Should we worry about high mileage for a first car?
My 22-year-old daughter is buying her first car with a budget of €3,000. Is this a sufficient budget? We are looking at the usual websites but most cars have high mileage. Should we be overly concerned with high mileage?
Nuala Ryan (Dublin)Oct 2012 Filed under: learner
Expert answer
Hi Nuala,
Mileage alone is no major worry so long as you choose a reliable car in good condition - and preferably with a decent service history. The reality is that your daughter will change her car within a few years anyway. Hence we'd recommend focusing on safety, reliability and efficiency.
Come back to us if you/your daughter have a few specific cars in mind and we'll help you narrow your search if you wish.
Does my 2008 Ford Focus TDCi have a timing belt?
Foes my 2008 Ford Focus 1.8 TDCi have a timing belt? If so, when should it be changed?
Ger Glynn (Clare)Oct 2012 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Ger,
Yes it does have. It should be changed every 201,000km (125,000 miles) - or every ten years apparently. The auxiliary drive belt should be done at the same time.
Hope that helps
Which 2006-2008 hatch is most economical?
Im confused as to what's the best economical hatchback car. I want to buy a used car between the years 2006 and 2008. I'm currently spending €110 a week on petrol in a 1.4-litre For Focus.
Any advice?
Anon Anon (Clare)Expert answer
Hi there,
It depends on your driving style, and on where you do most of your driving. If you’re in town all the time, and stuck in stop-start traffic, then it could be worth tracking down a Toyota Prius or a Honda Insight hybrid, bot of which should sip fuel in such circumstances. If you’re up on main roads and motorways all day long, then diesel is still a good idea. A VW Golf 1.6 TDI BlueMotion would be a solid bet for maximum economy then, although if you fancy something a little more stylish, a MINI Cooper D (with the 1.6 diesel engine) will crack 60mpg on a long run.
How much is my Ford Focus TDCi worth?
How much for 2007 Ford Focus TDCi? Thinking of selling my Focus and wondering how much to ask. It's a 2007 1.8 Style with 97,000 kilometres on the clock, imported from the UK three years ago and has got one year NCT.
KATIE DARCY (GALWAY)Aug 2012 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Katie,
If you're selling it privately we'd suggest go in at €8,495.
Let us know how you get on
What fun car will I replace my Honda Civic with?
I have an 08 2.2 Honda Civic and want to change soon. Budget is €17/18k including trade-in value. Any ideas on what to get? Have seen 2010 Citroen DS3 with extras (nav, leather, etc.) for €17k. Like that it's not the norm e.g. Focus or Golf. Would it be a good buy?
David Lacey (Tipperary)Jul 2012 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi David,
We really like the DS3. It's great to drive and certainly different to the norm. I assume practicality and space in the rear are not a priority, as the Citroen is lacking in those departments.
Going with that, an alternative is the Volkswagen Scirocco. It's great to drive, of even higher quality than the DS3 (which is quite good by the way) and a sure thing when it comes to resale values. Saying that, they're relatively scarce at your price point and the DS3 you've found has more equipment.
Other more interesting cars available at that price that we'd recommend include the Audi A5 Coupé and BMW 320d Coupé.
Come back to us if these are wide of the mark and you'd rather stick to a regular hatchback shape.
Ford Focus Estate or Renault Grand Mégane?
I need to replace my 2001 Ford Focus Estate and have a couple of options to choose from: an 09 Focus Estate (Style) 1.6 with 87,000 kilometres (UK import) or a 2010 Renault Grand Mégane (Royle) with 58,000 kilometres. Both are around the same price (Mégane is only €650 dearer). Which of these would be the most reliable and of better value?
Conal Carr (Dublin)Jul 2012 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Conal,
Over the years the Focus has proven to be considerably more reliable than the Mégane, though this latest one is still relatively new so we wouldn't like to make such predictions. Renault claims to have improved reliability.
Without seeing the actual examples you're considering the Renault should have more equipment for the price, though its resale value may be lower later on, balancing that out.
If you can send us links to the two cars for sale we can give you more advice if that's not enough.
How much is a 2002 Ford Focus worth?
What is the market value of a '01 Ford Focus Ghia with 100,000km on the clock?
Denise Hughes (Dublin 22)Jun 2012 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Denise,
Without knowing anything about the condition of that car - or the engine size come to think of it - we'd have to give a very loose estimate. Something along the lines of €2,000 to €2,750 should cover it.
Come back to us with more details if you need more help.
What small car for €8,000 could replace my MINI?
Hi, I am driving an 08 MINI Cooper 1.6D that is a work lease car. I want to buy a small car for less than €8,000 - ideally a 1.1 or so that I don't feel the drop too much! I do very low mileage - 5,000km per year - but want something that could manage a motorway journey or two a year ok. What would you recommend? I have been looking at something 08 or newer: Hyundai i10, Toyota Yaris; old model Fiesta/Polo - any other ideas?
Suzie Perry (Dublin)May 2012 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Suzie,
Others to consider include the Citroen C3 and Fiat 500, Mazda2, Nissan Micra, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 207, SEAT Ibiza, Skoda Fabia and Suzuki Swift. They're all good small cars. Given your low mileage you're definitely better off with a petrol model.
I assume you know that you could afford slightly larger cars in the Ford Focus class as well with that budget, but that you don't want one that big? They'd be far more comfortable on the motorway.
With all that in mind, and sticking to your small car demand, we reckon one of the three Volkswagen Group cars makes the most sense - that's the Skoda Fabia, SEAT Ibiza or the Polo. If you'd like help narrowing down your search further come back to us.
What small diesel car would you recommend from 2008?
What would be the best diesel cars to buy? I'm looking at 2008 and not a big car. We have a 2003 Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI so it would ideally be 1.4 to 1.6 in diesel really.
Thanks
Noel Mc Grath (Tralee)May 2012 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Noel,
There's a lot of choice out there within those restrictions and you've not given us your budget, so we'll give you a list of the cars we think are worth looking at to start with and you can come back to us if you'd like help narrowing the search:
- Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi
- Hyundai i30 1.6 diesel
- Kia cee'd 1.6 diesel
- Mazda3 1.6 diesel
- Nissan Note 1.5 diesel
- Nissan Qashqai 1.5 diesel
- Peugeot 207 1.4 HDi
- Peugeot 308 1.6 HDi
- Toyota Auris 1.4 D4-D
The Volkswagen Polo and Golf and the Skoda Octavia are other considerations, though the 1.6 TDI engine was not introduced until 2010.
Let us know what you think
We need a second car for less than €5,000.
Hi there. I am looking for a used small car from 2006 on with four doors and small engine, just as a second car for my wife. Maybe for less than €5,000. Any recommendations or no goes?! Thanks
Hagen Stroh (Greystones)Apr 2012 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Hagen,
There's a lot of choice on the market for that price. Here's a few cars we'd consider good buys for the purpose you've described:
Citroen C3, Fiat Panda, Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Honda Jazz, Mazda3, Nissan Almera, Nissan Micra, Opel Astra, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 207, SEAT Ibiza, SEAT Cordoba, SEAT Leon, Skoda Fabia, Suzuki Swift, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Yaris, Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Polo.
I appreciate that's a long list, but we've left out plenty too! If you'd like more in depth help with choosing from the above come back to us.