How much to change to a new Ford Focus?
What would it cost me to upgrade from a 131 Focus, five-door hatchback, diesel with 60,000km and 60k service completed to a new similar Focus? Also what is the price of the new Focus five-door hatchback?
John Keating
John Keating (Carrigaline)Dec 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi John,
Your Focus is probably going to be worth about €17,000 as a trade in, maybe a little less. New Focus prices start from €20,295.
Is the Toyota RAV4 worth the price?
Hi,
I want to trade in my 2008 Ford Focus diesel for a new or nearly new car. I really like the SUV style. I drive at least 1,000km per week to and from work so I need something that's reliable, will hold its value and able for big mileage. I really like the Toyota RAV4, but is it worth the price?
What car would you suggest?
Joanne Stafford (Wexford)Dec 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Joanne,
The RAV4 is most definitely worth the price, and it's one of the best cars Toyota currently makes - spacious, reliable and not at all bad to drive. Worth looking at the Nissan Qashqai and Renault Kadjar too, as well as the Skoda Yeti and Mazda CX-5. You won't go wrong with any of those choices, but given your high mileage take a very close look at the Renault and the Nissan - they'll be the most economical overall.
Relevant reviews:
How much would you pay for 2008 Ford Focus?
How much would you pay for a 2008 1.8 diesel Ford Focus with 200,000km on the clock?
John Hughes (Leitrim)Nov 2015 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi John,
In and around the €5,500 mark I would think.
When do I change my Ford Focus timing belt?
When do I need to change the timing belt on my 2010 Ford Focus 2.0 Zetec petrol?
David Chapman (Sydney)Nov 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi David,
Our data tells us that your car should have a timing chain, not a belt, with no scheduled maintenance. If in doubt, ring up your local Ford dealer service department with the registration number and they can confirm for sure.
I am looking at a 2010 Ford Focus Estate...
I am looking at a 2010 Ford Focus Estate 1.6 diesel; it has a full Ford service history but has 130,000 miles on the clock. What is a good price for this car and would I get much longer out of the engine? Am I mad thinking about a car with such high mileage?
Conal Mc Donald (Dublin)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Conal,
You should be paying somewhere in the region of €8,500 for that one and I wouldn't worry about the mileage - as long as the service history is genuine, and as long as you stick to the servicing schedule yourself and always insist on proper, high-quality oil for that 1.6-litre diesel engine, you should be fine.
Is a high-mileage Ford Focus Estate ok?
I'm looking at a 2010 Ford Focus Estate 1.6 diesel with around 130,000 miles on the the clock. How much more do you think I'll get out of the engine? Am I mad buying a car with such high mileage?
Conal Mc Donald (Finglas/B)Nov 2015 Filed under: mileage
Expert answer
Hi Conal,
It should be fine - that kind of mileage is no problem if the car has been properly looked after and the full service history would seem to suggest this. Just check and see what oil has been used at service time. That 1.6 diesel needs the correct oil to avoid issues.
Should I switch my Ford Focus for a diesel car?
Petrol or diesel? I am looking to change my 2005 Ford Focus 1.4 petrol to something similar. I am averaging 40,000 miles per year and wonder what would be a good option for me. The budget is approx €10k.
Shirley Mulcahy (Portlaoise)Oct 2015 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Shirley,
I think you need to be looking at diesel with that kind of mileage. A €10k budget would slot you nicely into a 2009 Honda Civic 2.2 i-CDTi (don't worry about the size: it's cheap to tax). It's ood to drive, massively spacious, economical and reliable.
There are also some Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDIs and Toyota Auris 1.4 D-4Ds around for this budget that are well worth looking at.
From 2012: Ford Focus or Volkswagen Golf?
Which 2012 car is better: Volkswagen Golf or Ford Focus?
Stephen English (Dublin)Oct 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Stephen,
Both pretty good but I'd lean on the side of the Golf - it's roomier and more refined than the Focus, and that 1.2 TSI petrol turbo engine is a cracker. The Volkswagen 1.6 TDI engine is smoother than the Ford's too.
Does my Ford Focus have a timing belt or chain?
Does the 2009 Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi Zetec have a timing belt or a chain?
Dave Kelly (Dublin)Oct 2015 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Dave,
Our information is that this car has a timing belt. It should be changed at least every 125,000 miles (201,000km) or every 12 years.
I want a fast car for under €20,000!
Could you suggest the best car for under €20,000 that is less than 10 years old AND can do 0-100km/h in less than six seconds?
John Walsh (Dublin)Sep 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
The critical question here is how much road tax and insurance pain are you willing to take? An early 2000s Porsche 911 will crack 5.3 seconds 0-100km/h all day long but you'll pay through the nose for tax, disc and servicing. And never, ever buy one without a full Porsche or Porsche Specialist service history.
Most Mercedes-AMG models from the same era will do similar but again the same caveats on servicing and running costs apply.
A BMW M3 Evolution will do 5.5 seconds, but watch for ones that have been badly fiddled with or modified.
Probably better would be a Ford Focus RS or a Volkswagen Golf R or R32. Both are pretty rugged in the reliability stakes but again you have to be wary of cars that have been modified or altered from standard.
However, possibly the best bet is a Honda S2000. As long as you don't need back seats it's a fantastic thing to drive, will do 6.0 seconds 0-100km/h and it's rock solid in reliability terms. Loads around well within your price band but again watch carefully for badly done modifications or cars that haven't been cared for.