Is the Volkswagen Up suitable for me?
Hi there,
I'm looking to buy a newer car than my 2007 1.2 Renault Clio. I spend roughly half the week in a small city and the other half in a small country village, about 25 minutes from the nearest town. I do a short motorway trip about twice a week. I'd love something like a Volkswagen Up, but am worried this would be too small and lack enough power for my amount of driving, which is roughly 21,000km per year.
What would you advise?
Many thanks, Eimear.
Eimear Molloy (Kilkenny/Waterford)May 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Eimear,
I’m happy to report that you’re wrong — the Up (and the equivalent Skoda and SEAT versions) is one of those small car’s that’s oddly good on the motorway. OK, with 60hp you’re not going to be winning any Grands Prix, but it’s entirely adequate, keeps up with other traffic and is pretty decently economical too. Indeed, it’s probably a better bet than buying a basic Clio or similarly-sized car, which will be bigger and heavier but won’t necessarily be that much more powerful.
Is the Grand California available in USA?
Is the Volkswagen Grand California available in the States?
Robert Kennedy (Mcallen)Jan 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Robert,
I'm afraid not.
Any change to the taxing of commercials?
Hi,
Has there been any change to the taxing of commercial as private? I bought a 2015 Berlingo van so will I have to pay under the old system?
Thanks in advance
Chris
Chris Lawlee (Buttevant)Jan 2020 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Chris,
No, you’ll be grand. If the vehicle was originally registered as a commercial then it will retain that designation. The change in the rules only affected cars registered from July 2018.
Can I buy a Grand California in the USA?
Where and when can I purchase a VW Grand California RV in the USA?
Korey N (Brandon )Oct 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Korey and sorry to be the bearer of bad news - the Grand California is not sold in the USA at this time.
Can I export a Grand California to the USA?
Can I buy a Volkswagen Grand California camper van and ship to the USA?
Betty Li (Hayward CA)Oct 2019 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Betty,
It's theoretically possible, but it will depend more on the US state laws than Ireland's. The instruments will be in the wrong units, though those could be changed of course, and the European Certificate of Conformity may or may not be acceptable to the US authorities. It is likely to have to go through some form of single vehicle approval test and its safety and emissions must conform with the US laws. On top of all that, the import duty could be high.
One final thing to consider: you can't buy an unregistered car from Volkswagen Ireland - it would have to be registered before you take delivery.
Why does motor tax vary so much on a car?
Why would two exact same make, model and engined cars be different tax rates? Both 2010 Citroen C4 Grand Picasso, 1.6 diesel HDi?
Brian Ambrose (Castlemahon)Oct 2019 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
Different versions of the same car can have different equipment levels, which can affect the weight of the vehicle and therefore its emissions. Equally, different model years can have different engine specifications (even if the basic bones of the engine are the same), which can affect the CO2 rating. Or, of course, one could have a manual gearbox and one an automatic, which can have a major effect on the CO2 levels.
What new hybrid would suit my aunt's use?
Hi,
My aunt is looking at buying a hybrid. She currently has a 2010 SEAT Ibiza with 40,000km on the clock, which is in immaculate condition. As indicated by the mileage she doesn't do much driving and what she does is city and suburbs. She's interested in a new hybrid (as opposed to electric - she thinks it's too early in its development) that is reliable. Ideally she'd like an automatic, but doesn't want to pay a huge premium for that. Her budget is €20,000 plus the Ibiza.
What would you suggest?
Thanks
Enda
Enda Lowry (Dublin)Dec 2018 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Enda,
For starters, as far as I can work out, all new hybrids currently on sale are automatic, so there's no such thing as paying a premium for that side of things. On a trade-in, I'd suspect that your aunt will get no more than €3,500 for the Ibiza, even though the mileage is very low, so let's work with a budget of around €23,500.
That would get the top-of-the-range Toyota Yaris Hybrid, which is a perfectly good car for low mileage use by one person. The Yaris has been updated recently and it remains a very solid buy. For a few grand more, the entry-level version of the brand new Toyota Corolla Hybrid is within reach, which is a far more substantial car, but outside the budget you mentioned.
There are no other new hybrid cars on the market within budget, I'm afraid. At this price point, we'd suggest that an efficient petrol engine is possibly better value, but if your aunt really wants a new hybrid, then the Yaris is not a bad option at all.
Fuel consumption of the 2017 Opel Insignia?
What is the fuel consumption of the 2017 Opel Insignia 170hp five-door?
Donal Keohane (Cork)Oct 2018 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Donal,
I presume that you mean the previous generation of Insignia, not the new Grand Sport model? If so, then the quoted official combined fuel economy for the 2.0-litre CDTi 170hp model is 62.8mpg - or 4.5 litres per 100km.
Thoughts on this used Suzuki Grand Vitara?
Thinking of buying a Suzuki Grand Vitara 2.0 manual five-door with side steps, a boot spoiler, window tint, alloys and fog lights, with 120,000 miles on the clock.
Andree Cushion (Pafos Cyprus)Jun 2018 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Andree,
Well, the good thing about Vitaras is that they tend to be rugged and reliable, but from the description you’ve given us, I’d tread a little carefully. A Vitara with that much extra body kit may well have been in the hands of an owner who cared more about how it looked, and less about how it was looked after. Study the service history very carefully, and make sure it’s in good nick.
Panoramic roof in a Renault Scenic ok?
I am considering buying a Renault Grand Scenic Limited. I have had several Scenics and my experience has always been good. But I am wondering is the panoramic sunroof likely to be a source of problems?
Brendan Scully (Dublin)Apr 2018 Filed under: bodywork
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
It shouldn’t be, and we’ve certainly never heard of any issues regarding the panoramic roof in the Scenic. Now, that said, it’s a lot of extra weight in the worst possible place to have extra weight (up high) and there may be some effect on the torsional rigidity of the car’s structure, so that’s worth bearing in mind. There can always be issues with any car when it comes to sealing and developing leaks in such roofs, but if it’s a fixed roof, rather than one that open, that’s usually less of a problem.