What is the market value for a 2006 Ford Focus 1.6 diesel?
What is the market value for a 2006 Ford Focus 1.6 diesel (for insurance purposes)?
Anna Murphy (Dublin)May 2015 Filed under: insurance
Expert answer
Hi Anna,
Ballpark figure is €5,800 but it's hugely dependent on condition, history and mileage.
Is the Volkswagen Golf Highline 1.2 a good car?
I'm looking for a mid-sized family car and have looked at the Golf Highline 1.2 TSI; Volkswagen finance options are good so am considering buying new. Can you please advise if this is a good family car and any alternatives you would suggest?
Thanks, Karen
Karen Golden (Dublin 6)May 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Karen,
Yup, it’s a cracker - well made, nice to drive and that 1.2 TSI is super-econmical. Good alternatives would be the Skoda Octavia with the same engine, a Ford Focus 1.0-litre EcoBoost 125hp, or a Peugeot 308 with the new 1.2-litre PureTech petrol turbo engine.
Relevant reviews:
Volkswagen Golf review (2.0 TDI Highline)
Skoda Octavia review (1.2 TSI)
Peugeot 308 review (new 1.2 PureTech)
When do I change my Ford Focus timing belt?
When is the timing belt to be changed on a 2010 Ford Focus Zetec 1.6 TDCi diesel?
Kevin Vivash Burke (Dublin 6)Apr 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Kevin,
Official guidelines are 125,000 miles (201,000km) or every 10 years. We'd recommend being more cautious than that.
Looking for a small to medium reliable family car.
Looking for a small to medium reliable family car. Comfort, fuel efficient, and low tax a consideration.
Mai Murphy (Cork)Apr 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mai,
OK, lots to choose from here. Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Toyota Auris are all ever popular and all with very good reason. They're reliable (the Toyota scoring best here), beautifully made (the Golf come out top in this category) and nice to drive (the Focus wins here). Lots of all three about so you can afford to be picky. Fancy something a bit different? Try a Honda Civic, especially the 1.6 i-DTEC diesel version, which is possibly the best compact diesel engine around.
Also well worth a look are the Kia cee'd (especially the handsome and practical estate version) and the current model of the Peugeot 308 (ditto on the estate version there).
Relevant reviews:
A few questions on the UK Ford Focus for you...
Is 82,000 miles a lot on a 2011 Ford Focus 1.6? It's an English car and the SD card that comes with the Focus has English maps - how do you change to Irish maps? What would be the value of this car?
Thank you.
Ollie Keohan (Waterford)Apr 2015 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Ollie,
A total of 82,000 miles is a slightly high mileage but it depends on the miles and it depends on the car. If it's got a full service history and has been well cared for then it's not a problem.
As for the SD card, these are available from Ford dealers but have a proper look through the navigation system - UK & Ireland maps tend to come bundled as a pair so it may just be a matter of changing a country setting.
It should be worth, in Irish terms, about €14,000.
How much to tax a diesel Ford Focus?
What is motor tax on 1.6-litre diesel Ford Focus 141 please?
Thank you
Eileen
Eileen Bergin (Cork )Apr 2015 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Eileen,
The Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi hatchback emits 95g/km, putting it in Band A3 for tax, which currently costs €190 per annum.
Newer or older Ford Focus?
Is it better to buy a 2009 Ford Focus with 56,000km or a 2011 Ford Focus with 119,000km?
Sandra Kelly (Cork )Apr 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Sandra,
The rule of thumb is to never buy on year and mileage but always on condition and history. If one has a full service history, every receipt, stamp and cert in a neat little folder, go for that one.
My Ford Focus smells of burning oil...
My 1.8 TDCi Ford Focus smells of burning oil...
Craig Isherwood (Trs4 3hg)Apr 2015 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Craig,
Best to get it along to a mechanic pronto, though before you do, check the oil level and top it up if it's low before you drive anywhere. It's likely there's an oil leak within the engine bay, though it could well be leaking oil into the cylinders too if there are larger issues so best to have it checked by a professional.
Is the Skoda Octavia TSI a good option for me?
Finally time to change my 2004 1.8 TDCi Ford Focus Estate. With 233,000 miles done, I think it has earned its keep. But what to replace it with? I only do about 20,000km now a year so dont really need the diesel though the torque is good for overtaking. I do need a decent boot as I fill it most weekends. Budget max €13,000. Interested in Skoda Octavia 1.2 TSI in hatch or estate. Is this a reliable engine and does it have enough power for overtaking? Generally only me in car and occasional towing of 500kg trailer also done.
David Doran (Trs4 3hg)Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi David,
I'd say you've already picked out the ideal car - that Octavia 1.2 TSI is magic. Plenty of oomph, very economical and should have enough grunt to haul that trailer. One thing though - at 500kg, that trailer is getting on for the maximum braked towing weight of 610kg, so if it's an unbraked one it might be worth trading it for a braked version, just to keep some margin for safety.
What decent diesel suits a young driver?
I'm only 19 and buying a good quality diesel car in the next week. Looking at an Opel Astra 1.3 CDTi or a Ford Focus 1.6 Zetec. What would you reccommend? I'm thinking between 2005 and 2008.
David Egan (Kilmihil)Mar 2015 Filed under: diesel
Expert answer
Hi David,
I would reckon you'd be better off going for the 1.3-litre Opel. If it's pre-08 it'll have cheaper road tax and given your age I would think keeping the engine capacity down as far as possible would be good from an insurance point of view.