I need a car for just one year...
I need a car for one year. What has the best resale value and what year should I be looking at if I am to sell it in 2018 and recoup the best part of my investment, i.e. not lose any more than I would if I were to hire the same model and year car for 12 months? If that makes any sense.
Helen White (Meath/Dublin/Kildare)Apr 2017 Filed under: resale value
Expert answer
Hi Helen,
Long-term hiring can often be a good idea, as opposed to buying a car and riding the waves of depreciation, but if you prefer buying then your three best bets are the Toyota Auris, Volkswagen Golf and Hyundai Tucson. All of these cars are in huge demand second hand, and as long as you keep the condition good, you should be looking at depreciation of no more than around 20 per cent of the original purchase price.
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
Is the Hyundai i40 a reliable car?
Is the Hyundai i40 a reliable car?
Jana D (Celbridge)Mar 2017 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Jana,
Yes, very. We can’t actually find any major recurring problems with the i40, and on top of that it’s comfortable, roomy, frugal and nice to drive.
Hyundai i40 or Renault Fluence?
Hi,
We are thinking of changing our car from a Nissan Juke (as there is limited space) to either a Renault Fluence or Hyundai i40. What do you think is best?
Nicola Walsh (Wexford )Mar 2017 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Nicola,
Go for the i40 — it’s much bigger and better built than the Fluence, and will be more reliable in the long term. It will also hold its value better than the Fluence.
What makes and models are spacious?
What are the best makes/models for driver legroom/headroom and rear passenger (behind driver seat) legroom?
Eamon O'Connor (Waterford)Mar 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Eamon,
Well, obviously the bigger the car the better, and if you can stretch to a long-wheelbase Range Rover...
At a more sensible level, the best car for long legs in both front and back is the Skoda Superb (both current and previous generation models). Also good choices are the Ford Mondeo, Toyota Avensis and Hyundai i40. If you need to come down a size, go for a Skoda Octavia or Honda Civic.
Which new car on PCP for around €25k?
Hi, I am looking to buy a new car on PCP. Budget is around €25k. I have looked at family options like the Skoda Octavia, Volkswagen Golf and Mazda3. Also on my shortlist is the Audi A1. Can you please advise which of these is the best bet?
Please suggest any other car that I can look at.
Rahul Nair (Dublin)Feb 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Rahul,
There are a lot of other options from the Ford Focus to the Toyota Auris to the Peugeot 308 to the Hyundai i30 to the Kia cee’d and Nissan Pulsar. Of the ones you’ve mentioned, the two that I’d pick from are the Skoda (huge inside, practical, reliable) and the Mazda (high quality cabin, ultra-reliable).
Relevant reviews:
Would an electric car work for us?
Hi there,
My wife drives a 2005 Toyota RAV4 1.8 petrol. Over a year ago she changed jobs from a 6km commute to one with a 48km commute each way. This is half motorway and then mainly country roads. This coupled with kid taxi duties means she does nearly 650km a week (Mon to Fri) and spends around €75 a week on petrol. I do 900km a week and already have a car loan for a diesel car.
So my question is, an electric car feasible for someone with that commute and no option to charge at work, except for probably emergencies, and monthly repayments must be €300 or less? Which I assume means that the new Ioniq and new Leaf are out of reach.
David Delaney (Kells)Feb 2017 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi David,
Yes, you could just about do 48km each way in an electric car, certainly in the Ioniq and just about in the 30kWh Nissan Leaf, although it would be hugely helpful if there could be some way of charging up at work. A Renault Zoe might do the trick too.
Hyundai asks for a minimum €5,000-odd deposit on a new Ioniq, and the repayments are quite steep so that one might be out of the question, although they come down to around €360 if you can put a €10,000 deposit down. A basic Nissan Leaf, with €6,762 down, will cost you just €264 a month, which might leave enough wriggle room to go for the bigger battery, and Nissan has some tempting free insurance offers on at the moment, while Renault asks just €179 a month for a Zoe, but the battery rental is extra and it comes with some quite tight mileage stipulations.
The other, possibly better, option would be to go half-electric. Toyota can put you into a Prius or an Auris Hybrid for as little as €199 to €263 a month (again, depending on deposits etc.) or you can get the rather impressive new Kia Niro for €353 a month with a €9,000 deposit. All of those should average as much as 60mpg, which would put a big dent in your fuel costs.
Read our relevant reviews here to help you choose:
How to value a 2015 Hyundai Santa Fe?
What is the average depreciation value on a 2015 Hyundai Sante Fe basic Comfort model? How much does high mileage impact on this? 98,000 plus km.
Elaine Harrington (Newport)Feb 2017 Filed under: resale value
Expert answer
Hi Elaine,
That is high-ish mileage for a two-year old car, but if it comes with a full service history then that should soften the blow a bit. I’d say you’re looking at a trade-in value of around €27-29,000.
What are the safest cars on sale today?
What is the safest car/SUV on the Irish market today? I am particularly interested in any vehicle that provides extra protection when somebody crashes into your back.
Anthony Morris (Dub)Feb 2017 Filed under: safety
Expert answer
Hi Anthony,
According to the EuroNCAP crash test experts, the three best-performing cars tested in 2016 were the Toyota Prius, Hyundai Ioniq and Volkswagen Tiguan. That said, the NCAP crash test is a laboratory test, and its parameters can be designed in to a car's structure. Only two car makers still have teams that investigate real-world accidents involving their cars and they are Volvo and Mercedes-Benz. Generally speaking, if I'm thinking of safety above all else, those are the two brands I'd look at.
What's the best electric car right now?
Which is the best electric car in relation to performance and most importantly cost to buy and running cost?
Alma Bermingham (Dublin)Feb 2017 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi Alma,
The Nissan Leaf is the most affordable electric car, but the cheapest versions have limited range (less than 160km on a single charge). The new Renault Zoe has a brilliant claimed range of 400km, but that's quite pricey for a small car. The BMW i3 is probably the best electric car around at the moment, but is very expensive, sadly. So, I think the best one for affordability and useable range is probably the Hyundai Ioniq. It gets an easy 200km in real-world driving, it's roomy and not too expensive. Read our test drives of each below: