What will I replace my Corolla with for high mileage?
I'm driving a 2002 Toyota Corolla hatchback and I am thinking of changing it.
My budget is €25,000 + the trade in value. I do about 18,000 miles a year. Should I go for petrol or diesel? Also any suggestions (new or second-hand) on what car to go for?
Anthony Murphy (Tulla)May 2010 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Anthony,
Well we can't quite say exactly what you are likely to get offered for your Corolla, but let's presume that it is likely to be about €2,500 - €3,000 when traded in against something new. With a budget of €25,000 on top of this then there is a lot of choice available to you. You could have a wide variety of new cars and an even greater choice of used models.
In answer to your first question, with you doing 18,000 miles per year, you could do with a diesel engine to keep your fuel bills down.
Your choices in terms of a new car are massive, including a brand new Toyota Avensis, which would probably add up to the best deal in terms of your trade-in. The new Avensis is remarkably comfortable and for a car that you are likely to spend so long in, this would make a nice place to sit. The diesel engine in the Avensis is very good, and it will be cheap to run and Toyota residuals are superb.
A sum of €26,735 will get you the 125hp Avensis Strata saloon. Another great choice for comfort and residual value would be the Volkswagen Passat. You could have the 1.6 TDI Comfortline BlueMotion for €27,375 and that has the feel of an executive car and would be great for the high mileage you do.
Almost impossible to ignore is the Skoda Superb. It really is great. You could have a 2.0-litre 170hp Comfort model for €27,805. Granted you might not need all that rear space, but there are few more comfortable cars on the road.
A car we have just spent a few days in is the updated Mazda6. The new model has a much better diesel engine than before, and there are some changes to the spec of the car. This offers a good blend between comfort and sportiness. It is a good-looking car too and comes as a hatchback.
A car I really like is the Subaru Legacy diesel. This is one of the most underrated cars around and it is lovely to drive. A 2009 model would cost you about €23,000 so it would be under your budget by quite a degree:
However, the car I'd think about with your budget is the VW Passat CC, the more coupé-like version of the Passat. There is a stunning 2.0-litre TDI model on sale in Dublin for €29,950 and it is absolutely stunning:
A new MPV for a new arrival
I am thinking of buying a 2005 Renault Grand Scenic Diesel, would you recommend it? Are there problems with electrics or the engine or any other problems I should know about?
Should I go for a Citroen Xsara Picasso 1.6 diesel instead? I need room for 3 baby seats. Money is tight so cannot go above 2005.
May 2010 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Ray
I understand that your Corolla saloon has 68,000 km (42,000 miles) on it. Prices seem to be fairly consistent for them and you should probably expect about €8,000 - €9,000 as a trade-in, which isn't bad because your mileage is quite low.
Your budget is €4,000 and you need a seven-seater and you want something that is going to be reliable, comfortable and safe. I understand that you are being asked to spend €3,000 with your own car for a 2005 model and €4,500 for a 2006 model Scenic. This seems a little steep to me and steep to our Renault advisor. Also the Scenic, as it ages doesn't always stand up in terms of reliability.
However, if money is an issue, I would be inclined to go for a petrol version of the Scenic, which can be picked up for half the price of the petrol models.
However if you want something reliable I would think you might stick with Toyota and get a Verso.
Something like this 1.6-litre petrol model would be a super buy and it is from an SIMI dealer.
Can I trade in two cars on the scrappage scheme?
Can I trade my 2006 car with my 2002 model for scrappage in exchange for a new car? I have a 2006 Avensis and a 2002 Toyota Corolla hatchback to trade.
I want to get a good diesel car. I've clocked up around 75,000 miles in two and half years.
What garages will look at this type of trade?
Allice Cox (Bagenalstown)May 2010 Filed under: scrappage
Expert answer
Hi Alice
It isn't totally unusual for someone to trade in two cars against one. Car dealers are a little short on good used cars and the two you have to trade are likely to be quite welcome.
You could try and sell one privately and use the cash as a deposit against your newer car, but selling privately can be a headache and you might be waiting a while for the car to sell. I would suggest that you try your local Toyota dealer initially, as they're likely to offer better deals on your Toyotas.
You mention scrappage in your question. Unfortunately neither of your cars qualify for the scrappage scheme as they are not yet ten years old. So it would be a case of trading in both cars against a new car as normal.
Without knowing details of your two trade-in cars in terms of mileage and condition we wouldn't be keen to give you an estimate of the price of these, but it would seem logical that you would stick with Toyota and get another Avensis (a diesel) as you are likely to be most welcome by the Toyota dealer.
Feel free to come back to us with more details on your cars and we will see how we can help further.
Paddy