Expert answer

Hi Paul,

I really would find it hard to look past the new BMW 520d and you could perhaps get into one for your budget, but you might have to wait until January. A low mileage one is just outside your budget.

BMW 520d 

Now having said that, if you made a firm offer of €35,000 you might be successful, but the new car is so much better than the old one then you would need to get into it. The Audi A4 and Mazda6 are very different cars. The Mazda6 is very nice and you could get into a new one with your budget with a high spec. The Audi A4 is also good value now, but with a new model around the corner it might be best to hold off.

My advice Paul would be to hold on a few months if you can. I'd wait until January and see what happens to prices of 520d and if we have a new Audi A4 by then we will know whether that is worth looking at. For now anyway, hold on!

I hope this helps!

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.

Expert answer

Hi Derek,

Glad you like the site. Let's hope we can live up to your expectations! We got a little bit of extra information from you and you told us that you are trading in a 2000 Mazda 323 five-door and that your budget is around €30,000-€32,000, which is plenty to work with.

Given your criteria, and the fact that you mention the Audi A5, then I've had a look at some of those. You mention petrol models and with your low mileage then you could quite easily run a petrol car, but given the fact that you are concerned about residuals then the diesels in the A5 would make a better choice. There is a lovely 2.7-litre TDI A5 in the classifieds and this is under €30,000. It would be a smashing buy and the fact that it has quite high mileage doesn't really mattter in your case. The 2.7 TDI version would hold its value better than a 2.0T petrol. 

At the other end of things you mention the Mazda6 - an odd contrast to the Audi but still a nice car nonetheless. You are unlikely to find a petrol-powered Mazda6 because Mazda really hasn't sold any in the last few years in Ireland. Plus, it wouldn't be a good use of money because it would be hard to sell on again a few years down the line. The diesel version is so much better anyway these days and you could have a demo 2011 model for well under €30,000. It is a nice car, but to be honest we can find you something a little more interesting. 

How about a Jaguar XF 2.7 D Luxury? What a super car, for €33,000. This is a marvellous example and fully loaded with kit. Another outside bet would be a 2008 Lexus GS 450h. We found a low mileage one that would be great around town and it is super fast. 

After all that, this is the car I think would suit you best. It is petrol, a 320i, but it is a hard-top convertible and it looks awesome. I don't know if you are a BMW fan but this could be a brilliant buy for you. 

Come back to us if we've not hit the nail on the head.

Expert answer

Hi William,

Assuming we're talking about new cars or those that are less than six months old (and have less than 6,000km on the clock):

VAT qualifying cars are those that the UK vendor may sell on without charging for VAT to the following:

• a customer in a country outside the EU
• someone who isn't registered for VAT who will take a new car to another EU country
• a VAT-registered business in the EU

In your case, yes, you'd still have to pay Irish VAT and VRT.

Some light official reading for you around this subject that may explain more:

Revenue.ie: New vehicles purchased by a private individual from a VAT-registered person, including a motor dealer, in another country

HM Revenue & Customs: Sending your motor vehicle to another EU country from the UK

HM Revenue & Customs: Motor dealers and VAT: selling new or used vehicles and extras

Hope that answers your question

Expert answer

Hi Sinead,

Without hesitation I would advise you go for the 2011 5 Series over the older BMW X5. The new 5 Series is an absolute gem of a car and if you can stretch to the Touring estate model then it'll be even more spacious. The 520d is far better on fuel than the X5 and will cost you less in road tax too. On top of that, being newer, the 5 Series will have more of its warranty intact.

However, I urge you to go to a dealer and drive both, as the 5 Series is much lower down than the X5 and, while that's not important to me personally, it may be to you. Only one way to find out!

Let us know how you get on.

Expert answer

Hi Martin,

We really rate the VW Group's new 1.6-litre TDI engine. It's quiet, refined and great on fuel. However, while it's relatively torquey, it does feel a little short on power when it's lumbered with a lot of weight to carry around. You're in a good position being able to afford either engine. We'd definitely recommend you go for the 2.0-litre TDI Passat in this case. It's a great car and has plenty of power to carry around the family.

If you need any further help, please do get in touch.

Expert answer

Hi Martina, 

My feeling is that you will be offered between €10,000 - €11,000 for your Auris against either of these new cars and it's likely that your Lexus dealer will offer you the better deal. The Audi A3 is nearing the end of its life cycle, and while I like it a lot, it is due to be replaced so that will mean its value will reduce. The Lexus is really well priced and comes well equipped, but the ride quality is a little patchy at times. The S Design grade has 16-inch alloys so they aren't even the largest alloy wheel available. The car is great value though.

By the sounds of things you want something that is frugal, looks good and is upmarket. To be honest, I would probably have a Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI DSG Edition-R, which has all the toys on it, looks awesome and has just been released on to the market. This costs €26,425. 

Alternatively, you could get a good deal on a BMW 1 Series, which is about to be replaced. Let us know if this helps, but I'd choose the Golf, then the Lexus, then the A3. 

Expert answer

Hi Pat,

Yes, I would say get a Sportage, but the question is, have you sourced one because they are very thin on the ground at the moment. The Sportage is so much more interesting than the Corolla that is an odd comparison, so yes, if you can get your hands on a Sportage then go buy one!

I hope this helps!

Expert answer

Hi Kevin,

Yes I recently had a conversation with the guys from Kia Ireland about this. There simply aren't enough of them being made and they can't make them quick enough. It is a problem that Kia have with the Sportage and Hyundai have with the ix35. Apparently they are going to add a new run on a different plant and this will help relieve the backlog, but we are being told that the delays are 'significant' and obviously with such a demand for them in right hand drive markets, especially in the UK, this is making the situation worse.

Kia Sportage - delays

There are a couple of unregistered ones around - so maybe these would be suitable if you are looking for one?

Kia Sportage - Naas Road, Dublin

Kia Sportage - Demo Model - Wicklow

Expert answer

Hi Brendan,

I think the Golf is your best bet here. The 1.2-litre petrol engine tends to freak out a lot of people because they think it will be way too small and meagre for their needs, but this just simply isn't the case. We have tried this engine in a number of body styles and have always found it to be more than capable. The Auris isn't a bad car as such, but it is simply not better than the Golf in any way so if it is a straight choice between these two, for me anyway, the Golf would win every time.