Toyota Auris or Renault Clio, with €10,000 to spend?
Hi, I am looking to buy a second hand car with a budget of €9000-10,000. I will be driving an average of 10,000 miles per year. I looked at a 2010 Toyota Auris petrol for €9,000, but have been told that this car is not very fuel efficient. I was looking at a 2014 Renault Clio petrol for €10,500, but again am unsure as to the fuel efficiency. Which of these two cars would you recommend and are there any others you could suggest that would be suitable for the mileage I will be doing and my price range?
Thanks
Louise Donovan (Limerick)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Louise,
You're looking at two very different cars - the Auris is considerably larger and more practical than the Clio, but both are actually pretty frugal. The 1.4 VVTi petrol or 1.33 VVTi petrol in the Auris is actually quite economical, as long as you drive it with reasonable care: 45mpg should be easily achieved in daily driving.
What small new cars are the best for Jan 2016?
Please advise on best cars for young lady who wishes to buy new in January 2016 with no trade in, a cash buyer. She likes those with four doors, but may opt for three depending on price.
Thank you
Fergal Reidy (Celbridge)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Fergal,
I presume you mean something small to medium if you're contemplating three doors. If you want to go really small, the best ones are the Hyundai i10, Volkswagen up! (as well as the Skoda and SEAT versions) and the Renault Twingo - a car I know isn't quite as technically good as the others but I personally really like it.
If you want to go a bit bigger, then your best bets are the Honda Jazz (pricey but really well equipped), the Skoda Fabia or the Mazda2. The Hyundai i20 is also worth looking at but it might be better to wait until it gets Hyundai's new 1.0 turbo engine.
Here are some relevant reviews:
Will PCP work with higher mileages?
Hi there,
My beloved Alfa 1.9 JTDm 159's gearbox has gone and now needs to be replaced. Considering it is an 06 and has over 242,000 miles on the clock, it will need a clutch and DMF replacement as well. Is it worth it, and what diesel cars would be recommended for someone driving 35,000 miles a year? Are PCP options even feasible at that mileage?
Sad Dave in Kells
David Delaney (Kells)Oct 2015 Filed under: finance
Expert answer
Hi David,
Yes they are - you can negotiate a higher mileage limit on a PCP but it means you'll reduce the guaranteed minimum future value so your monthly repayments will be a bit higher.
Mind you, I'd hate to see a gorgeous Alfa fall by the wayside. Get a quote for a replacement and see how much it is. There's always the new Alfa Giulia coming next year...
If you decide on a replacement though, the best mid-size diesel saloons around at the moment are (in no particular order) the Skoda Superb, the Mazda6, the Volkswagen Passat and the Ford Mondeo.
A few relevant reviews:
When does my Mondeo's timing belt have to be changed?
At what mileage interval does the timing belt have to be changed on a 2012 Ford Mondeo 1.6 TDCi Titanium?
Niall Durr (Roscommon)Oct 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Niall,
It's every 140,000km or 10 years, whichever comes first. We would recommend going a little earlier than the recommended intervals on all cars.
What do you think of the 2005 BMW 1 Series?
I'm looking at a 2005 BMW 1 Series with 105,000km on the clock. Are these cars reliable and are they going to be dear to run? It's a 1.6-litre petrol engine. Any advice on the car?
Thank you
Karen Murphy (Dublin 10 )Oct 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Karen,
If it's the 1.6 petrol you should be fine - it's the diesel engine that gives trouble on older BMWs. Have a good poke around it all the same and make sure it's been looked after properly. Make certain it has a full service history, and check for obvious signs of abuse like parking scrapes or battered alloy wheels.
Do all diesel cars require AdBlue topping up?
Regarding your comment in the Audi A4 review that "all diesel A4s have a 12-litre AdBlue tank that will require topping up between services; the car warns you 1,600km before it runs dry". I presume a similar feature will apply to other marques. How much roughly do you think it will cost to get it topped up, and what would happen if it's not topped up? Will the engine refuse to run or will it damage the engine (as well as the environment)?
Thanks
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Oct 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
Not all marques and not all models use AdBlue as yet. AdBlue is a urea solution that can be injected into he exhausts of diesel cars to neutralise a significant proportion of their emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) - very much in the news at the moment of course. The rule of thumb is generally only that larger, more powerful engines need an AdBlue treatment system as many smaller engines don't need the assistance. Each manufacturer, and indeed each individual engine, will have its recommended AdBlue top-up times, and it will be directly related both to mileage and how much acceleration the car has been doing. You can top up the AdBlue tank yourself - a 1.5-litre refill should cost around €11-12.
What's the 2011 Hyundai i10 like?
Just looking at a 2011 Hyundai i10 petrol priced at €7,750. Price seems ok just that I don't know anything about these cars!
Anthony Ryan (Cork)Oct 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Anthony,
Don't worry - cracking car. Not quite as nice as the current-model i10 but still reliable, solid, nice to drive and should do you for a good while. Just make sure it's been serviced properly (preferably with a Hyundai dealer).
Is there any downside to buying a new car?
I have money to buy a new car. Is there any downside to this?
Selvamani Ramasamy (Dublin)Oct 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Selvamani,
Not really. Lots of good cars, and good deals, out there. If you've got money in your pocket (as opposed to needing finance) then the world is your oyster. Obviously you need to choose one that won't lose its value too quickly.
How to choose between age, mileage, condition and history?
I'm going to buy a used car. There are two cars, same make and model, that I'm considering. One is 2013 with 51,000km and the other 2011 with 41,000km. Is it better to go for the car with the lower mileage or the newer car? There's only €250 price difference (2013 is dearer). Both dealers claim the cars are in immaculate condition.
Breda Trimble (Dublin)Sep 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Breda,
The golden rule is never buy on year or mileage but on condition and history. As you say, both cars are in immaculate condition but I'll bet that one or the other has a better and more complete service history, and that's the one to go for.
Is the Audi A3 Saloon affected by the Volkswagen scandal?
Hi, great site.
Is the 2014 model year 1.6 TDI Audi A3 Saloon affected by the Volkswagen fallout?
Thank you.
Charles O'Donovan (Parteen)Expert answer
Hi Charles,
I assume you mean this Volkswagen story. At this stage we have been told that it only affects certain cars powered by the 2.0-litre TDI engine, but not all of them. So, going by current information, the 2014 model year 1.6 TDI Audi A3 Saloon is not effected. Keep an eye on our news page and social media feeds however, as we expect more news to emerge in the coming days.
Kind regards