New Honda Civic or VW Golf?
Hi,
I'm currently looking at 1.5 petrol Honda Civic or 1.5 Volkswagen Golf. Which would be the better choice? Doing mostly motorway miles, 15,000 per year. Also which one would have more room in the back for two kids?
Thanks.
Gavin Moran (Dublin )Jun 2020 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Gavin,
In terms of roominess, there’s no contest — the Civic is the winner here, by a long chalk. Bigger in the boot, too. Actually, we really like the current edition of the Civic. In terms of exterior and interior design, the Golf is ahead, but the Civic is actually the sweeter of the two to drive, and being a Honda it will almost certainly never break. Go for the Civic.
What about LPG-converted cars and NOx?
Hi, for the NOx charges and VRT: I have a 2000 Audi A4 quattro that's fairly rare in Ireland. I'm planning to get it changed to Irish plates ASAP. The car has an LPG conversation. Would the LPG affect the NOx charges? It should have lower NOx emissions.
Stephen McCormack (Galway )May 2020 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Stephen,
If it’s a full LPG conversion — i.e. the entire petrol fuel system has been removed and replaced — then there may be some way of applying for a lower VRT rate. Revenue doesn’t currently allow for LPG in its NOx ratings, and the likelihood is that if the car is still capable of running on petrol, then it will still be charged at the normal rate.
The really tricky part is the acceptance of the figures. In theory, Revenue will only accept the NOx figure taken from the car’s original Certificate Of Conformity, which obviously won’t cover any later conversions. I think the first thing to do is to get every scrap of papwerwork relating to the LPG conversion, and then have a long chat with your local motor tax office.
Should I change my Kia Ceed?
I have a 2007 Kia Ceed 1.4 petrol with 250,000km on clock. It has been great and reliable. Thinking about time to change. Daily mileage to and from work 60km. Thinking of Kia Rio diesel or petrol, new or second hand 2016-18. Any thoughts or advice or maybe hold on to Ceed until the end of its life?
Laurie Healy (Dublin)May 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Laurie,
Well, keeping an old car going is often the cheaper solution, but obviously we can understand the desire for something a little newer. The Rio is a decent choice — reliable and economical — but to be honest it’s a bit of a bland machine. I think you’d be better by far simply upgrading to a newer Kia Ceed. The second-generation model, launched in 2012, feels really sophisticated and is actually very good to drive. With your 60km daily mileage, it would probably be worth looking for another petrol version, rather than going for a diesel.
Which engine is cheaper to tax?
Which to go for: 1.2 petrol or 1.6 diesel car same year 151 or 152 reg plate? How can the government know emissions of above engines? Which engine is cheaper to tax?
Thanks
Mark Leahy
Crossbarry, Cork
Mark Leahy (Cork)May 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Mark,
The government knows the emissions of each vehicle simply because each vehicle is put through a series of official laboratory tests as part of the process of homologation — the legal process whereby a car is pronounced as passed for sale to the public - and that data is made available by the car manufacturers. As for which is cheaper to tax, it’s down to the CO2 emissions and we’d have to know which make and models you’re looking at before we could give you a precise answer, but in most cases, for a given car, the diesel would have lower CO2 emissions and hence motor tax.
Looking for used automatic car...
Hi, I am looking for a used automatic hatchback petrol car for my wife. She's a learner and would prefer a small automatic hatchback. Would you mind helping me to find the best automatic car from year 2015 to 2017? We went through your reviews and made a list of cars thatsuits our needs. They are Hyundai i10, Skoda Citigo, Kia Picanto, Toyota Yaris, SEAT Ibiza, SEAT Mii, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 108 and Renault Clio etc. I was wondering if you could suggest me the best option?
Nithin Mathew (New Ross, Wexford)Apr 2020 Filed under: automatic
Expert answer
Hi Nithin,
You’re kind of shopping in two separate segments of the market, there — small city cars (such as the Up and the i10) and larger superminis (such as the Yaris and Clio). If it’s one of the small ones you want, then the decision is kind of made for you. The Up is one of our favourites, but there’s no automatic option, so the Hyundai it has to be. No bad thing — it’s an excellent car.
If you fancy something a little larger and roomier, then I’d suggest going for the Toyota Yaris Hybrid — it gets you the automatic transmission you want, plus you’re future-proofing yourself a little with the hybrid powertrain.
Should I buy a new diesel Audi?
Changing my car at the end of the year. Going for an Audi. Petrol or diesel? Worried about diesel resale values in three years or so.
Shane Russell (Dublin)Mar 2020 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Shane,
I’m afraid this is a bit like asking us how long a piece of string might be… Especially given the current coronavirus crisis. It’s simply impossible for us to tell quite where the car market is going to go in the next while. Broadly speaking, we are moving steadily towards an electric future, and so — yes — diesel values will be under pressure in the coming years. That said, the current crisis might push the market back a little, and it’s possible that for the next little while, people might be more keen to go with something familiar, rather than taking risks on new tech.
Given all of that, and given that you’re looking at a three-year timeline, I think you’d be OK buying a diesel, especially in a premium model like an Audi. While it’s certainly possible that values may not hold up quite as strongly as they have done, it should still be solid enough, and of course you can insulate yourself — to an extent — by buying on a PCP plan with a guaranteed minimum future value.
Diesel Avensis or petrol Corolla?
Hi there,
I’ve had a 1.4 petrol, three-door 2000 Toyota Corolla for years, but I need to change it and I’m looking at a 1.4 petrol five-door 2010 Toyota Corolla or a 2.0 diesel five-door 2011 Toyota Avensis. They're similar mileage with the Avensis slightly more expensive, but the tax is more on the Corolla. I don’t do a lot of mileage but my husband commutes and could take my car occasionally.
Denise Murphy (Rhode)Mar 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Denise,
If you’re not doing big miles every week, then the diesel Avensis just makes no sense (other than the fact that it’s a bit bigger and comfier than the Corolla). With relatively low mileage you’re much better off with a petrol engine, and besides — even if your husband is using it occasionally for longer runs — that Toyota 1.4 engine is very economical so I think the Corolla is the best choice here.
How much is my tax as a disabled driver?
We are hoping to move to Southern Ireland. I have a disabled blue badge and wondered how much my motor tax would be.
Lynn Evans (Alderholt,)Mar 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Lynn,
There are actually a huge number of tax breaks for disabled drivers in Ireland, including exemption from paying Vehicle Registration Tax and VAT on new cars or imports, plus a repayment of any VAT spent on converting or adapting a vehicle to your needs. You’ll need to be able to provide a Primary Medical Certificate, which you may need to wait until you’ve moved here to get, as it’ll have to come from your local Health Service Executive (HSE) office - although it’s possible that a UK cert would also be acceptable.
You can claim back the VRT and VAT on a new vehicle of up to 6,000cc engine capacity, and there’s also a fuel grant of 60c per litre for petrol, and 49c per litre for diesel, which can be reclaimed at the end of each year (up to a maximum of 2,370 litres). You’ll also be exempt from annual road tax, and you can find out more on all of this by getting in touch with your local Motor Tax office.
Which nearly-new crossover to get?
I am in the market for a compact SUV (small town SUV). My 17-year-old daughter wants to learn to drive in it also so I need a manual. I think a 1.0- or 1.2-litre petrol engine would be the sort of thing. I've driven a Captur, Juke, T-Cross, Kona, Crossland X, ix20 and a Toyota C-HR. The Toyota drove really well but it's pricier and longer. What would you recommend as a 2017/2018 vehicle based on drive and value for money and a learner driver?
Anne Marie O'Byrne (Wexford)Mar 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Anne Marie.
Well, normally for a learner driver and for mostly in-town driving, we’d recommend a hatchback, rather than an SUV or crossover, but if your heart is set on one… Of the list you’ve given us below, the Toyota is the best, although arguably as a 1.2-litre petrol, you’re not getting the best C-HR (which is the hybrid, but then that’s an automatic). The Volkswagen T-Cross would be an excellent choice, has a brilliant little 1.0-litre engine and is a bit more upright and square than the others, so is a bit easier to see out of, which might be helpful for your daughter while she’s learning. The Kona would also be an excellent choice, but we’d also add the Suzuki Vitara to your list as its a solid and rugged choice - and hugely reliable.
Read our Renault Captur reviews
Read our Volkswagen T-Cross reviews
Hyundai i30 or Opel Astra?
Hi,
I'm looking at buying a diesel 131 Hyundai i30, but also have my eye on a diesel 162 Opel Astra; which car would I be better off buying?
Maria Coen (Tipperary)Feb 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Maria,
Both are very good. We’d rate the Hyundai for its reliability, neat styling and roomy cabin, and the Astra for its peachy chassis and steering. Worth considering the turbocharged petrol versions of both, too, as they make more sense overall than diesel, unless you’re doing mega-miles every week.