How much VRT on a Citroen Dispatch van?
How much VRT is on a Citroen Dispatch three-seater 1.6 HDi van?
George O Connor (Waterford )Jul 2016 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi George,
It would depend on the year, but as a commercial vehicle it will be 13.3 per cent of what Revenue thinks the Irish market value is.
Is the Kia cee'd estate a good buy?
I've found a 2012 Kia cee'd 1.6 diesel estate for sale for €10,000. It's an import and has about 90,000 miles on the clock. I had a Citroen Berlingo but need to switch to a car now. Do you thimk this would be a good buy? I'm mainly looking for something economical and reliable with plenty of room.
Thanks
Emer Holmes (Mayo)May 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Emer,
The cee'd is just about perfect for you, so. Reliable, comfy and actually pretty good to drive, plus the boot is massive on the estate. Just make sure it has a full service history and that it has always been serviced by a Kia main dealer so that the warranty is still active.
Which compact MPV suits us best?
Hi,
My wife, daughter Daisy (four years old) and myself are thinking of updating our 2005 Ford Focus C-Max 1.6 with 105,000km in the next few months. We recently test drove a 2012 C-Max 1.6 diesel Titanium with about 40,000km on the clock. It was a nice car at €17,500 with a €2,000 trade in for our own so really €15,500. I said we were paying cash, but we could not get more discount. Do you think that’s a fair offer or do you think I could haggle more, as most websites say Ford will barter with you?
Second question. The Ford B-Max seems to be cheaper than the C-Max. Apart from the sliding doors and height of the cabin on the B-Max, is there any other difference? To a layman they both offer the same inside and out. I have read and seen reviews for both cars and there are no major negatives there.
Third Question. We are thinking of trading up and not spending more than €15,000. What is the best option realistically for us in your opinion? Should we consider a different vehicle altogether? We like the higher ride in these cars because it's easier for both adult and child to get in.
Regards,
Ben O’Connor
Ben O Connor (Dundrum, Dublin)Apr 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Ben,
Well, you can always haggle more and if the dealer isn’t budging, then simply shop around. There are plenty of examples of the C-Max out there to choose from, so don’t get hung up on just the one car if you feel like you’re not getting a good deal. While that does seem like a fair enough price, €17k is top end for a 2012 C-Max, so it had better (a) be perfect, (b) have a full service history and (c) come with a decent warranty.
As for the B-Max, yes there’s quite a big difference. The B-Maxis based on the Fiesta, the C-Max on the Focus so you can see from just that fact that the levels of space on the inside and in the boot are significantly different. Plus the C-Max is a far more comfortable car on a long journey than the B-Max, which can also be sluggish to drive as those sliding doors are actually pretty heavy for such a small car.
As for other cars worth looking at (and I’m assuming you mean against the five-seat C-Max, not the seven-seat Grand C-Max), the Volkswagen Golf Plus offers lots of space and plenty of comfort, as does the five-seat version of the Citroen C4 Picasso.
Here are a few reviews to help you decide:
Citroen Berlingo Multispace: good for dogs?
Is the Citroen Berlingo Multispace a reliable car? What are its weaknesses? I'm involved with training dogs for a charity and ease of cleaning is one of the issues.
Thank you,
Mike
Michael Ho (Dublin)Mar 2016 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
Yes, the Berlingo is generally excellent. It is occasionally prone to electrical issues, but they tend to be minor and the engines and gearboxes are long-lived and hard-wearing. As long as you buy one with a full service history, you should be fine. The cabins can be a little fragile at times, but being van-based, it should be easy to clean out after the dogs.
Is the Volkswagen Caddy the best van?
Hello, I am looking to buy a small van, and I have being told that I should only be thinking of the Volkswagen Caddy. Are Caddys so reliable that it's my only choice? I would also like to know what are the common issues with Caddys.
Kind regards
Kaara
Kaara Zadeh (Dublin)Mar 2016 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Kaara,
Caddys are really good, no question and one of them should definitely be top of your shopping list. It's also well worth looking at a Citroen Berlingo, Renault Kangoo and Ford Transit Connect too though.
As for common Caddy problems? Look out for fuel injection and air mass sensor problems on older models and make sure anything you're looking at comes with a full service history.
What cars can you fit three booster seats in?
What cars can you fit three booster seats in?
Pat Hopkins (Crossmolina)Mar 2016 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Pat,
This is a question we get asked so often and there's no easy answer. Well, actually there is, but it's an answer that many people don't like - an MPV such as the Volkswagen Touran, Toyota Verso, Citroen C4 Picasso or similar.
There are very, very few (if any) conventional hatchbacks or saloons that will these days take three child car seats across the back. There are some conversion kits available that will allow as many as four child seats to be fitted to a 'normal' saloon, but these tend to be designed around the big rear-facing infant seats and won't take your own seats.
The best I can suggest, if you don't fancy an MPV, is to test drive the biggest, widest saloons you can find and make sure you bring the kids with you to actually try the seating properly so that you know for definite before you buy.
Do all new cars have bucket-style seats?
Hi,
I am looking at new cars and seem to find the majority have bucket type seats, which I find rub/aggravate my right thigh. Has anybody ever complained about this? The only car that does not produce this annoying affect seems to be the Citroen C4
Regards,
Brendan
Brendan Kelly (Limerick)Mar 2016 Filed under: seating
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
Pretty much the entire industry has long since gone over to bucket-style seats, not least because they offer better back support when cornering, but also locate your body mass more centrally, which allows the driver's airbag to work better. Actually, the C4 Cactus' seats are technically bucket-style, but they're just a bit broader and softer than the norm. I don't think you'll have much luck finding a true non-bucket seat these days, but all I can suggest is to try as many as you can and see if you can find one that's comfortable for you.
Is the Citroen C5 a good buy?
Hi, I was wondering would a 2008 Citroen C5 1.6 diesel be a good buy.
Noel Kenny (Westmeath)Mar 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Noel,
Not bad actually – comfy and hugely economical, but check it carefully for electrical faults and clonking suspension, not to mention any possibility of diesel particulate filter failure. And don’t dare buy it if it doesn’t have a full service history.
I need a new car to accommodate my mum.
Hi,
I'm planning on buying a new car to accommodate my elderly mother. She has arthritis in her knees and has limited mobility in her lower limbs. She's 5'5" and uses two sticks, but I also need room for a wheelchair. I originally thought a higher car, e.g. an SUV, but they are too high for her. I'd appreciate any advice or car recommendations.
Regards
Orla Curran
Orla Curran (Galway )Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Orla,
I think your best bet could be to go for a small van-based MPV, such as the Citroen Berlingo or a Volkswagen Caddy Life. They have seating positions that are a bit higher, but not so high as to need to climb up, and there will be plenty of room in the back for a wheelchair. In fact many have been converted with wheelchair ramps and lifts in the back, which may be of some use.
Hope that helps and all the best to your mum.
Should I go for the Citroen C4 Cactus?
I have three kids and like the Citroen C4 Cactus, but is it too small in the back I think. Would you recommend the Citroen C4 Cactus and if so which spec? Currently have 2004 Ford Focus C-Max so could do scrappage scheme.
Thanks
Donal ODea (Dublin)Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Donal,
The Cactus is actually quite a small car, smaller than a Focus, so I think you'd struggle to get three kids in the back, on top of which the boot is quite small. If it's a roomy, kid-friendly Citroen you fancy you'll probably need to upgrade to the C4 Picasso MPV.
Relevant reviews: