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:
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?
Which SUV for kids with €30k to go for?
Good morning guys,
I need some advice on cars or SUVs! I am looking for a family vehicle as I have three kids under five. So that means car seats. I have a bad back so I need height and I need boot space for a buggy. My budget is €30k and I already have a Renault Grand Scenic that does the job, but is ugly to be honest. I live in Kildare and do drive on bad roads. I do have an option to buy in the UK and bring the car over, as well.
Can you recommend anything?
Thank you
Donna
Donna Phelan (Maynooth )Apr 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Donna,
The current Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage are both just about wide enough to take three child seats across the back, or you could try the SEAT Ateca or Volkswagen Tiguan too (this has the widest back seat of all those). The Skoda Kodiaq is brilliant, but it’ll be outside your budget if you want a diesel, or, if you can hang on until the summer, the new Peugeot 5008 is coming, which has three ISOFIX points in the back, and should come in for under €30k.
Relevant reviews:
Thinking of getting a new Peugeot 3008...
I'm thinking of trading in a 142 Hyundai i40 Tourer for a new Peugeot 3008, but would like your opinion on what model would best suit me. I like my comfort, have no children, just my wife and myself, but will sometimes have my 5, 6, and 2 other young grand-kids to bring somewhere, but not all together. Appreciate your opinion. Val
Val Glynn (Claremorris)Apr 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Val,
The 3008 is an excellent car and there’s just about enough space in the back for three child car seats in a row (although if that’s your ultimate priority, then wait for the 5008, which is due on sale in July). Of the range, Allure spec seems to be the best balance between price and equipment, and the best engines are the 1.2 turbo petrol (if you’re doing low to medium mileage) or the 1.6 BlueHDi diesel (if you’re doing lots of long journeys).
Some relevant reviews:
Peugeot 3008 1.6 HDi Allure review
What's the Fiat Grande Punto like?
What's your view of the Fiat Grande Punto - say 2008/2010, i.e. reliability etc?
Gerry
Gerry Flynn (Dublin 16)Feb 2017 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Gerry,
Not the most sophisticated car around, the Grande Punto, but it’s roomy, spacious and not bad to drive. Actually pretty reliable too — watch for electrical gremlins all over the place, but the only major mechanical issues are making sure that the cam belt has been changed at least every six years, and keeping an eye on the cooling system and head gasket.
What to look for on Megane estate?
When was the Renault Megane Estate TomTom 1.5 diesel introduced to the market? Is there anything a potential buyer ought be aware of?
Robert Foley (Cork)Jan 2017 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Robert,
The estate (or 'Grand Megane' as Renault insisted on calling it) TomTom edition was announced in 2009 and introduced to the market in 2010. It was much better built and more reliable than the previous Megane, but there are still some weak points to keep an eye out for. Those include fragile fuel line clips, burned out coil packs on the 1.6 petrol, particulate filter problems on the 1.5 diesel, electrical problems especially with the windows and the heating system and premature clutch wear.