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Which seven-seater to go for?

We are looking for a used petrol seven-seater (we do low mileage) and have narrowed it down to two cars: Nissan Qashqai, 2011, 1.6 petrol, 27,000km or Toyota Corolla Verso, 2012, 1.6 petrol, 35,000 miles (import from the North). Both cars seem to be in good nick and drive well and I am guessing will be in the same tax bracket. The Verso is a couple of thousand more expensive, but within our budget.

Cónal McGovern

Jul 2015 Filed under: family car

Expert answer

Hi Cónal,

Ok, it depends what you need. Do you need to use all seven seats regularly? Get the Verso, as it has at least decent space in the third row. If you just need a couple of vey occasional flip-up seats for short journeys then the Qashqai is nicer to look at and better to drive.


Can you help me find insurance for my older car?

Hi there, it's John Hewitt again!

I'm desperate to get some reasonably priced insurance for my car. The situation is that I own a Renault 19 TR in excellent condition but because it's 24 years old (March 1990) and I use it as my main vehicle it can't come under classic car insurance and no other insurance company will insure it! I'm currently insured with Aviva and have been since 2003, 65 years of age, never made a claim, do less than 3,000 miles a year and have a clean driver's licence yet they still 'hammer' me every year. What price loyalty eh?

In normal circumstances I'd go elsewhere but they know I can't because no one else will insure me just because I use my vehicle on a regular basis. Can you please help me at all?

John Hewitt (Nenagh)

Jul 2015 Filed under: insurance

Expert answer

Hi John,

Sorry to hear you're still having trouble, but if it helps, you're not alone. Aviva (along with Allianz) have announced that they're no longer going to provide cover for new customers with cars older than 14 years. Now, in a statement last week, the company did say that it would continue to cover existing customers with such cars, and would provide cover for existing customers purchasing such cars, but from what you're saying there it seems that Aviva simply doesn't want your business anymore and is therefore giving you quotes deigned to push you into either replacing your car with something younger or moving to another insurer. 

Thankfully there are plenty of such insurers out there, so I'd say give customer loyalty a good kick up the backside (it's a worthless thing these days anyway) and get yourself a better quote from elsewhere. There are insurers out there who will cover you. I've just put a few random details into the One Direct system for instance and got a quote of €840. Too expensive? You'll just have to shop around but the best bet for you could actually be to find a good local insurance broker - they can get access to deals and policies denied to us mere mortals. Beware though, the unfortunate and inevitable downside of Avivia and Allianz's decision is that other insurers are going to start putting extra risk loadings on older cars, so your premium is probably going to be pretty expensive wherever you go.

A representative of AXA insurance asked to be put in touch with you, so hopefully that goes well.

Read the news story about insurance on older cars here


Tell me more about PCP finance.

Hi, do most garages offer PCP finance and do they only offer it on new vehicles or would you be able to get it on a second hand car? I have always got Credit Union loans so haven't a clue about PCP, but it looks good.

Thanks so much

Sabrina

SABRINA O'SULLIVAN (BEARA)

Jul 2015 Filed under: finance

Expert answer

Hi Sabrina,

PCP finance can be a relatively easy way to get finance for a new car, but make sure you read up about its advantages and disadvantages. A good starting point is our own guide to car finance.

There are very few PCP finance options for buyers of used cars. The whole thing is designed around the car manufacturers' desire to get repeat new car business every few years.


What site is best to find a nearly new car?

I am in the market of a nearly new car. Is there any one website where I can be guaranteed to find all of the stock available at any one time from all of the various dealers as there are several websites that seem to filling the same role and don't want to have to keep checking them all.

Mike in Dublin

Mike Osullivan (Dublin)

Jul 2015 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Mike,

Short answer? No. Most of the main dealers will have their cars advertised on Carzone.ie and beepbeep.ie so those are the main two to keep an eye on. Other than that, it's down to good old fashioned keeping your eyes out for what you want. 


What do you think of the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer?

Hi, I'm thinking of buying a 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer. It's a 1.8 diesel with 150hp. Just wondering if there are any problems I should look out for with these? It has 67,000km on the clock and has a few extras such as rear spoiler, side skirts and front bumper corner extensions. Just wondering what should i expect to pay for this?

Mike Brennan (Wexford)

Jul 2015 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Mike,

You'll probably pay in and around the €13,000 mark for it and as far as we're aware these are solidly reliable cars with no common major problems. 


What is the Peugeot 207 CC like?

What is the Peugeot 207 CC 1.6 (cabriolet) like? I've seen a really nice one with very low mileage like new from 2007 and always liked it. I would like to buy it and the dealer is SIMI registered and offering guarantees so all seems good. How does this car average out / run in general? It would be just for myself (female) with a small child (primary school age).

Thanks

H. G. (Wexford)

Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi there,

Well, the 207 CC was certainly better-built than the 206 CC that preceded it, but you have to buy carefully - they're pretty heavy cars, so suspension and steering problems are common, as is high tyre wear. Electrical faults need to be watched out for too, and the roof mechanism is a constant source of angst - although you can manually wind it up or down with a wheelbrace if it gets stuck half-way, which is a common issue. 


Tell me more about the 2016 Opel Astra and Renault Mégane.

Will there be much difference between the 2016 Renault Mégane and the 2016 Opel Astra, as they both look the same outwardly?

Frank D (Dublin)

Jun 2015 Filed under: future cars

Expert answer

Hi there,

If you mean the all-new models, the replacements for the current Mégane and Astra, then yes, there'll be a massive difference. They're two entirely different cars built to different specifications in different factories by different companies. OK, so they're both mid-size family five-door hatchbacks, but that's where the similarities end. Obviously, we cannot say for certain yet, as we've driven neither car in final production spec, but the current cars differ quite a bit. The Astra feels classier and better built, the Renault is rather more engaging to drive (in spite of every rubbery steering). Will those characteristics carry over to the next models? We'll have to wait and see...

Here's our first news story on the new Opel Astra


When is the new Volvo V60 Cross Country out?

When is the new Volvo V60 Cross Country available to buy in Ireland and what do you think of this car?

Caroline Conroy (Limerick)

Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Caroline,

The new V60 Cross Country is on sale now from €40,845 (click here to go to Volvo's configurator for that car). We've not driven it as yet, but will be during the summer. For what it's worth, we really like the regular V60. Read our review of that here.


My wife and I are in the market for a new car...

My wife and I are in our mid seventies and are in the market for a new car. We have been driving Saabs for 30 years and are now considering a BMW, a Mercedes-Benz, a Jaguar or a Lexus. I have been looking at 5 Series/E-Class category cars, mainly because I am for the first time in my life able to afford such a car. But I am totally confused by the jargon and the names the different manufacturers give to their options or packages. Please tell me what to buy. The most important feature for us is safety, including things that will stop us doing stupid things behind the wheel. Also good satnav and park assist/camera features.

And should I be looking at cheaper models? Do we really need E-Class or 3 Series to travel in comfort or should we drop down a category? Just tell me what to buy!

Thanks very much.

Peter, Dublin 6

Peter Kelly (Dublin)

Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Peter,

To be honest, if it's just the two of you, then you don't really need to trade up to an E-Class or 5 Series sized car - a 3 Series would do you just as nicely. That said, there is definitely a slight comfort benefit from going for the bigger model, so I can understand why you might want to. 

I'm going to suggest something a little left-field for you but I think it might just work - have a look at a Lexus GS 300h. It's perhaps not as obviously economical as a BMW 520d or Mercedes E 200 CDI, but it's enormously refined and comfortable, and endlessly reliable and solidly built. It's also really nice to drive and I think the quirky elements of the styling and engineering might appeal to a former Saab driver. Have a test drive and let me know what you think.

Relevant reviews:

Lexus GS 300h review


Peugeot 407 Estate vs. Ford Focus Estate?

How good is the Peugeot 407 estate compared with the Ford Focus Estate?

Andy Dugan (Letterkenny)

Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Andy,

Totally different cars - the 407 is bigger and plusher than the Focus but it's the Ford we'd go for. It's actually got more useable space in the boot and it'll be more reliable, long-term. 


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