What's my Ford Focus worth as trade-in?
What is a Ford Focus 1.8 diesel with 130,000 miles on it worth as trade in against 2015 diesel 1.6 with 8,000 miles on the clock?
Ted Lawton (Killeagh Co Cork)Apr 2016 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Ted,
Well, it’s a little hard to say. You haven’t given me a year for your Focus 1.8, but assuming it’s a 2009 model then I’d take a stab at it being worth around €6,000 as a trade in. However, it’s impossible for us to predict how much a dealer is going to offer you against a specific car – it depends how much they have invested in the sale of that car, and how many other cars similar to your own that they already have on their lot.
Which compact MPV suits us best?
Hi,
My wife, daughter Daisy (four years old) and myself are thinking of updating our 2005 Ford Focus C-Max 1.6 with 105,000km in the next few months. We recently test drove a 2012 C-Max 1.6 diesel Titanium with about 40,000km on the clock. It was a nice car at €17,500 with a €2,000 trade in for our own so really €15,500. I said we were paying cash, but we could not get more discount. Do you think that’s a fair offer or do you think I could haggle more, as most websites say Ford will barter with you?
Second question. The Ford B-Max seems to be cheaper than the C-Max. Apart from the sliding doors and height of the cabin on the B-Max, is there any other difference? To a layman they both offer the same inside and out. I have read and seen reviews for both cars and there are no major negatives there.
Third Question. We are thinking of trading up and not spending more than €15,000. What is the best option realistically for us in your opinion? Should we consider a different vehicle altogether? We like the higher ride in these cars because it's easier for both adult and child to get in.
Regards,
Ben O’Connor
Ben O Connor (Dundrum, Dublin)Apr 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Ben,
Well, you can always haggle more and if the dealer isn’t budging, then simply shop around. There are plenty of examples of the C-Max out there to choose from, so don’t get hung up on just the one car if you feel like you’re not getting a good deal. While that does seem like a fair enough price, €17k is top end for a 2012 C-Max, so it had better (a) be perfect, (b) have a full service history and (c) come with a decent warranty.
As for the B-Max, yes there’s quite a big difference. The B-Maxis based on the Fiesta, the C-Max on the Focus so you can see from just that fact that the levels of space on the inside and in the boot are significantly different. Plus the C-Max is a far more comfortable car on a long journey than the B-Max, which can also be sluggish to drive as those sliding doors are actually pretty heavy for such a small car.
As for other cars worth looking at (and I’m assuming you mean against the five-seat C-Max, not the seven-seat Grand C-Max), the Volkswagen Golf Plus offers lots of space and plenty of comfort, as does the five-seat version of the Citroen C4 Picasso.
Here are a few reviews to help you decide:
Which of these cabriolets to go for?
Hi,
I'm looking at three secondhand folding roof hard top coupes for my partner (Ford Focus CC, Astra cabriolet and Volkswagen Eos). Leaning towards an Eos. Can you advise of any potential pitfalls to this regarding reliability or known issues, insurance costs etc? Plus, which in your opinion is the more usable vehicle for everyday use? Also as a curve ball can you suggest an alternative to the above?
Cheers, Alan
Alan Burke (Dundrum, Dublin)Apr 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Alan,
All are, in general, pretty solidly reliable cars as you would expect, but the issues come with the added weight and complexity of those folding hard-tops. All three can suffer roof failure (often at the point of being half way up or down) and all three suffer equally from increased tyre and suspension wear relative to their hatchback cousins, not to mention higher fuel consumption. None, to be honest, are especially pleasant to drive.
Of the three, I’d say the Eos is the best built, the Focus by a slim margin the best to drive and the Astra fractionally the roomier in the back seat. As an alternative, what about an Audi A4 Cabriolet? You’d have to go for an older one to match the price, but it’s a better car and a better convertible than any of these. Alternatively, if you don’t need the back seats, get a Mazda MX-5 – literally the only small convertible that’s actually worth buying.
When do I change my Ford Focus timing belt?
Does my 2008 Ford Focus Titanium Estate 1.6 TDCi have a timing belt? If so, when should it be changed?
Jorg Lenk (Clonmel)Apr 2016 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Jorg,
Yes it does and the recommended change interval is 125,000 miles (210,000km) or every 10 years.
Is a new Fiat 500L worth a look?
Is the Fiat 500L worth a look?
Offer of €5k scrappage at the moment and looking to change car. Currently have 2004 Ford Focus C-Max and three kids.
Thanks
Donal
Donal ODea (Dublin)Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Donal,
Yeah, it is actually. I know it's not the best looking thing around but it's actually quite nice to drive, very spacious and pretty well made too. And you get a five-year warranty now too, so that should put any unreliability worries to bed. If you've got three kids, it might be worth having a look at the 500L MPW, which is even uglier but has extra seats in the boot.
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:
I'm struggling with buying a petrol car...
Hi,
Trying to buy a replacement for my 1999 Avensis and the scarcity of petrols and abundance of diesels on the market baffles me. I don't think it wise to buy diesel for my standard drive of eight miles to work and home and same six days a week with road trip round 300 miles just six times a year.
This is supposedly "economical" and "green driving" even though in London it costs more for a permit going into city with diesel car and trends in London have historically impacted directly on us in three to five years. I would love to know of a diesel car 2008-2011 (for cheap tax) with no necessary DPF that I have to worry about, or will I stick to petrol believing that in five years time petrol is a more saleable/popular engine than diesel is? Then there might be a hybrid to suit. Volkswagen, Japanese or any good 1.4+ hatch or saloon suggestions?
Thanks,
Pauline.
Pauline Anne Connor (Galway)Feb 2016 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Pauline,
You're absolutely 100 per cent dead right - diesel is not for everyone and especially not for those with overall low mileages and short commutes. And as the recent emissions scandal has shown us, diesel exhaust can be staggeringly bad for your health.
As for finding a diesel without a DPF filter, I'm not sure you'll be able to. In order to meet the particulate emissions legislation under EuroV and EuroVI regulations you pretty much had to have one. Some people have, of course, removed the DPF to avoid maintenance issues, but then you're just spewing out a plume of highly carcinogenic soot particles as you drive...
So, I think your best bet is to go for a compact turbocharged petrol engine or, just maybe, a hybrid. The Toyota Prius would potentially be ideal for your daily drive, but could be a bit of an over-thirsty pain on that six-time-a-year longer journey. Try instead a car fitted with the Volkswagen Group's excellent 1.2-litre TSI turbo petrol engine (Golf or Skoda Octavia are the best ones), a Ford Focus with the 1.0 EcoBoost engine or maybe an Opel Astra 1.4 Turbo. Here are a few relevant reviews for you to consult:
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.
Will the Volkswagen Golf be updated in 2016?
Is Volkswagen planning a facelift for the Golf this year?
Gary Murray (Dublin)Feb 2016 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Gary,
Yes, but it's not due to arrive until late this year. It'll likely have only very small exterior changes (expect a more Passat-like front end), but there will be some bigger changes to the interior, including a new centre stack with the option of a big, Tesla-like tablet-style touchscreen with 'Gesture Control.' We may also get sight of the new family of 1.5-litre turbo petrol and turbodiesel engines this year (although they're more likely to be reserved for the all-new MkVIII Golf in a couple of years' time), but we'll definitely get to see the ultimate hot Golf - a four-wheel drive 420hp version of the Golf R designed to take on the Ford Focus RS.
Which large MPV to go for?
Hi, I'm looking for a seven-seater with a large boot. We have been looking at the Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life, but don't know too much about them except they seem to fit our needs and price range (3/4 years old). Am I missing any other people carriers because I've been focusing on boot space?
Libby Rice (Kilkenny)Feb 2016 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Libby,
The Caddy Life is actually a really good choice - hugely versatile and not at all bad to drive, for a car based on a van. It's also worth looking at the Citroen Berlingo (similar, but doesn't have the long wheelbase Maxi Life option) or the Renault Kangoo. If you fancy something a bit more comfy and car-like, have a look at a Ford S-Max or the SEAT Alhambra.