Expert answer

If it was my money I'd have the Passat, especially the CC if your budget allows it. The Passat feels like a much more upmarket car than the Ford Mondeo. The latest Mondeo is very good, but I'd be drawn to the look and feel of the Passat everytime.

Expert answer

Hi Wayne,

You would probably get offered around €3,800 from a main dealer for your car and you could expect to sell it privately for around €4,300, so you should advertise for around €4,600. Remember if you are trading in then concentrate on the 'cost to change' rather than the value of your car. 

I hope this helps?

Expert answer

Hi Tony,

Given your shortlist, I'd be inclined to go for the new Ford Focus saloon - presumably you mean a 1.6 TDCi version. It's more economical than the BMW and Audi and it'll be four years newer, meaning the security of a manufacturer's warranty. Older BMWs and Audis, as lovely as they are, do start to cost a bit to maintain.

Another car to consider is the relatively new Volkswagen Jetta. It compares well to the Focus.

Come back to us if you need more help deciding.

Expert answer

Hi John,

There are several excellent seven-seat MPVs on the market right now. The Ford S-MAX/Galaxy twins are right up there for instance, as is the Volkswagen Sharan, but the car that stands out for us is the SEAT Alhambra. It's essentially a rebadged VW Sharan, but it's priced lower. It's just as impressive in every other way.

I had this car on test recently if you want to know anything specific about it.

Expert answer

Hi Andrew,

We put this to Cartell.ie, the official vehicle records experts, and they had an interesting slant on things:

"The VRT issue is tricky - and the buyer must be extra vigilant now. With the transfer of functions for VRT calculation to the NCT centres the officials there have been warned to check the interior of the vehicle for evidence of 'extras'. This means the buyer could be unexpectedly hit with a premium, i.e. pay over-the-odds VRT on a vehicle just because there are additional features not available to an indigenous Irish equivalent vehicle. The best thing for the buyer to do is contact the NCT centre first, before importing the vehicle, and have a chat about likely costs for additional features. It's the best way to avoid surprises."

Sound advice if you ask me.

Expert answer

Hi Steve,

A fair degree depends on your mileage and how much you are prepared to pay per year in motor tax. Bearing in mind that you will be getting an older car, the motor tax can be pricier, but that is just a fact of life. If you want to carry lots of people and stuff then a diesel will be a better choice in an estate because there is more torque but it isn't essential. 

If you weren't afraid of the odd bill, then a BMW 320D Estate would be a super car. I've owned one and they are great, but get expensive the older they get. 

I'd be very tempted by this Nissan X-Trail which has low mileage, is diesel and would be great for the family. 

This Peugeot 407 SW is superb value and lots of car for the money. 

I think out of that lot, I'd probably have the Focus though. 

I hope this helps! 

I'd say something like a 2005 Ford Focus 1.6 Diesel Estate would be a good place to start - something like this one as it would be cheap to run and spacious as well as good to drive too. 

Expert answer

Hi Annemarie, 

We would always say look at the cost to change, but I'd expect that you will be offered around €5,000 for your C-Max, which might translate into €6,000 against a new Peugeot 5008. The 5008 is a good choice too, you can read our review of it here. 

Expert answer

Hi Teresa,

As with any car exchange - you need to look at the cost to change, not the value of your trade in. At the moment there are lots of Ford Fiesta and Focus models on the used market so the values of them aren't great. The dealers are also pricing your cars as to what they will be worth in February 2012 when the cars arrive. 

You said you are going to shop around and that is exactly what you should do. We could tell you that your cars are worth more, but unless a dealer is offering you this then it is not much use. 

You need to shop around!

Expert answer

Hi Justin,

I can't imagine why you would want to come down from a Volvo S8- into a Mondeo or Citroen C5, which are going to both feel inferior to what you have. Are you just simply bored with the car you have and want a change? Both the Mondeo and C5 are 'okay' but their diesel engines aren't as good as the Volvos.

Without fully knowing your circumstances, I would say that if you did want to get something else, then you should perhaps look at a Subaru Legacy Diesel, which for me is the best in its class around that era.

Here is one:

Subaru Legacy

Otherwise, stick with what you have, because both the Mondeo and C5 will feel inferior to your S80.

I hope this helps!

Expert answer

Yes, these are excellent cars so I would say that you should have little in the way of trouble with them really. Obviously a diesel version might suit better, but if you are getting the petrol model at the right price and your mileage is low then this could be a decent purchase.