CompleteCar
Search Ask Us Anything
Showing 1041 - 1050 results (out of a total of 1212) found for "Cars" in Ask Us Anything

Which Volkswagen Golf will I buy?

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.

Brendan Cullen (Dublin)

Sep 2011 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Brendan,

Having just come out of a Volkswagen Golf long-term test car I feel like I can speak with some authority on the car. For a start, it really depends on where you are driving and how far, when it comes to your engine choice.

The 1.6-litre TDi diesel is really good, but it probably isn't worth the extra cost unless you commute is quite long. Otherwise the 1.2 TSi is fine and while it isn't a rocket, it is perky enough. In terms of the the car being big enough, well yes it is. The Golf is fine for one baby and the boot is big enough to take the truly obnoxious buggy I put into it. 

With your budget of €20,000, you would really have your choice of petrol or diesel models so it is really down to what you prefer. I really like this one. And although it is over your budget you would probably come in under as a cash buyer. 


Am I better off buying a car in the UK and then importing it?

I have been researching replacing a Ford S-MAX (hence my questions to you alreadu!) and have been struck by the spec difference between the new model SEAT Alhambra here and in the UK. Most cars nowadays seem to be the same in the two countries, but with this model it appears to me that there is a huge difference.

We do not have the option of the more powerful diesels and the SE Lux in the UK comes with absolutely everything. The Irish spec is very basic in comparison with all the gizmos and leather etc. extra. Do you know why this might be? Based on my initial rough calculations I think I could buy a brand new model in the UK, pay the VAT/VRT and get a higher spec car for less.

What do you think?

Andrew Kelly (Limerick)

Sep 2011 Filed under: importing

Expert answer

Hi Andrew,

We put this to Cartell.ie, the official vehicle records experts, and they had an interesting slant on things:

"The VRT issue is tricky - and the buyer must be extra vigilant now. With the transfer of functions for VRT calculation to the NCT centres the officials there have been warned to check the interior of the vehicle for evidence of 'extras'. This means the buyer could be unexpectedly hit with a premium, i.e. pay over-the-odds VRT on a vehicle just because there are additional features not available to an indigenous Irish equivalent vehicle. The best thing for the buyer to do is contact the NCT centre first, before importing the vehicle, and have a chat about likely costs for additional features. It's the best way to avoid surprises."

Sound advice if you ask me.


What car for €4,000?

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.

John Dunphy (Tallaght)

Aug 2011 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi John,

If you don't have family or the need for extra seats then the obvious choice would be a Mazda MX-5. They are so much fun and since you only really need the car at weekends then it may as well be something fun. Here is one for a little over your budget that you coudl bargain down to €4,000 easily. 

If it has to be sensible, then I am going to stick with Mazda and choose a Mazda3 - here is one from a dealer we recommend and they might be able to do something for you on the price as a cash buyer. 

I hope this helps. 


What estate car for the family and dog?

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!?

Steve Lynch (Bray)

Aug 2011 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Steve,

A fair degree depends on your mileage and how much you are prepared to pay per year in motor tax. Bearing in mind that you will be getting an older car, the motor tax can be pricier, but that is just a fact of life. If you want to carry lots of people and stuff then a diesel will be a better choice in an estate because there is more torque but it isn't essential. 

If you weren't afraid of the odd bill, then a BMW 320D Estate would be a super car. I've owned one and they are great, but get expensive the older they get. 

I'd be very tempted by this Nissan X-Trail which has low mileage, is diesel and would be great for the family. 

This Peugeot 407 SW is superb value and lots of car for the money. 

I think out of that lot, I'd probably have the Focus though. 

I hope this helps! 

I'd say something like a 2005 Ford Focus 1.6 Diesel Estate would be a good place to start - something like this one as it would be cheap to run and spacious as well as good to drive too. 


What car to buy for €30,000 - €35,000

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.

Paul Kenny (Stillorgan, Co. Dublin)

Aug 2011 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Paul,

I really would find it hard to look past the new BMW 520d and you could perhaps get into one for your budget, but you might have to wait until January. A low mileage one is just outside your budget.

BMW 520d 

Now having said that, if you made a firm offer of €35,000 you might be successful, but the new car is so much better than the old one then you would need to get into it. The Audi A4 and Mazda6 are very different cars. The Mazda6 is very nice and you could get into a new one with your budget with a high spec. The Audi A4 is also good value now, but with a new model around the corner it might be best to hold off.

My advice Paul would be to hold on a few months if you can. I'd wait until January and see what happens to prices of 520d and if we have a new Audi A4 by then we will know whether that is worth looking at. For now anyway, hold on!

I hope this helps!


Will older cars get on the new tax system?

Are the government ever going to put older cars in the new tax system? Some one was telling me older cars will be treated the same in tax as the post 08 cars. 

James Brady (Clonsilla)

Aug 2011 Filed under: taxation

Expert answer

Hi James,

It is an interesting thought but I am not entirely sure if they could implement it. Measurement of CO2 on cars is a relatively new thing and there aren't always CO2 figures for older cars in existence. You will notice that when you try and import and older car. As it stands, if they don't have a figure for an older car available then they charge the full 36 per cent. So to be honest I would imagine that any change like this would be unlikely for now. 


Why is my car worth so little?

Please help! My local Ford garage offered €9,000 trade in for my 2-year old Fiesta 1.4 automatic, 17,000 miles against new 2 litre Focus Ghia automatic. . My friend was offered €11,000 for her 2 year old Focus 2 litre automatic 20,000 miles against new Focus Titanium. Both cars were originally bought in this garage.

Changeover date for both cars Feb. 2012. Can such apalling values for our cars be correct? We are going to shop around but we have no idea what figure we should be looking for. Please , please give us your opinion. Regards, Teresa

Teresa Joyce (Ennis, Co. Clare)

Aug 2011 Filed under: used car values

Expert answer

Hi Teresa,

As with any car exchange - you need to look at the cost to change, not the value of your trade in. At the moment there are lots of Ford Fiesta and Focus models on the used market so the values of them aren't great. The dealers are also pricing your cars as to what they will be worth in February 2012 when the cars arrive. 

You said you are going to shop around and that is exactly what you should do. We could tell you that your cars are worth more, but unless a dealer is offering you this then it is not much use. 

You need to shop around!


What car to replace my 5 Series?

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

Gareth O'Neill (Drogheda)

Aug 2011 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Gar,

We are never short on opinion here at CompleteCar.ie Gar, so you have come to the right place. Coming out of your 5 Series you are going to have to buy something that is vaguely interesting or you are going to really hate whatever you buy. Given that you are concerned about reliability you are right to express some concerns about the Passat. Unfortunately there have been quite a few issues with the last model Passat and it would probably stop me buying one second hand, even though it is usually the default choice. I'm not sure why you mentioned the Rover 75, but lets pretend that you didn't.

If I was buying something with €8,000 - €9,000 I think it would probably be a Mazda6 Diesel. I really like them and they age really nicely. 

Here is a decent example: 

You would have to check the DPF is ok, but otherwise they are a cracking good car. 


Should I swap my Volvo S80 for a Mondeo or Citroen C5?

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

Justin McElwee (Galway)

Aug 2011 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Justin,

I can't imagine why you would want to come down from a Volvo S8- into a Mondeo or Citroen C5, which are going to both feel inferior to what you have. Are you just simply bored with the car you have and want a change? Both the Mondeo and C5 are 'okay' but their diesel engines aren't as good as the Volvos.

Without fully knowing your circumstances, I would say that if you did want to get something else, then you should perhaps look at a Subaru Legacy Diesel, which for me is the best in its class around that era.

Here is one:

Subaru Legacy

Otherwise, stick with what you have, because both the Mondeo and C5 will feel inferior to your S80.

I hope this helps!


How much is my Volvo worth?

How much is my 2005 Volvo V50 worth as a trade in? It is a diesel. It's NCT until 2013 and taxed until June 2012.

Ria Delaney (Kildare)

Jul 2011 Filed under: used car values

Expert answer

Hi Ria,

Of course it would depend on the physical condition of the car and the mileage, but you should expect to be offered, at the very least, around €6,500 - €7,000 for your car as a trade-in. Cars of this age would have around 90,000 miles so that would be around what you could expect to be offered. 

But as we always say, don't be too fixated on the value of your car, but rather the cost to change. 

I hope this helps. P


-->