Expert answer

Hi Dermot,

That’s kind of an open-ended question because it depends hugely on whether you want to get into a PCP deal (which effectively makes you come back in three years’ time to trade in for a new car), an old fashioned hire-purchase agreement (which doesn’t, but is more expensive per month than the PCP), or whether you want to go with a bank or credit union loan. It also depends on your own circumstances and, substantially, on the car you’re looking at buying.

As an example, Volkswagen is currently offering 3.9 per cent APR interest on a  PCP deal on a new Polo hatchback, but just 0.9 per cent on the larger Tiguan, Golf and Passat. Or even 0 per cent on the Jetta. Alternatively, you can get a very sharp 0 per cent Hire Purchase deal on a new Kia cee’d, which is an excellent car for not a lot of money.

To be honest, almost every car maker is currently offering some pretty decent deals, so it comes down to what you want and what you can afford. Come back to us with more detail and we'd be happy to help.

Read our guide to Different Car Finance Options in Ireland

Expert answer

Hi Noreen,

We spoke to Opel Ireland and this is the official line: "Overall sales of the Mokka have exceeded our expectations in terms of supply during the launch period. We expect the supply of Mokka to return to normal by the last quarter of this year."

I've passed the contact details on to you.

Expert answer

Hi Ben,

The only way to look at this like-for-like at the moment is the compare the Superb (pre-facelift that goes on sale next month) and the new Octavia, both with 2.0 TDI 140 engines. The DSG option costs €4,865 in the Superb and just €2,300 in the Octavia and it should be the same six-speed unit in each.

However, adding a DSG transmission to that Superb moves it from tax Band B1 to Band C, or, more pertinently, from a situation where the car is subject to 18 per cent VRT to one where it attracts 23 per cent VRT. In comparison, the Octavia moves from Band A3 to A4, adding a single per cent increase in VRT (rising from 17- to 18 per cent).

Nonetheless, we did a quick calculation to get the prices before VRT of each car and subtract the manual price from the DSG and it still works out that Skoda charges considerably more for the DSG transmission.

We contacted Skoda Ireland and it agreed and has changed this in the new Superb. Here's the official response:

"The Superb DSG premium on average was €4,300; this will be reduced to €3,000 with the introduction of the Superb facelift in July. This represents a customer saving of €1,300 compared to the outgoing model. This is a slightly higher premium than the Octavia model; however, it is not as simple as pricing the transmission as a single unit and then applying it to the various models. There are many factors taken into consideration when pricing vehicles as a whole. Previously the Superb DSG was a big seller for Skoda. With improved prices we are confident we will see even more customer moving to DSG from manual transmission."

Expert answer

Hi Martin,

Ford is due to update the Mondeo next year, in line with the facelift given to the (all-but identical) Ford Fusion model in the US last year. It won’t be a massive change, but there will be things such as tweaked lights, some new colours and options, the latest SYNC3 infotainment system and some interior upgrades to try and boost the cabin quality.

The 1.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine will be upgraded to 140hp, while the 1.5-litre EcoBoost (possibly the best engine option for the Mondeo, overall) will see a boost to 180hp. It’s just possible that Ford may introduce an ST version too, using the 2.7-litre turbocharged V6 engine from the US Fusion.

As for an all new model, that’s probably at least four years away at the moment.

Expert answer

Hi Carl,

To the end of May this year it's the Volkswagen Golf, ahead of the Nissan Qashqai and Ford Focus. It was the same top three for 2012, though the Focus was first and the Golf third.

Hope that's of interest

Expert answer

Hi Alan,

The Sport only has minor trim differences on the Passat — it’s not a separate model, just a slightly sportier-looking body kit and some extra equipment on the inside. Essentially, there’s no difference at all.

Expert answer

Hi F D,

SEAT Ireland tells us that it'll be here this summer. Did you see our first drive of the SEAT Leon SC?

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Hi Peadar,

Dacia Ireland told us it has no plans to introduce a seven-seat model to the Irish market at this stage.

Hope that helps

Expert answer

Hi Patrick,

Renault Ireland tells us that we should be able to test one in July, so that's likely to coincide with the cars arriving in dealers as well. We'll be at the international launch of the car this week.

In case you missed our earlier news item here it is: Stylish new Renault SUV on the way

Expert answer

Hi Cathy,

The Eos is a nice car, right enough, but a bit thin on the ground here in Ireland. You may need to widen your search to the UK if you're going to find one you like.

That budget should give you a pretty good spread of possible purchases though. How about a BMW 318Ci convertible? Classy, practical and cool, we found one on Carzone.ie for €12,950. If you fancy something a bit smaller, there are a few MINI Cooper Convertibles knocking around at similar money. The MINI is not as practical as the Peugeot 207 CC you've suggested, but it is more fun to drive. Then again, the 207 does have that desirable folding steel roof.

But if you're really sold on the Eos, Karmann Volkswagen dealers in Dublin, on the Naas road, currently have one up for €12,950 with the 1.6 FSI petrol engine. Snap it up if you want it...

Let us know how you get on