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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:

Citroen C4 Cactus review

Citroen C4 Picasso review

Is Nissan's 'checkover' a service at 1,000km?

Hi,

I availed of the Nissan scrappage scheme and I'm told there's a free "checkover" at over 1,000km; is it a checkover or service I'm wondering?

Thanks very much

Marie

Marie Nannery (Navan)

Feb 2016 Filed under: servicing

Expert answer

Hi Marie,

It's just what it says - a check-over. There's no way a car would need an actual service at just 1,000km, but it's a good idea for a dealer to have a car back in at that point just to make sure all is well with both car and customer, and gives them a chance to quickly rectify any issues that may not have been caught at either the factory or in the pre-delivery inspection.

Basically, it's just good customer service.

What do you think of theft of modern cars?

I don't know if there is a limit on the number of questions one can ask but here's another! Nearly all of the top specc'd models have hands-free door opening and engine starting. In an article in Auto Bild magazine it said that these were easily subject to theft using specialised equipment. Only one brand foiled the thieves - Mercedes-Benz. I was wondering would you have any comment on this. It's very disheartening.

Philip Donegan (Ballina)

Feb 2016 Filed under: car theft

Expert answer

Hi Philip,

It is a problem, right enough, but while Mercedes security systems are good, they're not infallible, and any car is vulnerable to this kind of electronic attack.The only thing you can reasonably do is to stand as close to the car as possible when flipping the lock, so as to minimise the signal spread and make it harder to 'capture' the signal between the key and the car. If it's a keyless-entry car, keep the key as far away from the car as possible when it's parked up outside.

Beyond that though, the sad and unpleasant truth is that if a determined and well-equipped thief really wants your car, they're going to have it... Maybe consider getting a tracking device fitted, and police forces are generally advising going back to the more old-fashioned methods such as a steering wheel bar or a driveway post. Anything that makes the crooks' life harder is a good idea.

(Oh, and no limit to the number of questions either. We are generally inundated with questions so once you don't expect an instant answer we'll all be happy.)

Recommend a small car for up to €5,000.

Could you recommend 1.0-litre cars for between €3,000 and €5,000 not doing a great deal of miles. I don't mind going up on cc if wise.

Thank you very much.

Frank Sweargen (Tramore)

Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Frank,

The triplets of the Peugeot 107, Citroen C1 and Toyota Aygo are pretty good - nippy and reliable. The last generation Suzuki Alto is also a good option. If you need something a bit larger, track down a Toyota Yaris 1.0.

Can you help me calculate import VRT?

Hello,

I'm about to register an imported car from NI. The model is not widely available in the Republic and therefore not listed on the Revenue VRT calculator so I have to complete a VRT estimate form myself, which involves calculating the 'ratio of UK to RoI price'. What exactly does this mean?

Thanks in advance.

John, Tralee

John Duggan (Tralee)

Feb 2016 Filed under: importing

Expert answer

Hi John,

Basically it's what you do when you can't find an already-calculated Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) for your car. You look instead at similar models in the UK market, calculate an average and then calculate the difference between that and the average price for similar models in Ireland. Basically, it's a quasi-official guesstimate and Revenue has some helpful tips and hints here: http://www.revenue.ie/en/tax/vrt/faqs-vrt.html

If your car is especially rare or specialist though, it could be worth finding an independent expert to give a valuation - if Revenue over-value the car, it could be useful ammo to have on your side.

What new petrol SUVs cost less than €40k?

I hope to change my Kia Sportage soon. I do less than 10,000 kilometres a year so I may go for petrol and an automatic. Give us some SUV options south of €40k.

Thanks

Eamonn

Eamonn McAndrew (Mayo)

Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Eamonn,

Auto petrol SUVs are hard to find in most manufacturers' ranges, but there are a few you can have a look at - Skoda Yeti 1.2 TSI DSG, Nissan Qashqai 1.2 DIG CVT or Volkswagen Tiguan 1.4 TSI DSG, for example. All frugal, good to drive and well under €40k even with options.

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:

BMW 330e Saloon review

Lexus IS 300h review

A few questions on PCP finance please...

If I take out a PCP option on a new Renault after three years I can get a new car. My question is - will my repayments drop because of it being a three-year old car being upgraded to a new one? If I get a bank loan (which is dearer initially) I own the car after the loan is paid off or partly paid off and am in a better position when trading up. What collateral do I have with PCP?

Briege Renaghan (Dundalk)

Feb 2016 Filed under: finance

Expert answer

Hi Briege,

OK, couple of things to deal with here. No, your repayments won't change as your car ages - the repayments on a PCP deal are fixed from the start and run for the life of package.

Actually, if you get a bank loan, you own the car from day one because you're paying cash (or cheque I guess) up front - you just have to keep paying the bank back the money and, when you come to sell the car, the entire second hand value is yours.

On a PCP programme it's a little different. Effectively you're leasing the car (and you have to keep within mileage and condition limits too, which is worth remembering). At the end of the deal, there is still a significant amount of financed loan money to pay off - the so called bubble payment, usually between €4,000 and €6,000. The idea is that the second hand value of the car, guaranteed at the start of the agreement and backed by the dealer and finance provider, will cover the bubble payment and leave a little equity left over to act as a deposit for the next car.

That's the point of a PCP really - it insulates you from unpredictable depreciation because you know what the value of the car will be at the end of the agreement and the leaving of the bubble payment to the end reduces the cost of the monthly repayments.

The downside is that you don't own the car, unless you decide to pay the bubble payment at the end and keep it - and you have to stick to the mileage and upkeep stipulations. And you really have to want to come back in three years time and buy another new car, because ultimately that's what a PCP is designed to do - keep you coming back for more cars.

Is the 1.0-litre engine enough for the Astra?

Hi,

I'm considering buying the new 1.0 litre petrol Opel Astra. I live in West Cork and most trips would be local most days between five miles and fifteen miles and a trip to Cork (50 miles) every couple of weeks. My present car is a 1.6 diesel Golf, but I want to move away from diesel. Do you think the small engine of the Astra would be enough for my needs?

Thanks.

Mark Kearney (Cork)

Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Mark,

Based on personal experience (and as someone who grew up in West Cork) I'd say yes - the Astra 1.0 is really sweet to drive and should easily crack 45mpg in daily driving. The only thing to watch for is the small fuel tank, which means you'll be filling up on those journeys back from Cork.

Read our Opel Astra 1.0 review here

Any Ford Focus updates since 2015?

About the Ford Focus: any updates since 2015?

Kathleen Cleary (Thurles)

Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Kathleen,

That's a question we answered not long ago actually, and you can read the full version here: http://www.completecar.ie/askusanything/question/13131/Talk-me-through-the-different-Ford-Focus-models.

There haven't been any major changes since, aside from the addition of the ENORMOUSLY FUN €52k Focus RS model.