Is this Renault good value for money?
Hi, I have come across a 2006 Renault 1.5 Dynamique for sale for €6,745. The car has 45,000 miles on the clock. Do you think that this is a good buy and what would I need to look out for? I am looking for something spacious and reliable in this price range with three good size rear seats.
Thank you,
Mary, Mullingar
Mary Killian (Mullingar)Apr 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
I presume that's either a Laguna or a Scenic you're talking about? In that case, it looks like a very good price for a car with very low mileage. However, with that kind of small miles on a diesel you need to be careful of two things. 1 - make sure that the previous owners have been doing enough long, high-speed runs to generate temperature in the exhaust system to clear out the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and, 2 - carefully check the history of the car to make sure that the mileage is genuine. Renault build quality is generally a little better than you might think, but you still need to be more careful than with other brands. Check carefully that all the electrics are working properly, especially the windows, and make sure the car has a full and complete service history.
Will I replace my Mazda3 with a Nissan Qashqai+2?
Which would you reccomend for a high mileage driver with two small children? I wish to trade in a 2007 Mazda3 1.6 petrol for a diesel. Cars I was looking at include the Volkswagen Jetta, Ford Focus saloon, Toyota Corolla and Nissan Qashqai +2. I like the look of the Nissan Qashqai + 2 and I think the two extra seats may be useful for kids' friends etc, but are running costs high?
In general are MPVs less fuel efficient? Would the Toyota 1.4 diesel be a lower powered car then the one I currently have? How reliable are Volkwagen Jettas? I was hoping to go for something one or two years old with low mileage as I will be doing a lot of miles. I have had quotes of €3,500-4,500 for my own on trade-in as there are 175,000km on the clock.
What would you reccomend?
Alanna Mangan (Newbridge)Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Alanna,
I reckon the Qashqai +2 might be the best one to go for. The extra seats are pretty small but the boot on the +2 is simply massive when they're folded flat, so that's helpful when you're lugging around two small ones and their various chattels. Don't worry about running costs too much - the Qashqai looks like an SUV but it's really a hatchback with attitude and the 1.5 diesel engine is reliable, economical and has reasonably low emissions too.
That Toyota 1.4 diesel you mentioned would indeed be much less powerful than your Mazda's engine - it's about 20hp down and noticeably so. Volkswagen Jettas are indeed reliable, but I reckon that the Nissan would be slightly more so, so make that your first choice.
Let us know how you get on
Hyundai Santa Fe or Honda FR-V?
Any comments on 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe vs 2008 Honda FR-V?
Thanks
Lisa
Lisa Myers (Newbridge)Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Lisa,
Too utterly different cars but, thankfully, both ultra-reliable so both are good ownership prospects.
So, it just comes down to what you want and what you need. The Honda is a little more practical, and will be cheaper overall to run. The Hyundai is bigger and more expensive, but also a bit cooler in its SUV style. Worth pointing out that the third row seats in the Hyundai are quite small, so if you're carrying a full load of people regularly it may be best to go for the six-seat Honda.
Let us know how you get on
What's the Honda FR-V like?
What's the Honda FR-V like?
Gillian Counihan (Cork)Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Gillian,
Yes, it's really good. I've always liked the idea of a six-seat MPV with two rows (I'm also a Fiat Multipla fan) and the FR-V is just excellent. They're really reliable, spacious (even if that front centre seat is a touch cramped) and really quite nice to drive. Nothing major goes wrong with any regularity but just check the cabin for signs of family abuse beyond the call of duty. One downside - there's no compact diesel option, just the 2.2-litre diesel unit. That means you're much more likely to end up with the 1.8 petrol.
How much is my SEAT Ibiza worth?
How much is my SEAT Ibiza worth, or what should I expect on a trade in? It's a 1.4 Sport model with 108,000 kilometres on the clock, a new timing belt and water pump.
Thank you
Ann Wilson (Cork)Mar 2014 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Ann,
I'd say between €2,500 and €3,000 if you're selling it yourself, or around €1,750 as a trade-in.
Help: I need a small MPV to carry my three granddaughters!
Hello,
For financial reasons I have to sell my 2005 Citroen Xsara Picasso diesel. I really like the style of the car and therefore I would like to stick with Citroen. Vitally important though is: it MUST have three seat belts in the back. So I am looking for a smaller and cheaper to run vehicle. I will have about €2,000 to spend. Can you tell me what cars of under 1.6-litre have the required three seat belts? I have three grand-daughters!!!
Many thanks,
Sinéad L. Rush, Co. Dublin
Sinead Lamont (Rush)Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Sinead,
Okay, so you want to stick with Citroen, need three across the back and an engine under 1.6 litres. That's a tricky combination, but why not try a C3 Picasso? That's a crackingly good small MPV and it comes with Citroen's super economical 1.6 diesel. Or, with a bit of searching, you may be able to track down a 1.4 petrol version.
As for the back seat, I've personally managed to get three child seats in, but it can be a bit of a squeeze. Depending on the age of your granddaughters though I may have a solution. Have a look online for a company called Bubble Bum. They make inflatable booster seats that both store flat when you don't need them and which are usually a little narrower than the bigger boosters. That could save you a crucial bit of space.
Let us know how you get on
Help me choose a small, reliable, economical car to run.
Help! I'm looking at buying a new car - I currently have a 1.0-litre petrol Nissan Micra and I have a 110km round trip commute to work five days a week. I am looking for a small, reliable, economical car to run.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Elaine Henry (Sligo)Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Elaine,
If you want to stay with a small car then can I suggest tracking down a nice Ford Fiesta? Your €8k budget won't quite stretch to a new EcoBoost model, but the older 1.25 petrol engine is still a sweet, economical and reliable unit.
If it's maximum economy you're after then you need to think of a small diesel. How about a Peugeot 207 1.4 HDi? Hard to track down but 65mpg is easy.
Better yet, you could trade up altogether. €8k should get you into a nice 2008 SEAT Leon 1.9 TDI - hugely reliable, spacious, economical and really good to drive.
Let us know what you think
Can I import a commercial SUV and save money?
What is story regarding Toyota and Land Rover new five-seater commercial SUVs? Is it possible to buy a second hand SUV in England and bring it over and make it a commercial and keep five seats? That would be a big cost saving.
Noel Kelly (Galway)Mar 2014 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Noel,
You can indeed get a lower rate of VAT and VRT when importing a commercial vehicle from the UK. For VRT you'll pay 13.3 per cent of the Open Market Selling Price (OMSP) - the price that Revenue reckons the car is worth in Ireland, not what you paid for it. Buying second hand in the UK and having the car converted is also a fine idea, but best to have the conversion done in the UK so that the car is already in commercial form when it lands here.
By the way, all this only applies if you're bringing in a commercial vehicle to use for work purposes. If you're using such a vehicle for social, domestic or pleasure use and paying VRT, VAT and motor tax at the commercial rate, you're technically breaking the law.
Should I replace my Golf with a Hyundai ix20?
I have a Volkswagen Golf bought in 2002. Can you advise me re a new car, similar 1.4 petrol engine, but with elevated seating position? I looked at the Hyundai ix20 but it may not have same power as my Golf. Thanks,
Evelyn O' Meara
Evelyn O Meara (Galway)Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Evelyn,
Actually, the Hyundai ix20 might be just the thing you're looking for. It's smaller and cheaper to run than a Golf, and that 1.4 diesel engine is very economical, and will actually prove more powerful to drive than the Golf. Others worth considering are the Citroen C3 Picasso or Ford B-Max, both of which can be had with either petrol or diesel power. Try a 1.0-litre turbo petrol B-Max actually - great fun to drive and you won't believe the power and performance Ford can get from its new downsized 1.0-litre engine.
Let us know how you get on
What would be the best second hand SUV to go for?
What would be the best second hand SUV to go for?
Ash Crossan (Portlaoise)Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Ash,
It very much depends on your price bracket and what your requirements are in terms of size. If you want something small, cheap and fun to drive, why not try either a Nissan Juke or MINI Countryman? Need something with a bit more space and practicality? Nissan Qashqai then, or better yet, a Skoda Yeti. Want to get something with a lot more size and some proper 4x4 ability? Go for a Honda CR-V, a Hyundai Santa Fe (you can get those with seven seats by the way) or, a Nissan again, this time the under-appreciated X-Trail. Want something seriously big and impressive? Well, a Range Rover Sport is always a good buy but be sure to put aside plenty to cover the running costs. A Toyota Land Cruiser is rather less exciting to drive or to look at but its reliability is little short of legendary. Or, if you want something really cheap and old that can pack some abuse and come back for more, try either a Suzuki Grand Vitara (smallish) or a Mitsubishi Pajero (big). Both are reliable, both can off-road properly and both can be tracked down at bargain prices, as long as you buy according to condition, not age or mileage.
Come back to us if you need more help