Which SUV for up to €23,000?
Looking for a mid-size SUV worth up to €23,000, at max two years old. Something stylish inside and out, quick and reliable. What should I go for?
Aaron Joyce (Limerick)Jul 2019 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Aaron,
How about a Ford Kuga? That budget would get you into a nearly-new 191 or 182 1.5 TDCi, and it’s a bit of an underrated car — good to drive, roomy and nicely built. A sum of €23,000 obviously buys you a lot of either the ubiquitous Hyundai Tucson or Nissan Qashqai. How about a Mazda CX-5 instead? Gorgeous to look at, great to drive and with a 150hp engine, it’s not slow either. You could also think of a Peugeot 3008, a SEAT Ateca, a previous-generation Toyota RAV4 (better to drive than you might think), or a Volkswagen T-Roc.
How much to tax a Toyota Hilux 3.0?
Hi,
I'm an approved seasonal none VAT-registered angling guide with the tourist board and need to upgrade from my old commercial L200 pick-up truck and was thinking of buying an 06 Vigo Toyota Hilux 3.0, UK-plated. But I hear it is now very difficult to get commercial tax and if I tax it privately what would it cost plus the duty?
Thanks.
Ken Hall (Tourmakeedy)Jun 2019 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Ken,
Well, the good news is that, even if you’re importing it for personal use, at the point of paying VRT it still counts as a commercial, so it’s just 13.3 per cent of the Irish market selling price. The wrinkle comes then when you want to tax it as a private car, which means going back onto the old by-engine-capacity system, which for a 3.0 Hilux is going to mean a whopping €1,494 a year.
Volkswagen Polo or Toyota Auris Hybrid?
Not sure which car to go for. Previously had 2016 Toyota Auris Hybrid and found it very economical and a comfortable drive. Unfortunately it was stolen. However, I'm driving a rental 191 Volkswagen Polo and liking the drive. Which car would you recommend: another 2016 Auris Hybrid or 2018 petrol Volkswagen Polo?
Thanks
Antoinette Kiely (Dublin)Jun 2019 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Antoinette,
The thing is that they’re two very different cars — the Polo is a significantly smaller vehicle than the Auris. So, if you need the space, and you like the hybrid aspect, then definitely go for another Auris. If you’re happy with the space in the Polo, and you can live without the hybrid bit, then the Polo is a very fine car.
Can I buy a Toyota Hilux for mixed use?
Hi,
I have a Toyota RAV4 for private use and I use it going to work everyday and now I’m planning to change my RAV4 for a Hilux pick-up. Is it possible for me to buy this car? I’m going to use for work as property maintenance and the same time I will use as the family car. I’m not VAT-registered, I’m only self employed with pay-as-you-earn business. Your thoughts?
Thank you
Alvin Brato (Dublin 7)Jun 2019 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Alvin,
You absolutely can buy a Hilux and use it as a personal car, as well as for work, but if you’re not VAT-registered you won’t be able to claim back the VAT on the purchase, which will make it more expensive. On top of that, you will also have to register it as a private car, which means taxing it on the old engine capacity system. With a 2.8-litre engine, that means annual motor tax of €1,391 per year I’m afraid.
Read our feature on this subject for more: Buying a commercial vehicle for private use
Zero per cent finance on these SUVs?
Hi,
Can I get 0% finance on the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid or Kia Sorento GT line?
E Farrell (Dublin )May 2019 Filed under: finance
Expert answer
Hi there,
No on both I’m afraid. The Toyota RAV4 is currently available with a 5.5 per cent APR PCP plan, with repayments of €282 per month (that’s a representative example, of course), and the Kia is available on a 3.9 per cent APR PCP or HP plan, with repayments of €542 per month (assuming a 30 per cent deposit or trade-in).
Big stop-start issues with Toyota Verso-S...
My automatic 2013 Toyota Verso-S (28,000km on the clock) has suddenly started to cut out the engine altogether (engine chokes and I need to turn the key in the ignition in order to re-start the engine). This happens often after I make a turn, stop at a traffic light and also when I park and remove my foot from the brake pedal. It also sometimes occurs after I have stopped and then start driving again. Toyota reprogrammed my two ignition keys and replaced software to no avail. I could press "A" button, but want this fixed, for when I eventually sell my car.
Please advise!
Razanne Heggem (MOLDE)Mar 2019 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Razanne,
If this is the diesel version, it's possible that the issue has nothing to do with the stop-start system at all, as its engine is known to develop problems with the fuel injectors that could lead to poor running and stalling.
Otherwise, all we can suggest is that you read our Why won't my car's stop-start system work? feature to see if anything helps - and persevere with your mechanic to get to the bottom of the issue. An auto-electrician might be worth visiting, too.
Which new hybrid SUV to go for?
I am a disabled driver and use hand controls for the brake and accelerator. For the last 12 years I have driven a Honda Accord 2.0 petrol automatic. It has been a fantastic car and now has 260k km on the clock. I am looking for a higher vehicle, an SUV, and am looking at the Honda CR-V Hybrid, Toyota RAV4 Hybrid and the Volkswagen Tiguan (I could wait for the hybrid later in the year). I live in rural Ireland and handling on twisty roads is important and accelerating to pass slower moving cars on those all too few straight stretches of road. Is this a good shortlist, and if so, which would you recommend?
Robert Joyce (Clifden)Mar 2019 Filed under: hybrid
Expert answer
Hi Robert,
Yes, it’s a very solid shortlist, although obviously we can’t comment either way on the Tiguan plug-in hybrid as we’ve not driven one yet. As for the Honda and the Toyota, the Honda is roomier and rather more engaging to drive (better for all those twisty roads) so is probably the one we’d go for. The new RAV4 is well worth looking at, though, and it has impressive performance, so it’s good for all that overtaking. Links to our reviews below:
Thoughts on the Subaru XV 1.6 CVT?
Hi, your good work is much appreciated.
Every so often I take it into my mind to change what is by now a seven-year-old car. And when I do, a lot of questions come to mind and so my recent questions are on long term costs of hybrids (which seem to be taking over the market) and on the Hyundai Santa Fe. The latter I wouldn't really have considered, except I was in a dealership and was very taken by it. But on mature reflection, the cost of changing simply can't be justified.
Recently I came across material on the Subaru XV 1.6, which hadn't been on my radar, but which seems on paper to have a lot going for it. But I'm rather concerned about the CVT gearbox. There's an American mechanic on YouTube, who seems very experienced, who argues that this technology has yet to prove its long term reliability and that, after 60,000 miles, they can give rise to problems. Even Toyota, with its claim to excellence, has recently done a recall in the States to replace the transmission. Secondly, also there are conflicting views on whether the engine might be described as gutless. Anyway, that's where my researches have got me and I would very much welcome your views.
Thanks in advance
Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Mar 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
In general, we wouldn’t see CVTs as a major issue when it comes to reliability. Yes, Toyota has just issued a recall on some models, but this is pretty well par for the course — all car makers issue recalls all the time. If you want to gauge the reliability of CVTs, just look at how many older Toyota Prius there are, still running about.
As for the Subaru XV itself, we wouldn’t have any major concerns over reliability — Subarus are built pretty tough — but you are right to say that the 1.6 engine is gutless. Entirely so, as it happens. It’s a shame, as the XV is actually a pretty nice car in most other respects. There is a 2.0-litre version, which is worth considering, and a new hybrid version too, but we’d avoid the 1.6 for just being frustratingly slow.
Thoughts on the Subaru XV with CVT?
Hi,
Every so often I take it into my mind to change what is by now a seven-year-old car. And when I do a lot of questions come to mind and hence my recent questions on long term costs of hybrids (which seem to be taking over the market) and on the Hyundai Santa Fe. The latter I wouldn't really have considered, except I was in a dealership and was very taken by it.
But on mature reflection, the cost of changing simply can't be justified. Recently I came across material on the Subaru XV 1.6, which hadn't been on my radar, but which seems on paper to have a lot going for it. But I'm rather concerned about the CVT gearbox. There's an American mechanic on YouTube who seems very experienced who argues that this technology has yet to prove its long-term reliability and that after 60k miles (sic) they can give rise to problems. Even Toyota, with its claim to excellence, has recently done a recall in the States to replace the transmission.
Secondly, also there are conflicting views on whether the engine might be described as gutless. Anyway, that's where my researches have got me and I would very much welcome your views.
Thanks in advance
Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Mar 2019 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
Well, there’s a lot of ground to cover there… Yes, the 1.6 engine in the XV is a touch gutless. In fact, it’s very gutless and its fuel consumption suffers dreadfully as a result. A 2.0-litre XV is actually more frugal in day-to-day driving, to be honest, simply because you’re not having to rev it so hard and so much.
As for the CVT, we doubt that there would be any serious issues in the longer term. I’m sure the guy on YouTube means well, but just check out how many older Toyota Prius models are still happily running around with their CVTs — that should give you some idea of how solid they are. Yes, there has been a recent recall, but one recall on some specific cars doesn’t mean that there’s a major issue with all such equipment.
Looking for a spacious family car...
Looking for recommendations for a family car for a two-year old and a newborn. Petrol, good legroom and boot size, affordable and doesn't feel 'huge' to drive or difficult to park. Already checked out Skoda Octavia and Nissan Qashqai so any advice on these? We weren't looking to buy a brand new car but they both seem to have good scrappage deals...
Orla Greaney (Dublin)Mar 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Orla,
Get the Skoda. Trust me, as the father of two growing boys a Qashqai is just not big enough inside. The Octavia, on the other hand, has lots of rear legroom (crucial for people in rear-facing child seats or boosters) and a massive boot, especially if you go for the very practical Combi estate version. If you’re looking for other alternatives, stick within the mid-size estate market — they’re much more practical for families than a compact SUV, and usually cheaper too run too. Oh, and they’re not much bigger than the hatchbacks they’re based on, so parking etc. is still a doddle.
Good alternatives to the Skoda are the Ford Focus Estate, the Kia Ceed Sportswagon, the Hyundai i30 Tourer and the Toyota Corolla Touring Sports. Click on those links to read our reviews of each.