really.

Just so happens I have a Mii on test this week and our Quinny Buzz buggy folds in - with no space to spare of course.

Hope that helps.

Expert answer

Hi there,

There's no black and white answer to that one I'm afraid. It takes a little research and some experience of the industry. Even so, it's never a factual figure, as different buyers or dealers will offer you different amounts for your car.

Have a good look through Carzone.ie and other car classifieds sites for cars that closely match yours in terms of specification, model year and mileage and make a note of average prices. Bear in mind that the prices advertised (especially those from the trade) are not what you'll receive for your car, so knock a few grand off for relatively new (up to five years old or so) models. Take that figure from your original purchase price to work out the depreciation.

It's an inexact science, but this method should give you a good gauge anyway.

Expert answer

Hi Mike,

The only reason you would specifically buy the efficient dynamics version of the BMW 520d is if you want to pay €104 in road tax, you want the best possible fuel economy and you don't mind changing gears yourself. I'd always prefer by luxury saloon car to come with an automatic transmission and in general, the used car market prefers if you do to. 

We could of course, give our opinions as to what is the best of these cars - but the fact is that they are all in and around the same price, they are all very good and they all offer different things. The BMW is regarded as the drivers car amongst the group although increasingly this is being matched by the excellent new Audi A6. The Mercedes is without doubt the most comfortable of these three cars so if have a very relaxed style of driving then the Mercedes might suit best. 

It does really come down to personal choice. The BMW is the best-seller and that probably won't change for some time. Also you have left out the excellent Jaguar XF, and now with a 2.2-litre diesel it is excellent value. That needs to be considered too. 

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Hi Andrew,

The key point you make here is 'properly maintained' and to be honest if you really take care of it and are prepared to invest money into it then you could expect 200,000+. It isn't all that unusual to see Focus diesels with mega mileage. See this one on sale in a dealership in Carlow with 190,000 miles on the clock. So it is really up to the owner. I wouldn't expect it to last much over 200,000 though, before it would become uneconomic to own it. 

Expert answer

Hello Mary,

You will probably get offered in and around the €15,000 mark for your S40 Flex Fuel model, but this could stretch to €16,000 if you traded it in against a new car. You didn't mention if you wanted a new or a used small automatic to replace your Volvo, but I will assume that you want a new car. 

I am not sure how small you want to go, but there are a few decent small automatic cars around, but not that many. The best of them would probably be the automatic Ford Fiesta, which is a really great little car for the money. We quite like the Hyundai i20 1.4 Deluxe Auto too. This is a fine little car. My top choice and the one I would buy is the Skoda Fabia 1.2 TSI Sportline with the excellent DSG gearbox, which is simply superb. 

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi there JP,

Have you thought about changing your missus? (Kidding).  It is a shame that you have to get rid of your 320d M Sport, because that is a pretty cool car, but I would have thought the decision was an easy one. 

Just click here, call them and buy it!