Should I replace by Qashqai with a Tucson?
Hi guys,
I see the Hyundai Tucson everywhere. Would it be a good replacement for my Nissan Qashqai next year? Hoping to get finance and use the Nissan as a deposit.
Thanks
Daniel Corbett (Athlone)Nov 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Daniel,
Yes, it certainly would. The Tucson hasn’t become Ireland’s best selling new car this year for nothing. It’s handsome, roomy, well-made, well-equipped and well-priced. On the flip side, it’s not especially inspiring to drive and it’s worth considering an upgrade to the 2.0-litre diesel engine as the 1.7 CRDi unit is quite underpowered. Oh, and also consider a Kia Sportage as it’s basically the same as the Hyundai, mechanically, but comes with the longer seven-year warranty. Here are a few reviews to give you more information:
Hyundai Tucson 1.7 CRDi review
Can a learner get insurance on a 1.6 diesel?
Can a learner driver get insured on a 1.6 diesel or does it have to be below a 1.4?
Liz ONeill (Donegal)Oct 2016 Filed under: insurance
Expert answer
Hi Liz,
It will depend on your insurance company, but the sad fact is that insurers in Ireland are still wrong-headedly welded to the idea that a bigger engine automatically makes you a higher insurance risk.
Best new auto diesel family car with power?
What is the best automatic diesel family car with a bit of poke in Ireland please? I will be trading in an Opel Astra 1.7 diesel saloon - 131.
Thank you.
Donal Finn (Cork)Oct 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Donal,
The best compromise of value and oomph is probably to be found somewhere in the Volkswagen Group. I'd say if you want to mix a decent 2.0 diesel engine with low emissions and an auto box try out a SEAT Leon FR, preferably in very handsome ST estate form. It makes 150hp, but has Band A4 emissions.
Is the Ford Explorer sold in Ireland?
Do you have the Ford Explorer 4x4 in Ireland?
Con Enright (Usa)Oct 2016 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Con,
No, at least not yet. Ford’s ‘One Ford’ policy on models means that there’s a faint chance the next-generation Explorer might make it to this side of the Atlantic, but for now Ford’s biggest SUV in the Irish market is the Edge.
Merc GLA, Audi A3, BMW 1 Series or new Golf?
I have just moved to Luxembourg for two years I am looking for a new car (it has to be new), 2.0-litre or close to it. Looking for a two-year lease deal or wondering about buying Mercedes-Benz GLA, Audi A3, Volkswagen Golf or 1 Series BMW. Relative to Ireland, which car is best value to buy?
Brendan McDonagh (Luxembourg)Oct 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
Well, bearing in mind we have literally no idea what the market or running costs are like in Luxembourg, we reckon that a 2.0-litre Golf sounds like the best option there, especially if funds would stretch to either a GTI or GTD.
Read our Mercedes-Benz GLA review here
Read our Audi A3 Saloon review here
Read our Volkswagen Golf GTI review here
Worth the hassle to import a car from the UK?
Is buying a new car cheaper in the UK to bring it over to Ireland? Or is not worth the hassle?
Shariq Nasim (Tuam)Sep 2016 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Shariq,
Yes, it is worth it, but it is a hassle. There are specialist car-finding agencies (such as Palmdale, for instance) who for a fee will locate and source a car for you, and they’ll even deliver it for another fee on top, and the word from them is that even on everyday models it’s now possible to make a significant saving thanks to the value of Sterling relative to the Euro. If you’re buying a premium model, or spending more than €20,000 on a car then it’s a no-brainder – you can save as much as €4-5,000 even when you’ve paid for VRT, air and ferry tickets.
How to go about selling my '65 VW Beetle?
My 1965 1,300cc Volkswagen Beetle (one of first six months of the 1300 version and so has six-volt electrics, purchased from the local Volkswagen agent as their demo model when six months old, so I am the only owner) was last on the road in 1978, driven only in and out of my garage in order to use the pit over which it is parked and was to be my retirement hobby. It is to be sold.
Lifetime mileage is 41,500 and apart from needing a brake overhaul, it could easily be put back on the road, though the original paint work looks a little ‘tired’ – it is Volkswagen sea-blue. Any idea what I could expect to get for it? And how I should go about selling it?
It is standard except for a fitted tow-bar; also, has bespoke leather seat covers made just after purchase in 1965.
Bryan Page (SANDY, BEDFORDSHIRE)Sep 2016 Filed under: classic cars
Expert answer
Hi Bryan,
It’s VERY hard to value a car like that without seeing it, but I can give you some pointers. Obviously, the originality is a big selling point, so if you’re going to get anything done to it before sale, make sure it’s done carefully and considerately. To be honest, even if the paintwork is currently a bit faded, I’d be tempted to leave it be, as originality really is everything.
As for a value, you could be looking at around the €12-15,000 mark if its rarity plays out, although many good sixties Beetles go for around €9-10,000 if restored. I think you should get in touch with the VAGE Club Ireland, the Volkswagen owners' club, and have a chat with one of their Beetle experts before you go about trying to sell it. They should be able to give you some good pointers.
Best of luck
Will the new Fiat Tipo be offered as a saloon?
Will the new Fiat Tipo be available in saloon guise in Ireland? The Fiat website lists only the hatchback and estate?
Regards Jerome
Jerome O'Connor (SANDY, BEDFORDSHIRE)Sep 2016 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Jerome,
We don’t have a definite answer for you as yet but it looks unlikely – the UK market, which doesn’t like saloons very much, isn’t as yet taking the four-door Tipo, so it’s unlikely that Fiat will invest the money to tool up for right-hand drive.
If the UK reverses that decision, then we might see the saloon here too.
What warranty for on my Volkswagen CC?
Hi, I'm going over to buy a 2013 Volkswagen CC in England at the weekend. There's 66,000 miles on it. I'm looking at buying a private warranty for it that gives me some cover when it's back in Ireland. Would you be able to recommend a private warranty company? I'm getting mixed messages about Mapfre and Carprotect.ie.
Many thanks
Eoin Kelly (Naas)Sep 2016 Filed under: warranty
Expert answer
Hi Eoin,
Mapfre and Carprotect provide decent cover, but, as always with these things, you need to make sure you read all of the small print, and we mean ALL of it, to ensure you know exactly what’s covered and what’s not and in what circumstances. Basically, rather like accident insurance, aftermarket warranties are there to cover utter disasters, not replacement of day-to-day items.
Where can I get lease prices for company cars?
Hi,
Where can I get estimates or comparisons on the lease prices for company cars? I have a monthly allowance but have no visibility on the charges quoted from our appointed multi national leasing company. I suspect I am not getting the best lease deals available from other local suppliers. The lack of transparency in the lease market seems to lend itself to the dominant position of a major multi national leasing company.
Donal Mcilroy (Dublin)Sep 2016 Filed under: finance
Expert answer
Hi Donal,
Sadly you’re right – as with so many things in Ireland, transparency in the car leasing market is rather lacking and it’s not at all easy to either get comparisons or to make sure that those are direct and fair comparisons.
There are a couple of sites such as www.autoleasing.ie which do offer some comparison ability, but they don’t cover all brands so it may not be the answer you’re looking for. My best suggestion for the moment is to sit down and have a good chat with whoever looks after your company’s leasing and see what they can do to help. They’ll be much more plugged into the market and may be better able to assist.