How much is my Hyundai Santa Fe worth?
How much is a 2005 Hyundai Santa Fe GLS petrol with 75,000 kilometres on the clock worth on a trade-in against a 2008 Opel Zafira 1.6 petrol - or I should say cost to change!
Thanks!
James Brady (Clonsilla)Apr 2012 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi James,
Come back to us with the asking price of that Opel if you want a more precise answer, but your Hyundai is worth in the region of €4,500. A trader may offer a good deal less however.
Let us know how you get on.
How much is the tax for a 2007 Opel Astra?
How much to tax a 2007 Opel Astra 1.9 CDTi for a year?
Mel Ward (Dublin)Mar 2012 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Mel,
As that car was registered pre-2008 its tax is based on engine size. For engines sized between 1,901 and 2,000cc the price is currently €660 per year. That change in January of this year following the Budget.
Hope that helps
What small automatic hatchback has a big boot?
I am buying a small automatic hatchback between 2004 to 2008, with a 1.4-litre or smaller engine. This car will be doing low mileage but a good boot that is easy to load is a must.
What do you recommend?
Eamonn McAndrew (Mayo)Mar 2012 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Eamonn,
Come back to us with your budget, but cars to consider include the Citroen C3, Ford Fiesta, perhaps the Ford Fusion, Honda Jazz, Mazda2 (also called the Demio as an import), Nissan Micra (called the March as an import), Opel Corsa, SEAT Ibiza, Suzuki Swift, Toyota Yaris and the Volkswagen Polo.
That's a long list, I know! It really depends on your budget. Our pick of all that lot would be the Honda Jazz given your requirement for a big boot that's easy to access.
Hope that helps.
Passat or Insignia? Help!
Hi guys
Very close to changing, but caught between 2010 Volkswagen Passat Highline with the 1.6 TDI engine or a very good price on a 2009 Opel Insignia 2.0 diesel CTDi. I have seen your review of the Insignia regards a creeking plastic interior. The Insignia is the better looking car but would Passat be better overall?
Michael Mulvey (Ashbourne)Feb 2012 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
It sounds like this choice is down to personal opinion. The Passat has a better reputation for reliability, though the Insignia is not too shabby on that front. The creaking interiors affected early cars and you should be able to quickly check for it on a test drive.
We agree that the Insignia is a better looking car, though the Passat Highline has a great specification. Countering all that the Insignia's 2.0-litre engine is more powerful, if louder and less refined.
In summary, we'd probably go for the Passat, but regret it every time we see a good Insignia!
Best of luck - let us know how you get on.
What's a normal price for a 2007 Opel Astra?
What would be the normal price for a 2007 Opel Astra diesel?
Lukas Sabaliauskas (Ballybay Co.monaghan)Feb 2012 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Lukas,
There are many different models of diesel Opel Astra, even for 2007. There were 1.3-, 1.7- and 1.9-litre CDTi engines that year, plus three-door GTC hatch, five-door hatchback and estate. Not to mention different mileages and trim levels.
The latest selection from Carzone.ie suggest a price variation of between €5,000 and €11,000.
Let us know specifics if you'd like us to help some more.
How much is my Opel Zafira worth?
How much is my 2002 Opel Zafira worth as a trade in against another car? It's petrol and has 135,000 miles on the clock.
Denis Horgan (Limerick)Feb 2012 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Denis,
There's no simple answer to such questions. It will depend on the condition of your car, how much the seller of your next car wants the sale, whether it's the 1.6 or 1.8, etc. From a dealer's perspective that's quite high mileage, certainly in comparison to a lot of examples of the 2002 Zafira on sale. You may be offered as little as €1,500, though you could hope for a little more than €2,000 if you're lucky.
Let us know how you get on.
Can you help me find an automatic car for my mother?
Guys,
Can you recommend a good used (1-2 year0old) small/medium car for my mother? Must be automatic transmission. Currently has an 08 Opel Corsa with an auto box so jerky it'd introduce your forehead to the steering wheel at every change-up. She's in the 60+ age group, but good competent driver. Low tax a priority, performance not an important criteria. Comfortable entry/exit a must and seating not too low due to arthritis - comfort a big factor too.
Any recommendations?
Barry Delaney (Dublin)Jan 2012 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Barry,
Thanks for confirming via email that the total budget including trade-in is about €15,000.
One car that immediately comes to mind is the Honda Jazz. They're utterly reliable, easy to drive and park and are available with a decent enough CVT (continuously variable transmission) automatic gearbox. Here's an example on Carzone.ie. Emissions are in Band B so annual road tax is €225. The seating position is more upright in the Jazz than in most small cars so it's easier to get in and out of.
Another option is the Nissan Note. The automatic version's engine is 1.6-litre in size so emissions are higher, putting it into Band D for tax - costing €481 per annum. Otherwise it compares well with the Jazz, with easy access and good reliability in a compact package. Here's an example on Carzone.ie.
The Nissan Qashqai may also fit the bill, though it's a larger car overall, which I suspect is not what you're looking for.
If you need help narrowing the search down further come back to us - and let us know what you go for.
Is the insurer valuing my Opel Corsa correctly?
Hi, I wonder can you help. I need to renew my car insurance and they have the value of my car at €14,000. It is a 2007 Opel Corsa Club with about 34,000 kilometres on the clock. Any idea what the value should be at this stage? It might bring down the insurance. Worth a try!
Thanks
David Phelan (Dublin 17)Jan 2012 Filed under: insurance
Expert answer
Hi David,
Your car is worth closer to €8,000. That might make a difference to the insurance, but don't be tempted to say it's worth less than it is.
Good luck and let us know how you get on
Is Volvo servicing expensive?
Hi, am I being ripped off on my Volvo servicing? I was quoted €229 for 20,000 service, €259 for 40,000 service, €360 for 60,000 service. The first is for oil, oil filter and fluid top-ups; 40,000km service includes oil, oil filter, pollen filter and fluid top-ups, plus Volvo wipers were €48. Servicing for other cars I've owned (VW, Ford and Opel) was nearly €100 cheaper. I am sorry I bought a Volvo now.
Jimmy Dillon (Swords, Dublin)Dec 2011 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Jimmy,
We've done some ringing around for you based on extra information you provided us with (2010 Volvo S40 1.6 diesel). First of all, you can't do anything about different brands charging different amounts; that's a fact of life. We talked to several Volvo dealers around the country to compare pricing and they all quote similar amounts to the numbers you gave us. It seems expensive for the first service for sure, but at least you know it's standard across the network.
While we didn't ring every dealer in Ireland, we did get a quote from Bandon Motors (www.bandonmotors.com) that was much cheaper for the first service - though the same after that. Best bet is to ring all the Volvo dealers you are within easy driving distance of.
Of course, failing all that you could take the car to a non-Volvo garage, but I'm guessing you'd like the main dealer stamp in your service history.
Let us know how you get on.
Where is the oil leak coming from in my Opel Astra?
Hi lads. I have a 2005 Opel Astra four-door saloon. there is a lot of oil leaking from what looks like a plastic valve about two inches in length at the front of the engine. It leaks when driving. Looking into the engine on the left side above the alternator. What is it called and what does it do?
Thanks a mill, Michael
Michael Maguire (Duleek)Dec 2011 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
That sounds like the oil light switch to us. It monitors the oil pressure in the engine and switches on the oil light in the dashboard if it drops too low. It's quite common for them to develop leaks and they're relatively cheap to replace.
Hope that helps.