Expert answer

Hi Roseanna,

First things first — if you’re doing mostly urban and motorway miles, you really don’t need an SUV. A more conventional hatchback, saloon, or estate is going to be more comfortable, better value, more economical and a better-engineered vehicle all round. If you’re looking for something with practicality then the likes of a Skoda Octavia Combi estate, a Volkswagen Golf Estate, a Kia Ceed SW, or the new Ford Focus Estate all have much bigger boots than any small-to-medium SUV (more than 600 litres, all of them, compared to around 450 litres for, say, a Nissan Qashqai), and they’re all better to drive and more frugal.

However, if you’re hooked on SUVs then we’d recommend a SEAT Ateca (plain wrapper, but it’s roomy, comfy and nice to drive) or a Toyota C-HR (small on the inside, relatively, but hugely stylish and the hybrid version is frugal). If you’re looking to ‘posh-up’ a bit, then the incoming new Audi Q3 is a bit of a stunner, or if you want something smaller and more affordable than any of those, try the updated Fiat 500X, which is kinda cute and charming.

Here are our relevant reviews for you to read more:

Skoda Octavia Combi review

Volkswagen Golf Estate review

Kia Ceed Sportswagon review

Ford Focus Estate review

Nissan Qashqai reviews

SEAT Ateca reviews

Toyota C-HR reviews

Audi Q3 reviews

Fiat 500X reviews

Expert answer

Hi John,

It does depend on the year, but as an example, a 2010 1.2 Grande Punto has CO₂ emissions of 139g/km so will cost €280 a year to tax.

Expert answer

Hi Robert,

It's best not to leave the ignition fully on for long periods of time, but almost all cars/vans have an 'Accessory' setting on the ignition that allows you listen to the radio without actually turning the key all the way to 'ignition'. A radio uses very little battery power so we wouldn't worry about that so long as your battery is in good working order.

Expert answer

Hi John,

OK, lots and lots of options. How about a Fiat 500? Great looking, fun to drive, well made and that 1.2-litre petrol engine is willing enough to tackle motorway work from time to time.

Late 2000s MINIs fall into your budget too, and they're great fun to drive, roomier than the 500 (well, a bit) and solid on longer journeys.

You could be dead sensible and go for an Audi A3 1.6 petrol and there'd be nothing wrong with that - ticks all the boxes.

Or maybe something a bit more left-field? How about a Volkswagen Beetle? An original Mini (we did find one in your budget) or even a Smart ForTwo Brabus?

Expert answer

Hi Gerry,

Not the most sophisticated car around, the Grande Punto, but it’s roomy, spacious and not bad to drive. Actually pretty reliable too — watch for electrical gremlins all over the place, but the only major mechanical issues are making sure that the cam belt has been changed at least every six years, and keeping an eye on the cooling system and head gasket. 

Expert answer

Hi Tim,

Yes, it is actually. Certainly not the prettiest vehicle out there, nor the most dynamic to drive, but it’s reliable, well made and absolutely massive inside. As far as space-per-Euro goes, it’s pretty hard to beat.

Expert answer

Hi Jerome,

We don’t have a definite answer for you as yet but it looks unlikely – the UK market, which doesn’t like saloons very much, isn’t as yet taking the four-door Tipo, so it’s unlikely that Fiat will invest the money to tool up for right-hand drive.

If the UK reverses that decision, then we might see the saloon here too. 

Expert answer

Hi Katie,

Scrappage is a bit tricky in this instance – all of the current ‘scrappage’ schemes being offered by car makers and dealers aren’t actually scrappage at all, but are just trade-in boosters. Most, if not all, of them usually require the car being traded in to be taxed and insured and drive onto the forecourt under its own power. If you could patch it up and get it running long enough to do that, you could get as much as €4,500 off the price of a new car, depending on which model and which brand you went for.

Expert answer

Hi Gerry,

Well you won’t have to pay VAT as it’s too old for that, but as for VRT it’s very hard for us to say. There are very few Doblo-based campers on the market for us to be able to try and work out a rough value, and none that we can find in Ireland so quite what view Revenue might take of its value is totally up in the air. Our best guess is that its Irish Open Market Selling Price will be around €7,000, which, with a VRT rate of 13.3 per cent, would suggest a VRT charge of around €800 to €1,000.

Expert answer

Hi Neil,

Generally a car has to be driven on to the forecourt, and be taxed and insured, to get a scrappage deal, but as this isn't government-backed scrappage and is really just a dealer promotion, there may be some wiggle room. Try dropping in a new battery (they're not expensive) and see if that works and if not have a word with the salesman who gave you the deal and see what he says.