What compact MPV do you recommend?
I am driving an 04 Opel Meriva and am looking for a second hand car replacement that would be similar to what I have. What do you recommend?
Brian Danaher (DUBLIN)Sep 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
It depends on what sort of money you were thinking of spending, but there are a lot of good compact MPVs out there now. It's tempting to suggest another Meriva, simply because they're a thoroughly good car, but worth also checking out the Hyundai ix20, the Kia Venga, the Citroen C3 Picasso and the Honda Jazz.
Which big 4x4 to go for with €9,000 budget?
I am thinking of buying a second hand four-wheel drive. Something like a Range Rover, Land Rover, Volkswagen Touareg or similiar. I only have €9,000 to spend therefore will be looking at anything from 2003 to 2006. Most have about 120,000 miles or more. I am worried I might end up in a whole load of pain buying something that old. Any suggestions?
I know there are the old reliables like the Kia Soretno and Hyundai Sante Fe, but I am afraid they are a little bland for me.
Michael Butler (Lucan)Sep 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
Well, the simple secret is to buy very carefully and don’t touch anything that doesn’t come with a full and complete service history. Old Land Rovers and Range Rovers are always a bit troublesome (although much less so than they used to be), but a Touareg should be a solid choice. Of course, if you want ultimate reliability you should just buy a Toyota Land Cruiser...
Which secondhand SUV should I go for?
Which secondhand SUV should I go for? I'm getting more confused as my search goes on. I had my heart set on a Toyota RAV4. But now I realise I should widen my search. Which would you recommend, assuming similar miles and age (2007/08): Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Suzuki Grand Vitara or another (all between 35-50k miles)?. The cabin and feel of the RAV and Vitara seem very similar, but the later is €2/3k cheaper for 07/08 models, why?
Many thanks, Sharon
Sharon O'Reilly (Dublin)Sep 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Sharon,
The price gap between the RAV4 and the Vitara is simply explained by the fact that the Toyota is a more popular model. There's nothing much wrong with the Suzuki - I guess you could say it's a bit less sophisticated than the RAV, but it's a decent, reliable 4x4.
However, I'm going to throw my lot in with the CR-V. Of all the compact 4x4s, it's the most spacious, smoothest to drive, is hugely reliable and really comfy.
A cracking car.
How much to fuel my BMW 320d for a week?
Is there a site where I can accurately forecast my projected fuel costs? I will be driving roughly 80km per day in a 2006 BMW 320d and would like to know my weekly costs for budgeting purposes.
Marcus Dillon (Dublin)Expert answer
Hi Marcus,
No, but we can work out a rough figure for you. The 2006 320d had a quoted combined figure of 5.7 litres per 100km (about 50mpg). Now, we know that official fuel consumption figures are basically rubbish so let’s be on the pessimistic side – the urban consumption figure was 7.8 litres/100km so let’s split the difference and say 6.8 litres/100km as the halfway point. On your 80km per day, therefore, you’re going to nominally get through about 5.4 litres of fuel per day. That works out at 37.8 litres per week, which at the current average price per litre of diesel comes to €42.90 per week.
Now, that’s an estimated figure, and everything from the traffic levels, to the type of road you use to your own driving style to how much weight you’re carrying in the car to the condition of your engine and your tyres to whether you use the air conditioning or not and so many more variables will have an effect on that figure, so consider it ballpark only.
What should I replace my troublesome BMW with?
Hi, I bought a 2005 BMW 1 Series from a dealer and have had to return to garage six times with a series of problems. They are prepared to look at a swap with/without money and are offering a 2008 Volkswagen Polo, a 2008 Honda Civic (plus €2,000) or a 2007 Ford Focus. I need a reliable car and don't have a lot to spend. Also would like to put a bike or two into the back. What car would you suggest?
Marie Cahill (Cork)Aug 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Marie,
Funnily enough this is similar to a series of incidents I went through with my father-in-law a few years back. He also had a BMW (a 5 Series) that was giving him no end of trouble and after, I think, the fourth time it left him stranded at the side of the road, he finally got sick of it and started shopping for a new car. I pointed him towards what I thought was a safe bet and, seven years on, he's had three quarters of a decade of near-faultless motoring in his Honda CR-V. Moral of the story? If you want a reliable car, go for a Honda. Take the Civic - it should be able to take a couple of bikes if you fold those clever rear seats flat too.
Let us know how you get on
Is the 2010 Volvo S40 a good buy?
Is a 2010 Volvo S40 with 91,000km on it good to buy?
Meeka Nimmons (Grovetown)Aug 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Meeka,
I personally bought a 2006 Volvo V50 1.6 diesel, which is the estate version of the S40 so I know a little about them. I'm assuming that S40 is 1.6 diesel as well, as most are from that year. The most important thing about this engine is that it is used regularly at motorway speed (to burn off deposits on the diesel particulate filter - DPF) and that oil changes are also regular, and done with the right oil. Insist on a full service history and the more reputable the garage the better.
Make sure the DPF warning light is present when the ignition is turned on and that it then goes out soon after the car is started up. If it's missing completely it means there's a reason someone removed it - walk away.
Other than that I found the car to be very well equipped for the price, making it much better value than a similarly priced Focus or Golf from the same year. It's also more spacious than those cars - though not by much.
Let us know how you get on
Should I trade my Polo for this Ford Focus?
Hi,
I would like to purchase a 2005 Ford Focus LX manual model from a SIMI dealer who is asking €4,950 for a trade in with 55,000 on the clock, NCT just passed, timng belt done, with all Ford service history and a three-month warranty. I have a Volkswagen Polo 1.4 automatic with 62,000 miles on the clock in average condition. Offer price: €2,450, so I should pay €2,500 more? Is this trade in worth it?
Stany Simon (Clonsilla)Aug 2014 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Simon,
That’s absolutely top-value for a 2005 Focus, so the car would want to be in exceptionally good condition and come with a full and complete service history and a decent warranty to command that kind of price. You haven’t given us a year for your Polo so it’s rather difficult to value but we think you could potentially find better value on the Focus out there.
What modern automatic hatch do you recommend?
I will soon need to replace my 2010 Opel Corsa 1.2 SE with a nearly-new similarly economic car but with better acceleration, up to tax band C. I need a five-door hatchback, automatic gearbox, air conditioning and cruise control. What do you recommend?
Tony Cheesman (Southampton)Jun 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Tony,
There are some nice Ford Fiesta automatics around, usually with the 1.4-litre petrol engine that should fit your needs rather nicely. Or better yet, what about a Honda Jazz 1.4 ES with the CVT automatic gearbox? We found one online for just over €16k and it's a cracking car - high quality, reliable, spacious and with a terrific 1.4-litre engine.
Let us know what you think
Will an Irish bank loan me money to buy an NI car?
Can I get a car loan from an Irish bank to buy a car from a dealer in Northern Ireland?
Emmet Moore (Southampton)May 2014 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Emmet,
The general consensus seems to be yes, but make sure you ask beforehand. All banks seems to have slightly and subtly different policies when it comes to issuing loans (and not just for this specific circumstance). More than 25,000 cars have been imported to Ireland since the start of the year, so clearly, people are getting loans to buy them and bring them in, and it's an entirely normal procedure. Your bank may ask for some additional guarantees or similar, but as long as you check with them first on their precise policies, you should be absolutely fine.
By the way, you may want to check out our guide to importing cars from the UK while you're here.
Is €22,000 too high for this Volkswagen Passat?
Is €22,000 a high price for a 2012 Volkswagen Passat 1.6 TDI? Back in 2009 we bought a 2007 Passat similar spec for €17,000. It was a 2.0-litre TDI two-year old; dealers seem to be looking for crazy money now!
Matt Lawlor (Dublin)May 2014 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Matt,
I'm afraid €22,000 doesn't seem to be a high price for that car any more. In fact, it's right in the general ballpark for the Passat for a 2012 diesel. The problem you're looking at is one currently facing a great many used car buyers - used values have risen significantly since 2009, because of the scarcity of good cars in the market, a legacy of the collapse in new car sales following the financial meltdown. In some cases, values have risen by as much as a third, and with both Volkswagens in general and diesel models especially being highly sought after, you're shopping in one of the most expensive categories in the second hand market.
Sorry to not have better news!