Help me choose a small, reliable, economical car to run.
Help! I'm looking at buying a new car - I currently have a 1.0-litre petrol Nissan Micra and I have a 110km round trip commute to work five days a week. I am looking for a small, reliable, economical car to run.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Elaine Henry (Sligo)Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Elaine,
If you want to stay with a small car then can I suggest tracking down a nice Ford Fiesta? Your €8k budget won't quite stretch to a new EcoBoost model, but the older 1.25 petrol engine is still a sweet, economical and reliable unit.
If it's maximum economy you're after then you need to think of a small diesel. How about a Peugeot 207 1.4 HDi? Hard to track down but 65mpg is easy.
Better yet, you could trade up altogether. €8k should get you into a nice 2008 SEAT Leon 1.9 TDI - hugely reliable, spacious, economical and really good to drive.
Let us know what you think
Should I replace my Golf with a Hyundai ix20?
I have a Volkswagen Golf bought in 2002. Can you advise me re a new car, similar 1.4 petrol engine, but with elevated seating position? I looked at the Hyundai ix20 but it may not have same power as my Golf. Thanks,
Evelyn O' Meara
Evelyn O Meara (Sligo)Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Evelyn,
Actually, the Hyundai ix20 might be just the thing you're looking for. It's smaller and cheaper to run than a Golf, and that 1.4 diesel engine is very economical, and will actually prove more powerful to drive than the Golf. Others worth considering are the Citroen C3 Picasso or Ford B-Max, both of which can be had with either petrol or diesel power. Try a 1.0-litre turbo petrol B-Max actually - great fun to drive and you won't believe the power and performance Ford can get from its new downsized 1.0-litre engine.
Let us know how you get on
Ford S-max or Citroen C4 Grand Picasso?
Ford S-max or Citroen C4 Grand Picasso? I have three children under three.
Tom O'Shea (Kilkenny)Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Tom,
The Citroen will be cheaper to run (it has a 1.6 diesel engine compared to the S-Max's 2.0-litre unit), but if you can afford the slightly higher tax and fuel bills, I'd go for the Ford. It's better built, more spacious and much nicer to drive.
Ford Focus or Toyota Avensis?
Which would be a better buy, a 2001 Ford Focus diesel 1.8 with 177,000 miles on the clock or a Toyota Avensis 2.0 diesel with 155,000 miles?
Thanks
Andy Burnett (Roscommon)Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Andy,
Well, they're two quite different cars. The Avensis is significantly bigger than the Focus, so if it's space you're looking for, that's the one to go for. To be honest, I think it's the Avensis to go for anyway. Assuming the prices are similar and condition and history are good, then Toyota's build quality and reliability is just that little bit ahead of Ford's, so its long-term longevity should be better.
Should I trade in my Peugeot 206 now or wait?
I have a 2003 Peugeot 206 that needs the guts of a €1,000 worth of work to keep it going and have €12k-14k put aside for an upgrade. The only thing stopping me trading in the Peugeot against a newer car is the fact my wife is learning to drive. Would I be better off putting the money into the 206, wait 6-9 months while my wife learns to drive as I'm worried she could damage the newer car?
Gary Eastwood (Dublin)Feb 2014 Filed under: learner
Expert answer
Hi Gary,
Are you perhaps being a tad unfair to your wife here? If it were a teenager you were talking about I'd say yes, keep the old car but as it's your missus, and you've got a decent bit of budget, why not get something spanky new to give her the motivation to become a truly great driver?
For that cash, you could get a really nice year old Ford Fiesta or Peugeot 208, both of which are terrific to drive and very economical. Go for the 1.2 82hp 208 or the 1.0 EcoBoost Fiesta. Or you could save yourself a bundle and buy brand new by downsizing. A Volkswagen up! or the new Hyundai i10 would make a perfect learner car and still be stylish and practical family transport when she's got her pink licence.
I need a seven-seat MPV to replace my Merc estate...
Hi, my 1997 E 230 Mercedes estate just failed its NCT and I've decided not to put any more money into keeping it going. I am looking for a second hand, large seven-seater (for three kids and two dogs), with a budget of approx €6,000.
I want space, practicality, reliability and preferably low running costs. My preference would be Ford Galaxy (on reputation), but mileage in my price range tends to be high. French brands (Citroen C8, Peugeot 807 and Renault Espace) seem to review poorly. Hyundai Trajet maybe? SEAT Alhambra? Any others I should be considering? All advice gratefully received.
Richard, Dublin
Richard Butler (Dublin)Feb 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Richard,
The Alhambra would be my choice here. A budget of €6,000 won't get you the current model, but it should find you an old one and they're still good. SEAT's reliability is pretty solid and you should be able to find one at a lower mileage than an equivalently priced (and mechanically identical) Ford Galaxy.
It would be worth keeping an eye out for a Ford S-Max too, though €6,000 is the very, very bottom end for S-Max prices, but keep your eyes peeled and haggle hard and you might just land a nice one.
And, as I always advise anyone looking for a seven-seater, there's always the option of a Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate with extra seats in the boot...
How much was a 2006 Ford Fiesta worth in 2009?
How much was a 2006 Ford Fiesta worth in 2009? I need to know this information for my records.
Miriam Farrell (Drogheda)Feb 2014 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Miriam,
It's rather hard to tell at this distance but a pretty safe rule of thumb is that, once you assume decent condition and service history, an average family car will lose between 50 and 60 per cent of its new value over the first three years.
What should I look out for buying a Jaguar X-Type?
What should I look for when buying a used Jaguar X-Type 2.1 automatic (2010)?
Robert Roberts (Kildare)Feb 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Robert,
The weak areas on an X-Type are the suspension and transmission. Keep an ear out for gearbox whines, knocking suspension and rattling steering columns. Wheel hubs were known to fail on earlier models but a 2010 version should be fine. Worth noting that the X-Type seems to have higher repair and maintenance costs than an equivalent BMW or Audi - rather odd for a car that shares so much with a Ford Mondeo.
Renault Mégane or Ford Focus C-Max?
Which is the better family car, a 2004 Renault Mégane with a 1.4 engine or the 2004 Ford Focus C-Max with a 1.6 engine? The dealer also has a 2003 Mégane diesel. Which is safer and which is the most economical?
Catherine Daly (Kilkenny)Feb 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Catherine,
Go for the Ford C-Max. They're ruggedly reliable and good to drive. Méganes of that era are best avoided.
Is this Ford Focus a good buy for my daughter?
I'm thinking of buying a 2002 Ford Focus 1.4 for my daughter. The seller is looking for €1,950; do you think I'd get it for cheaper?
Brid Sexton (Cork)Feb 2014 Filed under: learner
Expert answer
Hi Brid,
You might be able to but I'd suggest if you're buying it for your daughter you may not want to! Make sure you get a good one and be aware that the Focus didn't have anti-lock brakes (ABS) as standard back then and many cars were sold without it. Worth tracking down one with that life-saving tech.
Let us know how you get on or if you need more help