How much on trade-in for my VW Golf?
How much can I get for trade-in of a five-door 2000 VW Golf, 1.4 petrol, 115,000 miles, NCT expires in May? Great car, just too small for the family. They're selling online for €1,500-€2,000, but I want to trade in. How much can I expect to get for a Golf?
Thanks!
Louise ByrneMar 2013 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Louise,
There are a number of scrappage schemes around, so depending on what you’re trading in against, that could be boosted up to as much as €4,500.
What's a good medium, auto SUV?
What's a good small/medium size SUV that has reasonable tax and fuel consumption, but is also automatic? It's for my wife so not a Nissan Qashqai, too common; Kia Sportage, build quality not too hot; and VW Touran is just too boring.
Any suggestions welcome, but has to be auto.
Eoin Heaney (Ennis)Mar 2013 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Eoin,
Have you tried the new Peugeot 3008? Great-looking, good to drive and comes with an (optional) six-speed auto. The 1.2-litre 130hp petrol turbo engine is the one to go for. Alternatively, you could try and grab a run-out Skoda Yeti (always one of our favourites and built like a tank), or have a look at the Toyota C-HR Hybrid, which is striking to look at and really good to drive. Here are our relevant reviews:
Should I go for a Skoda to replace my Golf?
I currently drive a 2009 Volkswagen Golf and am looking for something a bit bigger. I'm six-foot five and my problem is that, with the driver's seat in the correct position for me, you cannot fit our rear facing baby seat, or the first forward facing seat behind me. The only option is to place them on the passenger side, which leaves my older daughter sitting behind me, with her knees in my back, resulting in pins and needles for her and and an uncomfortable drive for me. The other issue is that the frame of the buggy takes up all the boot space, leaving no space for the weekly shop, or for luggage etc. I know the Skoda Superb has miles of leg room, and boot space but are there any other cars I should be looking at? I have always driven diesel and would prefer to stick with it, so I think 2009 would be best in terms of tax and getting two years before the next NCT. A lot of the Skodas on Carzone.ie seem to have huge mileage; what would you consider excessive for a 2009 car?
John Maher (Ennis)Mar 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
The Skoda Superb or Octavia would have been our first suggestions. The Octavia hasn't quite as much rear legroom as the Superb, but it's still better than the Golf's - and the boot is huge. High mileages on diesel Skodas are nothing to worry about so long as it has a proper service history and is in good order. Taxi drivers regularly do hundreds of thousands of kilometres. Avoid high mileage DSG automatic gearboxes, but otherwise they are really robust. So long as the history and price are good I'd not worry about buying one with over 150,000 kilometres on the clock.
One last thing to consider: if you do less than 20,000 kilometres a year a petrol car may suit you better. They're generally cheaper to buy and better suited to low mileage use. They're also quieter!
Hope that helps, but do come back to us if you need more assistance and have a budget in mind so we can narrow down the search for you.
What's the Peugeot 207CC like?
Are there any common problems with the Peugeot 207CC? Do they have a timing belt or chain? What is mileage like to be?
Dolores Lunders (Dublin 15)Mar 2013 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Dolores,
They’re pretty shoddy, to be honest. The alternators are troublesome, as are turbos on both petrol and diesel models. Head gasket trouble is common, and the timing chain on the 1.6 petrol needs regular checking. Electrical problems are common and the roof mechanism on the CC model is spectacularly unreliable, often getting stuck half open or closed. The timing belt/chain question rather depends on which engine you’re talking about, but economy will work out at around 35mpg for the petrol models, or 45-50mpg for a diesel.
Need a mid-sized saloon for up to €9,000.
My wife and I are looking for a second hand saloon, mid-size (1.5 to 1.8-litre), primarily for her use, with a budget of maybe €8,000 to €9,000. Possibilites we've spotted include a 2008 Mazda6, a 2008 Toyota Avensis and a 2007 Skoda Octavia. The car would be doing 15,000 to 18,000 miles per year, so we're trying to find something that doesn't have excessively high mileage already. Might be a tall order, but any advice on the ones I've mentioned, or are there any suggestions on any other makes and models that might fit the bill?
Many thanks.
Colm Lambert (Wexford)Mar 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Colm,
Of the ones you’ve suggested, I’d say that the Octavia is the best bet, not least because a Mazda6 or Toyota Avenisis with a 1.8-litre engine is going to be at the very bottom of the range. Your budget should get you an Octavia with the 1.2 TSI turbo petrol engine (which is actually a better choice than a naturally aspirated 1.6 or 1.8) and probably with a 131 numberplate.
Yes, you might have to swallow a high-is mileage, but as long as you get one with a full service history, that shouldn’t be a major issue as the Octavia is a reliable car. Other models worth considering are the Toyota Corolla, VW Jetta, SEAT Exeo (if you can find one) and Honda Civic.
Value of my 2004 Volvo XC90 AWD?
Hi, what's the market value of a 2004 Volvo XC90 2.5T AWD (petrol)? The car is in good overall condition with all the bells and whistles. It's a seven-seater with 160,000km on it. What could I look to get from the dealer in terms of trade-in value (presuming some dealer wants a huge petrol in their stock)?
Piotr Berlowski (Dublin)Mar 2013 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Piotr,
The XC90 is perennially popular, but as you say this one has a big petrol engine (normally a no-no) and it’s a 14-year-old car now. I’d say it would be worth about €2,000 on a trade-in. Maybe a little more if the dealer has someone looking for something similar.
Mazda6 diesel or petrol Megane?
I am looking at buying a used car. I travel up and down to Drogheda from Dublin each day for work. Would a 2.0-litre diesel be more efficient than a 1.6 petrol? They are both 2007, diesel is a Mazda6 and the 1.6 is a Megane.
Jon Stout (Drogheda)Mar 2013 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Jon,
So, your average mileage is going to be around 25,000km per year. That’s just on the cusp of needing a diesel, so I’d suggest going for the Mazda in this case, as it will be much more efficient at that kind of journey, and the constant long motorway runs will keep the particulate filter in good order. Plus, the Mazda will likely be more reliable than the Megane in the long run.
How economical is the Toyota RAV4?
How economical is a 2003-2005 Toyota RAV4? I need a family car that is roomy and good for long journeys, but also driving around Dublin for school runs etc.
Helen Macmahon (Dublin)Expert answer
Hi Helen,
An old RAV4 will be pretty thirsty, to be honest. Official fuel economy for the 1.8 petrol model, from 2004, was 38mpg, and around town I’d expect it to do not much better than 28mpg. The 2.0 diesel version is only 1mpg better off on the official figures, so don’t expect miracles from one of those either.
Do I change the Mercedes E 200's chain?
When is the timing chain supposed to be changed on a Mercedes-Benz E 200 1.8 petrol? It's a 2003 model with 100,000 miles on the clock.
Garry Crowe (Limerick)Feb 2013 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Garry,
Timing chains don't come with a scheduled change, as they are designed to last the life of the car so long as the engine is well-maintained.
Timing belt or chain for Peugeot 407?
Peugeot 407: timing belt or chain?
Harry JD Tate (Limerick)Feb 2013 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Harry,
All petrol and diesel engines fitted to the Peugeot 407 use timing belts, though the change interval varies between engine and model year.