Toyota Corolla petrol or Volkswagen Passat diesel?
Toyota Corolla 1.4 petrol(2008) versus Volkswagen Passat 1.9 diesel (2008)? My husband drives on a motorway every day to work about 45km a day. Our budget is from €5,000 to €8,000. We've seen a 2008 Toyota Corolla with 103,000km and a Passat 1.9 TDI diesel with 125,000km on the clock. Can you guide us in selecting the most suitable car?
Thnx
Ashline Hubli (Sligo)Sep 2014 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Ashline,
A tough call this one. Your annual mileage isn't really enough to tip you over into diesel territory, and the Corolla is likely to be the more reliable of the two cars. That said, the Passat would be much more comfy and cosseting on the journey and it costs €180 a year less to tax.
So I guess if comfort is your priority, get the Volkswagen. If it's reliability, go for the Corolla, which will probably also work out the cheaper of the two to run overall.
Is a 2005 Toyota Corolla 1.4 petrol a good car?
Is a 2005 Toyota Corolla 1.4 petrol a good car? It is a one owner car with 75,000km on the clock.
Bernard Moran (Blesslngton)Aug 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Bernard,
They're a solid old thing, the Corolla, and not at all bad to drive, it may surprise you to learn. Just check a few small things. There were recalls for brake, airbag and gearbox faults that should have been carried out, so make sure they were. Small niggles occur and apparently condensation building up in the rear lights - potentially causing a short-circuit - is one of them so check for that. Otherwise, you can pretty much bask in Toyota's legendary reliability and solidity.
A good buy, that one.
What saloon should I replace my Chevrolet Aveo with?
What is the best saloon car to drive? Thinking of purchasing a new or used car. I have a 2008 Chevrolet Aveo and would not want anything too expensive.
Richard
Richard O Leary (Cork)Aug 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Richard,
There is lots of good choice out there in the compact saloon world, whether you're buying new or used. The Toyota Corolla, Volkswagen Jetta, Skoda Octavia, Ford Focus Saloon or Mazda3 Saloon all spring to mind and all make solid purchases. Just one thing - for pity's sake, don't buy another Aveo - not only is it cheap, nasty and bad to drive, but it was one of the worst-scoring cars ever on the EuroNCAP crash test.
Toyota Corolla or Volkswagen Polo?
Have two cars in mind to buy at the moment: a 1.4 2004 Toyota Corolla Terra or a 2007 1.2 Volkswagen Polo. I travel mostly around town with the odd motorway journey. Looking for the best combo of cheap tax and insurance and performance. The Polo will cost approx €800 more to buy.
Eoin Andrews (Tipperary)Aug 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Eoin,
Go for the Corolla. Its long term reliability prospects are better than those of the Polo, it'll be far more comfortable on the motorway and barely any more expensive to fuel and tax.
I have a budget of €3,600 and I need a car that can fit three seats in the back.
Hi, I have a budget of €3,600 and I need a car that can fit three seats in the back, two booster and one baby. I don't want to go above a 1.5-litre engine size. Any advice?. I've seen a Renault Scenic, but have been advised against ever buying one; it's tough as it's in my budget and has the room I need!
Help
Grainne Murphy (Dublib)Jul 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Grainne,
Yeah, at that price level I'd avoid a Scenic. They older they get the worse their reliability becomes. How about a Toyota Corolla Verso instead? It's within your price range, has the space and is ultra reliable. The only thing is you'll probably have to break your 1.5-litre boundary and go for a 1.6.
What do you think?
Any idea how much insurance will be on a Toyota Corolla?
I'm 17 and bought a Toyota Corolla 1.3; around how much would insurance be on that does anyone have any idea?
Cinta Smith (Dublib)Jul 2014 Filed under: insurance
Expert answer
Hi Cinta,
Sorry, we're not a comparisons site. You're 17 but you don't say whether you have a full licence or a provisional, nor whether you have any penalty points or any other details about yourself. The only way to find out is to start wearing out the phone lines and the internet cables by searching and shopping around all the major providers. And then get yourself put on your dad's insurance just like we all did...
I need help finding a diesel car for €2,000...
I need help finding a diesel car for €2,000: I need a car to carry two small kids also, something up to 1.6 maybe, was thinking of a car in the Peugeot 307 or Renault Mégane size, looking for something reliable to keep for a few years, so any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks for your help,
Barry
Barry Slye (Cork)Jul 2014 Filed under: diesel
Expert answer
Hi Barry,
To be blunt, you're going to struggle to get a decent diesel engined car at that price level. There do seem to be one or two diesel Peugeot 307s or Renault Méganes around at that sort of money but we'd advise serious caution before purchase - neither have a great reputation for reliability.
Unless you're covering mega-miles every week, you would probably be much, much better off getting a tidy 1.4 petrol hatchback, perhaps a circa 2002 Toyota Corolla? Really solid on the reliability front, excellent fuel economy and affordable motor tax. It would be a much better idea than going all out for diesel but ending up with a less reliable car.
What do you think?
Can you help me find a wiring loom for my Corolla?
Hi! Help me please to find a complete wiring room for a 2002 Toyota Corolla (eng3zz 1,598cc). Tell me the price also please.
Thanks
Rafeek Neeyamuthkhan (Port-louis,mauritius)Jun 2014 Filed under: electrics
Expert answer
Hi Rafeek,
Your best bet is to start ringing around your local car dismantlers asking if they have an example of that car in stock. The price could vary considerably
Best of luck
Can you recommend a car to fit three booster seats?
Hiya,
I need to get a car that will fit three booster seats. I currently drive a 2004 Renault Senenic so need to update. I've got about €9,000 plus whatever I get on a trade in. Can you recommend one?
Clare Redmond (Dublin)Jun 2014 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Clare,
If you're looking for an MPV, I always tend to recommend a Toyota Corolla Verso. They're spacious, have plenty of room for boosters seats and the like and are very safe and reliable. If you get around €3k for your Renault, that should get you into a 2008 or 2009 Verso diesel.
Should I go for the Renault Scenic with €3,000 to spend?
Hi, I am looking to buy a Renault Scenic with around €3k of budget. Getting vehicles of mostly 2005 and 2006 with around 100k to 130k on the odometer for this price range. Please advise if I can go with it.
Aparesh Chatterjee (Dublin)May 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Aparesh,
You know what? I wouldn't. Renaults from that era are not the most reliable things and your budget could be as easily eaten up fixing a catalogue of minor problems. Your budget though should be able to get you into a Toyota Corolla Verso - one of the most reliable cars around and a firm favourite in CompleteCar Towers when it comes to affordable, reliable family transport.