Expert answer

Hi David, 

There is very little to choose between these two, as you have already alluded to, but for me the Peugeot would be the better buy because the interior feels better quality and it is likely to hold its value a fraction better on past evidence. You might get a better price on the C4 though, so don't rule it out. Try them both out for size, but I think the Peugeot should get the nod. 

Expert answer

Hi Steve,

A fair degree depends on your mileage and how much you are prepared to pay per year in motor tax. Bearing in mind that you will be getting an older car, the motor tax can be pricier, but that is just a fact of life. If you want to carry lots of people and stuff then a diesel will be a better choice in an estate because there is more torque but it isn't essential. 

If you weren't afraid of the odd bill, then a BMW 320D Estate would be a super car. I've owned one and they are great, but get expensive the older they get. 

I'd be very tempted by this Nissan X-Trail which has low mileage, is diesel and would be great for the family. 

This Peugeot 407 SW is superb value and lots of car for the money. 

I think out of that lot, I'd probably have the Focus though. 

I hope this helps! 

I'd say something like a 2005 Ford Focus 1.6 Diesel Estate would be a good place to start - something like this one as it would be cheap to run and spacious as well as good to drive too. 

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Hi Annemarie, 

We would always say look at the cost to change, but I'd expect that you will be offered around €5,000 for your C-Max, which might translate into €6,000 against a new Peugeot 5008. The 5008 is a good choice too, you can read our review of it here. 

Expert answer

Hi Eoin,

I'm glad you like the site. Firstly, let me congratulate you on choosing a nice car. I had a Golf Edition R recently and it was a really lovely car. The spec is really good on that car and you seem to have chosen a nice few options on the car. 

There are a couple of things that you mention there and it is tricky to answer them. Volkswagen are unlikely to announce anything from their dealer conference until after their dealer conference. I'm not sure where you get your intelligence but we can certainly investigate. In terms of your deal, the usual advice applies - you need to focus on the cost to change and not how much your own car is worth, which you appear to be doing and given that you aren't changing your car until January it can be difficult for the car dealers to price your trade-in. My advice to you would be to put down your deposit, arrange your deal and make sure that your terms are agreed. If there is any change which would favour you then you can renegotiate, but at least if it turns out to be as you suspect, then at least you will have secured the best possible rate. 

The other bit of advice I would give, is if your trade-in came from say, a Peugeot dealer, then go back to the Peugeot dealer and offer him the deal. Most dealers can buy in the car you want and they might offer you a better deal on your trade-in. That would be worth a try. 

I hope this helps. Feel free to come back to us if you need more help, we are always here!!

Expert answer

Hi Padraig,

We asked Peugeot Ireland about this and they told us - "For this vehicle with a 2 litre diesel engine we recommend 80000 km or 5 years with ever comes first."

Aside from that make sure to check on the diesel particulate filter. 

I hope this helps

Expert answer

Hi Jim.

There really is little to choose between these three models to be honest so without sitting on the fence entirely I would say that you should drive all three to see which one you like best. Out of the three, personally speaking I would probably have the ix35, just because it offers super value for money. They are hard to come by at the moment however, while you will get the Qashqai and 3008 pretty readily. If you do get the 3008, go for the top spec SV. Really you have mentioned three of the best compact SUVs around so you can't really go wrong with any of them. I'd have the Hyundai though.

Expert answer

Hi Sean,

Out of the three cars here, by far the best value under scrappage is the Hyundai i30. You could have a petrol model for as little as €13,995. The diesel is €15,495, which is quite a bit more. If your annual mileage is small then you should perhaps save some money and buy the petrol model. I know everyone buys diesel cars these days but the petrol alternative will only cost you €52 more than the diesel each year to tax and if your mileage is low then you wouldn't see much of a saving on fuel in the diesel car anyway.

The Peugeot 308 is comfortable and good on fuel.

If you are planning on changing the new car quite soon, then the Focus will be worth the most money as a trade-in, but I think the Hyundai would be the best buy in this case for you.

I hope this helps.

Expert answer

Hi Gerry,

As the Peugeot 508 is brand new there is no way to gauge how reliable it will be. Its predecessor, the 407 saloon, suffered from relatively minor niggles all its life, but first impressions suggest the 508 is of higher quality. The Passat CC, though sold in smaller numbers than the four-door saloon version, has an exemplary reliability record.

In terms of fuel economy and emissions, the 2.0-litre HDi versions of the Peugeot 508 saloon with a manual gearbox emit 125g/km (Band B) and use 4.8 litres/100km (58.9mpg) on the combined cycle. The 1.6-litre HDi models are more efficient, though slower obviously.

In comparison, the VW Passat CC 2.0 TDI (with a manual gearbox again) uses 4.7 litres/100km (60.1mpg) and emits the same 125g/km, so there's virtually nothing to choose between them.

Hope that helps.

Expert answer

Hi David,

I see that Autodirect do have a 2007 Opel Meriva for €6,495 and yes it is a good little family car for the money. It is a small MPV, so even though it has a high roof, the cabin isn't that massive. I am wondering whether it might be more prudent, given that those twin babies will grow, to look at something a little larger that wouldn't cost the earth to run.

For the same price as that Meriva, you could have a 2007 Citroen Picasso with tiny mileage. This is a much bigger vehicle and it's a great MPV. Go a year older and you could have the infinitely more useful Opel Zafira for similar money. Something like a Peugeot 307 SW offers lots of space and comfort too, as well as good value.

Anyway, I am not answering your question. AutoDirect is very good to deal with and has established a very strong reputation, so it would get our seal of approval. The Opel Meriva will be a decent buy too.

Anyway, come back to us if you need more help!

Expert answer

Hello Ailis,

Well for a start you have forgotten about the new Mazda5, which could be right up your street and it comes in €2,000 less than the Ford C-Max . It is a really impressive car and has a 1.6-litre diesel engine, which is frugal and puts it into Motor Tax Band B. It isn't quite as engaging as the C-Max to drive but it is well equipped and feels like a very high quality product. Here it is:

€24,995 will get you the entry-point into the Mazda5 and we think it is a really good car and would seem to suit your needs. 

While it doesn't have sliding doors, you simply must try the Peugeot 5008 because it is so good. Click on the link to read our full review. That would make a great buy.

With regards to the Ford Grand C-Max you need €26,995 to get into the 1.6-litre Activ model. 

Out of all of these, Ailis, I think you should really consider the Mazda5.

Hope that helps!