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What auto will I replace our SEAT Alhambra with?

I am getting rid of a 2000 SEAT Alhambra automatic 2.0-litre, as it seems to only get about 23 miles to the gallon. I want to get a smaller car with good mileage for about €5,000, but it needs to be automatic as my wife is American and can't drive 'stick'. The Mercedes-Benz A-Class seem cheap. Are these any good or can you recommend an automatic with smaller engine?

Greg Darcy (Dun Laoghaire)

Dec 2011 Filed under: automatic

Expert answer

Hi Greg,

For your €5,000 budget (I'm assuming that's in total, even after you've sold the SEAT) you could get your hands on a late example of the first generation A-Class in A 140 or A 160 guises, both with an automatic gearbox. While the later versions improved, this car does not have a great reputation for reliability so make sure you properly inspect any one you're considering buying and ensure it has a full service history. They're costly to repair.

My money would go on a Honda Jazz. It's compact enough, but has decent space inside. There seem to be plenty on the market at your budget and most of the automatic examples have just 1.3-litre engines to keep costs down. On top of all that the Jazz has an incredible reliability record.

As ever check a car you're buying over thoroughly, but there are a few things to look out for on second-hand versions of the Jazz, as they can be expensive to fix. Check that the adjustment for the door mirrors works and that the car isn't jerky to drive at low speeds.

Let us know how you get on.


How much is my Land Rover Freelander worth?

I need to know what a 2001 Land Rover Freelander ES TD4 Estate is worth. It has a TD4 BMW diesel engine and has done 113,500 miles. It is in good condition, has leather with heated seats, six-disc CD changer, premium alloy wheels, side steps, manual transmission and five doors.

Thanks

Aaron Tiernan (Frenchpark)

Oct 2011 Filed under: used car values

Expert answer

Hi Aaron,

I'm afraid a dealer won't value such an old car so highly. They're selling at about €3,000 on dealer forecourts now so you can expect to be offered significantly less on trade-in. You may be better off trying to sell it privately. Advertise at a little under €3,000 and expect to let it got for a few hundred Euro less.

Please do come back to us to let us know how you get on.


Swapping my Volvo for a Nissan Pathfinder - is it a good deal?

Hi lads,

I need a seven-seat SUV and can get a Nissan Pathfinder with 73,000 miles from a dealer with warranty etc. They are giving me the best trade in price and I have to pay €2,500 with my own 2007 Volvo S80 D5 (with 172,000km on the clock). Is it a good deal and what do you think of the Pathfinder?

Justin McElwee (Galway)

Oct 2011 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Justin,

You've not mentioned the age of the Pathfinder. If it's newer than the Volvo, then it's not a bad deal, though doesn't strike me as amazing when you look at the prices being asked for similar Volvos and Pathfinders.

With regards to what we think of the Pathfinder... It's a fine rugged, capable off-roader, but you may suffer from culture shock moving from your Volvo. The S80 is far more comfortable on the road and, loud engine aside, more refined in general. Obviously the Pathfinder can do serious off-roading and has much more space. The Volvo is probably better on fuel too.

In your position, I'd shop around a little more to see what you can get for your money and, if you don't need the towing capacity or off-road ability, consider something more road-biased.

Do come back to us if you need anything else.


What city car will fit my driveway and has ISOFIX?

Hi,

We have a very narrow driveway (1,800mm at the widest) and are looking for a four-door city car that will fit. On top of that, we're expecting a baby so are looking for an ISOFIX system and space for a buggy. Any suggestions?

Thanks

Deb S (Dublin)

Oct 2011 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Deb,

There are loads of four-door city cars that would fit in that space that have ISOFIX, but the problem then is fitting a big travel system buggy into them! I myself have two kids so I understand the challenges...

Some good city cars to consider include the funky new SEAT Mii/Skoda Citigo/Volkswagen up! triplets and the Fiat Panda. They're as narrow as you get really.

Just so happens I have a Mii on test this week and our Quinny Buzz buggy folds in - with no space to spare of course.

Hope that helps.


How much is my Renault Grand Scenic worth?

How much is my 2007 1.6 petrol 7 seater Renault Grand Scenic "Dynamique Luxe" worth ?, mileage is 65,000 km or 40,625 miles, NCT until May 2013, full service history. Does the extra features in the "Luxe" model make any difference - the main differences are climate contol, hands free locking system, and double sunroof.

Donal Murphy (Cork)

Oct 2011 Filed under: used car values

Expert answer

Hi Donal,

The specification will help, but when you are trading it dealers tend not to pay too much attention to extras on the car, but in this case the climate control and double sunroof are a decent selling point. If you were to trade it in against a new car I would expect you to be offered around €9,000 for it and you could ask perhaps €10,500 if you were to advertise it privately, obviously to take less. 


What car to replace my reliable Volvo?

Hi folks,

I drive 500 miles a week at my own expense to and from work on the N24 - one of the worst national routes in the country. My 2001 Volvo S60 2 litre Turbo (Petrol) has been mostly a great servant and now has almost 240,000 miles on the clock. The running costs have become a bit tasty in recent times. I have a budget of around €15,000 to replace it with a second hand motor. I'll consider most any marque of car. Running costs, reliability and safety are my most important considerations. Any chance of a few suggestions?

Noel Carroll (Tipperary)

Sep 2011 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Noel, 

You obviously spend a lot of time in your car on a very bad road so the Volvo would probably have been ideal for you. In that case I am recommending that you get something with super comfy suspension and super comfy seats. You have probably extracted all of the value from your Volvo, so you can't really expect to be offered much more than a token gesture of up to €1,000 for  that car, but I imagine that you know this. 

So, with your budget of €15,000 then what should you buy? I would imagine that you keep your cars for a long time so future depreciate probably isn't a major factor for you, but you say that running costs are. 

The first car I have picked is a Saab 9-5. Saab are in a little bit of trouble, but their cars are so comfortable, with great seats. This one has a diesel engine and will be cheap to run. It would be a great car to own long term and is well under your budget. 

We really like the Mazda6 here at CompleteCar.ie and here is a nice one with a diesel engine and low mileage. This is a great car for mega mileage and would be super for your needs.

Another brilliant choice would be the Skoda Superb which is massive, comfy and really well built. This one has low mileage, the right engine and is great value. It is amazing value at under €13,000. I think I would buy this to be honest. 

I hope this helps!


What is the best seven-seat MPV on the market?

What is the best seven-seat car on the market, in terms of value for money and reliability?

John Does (Tipperary)

Sep 2011 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi John,

There are several excellent seven-seat MPVs on the market right now. The Ford S-MAX/Galaxy twins are right up there for instance, as is the Volkswagen Sharan, but the car that stands out for us is the SEAT Alhambra. It's essentially a rebadged VW Sharan, but it's priced lower. It's just as impressive in every other way.

I had this car on test recently if you want to know anything specific about it.


Am I better off buying a car in the UK and then importing it?

I have been researching replacing a Ford S-MAX (hence my questions to you alreadu!) and have been struck by the spec difference between the new model SEAT Alhambra here and in the UK. Most cars nowadays seem to be the same in the two countries, but with this model it appears to me that there is a huge difference.

We do not have the option of the more powerful diesels and the SE Lux in the UK comes with absolutely everything. The Irish spec is very basic in comparison with all the gizmos and leather etc. extra. Do you know why this might be? Based on my initial rough calculations I think I could buy a brand new model in the UK, pay the VAT/VRT and get a higher spec car for less.

What do you think?

Andrew Kelly (Limerick)

Sep 2011 Filed under: importing

Expert answer

Hi Andrew,

We put this to Cartell.ie, the official vehicle records experts, and they had an interesting slant on things:

"The VRT issue is tricky - and the buyer must be extra vigilant now. With the transfer of functions for VRT calculation to the NCT centres the officials there have been warned to check the interior of the vehicle for evidence of 'extras'. This means the buyer could be unexpectedly hit with a premium, i.e. pay over-the-odds VRT on a vehicle just because there are additional features not available to an indigenous Irish equivalent vehicle. The best thing for the buyer to do is contact the NCT centre first, before importing the vehicle, and have a chat about likely costs for additional features. It's the best way to avoid surprises."

Sound advice if you ask me.


What car for €4,000?

What type car would you recommend for about €4000? I'm living in dublin but will not be used for to and from work as I cycle,  but I am looking for a comfortable reliable car for trips round the country at weekends.

John Dunphy (Tallaght)

Aug 2011 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi John,

If you don't have family or the need for extra seats then the obvious choice would be a Mazda MX-5. They are so much fun and since you only really need the car at weekends then it may as well be something fun. Here is one for a little over your budget that you coudl bargain down to €4,000 easily. 

If it has to be sensible, then I am going to stick with Mazda and choose a Mazda3 - here is one from a dealer we recommend and they might be able to do something for you on the price as a cash buyer. 

I hope this helps. 


What luxury car suits a short driver?

Hi,

I am 163 centimetres tall (5 foot 3 inches). I am realy confused about my dream cars and I want to know if they suit me or not. One of these cars is the BMW 750iL. The second one is the Range Rover Sport Supercharged.

What do you think?

Tariq Konounah (Khartoum)

Jul 2011 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Tariq,

Given that these cars would both have electric seats with a full range of motion, your height will not be an issue. Perhaps the Range Rover would provide better visibility.

Either way, your height shouldn't be any sort of factor in what car you choose as most are designed for a wide range of driver sizes.


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