Where can I find a Laguna Coupe Monaco GP?
I own a 2008 Renault Laguna Privilege and am thinking of changing for a Laguna Coupé Monaco GP Edition. They are very hard to source and not sure if were ever even available here in the Republic. Would you know how to source them?
David Ansboro (Roscommon)Nov 2016 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi David,
The Renault Laguna Coupe was indeed a very small-selling car in Ireland. Being launched into the teeth of a recession didn’t help, and nor did being a big, expensive French car to be honest. We can only find four on sale in Ireland at the moment, and none of those are the Monaco GP Edition. I think a trip to the UK might be your best bet…
Why is the Toyota Corolla not sold in the UK?
I am curious to know why the Toyota Corolla is not sold in the UK or does it have another name?
Frank Dodd (Dublin)Oct 2016 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi F D,
It's simply because the UK market generally doesn't like compact four -door saloons. It's much more of a hatchback and estate market, so Toyota hasn't sold the Corolla in the UK since the Auris came along. It's the same reason you won't find a Renault Fluence or an Astra Saloon on sale there either.
SEAT Toledo, Skoda Rapid or Renault Fluence?
Trading up from a 2006 Nissan Note to 131-132 Skoda Rapid, SEAT Toledo or Renault Fluence: open to suggestions on which is best choice.
Seamus Neville (Waterford)Jul 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Seamus,
The Skoda and SEAT are basically the same car with different badges. Neither are especially sophisticated, but they're roomy and pleasant to drive and very affordable. Personally I prefer the hatchback versions, but that's just me. Both are preferable to the Fluence, which has never been a very satisfying car and which is about to be replaced by a new saloon version of the Renault Megane.
Relevant reviews:
I'm tempted by a new MPV for under €30,000.
Hi guys,
I am looking to replace my Renault Scenic automatic (06). I do about 10,000 miles a year. I know I am probably going to get a very low trade in for a car this age... Do I buy a new car and get a decent €3,000 or €3,500 trade in allowance? (If it's new it needs to be under €30,000) Or do I buy a second hand car?
Ideally I would like a seven-seater (I wouldn't rule out a five-seater just yet). If it is used I do not want anything older than 2013. the most important factor is reliability, as this next car needs to do me at least 10 years, and be very economical (in terms of fuel consumption and tax). It needs to be a manual car, too - I have an automatic at the moment, but I want to revert back to a manual transmission.
I am looking at the Ford Grand C-Max or the Toyota Verso. Which of these is more reliable? Should I be looking at anything else (not French ideally; I will not buy any other French car I think - I have owned three and had nothing but trouble)? I am also tempted to get a hybrid but for a people carrier does it even exist and what type of cost?
Thanks
Lurdes Power (Greater Dublin Area)Jul 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Lurdes,
OK, lots to deal with here. Let’s go through it piece by piece. Theoretically, you will always get better value buying second hand than buying new. 'Buy at three, sell at five' (years old) is the rule of thumb to maximise your value and minimise your exposure to depreciation. But, you’ve been burned in the past by unreliable cars (been there, I feel your pain) so I would say that buying new is actually the best thing for you this time around, especially as you want to hold on to the car for an extended period.
Of the two cars you’ve mentioned, the Toyota Verso should be the most reliable. Nothing much wrong with the Ford, but if reliability is your priority then always buy Japanese. Happily, a manual 1.6 diesel Verso seven-seater is just inside your budget, at €29,100 and there is currently a €3,000 trade-in offer on that model, which means you’ll get a lot more for your old Scenic than you would if you traded it in normally.
There is only one hybrid people carrier so far, and that’s the Toyota Prius+, but to be honest, we couldn’t recommend it. For a start, a new one will bust through your €30k budget barrier, but beyond that it’s a disappointing car – far too thirsty unless all of your mileage is done in town at low speeds. The Verso is a far more versatile car.
What's happening with the Mk8 Golf?
Hi,
You mention in the Renault Megane article that an 'all new Golf debuts later this year.' Do you have any more details please as to whether this is a facelifted MK7 or will it be a Mk8?
Martin Smith (Dublin)Jul 2016 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
It'll be more of a thorough facelift, but Volkswagen may well decide to break out the Mk8 badges. Expect to see a major interior update with a big central touch screen (with gesture control) and some new and updated engines - including, possibly, a new family of 1.5 TDI three-cylinder diesels.
Does the Renault Fluence have an alarm etc?
Is there an alarm or immobilis er on a 2012 Renault Fluence as standard?
Malcolm Gallacher (Wexford)Jun 2016 Filed under: car alarm
Expert answer
Hi Malcolm,
It should have both, as part of the standard Renault Anti Intrusion Device (RAID) system.
Does the 2011 Renault Megane use AdBlue?
Does the 2011 Renault Megane diesel engine use AdBlue?
Thanks
Jason Lynch (Navan )Jun 2016 Filed under: diesel
Expert answer
Hi Jason,
No. Renault is still in the process of rolling out AdBlue, or Selective Catalytic Reduction, injection to its 1.5 and 1.6 diesel engines.
What'll I buy as my first car, for €10,000?
Hi folks,
I'll be buying my first car in a few weeks. Ideally I'd like to find something under €10,000. Just something reliable to get me to and from work, preferably in a low tax band and will keep insurance costs as low as possible (22-year old male). Any advice?
Also, if I'm paying in cash can I expect to get a discount on the asking price in a dealership? If so, roughly what percentage could I hope for?
Thanks in advance, Rob
Rob Henry (Dublin)May 2016 Filed under: learner
Expert answer
Hi Rob,
Well, as far as discounts go, most dealers operate on about an eight per cent margin, so if you're asking for more than a seven per cent discount you're asking for a below cost price. You should get a decent discount for cash right enough, but explore the credit options too - dealers often get bonuses for selling a credit plan so if you can get a good one (at zero per cent interest obviously) and pay it off from your lump sum, it may give the dealer a bit more wiggle room for a discount.
As for the model, with a starter car and the current cost of insurance you need to be looking at no more than a 1.0-litre engine. Happily your budget will easily get you into a Volkswagen up! 1.0, one of the best small cars around (or equally you could go for a mechanically identical SEAT Mii or Skoda Citigo). Can't go wrong really, although if you're looking for other options you could try an Opel Karl (plain but decent), a Renault Twingo (fun but not as well made as the up!) or the Fiat 500 TwinAir (fabulous car, but get an insurance quote first).
Here are reviews of all of those to help you decide:
How can I compare all the electric cars?
Hi,
Is there anywhere one can see all currently available electric cars compared, not just under the usual headings of driving range, charging times, 0 to 100km/h time and overall drivability and practicality, but also the overall running costs (electricity charges, road tax etc.), which can vary when you include battery lease models like the Renault Zoe?
Donal M
Donal Murphy (Cork)Apr 2016 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi Donal,
Short answer – no. That’s partially down to the fact that such in-depth comparisons have to take into account the type of mileage you do, the electricity tariff you’re on and more. The best I can suggest is that you have a good long look through our various electric car reviews and then use the cost calculators on both the ESB and SEAI websites to further refine your research:
Are more folding hard-top coupes on the way?
Hi,
Ford, Renault and Volkswagen all had four-seat hard top coupes, but they all seem to be gone now. Is this a function of product cycle or other factor? Are any of them likely to come back?
Cheers and thanks,
Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Mar 2016 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
Short answer: no, they're not coming back. For a start, they only ever sold in pretty small numbers and so it's tough to justify the investment in creating new ones. Secondly, the folding hard tops themselves are generally significantly heavier than a cloth roof, and with every gramme counting towards the all-important CO2 figure, don't bet on seeing a return any time soon.