I'd like a classy five-seat commercial please...
Hey!
I'm in the market for a new executive commercial vehicle - but it needs to have five seats. Loophole a go go... The obvious choice is the Land Rover Discovery, but I understand they are being phased out and so my leasing company won't offer it as an option. Things like an L200 / Ranger / Hilux / Navara are a little TOO commercial for my tastes...
The Pajero Executive is nice, but the equipment, engine and layout all seem older than I am. The Touareg is a nice bus, but seems expensive compared to the rest and I've heard so-so reports in terms of value for money. Any ideas what else I should look for? Do Volvo / BMW / Audi do a five-seater that classes as commercial?
Al The Commercial Vehicle Looking Guy (Dublin)Sep 2016 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Al,
BMW, Audi and Mercedes don't do an in-house commercial option, but you can get an aftermarket conversion, of course.
One option worth looking at is the Jeep Grand Cherokee. A really nice car, good to drive and Agnelli Motors on the Naas Road in Dublin do a five-seat commercial conversion with prices starting around the €45k mark.
There's also the Toyota Land Cruiser 'Business' model, but it's a bit more expensive, at €57k. Utterly indestructible though and hugely comfortable.
Just make sure you've properly taxed it if you're planning on using it for domestic or family motoring as the fines for using a commercially taxed vehicle for that are pretty stiff.
Do dealers deliver cars usually?
I want to buy a car from a dealer in Dublin and I live in County Laois. Is it the responsibility of the car dealer to bring the car to my house or how does it work? My issue is that I can't drive on motorway from Dublin to County Laois.
Olly Sisi (County Laois)Jul 2016 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi Olly,
It depends on what kind of deal you can strike with the dealer in question. A good dealer will arrange for the car to be delivered to your door, but it's not a common arrangement and will therefore probably incur an additional cost. Most people just go to the dealer to collect their new car.
Should I buy this Audi A7?
Hi,
I am buying an Audi A7 3.0 TDI 245 quattro S tronic version (2011) with 71k miles on the clock. The seller told me that he replaced the complete transmission last year in December from Audi South Dublin and has showed me the invoice as well. I know that Audi parts comes with a two-year warranty so this new transmission will have its warranty valid until 2017.
My question is, shall I go ahead and buy this car? I am wondering if the old transmission would have done any damage to other parts of the car such as turbocharger or engine, torque converter etc. What other things should I look for before finalising this deal?
Looking forward to your reply.
PS: I drove this car last weekend and it is absolutely fine without any issue in gear change etc.
Thanks and regards
Raj
Rajat Parihar (Dublin)Jul 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Raj,
Generally, I wouldn't think that a gearbox issue would damage an engine - it's usually the other way around, and if there were a gearbox issue, the engine management system should pick up on it and adjust things accordingly.
But... Audi gearboxes are usually pretty robust so the fact that this one has failed could be an indication that the car has been abused or not cared for properly. Fair enough, it could be a genuine 'just one of those things' failures, but it might be worth getting the car inspected by an independent engineer such as the AA to allay any fears.
Will we be charged VAT on UK car import?
Hi,
We are a VAT-registered business in Dublin, If we buy a VAT-qualifying car in the UK that is over six months old and over 6,000km, will we be charged VAT in Ireland?
Declan Coghlan (Dublin)Jul 2016 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Declan,
For a private buyer, once an imported vehicle is older than six months or has more than 6,000km on the odometer then it's no longer liable for Irish VAT. However, it is a little different for a business and Revenue is closely watching such things to ensure that VAT is properly accounted for. We'd advise you seek professional advice from your accountant.
Which solid car to buy for up to €7,000?
Hi Guys,
I'm living in Louth and will be driving to Dublin each day Monday to Friday. That's a journey of 160km per day. I am looking for a family car that is comfy yet professional and I guess most important bullet proof that won't cost us an arm and a leg over the next 12 months. Budget somewhere around €6,000/7,000. I know it's not big, but family come first and this car needs to be a work horse. A couple of options would be great.
Dan , Louth
Dan Duffy (Dundalk)Jun 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Dan,
Right, I'm going to give you a couple of really safe options: Mazda6 or Toyota Avensis. That budget should see you into a 2008 model, and both are roomy, very reliable and pretty good (Toyota) or really good (Mazda) to drive.
Audi A3 TDI or Toyota Auris Hybrid?
Hi,
As our family is fleeing the nest, I am hoping to buy a new or nearly new slightly smaller and economical (possibly hybrid?) car. Changing up from a 2009 Toyota Avensis 2.0-litre high-spec diesel with 98,000km on the clock. Do about 15,000km per year mostly in the city and trips to Wicklow, and odd long trip to West Cork for pleasure.
Not sure if I should go for diesel again, or hybrid. Is hybrid risky and will the residuals drop as newer technology comes onstream? Offered €6K by Audi for my Avensis (poor!) against a brand new A3 Sportback 1.6 TDI diesel (net after discounts and trade in = €25K) or €10k by Toyota against brand new 1.8 Auris Hybrid Luna (€26,225 + €575 + €180 road tax + €575 metallic paint = €16,980). Love the look of the A3 Sportback, but in my heart think Toyota is more practical for a privately run car. I am paying cash so am conscious I might have this car a while, i.e. five years.
Do you think a new car is advisable, or good demo, and also will the Audi be expensive to run?
Thanks,
Linda DJ, Dublin
Linda Dwyer Joyce (Dundrum)Jun 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Linda,
€6k is at the bottom end of 2009 Avensis trade in values and your Toyota dealer is possibly boosting your trade in a bit (€10k is definitely top end) to keep you in the family.
I think with 15,000km annual mileage you definitely don't need a diesel - you'll really struggle to make back the extra purchase cost in fuel savings and if you're not doing lots of long journeys you could run into problems with the particulate filter. The Audi wouldn't be expensive to run at all - they're reliable and frugal, but the servicing would probably be slightly pricier than for a Toyota.
As for the Auris Hybrid, I think it sounds like it might be just about right for you, especially as most of your mileage is around town and that's where it works best. You may find it hard to get the best economy out of it on that long run to West Cork, but the rest of the time it should be about right, and super-reliable too.
An ex-demo is always a good idea as you'll get it cheap with minimal mileage, but there are fewer of them around these days.
Relevant reviews on the site:
What's the old Lexus IS like?
What's your opinion of the 2005 Lexus IS 200 automatic? I'm thinking of buying one.
Regards, Joe in Dublin
Joe Boyle (Dublin)Apr 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Joe,
It's a really, really lovely car with a peach of a 2.0-litre, six-cylinder engine and wonderful steering and handling. Just beware of a couple of things. A lot of so-called Lexus IS 200s are actually Japanese market Toyota Altezzas, which have been imported and rebadged, so make sure you’re getting an original Irish (or at least UK) market Lexus. Secondly, they tend to fall into the hands of the boy-racer brigade, so if it has out-size wheels or a dustbin-sized exhaust, avoid like the plague as it could have been thrashed and/or crashed.
Other than that, go for it – they’re mechanically long-lived (although with a car that age you’ll need to check literally everything carefully) and if it has a full service history and comes with a sheaf of past receipts and tax discs, you’re probably on to a winner.
Should Mazda replace my car's clutch bearing?
The clutch bearing has failed on my 2014 Mazda3 with 34000km on the clock. Should I expect Mazda to replace this free of charge?
John Lester
Dublin
John Lester (Dublin)Apr 2016 Filed under: warranty
Expert answer
Hi John,
We sent this to Mazda Ireland for comment and here's what was sent back:
"I would advise them to report this directly to his Mazda Retailer for investigation as to the cause of the issue. If it falls under warranty, this would be covered, but in any event, they will do everything to assist rectify the issue."
Let us know how you get on
Should I buy a new diesel or petrol Golf?
Looking out for a new car, in particular the Volkswagen Golf. I travel Cork to Dublin on a weekly basis - would you recommend the Golf Highline 150hp TSI DSG petrol or 150hp TDI DSG?
Aidan Mackey (Blarney)Mar 2016 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Aidan,
I think with a weekly Cork-Dublin run you should probably go for the diesel. Much better long-run economy.
Lexus IS 300h or BMW 330e hybrids?
Hi there,
I need to make the move back to petrol from diesel as I am not doing the mileage and concerned about reliability of a modern diesel with DPF blockages. I would like a small comfortable automatic saloon. I don't have options to charge an EV car at work or at home. Should I go with the Lexus IS 300h over the BMW 330e?
John, Dublin.
John Cronin (Dublin)Feb 2016 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi John,
The BMW 330e is, I have to say, a hugely impressive car and based on a recent drive you can squeeze as much as 65mpg from it. You can charge it from a domestic socket if that's any help, but if you're put off by the charging thing then the Lexus IS a great choice. Aside from the occasionally irritating CVT gearbox it's delightful to drive and, with a bit of practice, you can get decent economy from it. It should be staggeringly reliable too. Here are our reviews to help you choose: