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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.


How much VRT on a Renault Grand Scenic?

Hi,

How much VRT would be due on a 2011 Renault Grand Scenic 1.5 diesel?

Thanks

Hazel Clear (Dunsany)

Jan 2018 Filed under: VRT

Expert answer

Hi Hazel,

It will depend on the total specification, mileage etc, but at a rough guess I’d say you’re looking at around €1,500 in VRT for that.


How much to tax a Fiat Punto 1.2?

How much to tax a Fiat Punto 1.2?

John Crofton (Gorey)

Jan 2018 Filed under: taxation

Expert answer

Hi John,

It does depend on the year, but as an example, a 2010 1.2 Grande Punto has CO2 emissions of 139g/km so will cost €280 a year to tax.


What to replace my Renault Scenic with?

I have an ageing Renault Scenic petrol automatic. Apart from poor mpg, it is brilliant - comfortable (I've fitted cruise control) with very good options for load carrying. What do I replace it with?

John Wiloughby (Stroud)

Jan 2018 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi John,

Well, there are lots of good options. If you still like MPVs and like Renaults then the new Scenic is a bit of a cracker. Very comfy, and you can get it with an impressive 115hp 1.2 petrol turbocharged engine that should be rather more economical than what you’ve been used to. And it comes with cruise control as standard now.

Other, similar models worth considering are the Citroen C4 Picasso/Grand Picasso, VW Touran, Kia Carens or the Toyota Verso. Here are our relevant reviews:

Renault Scenic review

Citroen C4 Picasso review

Citroen C4 Grand Picasso review

Volkswagen Touran review

Toyota Verso review

Kia Carens review


Road tax on the Opel Insignia diesel?

What is the annual tax on an Opel Insignia diesel car?

Noel Mccabe (Lucan)

Jan 2018 Filed under: taxation

Expert answer

Hi Noel,

Well, it depends on which version of the Insignia you mean, and which year it was made in. As a guide, the current Insignia Grand Sport will set you back €280 a year for the 170hp CDTi 2.0 diesel version, or €200 a year for the 1.6 CDTi 136hp diesel. 


We need advice on a faulty car...

Hi,

We need advice on where or what to do next. We bought a 132 VW Passat 1.6 TDI on the 7/4/17 from a dealer for €11,500. Well pleased until five weeks ago when the car had a fire (a fuse went on fire) and burned all the fuses and fuse box to a crisp. The warranty crowd wouldn't cover the damage as it's an electrical fault, but after much rowing and threats of a solicitor the garage said they would cover the damage and put in a new wiring loom and fuse box .

We collected the car last Thursday from a different garage, as the one we bought it from sends all its cars to this crowd for any work that needs doing.  The car drove grand for two days and then problems started intermittingly, wipers packed up, power steering stopped working,  airbag lights on dash, central locking going mad, windows dropping,  etc. Then on Monday, the car refused to start so I checked the fuses (driver's side) and noticed there was no new wiring loom put into the car and all the cables were soldered onto a new fuse box.

The car was recovered last night for it to be fixed again.  This car is now unfit for purpose and we have lost all faith in it.   I can't really afford a solicitor at €150 an hour. Where do we go from here?

Please help!

Ruairi Mc Carthy (Mullagh Co Cavan)

Oct 2017 Filed under: electrics

Expert answer

Hi Ruairi,

 

Oh, that’s just not good, and I’m worrying that you may well actually need a solicitor at this point, especially as clearly one garage or other has reneged on what they told you they were going to do. Did you get, in writing, the assurance that a new wiring loom was going to be installed in the car? That would be helpful.

Basically, under the Sale of Goods and Supply of Services Act, either the car or the repair was clearly not ‘of merchantable quality’ and you are entitled, under consumer law, to a full replacement or refund. Car dealers will often try and squirm out of that, but if they do I suggest you tell them you’re going to take it to the small claims court (where there’s no need for a solicitor). If that doesn’t get them moving, then it’s time to get the lawyers in.


I'd like a sporty car from 142-152...

Hi guys,

I currently drive a late 2012 Audi A3 (new model three-door 2.0 TDI). It's a great car, but I'm in a position to upgrade and I want something that has a bit more oomph on the road and is a bit bigger. I have a good 45-minute commute each way to work and I have friends and family all over the country so I need a diesel for all the miles I'm covering.

I'm looking at purchasing second hand, probably cars registered from 142 - 152. I'd love a BMW 420d M Sport, but they can be pricey and I have heard from a few people that used BMWs can be far from reliable. I have considered sticking with Audi, but I have found that Audi cars from this time period (A4/A5) are a bit underpowered and poorly equipped for the money. Is there anything you can recommend? I find myself only looking at German manufacturers, but I can get over badge snobbery if I found something I really liked.

Thanks guys

Pearse

Pearse McDonagh (Waterford )

May 2017 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Pearse,

Would you consider a Lexus? A hybrid engined IS 300h saloon looks good, is good to drive, isn’t German, is frugal and will be so reliable you can pass it onto your grandkids.

Alternatively, a BMW 420d Coupe makes a great buy, and they’re not THAT bad on the reliability front, but it’s a good idea to buy one from a BMW main dealer, as it will come with a very comprehensive two-year warranty.

Well worth looking at a Mercedes C-Class C 220 d coupe too — not as slick looking as the BMW, but with great quality and a really lovely chassis. The Volkswagen CC (four-door coupe on a Passat chassis) is also well worth a look, and what about a Jaguar XF 2.2 diesel, which is a saloon, but looks slinky enough to be a coupe?

Lexus IS 300h review

Mercedes-Benz C 220d Coupe review

Volkswagen CC review


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