How much is the Corolla Verso 2.2 to tax?
How much is road tax for Toyota Corolla Verso 2.2 diesel?
Mag Lenihan (Limerick)Feb 2014 Filed under: road tax
Expert answer
Hi Mag,
If it's newer than 2008 then that car's tax is based on its emissions. It's it Band C, at €390 per year. If it's older than that and based on engine size then the annual tax is €951.
What hatchback should I buy and should I stick with a petrol car?
Looking to upgrade my trusty 2000 petrol Toyota Corolla Liftback. I am considering the new model Toyota Auris or Hyundai i30 or a similar hatchback. My annual mileage is 10,000 miles with mostly short runs ranging in distances of between less than 10 miles and 2 miles urban and town driving with longer spins at the weekend. Which engine type should I go for? Also considering that at weekends I will be carrying two adults and two teenagers.
Dan Lyons (Cork)Feb 2014 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Dan,
Hmmm. Generally for your mileage I would recommend a petrol car, but the bad news is that in your size bracket, petrol engines are a little thin on the ground. You could go for either a straight replacement for your Corolla by getting a Toyota Auris 1.4 D-4D, which is a very fine car, or you could, as you suggest, branch out and snap up a Hyundai i30 1.6 diesel - again a very fine car and with that five-year warranty, a very tempting buy.
But, with your mileage profile, I would suggest taking a good long look at petrol alternatives. The Ford Focus 1.0 EcoBoost is a terrific car with a great engine and well worth a look. That said it's a little tight in the back seats for two teenagers so I'd say the best all round bet is a Skoda Octavia 1.2 TSI. It's more affordable than the diesel version, damn near as economical and has a big boot and lots of space in the back seats for those teenager-filled weekend runs. Great quality and reliability too.
What automatic car would you recommend for my budget?
Hi, with a budget of €1,500 I'm looking for a reliable automatic car keeping in the low tax bracket of 1,400cc- to 1,500cc. I'm thinking about a Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla. Can you recommend another possible candidate?
Thanks
Aidan Molloy (Dublin)Feb 2014 Filed under: automatic
Expert answer
Hi Aidan,
To be honest, the hard part is going to be finding an automatic car that's within your budget. I'd say hold out for a Honda, purely on reliability, but any of the usual Focus-Golf-Astra-Corolla types should be fine as long as you get something with decent history.
Hope that helps
When do I change my Corolla's timing chain?
I have a 2007 Toyota Corolla. Need to know when to replace the timing chain - it has 98,000km on it.
Jose A (Dublin)Feb 2014 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Jose,
Most timing chains don't have a fixed service life, but if it starts rattling or making any other untoward noises best to have it changed.
Hope that helps
How economical is the latest Toyota Corolla?
What mpg is the new Toyota Corolla doing?
William Fallon (Mayo)Expert answer
Hi William,
There are three engines available in the latest Corolla, and though we assume you mean the 1.4-litre diesel, here are all the official figures for completion:
1.33-litre petrol model: 50.4mpg (5.6 litres/100km)
1.4-litre diesel model in Terra grade: 74.3mpg (3.8 litres/100km)
1.4-litre diesel model in Aura or Luna grade: 72.4mpg (3.9 litres/100km)
1.6-litre petrol with automatic gearbox: 50.4mpg (5.6 litres/100km)
Note that these figures are all official 'combined cycle' results and don't usually reflect what drivers achieve themselves.
Passat or Skoda Superb to replace my Corolla?
Hi, I need a replacement car for my ageing Toyota Corolla. I'm six-foot-four and need room front and back for passengers. I travel three hours a day to work and need comfort and reliability. I like the 2011/12 Volkswagen Passat or Skoda Superb, but which is best? Has the Superb electrical issues?
Thanks
Ian Purcell (Birr)Jan 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Ian,
If it's space you're looking for, go for the Superb, as it's massive inside. No reported electrical problems, but watch for high front tyre wear, paint peeling away from bumpers and flimsy fuel filler caps. There are some reports knocking around of clutches and flywheels failing, but these seem to be very isolated and not a recurrent problem. The Superb's a great car though - smooth and comfy, very spacious and one of the best cars on the market. Go for the Combi estate for even more boot space and nicer exterior styling (in our opinions!).
What petrol car to replace my Corolla?
Hello there,
I currently drive a 1995 Toyota Corolla 1.3 petrol hatchback and spend about 70 to 75 Euro a week on petrol. I get about 440 miles from a full tank of petrol. I have thought about buying diesel, but am worried about high servicing costs. Could you recommend some very economical petrol cars that are the same size internally and as roomy as the Corolla.
Jimmy Smith, Newbridge
Jimmy Smith (Newbridge)Dec 2013 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Jimmy,
Try a Skoda Octavia 1.2 TSI petrol. It's massive inside and has a huge boot, and it can easily reach 50mpg in daily driving, with around 900km to a tank possible.
What new hatch should I replace my Peugeot 407 with?
I have a Peugeot 407 1.8 petrol with 133,000 on the clock and I'm looking at Mazda3, Volkswagen Golf, SEAT Leon, Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, or sticking with Peugeot 308 new. Any recommendations on trade-in of 407 and choice?
Thank you
Donagh Lennon (Waterford)Dec 2013 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Donagh,
All of the cars you've listed there will be both a lot more reliable and much more economical than your 407, but potentially your best bet is to stay within the Peugeot dealer network where you'll most likely get the best deal on your trade-in. The new 308 is looking pretty impressive, comes with a five-year warranty and Peugeot's build quality has come on a long way since the 407...
Let us know which way you go
Ford Mondeo or Toyota Corolla?
Which is the best buy: Ford Mondeo Graphite 1.6 or Toyota Corolla Luna diesel?
Richard Mcgrane (Skerries)Nov 2013 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Richard,
It kind of depends on a couple of things. First of all, which Mondeo do you mean? Current or previous, petrol or diesel? And what are you using it for? Mostly urban, mostly motorway? Family and kids to haul around or just yourself?
Generally I would always say to go with the Mondeo, as it's such a fantastic and (yes) a 'complete' car.
Should I replace my Corolla with a Golf or Octavia?
I bought an 09 Toyota Corolla 1.4 petrol with 64,000km on the clock three months ago. It is still covered by the dealer's one-year warranty, is taxed until July 2014 and NCT'ed until July 2015. Since then, I have changed job and will now be commuting two hours a day on the motorway and so need to change for a diesel. Even though I'm generally the only one in the car, I prefer saloons and like a big car around me, partly for safety reasons. I also want a comfortable, hi-spec, economical car. And as I will be putting a lot of miles on it, I want something with low mileage. I am thinking a diesel Volkswagen Golf or a Skoda Octavia.
Have test driven the Ford Focus and Hyundai i30 and the interior put me off. Maybe I was driving the basic models but found them to be quite cheap in feel. I am trying to keep the total spend to about €2,000 to €4,000 with my own for trade-in.
First of all, am I on the right track in the types of cars I am looking at for what I want? Secondly, how much should I roughly be expecting to get for my own car?
Grainne Callanan (Kilkenny)Oct 2013 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Grainne,
I'd say you can expect to get about €8,000 and €9,000 as a trade-in value for your Corolla, although that could vary quite a bit from dealer to dealer. As for the cars you're looking at, a diesel Golf or Octavia would probably be ideal for the type of driving you're looking at doing, but if it's refinement you need, then I'd go for the Volkswagen over the Skoda - there's not a lot in it, but the Golf is that bit quieter.
Hope that helps