I have a €3,500 budget for an economical car...
I have a budget of €3,000-€3,500 and want to buy a used car. What is a decent mileage I could expect for a diesel car registered on 2008 and after? Which brands are good and reliable?
Thanks
Vis Heg (Galway)Jun 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Vis,
There’s plenty of choice at that price level for a 2008-onward diesel, but the mileage you’ll get will vary hugely according to how you drive. For instance, you could get a 1.6 HDi diesel Citroen C5 saloon within your budget, and that’s capable of doing 60mpg or better, but again that comes down to how you actually drive it. In terms of reliability, you’ll never beat a Japanese brand for that, so go for a Honda Civic 2.2 CDTi, a Mazda3 1.6 D, or a Toyota Auris or Corolla 1.4 D-4D.
Value of a 2009 Citroen C4?
Value of a 2009 Citroen C4 with 200,000 kilometres on the clock?
Bali Bhao (Kilkenny)Apr 2018 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Bali,
A lot hinges on the service history and general condition of the car, of course, but it should be worth in the region of about €4,500 to €5,000, maybe €3,000 as a trade-in.
What to replace my Renault Scenic with?
I have an ageing Renault Scenic petrol automatic. Apart from poor mpg, it is brilliant - comfortable (I've fitted cruise control) with very good options for load carrying. What do I replace it with?
John Wiloughby (Stroud)Jan 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi John,
Well, there are lots of good options. If you still like MPVs and like Renaults then the new Scenic is a bit of a cracker. Very comfy, and you can get it with an impressive 115hp 1.2 petrol turbocharged engine that should be rather more economical than what you’ve been used to. And it comes with cruise control as standard now.
Other, similar models worth considering are the Citroen C4 Picasso/Grand Picasso, VW Touran, Kia Carens or the Toyota Verso. Here are our relevant reviews:
Will I go for a new Kia Carens?
I currently have a 141 Kia Carens [up on DoneDeal, no phonecalls]. I require a car that will fit three highback boosters across the middle row and two pop up seats for car pooling. I like the style of the Kia and of course the seven-year warranty. I want to know what to expect to pay to upgrade to a 171 model or should I look at other cars? Do certain seven-seat cars have better resale value?
Bgt Ryan Kiely (Tipperary,)Jun 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Ryan,
Your Carens is going to be worth in the region of €16,000 to €18,000 as a trade in, and the cheapest new Carens is €28,000, so you’re looking at finding or financing €10-12k to trade up.
Generally speaking, all seven-seaters hold their value pretty well, not least because we’re still going through something of a baby boom at the moment and families are keen to trade-up to cars that can handle multiple child car seats. The best for resale are the Volkswagen Touran, Toyota Verso, Citroen C4 Picasso and your Carens.
If you like it, I’d stick with it for your new car — the Carens is one of the best compact seven-seaters around.
Does my Citroen C3 need a timing belt?
Hi,
I have a 2008 Citroen C3 1.1 with 83,000 miles on the clock; does it need a timing belt yet?
Tommy Eccles (Lucan)Mar 2017 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Tommy,
Yes - it's recommended that you change the timing belt every 80,000 miles (130,00km) or ten years.
Looking at the Toyota Proace Verso for a taxi.
Looking at the Toyota Proace Verso for a taxi; is it value for money?
Dave Taaffe (Dublin)Jan 2017 Filed under: taxi
Expert answer
Hi Dave,
Generally speaking it is, but much will depend on who you go to for a disabled access conversion. Worth remembering that the new Toyota Proace Verso is mechanically identical to the Citroen SpaceTourer and the Peugeot Expert, so it might be worth having a shop around to see if there are any sharper deals going on those.
Which new seven-seat MPVs would you go for?
I currently have a Ford Galaxy and looking to get a new/nearly new seven-seater. Have you done a review on seven-seaters? What would you recommend?
Luke Tyrrell (Dublin)Jan 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Luke,
We certainly have done a few reviews... The closest cars to your Galaxy in terms of size and space are the Ford S-Max (a little smaller, but still very roomy) and the SEAT Alhambra (not as swish to drive as the Galaxy, but very spacious and with sliding side doors). There's also the Volkswagen Sharan, which is basically identical to the Alhambra, but a little more expensive. It wasn't on sale in Ireland for a while but it's back now and there are a few second hand ones knocking about.
If you fancy something a little smaller, then try the Opel Zafira Tourer. It's a really underrated car - nice to drive, well made and with decent cabin space.
After that, you're into the smaller MPVs such as the Volkswagen Touran, Kia Carens and so on. Good cars, but much smaller than your Galaxy so you'd be trading down in size terms.
With our practical hats on, we'd go for the SEAT - it's big and useful and those sliding side doors are great.
Here are the reviews themselves if you'd like more detail:
A few others worth considering as well:
Which is the best new seven-seater around?
Hi, I was looking for a seven-seater; which is the best one? Price, space and technology are important to me. I am looking to buy a new one.
Jinesh Sebastian (Athenry, Galway)Nov 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Jinesh,
It depends on what kind of size you need. If it’s a compact seven seater, then the best on the market are the Volkswagen Touran, the Toyota Verso and the Kia Carens, but it’s worth looking at the Citroen C4 Picasso too, and maybe even the new Renault Scenic, which goes on sale in the New Year.
If it’s a larger car you need, then the two best choices, by far, are the Ford S-Max and the SEAT Alhambra.
Here are our reviews to help you decide:
What €20,000 MPVs would you recommend?
Hello, we have an 18-month old and have twins due next year. We need a car to fit all the baby seats plus all their buggies and paraphenalia. Will be used for local trips plus for weekend trips back to Cork (from Dublin). Our budget is €20k. What models would you recommend? Imported my current car (Peugeot 407 SW), so not a problem if I need to do that again.
Dan O'Connell (Dublin)Nov 2016 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Dan,
I think you’ll probably need to upgrade to an MPV with all those kids and all the kit you’ll need to carry around with you. If you don’t fancy a seven-seater then there’s always five-seat versions such as the Volkswagen Golf SV or Citroen C4 Picasso. Have a look at the likes of a Volkswagen Touran, Kia Carens or Toyota Verso too.
Our reviews to help you decide:
I'd like a new car that is really comfortable.
Hi,
I have just been reading Neil Briscoe's article (June 2016) about Citroen's new suspension system. I take it Neil wasn't too impressed. I have a 2003 Citroen C5 that is a fantastically comfortable car. It will have to be replaced sometime unfortunately. Because I have spine injuries I would need something that is the equivalent in terms of a smooth ride.
What do you think the chances are of finding same?
Thanks
Clare
Clare McLoughin (Tullamore)Nov 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Clare,
Well, if I gave the impression that I wasn’t too impressed, then that’s not quite right as we haven’t yet driven a new Citroen model equipped with the new Advanced Comfort suspension system. It won’t go into production until next year (2017). We have just driven the new Citroen C3, which has a very impressive ride quality on standard springs and dampers, so the omens for the new system are good.