I need a newer car with lower running costs. Help!
Hi,
I am currently driving a 2002 Peugeot 307 three-door 1.6 petrol with 63,000 miles on the clock. Having a son now makes the three doors pretty impractical and the car is expensive to run. I was taken in by Renault's recent ad campaign for the 'Carculator'. It compares all your outgoings on your car with the costs of running a brand new Renault. The problem is, although I could probably purchase say a new Mégane for about the same money per month as my current outgoings on the Peugeot, this involves a deposit of about €6-7k. The Peugeot is only worth about €1,500-2k at best in trade in and I don't have that much extra cash to throw at it.
This got me thinking though, I should be able to purchase a 2-3 year-old car that is substantially cheaper to run and still be able to make repayments on a loan. My current costs on the Peugeot are €514 on tax, about €900 on petrol to cover 4,500 miles annually, approx €600 on servicing plus it needs two new tyres at €130, and €55 on NCT. This comes in at €2,200 for the year. This is where I would like your help. I am sure there are cars that would cost €800-900 a year to run including all these costs, which leaves me with €1,300-1,400 to cover loan repayments for the year.
Can you suggest a car with low tax, far better fuel efficiency, low servicing costs that won't need an NCT for a few years and that with a €2k trade-in, will have relatively low monthly repayments over say five years? I know it's asking a lot but with your knowledge of the market, I hope there might be some possibilities for me.
Thanks,
Rowland (Dublin 5)
Rowland Crawte (Raheny)Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Rowland,
OK, there are a lot of parameters to go with here, but the basics are that you need a car that's cheap to buy (so it can't, sadly be too new), has affordable running costs and won't break down every time it rains. I reckon that gives you a choice of three or four key models: Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla or Auris, Kia cee'd or Hyundai i30.
Have a shop around and you should be able to find several of those all well within your purchase price range, while they all have efficient engines and excellent reliability records. In the case of the Kia and the Hyundai, they also have lengthy warranties, which, even if there's none left on the one you buy, at least means that they're more likely to have been looked after. My personal choice would be the Honda. Track down a nice 1.4 petrol Civic and I don't think you'll look back.
Let us know how you get on
Ford C-Max or Toyota Verso?
Hi guys,
Which one of these family cars is better? Ford C-Max 1.6/1.8 or Toyota Corolla Verso?
Mossy King (Ennis)Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Mossy,
Close call really. Both are excellent and the C-Max is far sweeter to drive than the Toyota. But, the Toyota is bigger inside and Japanese reliability means you'll be shelling out less for running costs. Go for the Verso.
How to improve my Toyota Corolla's radio?
Hi,
I have a 2002 Toyota Corolla and of late the reception on the radio is very intermittent. I was going to buy a new aerial but I am wondering what would you suggest to improve this?
Regards,
Eamonn
Eamonn McDermott (Limerick)Feb 2014 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Eamonn,
It sounds as if you have a loose connection, which is quite common with newer designs of aerial that use small and often fiddly antennae. Anyway, your best bet is to bring it to your nearest Toyota dealer, as they’ll more than likely have a pretty simple fix for it.
Tell me about the 2004 Toyota Corolla.
Tell me about the 2004 Toyota Corolla.
Jason O'Connell (Limerick)Feb 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Jason,
A really good car, that 2002-2007 Corolla. 'Quiet' looking inside and out it may be but the strength of the engineering underneath is palpable. The sheer quality of the cabin was vastly ahead of any other contemporary rival (even the supposedly tank-like Volkswagen Golf Mk IV) and the primary engine, a 1.4 petrol VVT-i unit, out punched most rivals by about 15- to 20hp while also being more economical.
It's also surprisingly good to drive. It'll never set your shoes on fire, so to speak, but in a former life I thrashed one around Mondello Park and it showed a depth of competence in the chassis that would surprise most Corolla drivers.
On the reliability front, there's little or nothing to worry about. The only recurring complaints seem to be rear lights that allow condensation to build up inside and annoyingly squeaky brakes.
Can I retro-fit air conditioning to my Toyota Corolla?
I would like fit air conditioning to a 2007 Toyota Corolla Terra. Is it possible?
Geo Jose (Dublin)Feb 2014 Filed under: aftermarket
Expert answer
Hi Geo,
What car should I go for with a €3,000 budget?
My €3,000 budget would be best spent on a 04/05/06 (1.4-litre/five-door) Toyota Corolla, Opel Astra, Mazda3 or what other model?
P Dempsey (Dublin)Feb 2014 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi there,
Both Corolla and Mazda3 would be good choices, but it's worth having a good look for a Honda Civic too. Best to max out the reliability factor when buying on a budget...
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