Is the 2.0 TDI Passat worth the extra money over the 1.6?
Hi lads,
My question is that I have a 2009 VW Passat BlueMotion Comfortline (110hp) and I want to upgrade soon. The car has full leather, Bluetooth kit and a tow bar. The current mileage is 50,000km. I took the 1.6 for a test drive and found it to be a bit underpowered and I had to change gears a lot. I also took the 2.0-litre for a test drive and found it to be a better car.
The 1.6 does 64mpg and the 2.0 does 61.5mpg so would I be better off to actually purchase the 2.0 as I can afford it? Also both cars fall into the same tax bracket (104 Euro for a year). I was offered very good money for my current passat. What is your opinion of the 1.6 - I use the Passat for transporting the family so I want a dependable car with low tax and something that looks good too! Would the 2.0 be a better option?
Any advice would be great.
Thanks
Martin Ryan (Athlone)Jun 2011 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
We really rate the VW Group's new 1.6-litre TDI engine. It's quiet, refined and great on fuel. However, while it's relatively torquey, it does feel a little short on power when it's lumbered with a lot of weight to carry around. You're in a good position being able to afford either engine. We'd definitely recommend you go for the 2.0-litre TDI Passat in this case. It's a great car and has plenty of power to carry around the family.
If you need any further help, please do get in touch.
Audi A3 or Lexus CT 200h?
Hi,
I have a 2007 Toyota Auris Terra diesel that I am trading in. It has 87,000km on the clock and is in excellent condition. What it is worth? I was thinking of getting an Audi A3 Sportback 1.6 TDI S line or the Lexus CT 200h S Design. I found the suspension hard in the Lexus. Which would you recommend?
Martina Kerins (Cork)Jun 2011 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Martina,
My feeling is that you will be offered between €10,000 - €11,000 for your Auris against either of these new cars and it's likely that your Lexus dealer will offer you the better deal. The Audi A3 is nearing the end of its life cycle, and while I like it a lot, it is due to be replaced so that will mean its value will reduce. The Lexus is really well priced and comes well equipped, but the ride quality is a little patchy at times. The S Design grade has 16-inch alloys so they aren't even the largest alloy wheel available. The car is great value though.
By the sounds of things you want something that is frugal, looks good and is upmarket. To be honest, I would probably have a Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI DSG Edition-R, which has all the toys on it, looks awesome and has just been released on to the market. This costs €26,425.
Alternatively, you could get a good deal on a BMW 1 Series, which is about to be replaced. Let us know if this helps, but I'd choose the Golf, then the Lexus, then the A3.
Should I buy variable bampers on the BMW 5 Series?
Hello I would like to know what you think of the variable dampner option on the new BMW 5 Series please. Do you think it would be better than the standard suspension and would there be a big difference between the two bearing in mind that it would cost me almost €1,500?
Susan Kelly (Dublin)Jun 2011 Filed under: optional extras
Expert answer
Hi Susan,
The variable dampers are a nice extra, but I would not say that they are necessary. We have used it in test cars for short periods and you invariably end up leaving it on the normal set-up. Unless you drive on really poor road surfaces or intend to drive the car on a race track then the normal setting is fine.
You won't get the extra money back in a few years when you trade it in again, so I would keep my €1,500 or else use it to get really nice leather upholstery.
What car should we buy under scrappage?
For a couple in their 60s trading under scrappage, which of the following would you recommend: Ford Focus Style, Peugeot 308 or Hyundai i30? We eliminated the VW Golf on the basis of price.
Sean Farrell (Manorhamilton)Jun 2011 Filed under: scrappage
Expert answer
Hi Sean,
Out of the three cars here, by far the best value under scrappage is the Hyundai i30. You could have a petrol model for as little as €13,995. The diesel is €15,495, which is quite a bit more. If your annual mileage is small then you should perhaps save some money and buy the petrol model. I know everyone buys diesel cars these days but the petrol alternative will only cost you €52 more than the diesel each year to tax and if your mileage is low then you wouldn't see much of a saving on fuel in the diesel car anyway.
The Peugeot 308 is comfortable and good on fuel.
If you are planning on changing the new car quite soon, then the Focus will be worth the most money as a trade-in, but I think the Hyundai would be the best buy in this case for you.
I hope this helps.
Why are Opel cars branded as Vauxhall in the UK?
Why are Opel cars branded as Vauxhall in the UK?
Frank Dodd (Dublin)Jun 2011 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi Frank,
That is a very good question. Vauxhall was a separate company for a long time in the UK and even up until the 1970s there were often quite different cars offered. Since then though the product range has been pretty identical, but the cars continue to be Vauxhall in the UK as buyers there still identify the brand as being British. Some cars are still made in England but now a large portion of its cars are made in Germany, Spain and Poland. The UK market is so large though that it can justify its own badge. How long this will continue in the future is a matter for debate, but there would probably be resistance in the UK to a move to an Opel badge.
Where can I service my Smart car?
Is there a Smart main dealer in Dublin? I need to get the company Smart car serviced and would like it done by a main dealer.
Rob Davis (Dublin)Jun 2011 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Rob,
I can't be certain, but I would reckon Annesley Motors would be your best bet because they did retail Smart at one stage so they would probably have expertise in the cars. Alternatively, there is a Smart dealer in Belfast, Isaac Agnew so they would be definitely very good. I will check around and see if there are more
I hope this helps
Why do cars remain online when they're sold?
Why do car dealers make a farce of car advertising by continuing to advertise cars that have long been sold? I sent two emails to a Ford dealer in Cork expressing interest in a car. I got no answer. I telephoned and was told that the car was well gone and they muttered something about a problem with their emails as an excuse for not replying.
This particular ad is still on serveral sites including the dealer's own site. What is the point of following up and wasting time with chasing these cars?!
Frank Dodd (Dublin)May 2011 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Frank,
To be fair to the dealers in a lot of cases it is not the dealers fault as they will have sold the car and notified the classifieds website to let them know the car is sold and it doesn't get done. Other times, the dealers do this because it looks good for them if it appears that cars are flying out of the showroom. I agree though, it sure is annoying.
What used car will suit towing a small boat?
I am looking for a secondhand car that would be good for occasional towing of boats/trailers (up to 1,030kg), but not horrible on fuel for driving to work. I have a fairly low budget of about €8,000, but I also have a 2002 Opel Corsa for a possible trade in.
Any recommendations?
Laura Mulhair (Dublin)May 2011 Filed under: towing
Expert answer
Hi Laura,
I reckon the Fiat Sedici would be perfect. It is a small car with good fuel economy (from a diesel) that also happenes to come with four-wheel drive, which would make towing really easy. We found one that is within your budget and I reckon it would be a super little car for you.
Hope that helps
Can I trade-in two cars?
I have a 2000 Nissan Almera and 2003 Skoda Octiava. I want to use both against a new car. What are my best options?
John
John Butler (Thurles)May 2011 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi John - click on the link to see the video answer
If you did sell one privately, perhaps you could sell the Octavia and avail of the scrappage scheme (while there is time left) on the Almera. Come back to us if you need more help!
2011 Audi A6 TDI or BMW 520d?
Hello, could you tell me what you think of the Audi A6 2.0-litre TDI and the BMW 520d - both 2011 models please?
Sinead Dowling (Dublin)May 2011 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Sinead,
They are both around the same price and both really excellent cars. The new A6 is very refined, feeling now more like a small Audi A8 and the 2.0-litre diesel is powerful and relatively quiet. I did a short video on the car which you can view here.
The BMW 5 Series is selling really well because it offers so much car for a really good price.
Comparing them, I would say that the Audi has a fractionally better interior than the BMW, but for me in every other regard the BMW would be my preference because it looks better and drives better.
The two cars are really very close, so to be honest Sinead I would say that whichever one takes your fancy will be a good buy. They even have the same levels of standard equipment. It really is down to a Coke vs Pepsi arguement here: just down to personal taste.