Which of these Toyota Avensis to go for?
Thinking of buying one of the two cars mentioned below:
2009 2.0-litre Toyota Avensis D-4D Luna four-door with 145,000km on the odometer or 2010 2.0-litre Toyota Avensis Strata with 87,000km on the odometer. The 2010 model is €995 dearer, but with a difference of 58,000km on the odometer it might be a better buy? Both are diesel. Other than a lower mileage, do you have an opinion which is better? Also what is the max mileage one can expect to get over the lifetime of this car
Many thanks. Marlen
Marlen Carvalho (Wicklow)Jul 2017 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Marlen,
It's impossible for us to accurately assess a car that we haven't seen, but for a small premium such as that it could well be worth having the newer car. That said, one should never buy on age and mileage, but on condition and history, so go for whichever one is in better condition and which has the more complete service history.
As for potential mileage, if you keep a car properly serviced and cared for (Toyotas especially so) the sky's the limit...
Will I go for a new Kia Carens?
I currently have a 141 Kia Carens [up on DoneDeal, no phonecalls]. I require a car that will fit three highback boosters across the middle row and two pop up seats for car pooling. I like the style of the Kia and of course the seven-year warranty. I want to know what to expect to pay to upgrade to a 171 model or should I look at other cars? Do certain seven-seat cars have better resale value?
Bgt Ryan Kiely (Tipperary,)Jun 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Ryan,
Your Carens is going to be worth in the region of €16,000 to €18,000 as a trade in, and the cheapest new Carens is €28,000, so you’re looking at finding or financing €10-12k to trade up.
Generally speaking, all seven-seaters hold their value pretty well, not least because we’re still going through something of a baby boom at the moment and families are keen to trade-up to cars that can handle multiple child car seats. The best for resale are the Volkswagen Touran, Toyota Verso, Citroen C4 Picasso and your Carens.
If you like it, I’d stick with it for your new car — the Carens is one of the best compact seven-seaters around.
Tell me about the Toyota Auris...
What's good and bad about the Toyota Auris?
Pam Riddles (Brakpan)May 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Pam,
Good: reliable, roomy, comfortable.
Bad: a touch dull, and the 1.4 diesel is underpowered.
Should we buy a Kia Niro on PCP?
Hi,
My husband and l are thinking of buying a new Kia Niro through PCP. Neither of us are "into" cars as such. We will have a deposit of €10,000 and it will be replacing our 2004 Toyota Corolla Verso. We like the fact that the Kia Niro is hybrid and we have already had a test drive and this sold it to us.
Any advice about the car or PCP would be much appreciated.
Many thanks
Jean
Jean McConnon (Carrickmacross)May 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Jean,
The Niro isn’t a bad car at all, and is certainly very frugal, although if you’re replacing a Corolla Verso you’re going to find that it’s much less roomy and less versatile inside. As for PCP, it’s a great idea for getting cheap finance and a low monthly repayment rate, but to make it work properly you really need to be committed to the idea of buying another new car in three years’ time. If not, then you could be better off with either a Hire Purchase agreement, or an old-fashioned bank loan.
What's good about the Toyota Prius?
Good and bad things about the Toyota Prius hybrid?
Mihails Grigorjevs (Dublin)May 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mihails,
Good: economical if you drive it right (i.e: gently), well made, incredibly reliable, roomy, comfortable, cool gear shifter.
Not so good: not pretty, not fun to drive, thirsty if you try and drive it quickly, lots get used and abused as taxis, not good for motorway work (unless you mean the current model).
Read our review of the 2017 Toyota Prius here
New Honda CR-V or Nissan X-Trail?
Hi,
I have a recommendation question. I'm wondering which of the following cars I should consider? I have always driven Toyota and currently have a RAV4 D-4D. I'm considering a change and have the following in mind: Honda CR-V ES or Nissan X-Trail SV. I do 50,000km in two years and purchase new. I want something that will be a good trade-in against a Toyota should I revert to the brand in two years' time again.
Thanks
Stephen Fox (Galway)May 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Stephen,
Either would be good as a trade-in and it’s actually pretty hard to separate them out in that sense, as Hondas are generally considered to have higher levels of quality, but the X-Trail comes with seven seats and seven-seaters are currently much in demand. Both are good cars, but we’d come down on the side of the Honda, which is better to drive, and better built.
Best small car for value and reliability?
What is the best small car on the market with respect to value and reliability?
Made;eome O'Sullivan (Limerick)May 2017 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Maddy,
If it's reliability you want, you need to buy either Japanese, Korean or Czech. That means Honda, Toyota, Nissan, Skoda, Kia, or Hyundai.
The Honda Jazz is really good, exceptionally roomy and smooth to drive, but it is pricey. Now, that higher price includes a lot more standard equipment than in rivals, but it's a hurdle to get over. On the whole, it would be our choice with the Toyota Yaris and Skoda Fabia tied second and the Kia Rio and Hyundai i20 bringing up the rear.
If you're buying new, it's also potentially worth waiting for the new SEAT Ibiza, which is very roomy, well made and nice to drive.
What's the 2007 Toyota Corolla like?
How is the 2007 Toyota Corolla Luna for problems, fuel and tax?
Jonathan Kennedy (Balbriggan)Apr 2017 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Jonathan,
Assuming it's the 1.4 VVTi petrol model then you'll pay €385 a year to tax it. As for problems? Not many - the Corolla is spectacularly rugged so, as long as it has a full service history, we wouldn't expect any major problems. Fuel economy should work out at about 40-45mpg depending on how you drive it.
Mitsubishi Outlander or other 4x4s?
Hi ,
Thinking about buying a 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander 2.2 diesel from the UK, not for the seven seats, but for 4×4 capabilities, low running costs and reliability. I'm wondering are there any other options. And is the Mitsubishi 2.2 belt or chain driven?
Thanks
Jonathan Crawford (Donegal )Apr 2017 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Jonathan,
The 2.2 diesel Outlander has a timing belt, not a chain, so that will need inspecting depending on the mileage. As for cars with proper 4x4 ability, try a Land Rover Freelander 2 (more reliable than you’d think), Jeep Cherokee, Nissan X-Trail or Toyota RAV4.
I need a car for just one year...
I need a car for one year. What has the best resale value and what year should I be looking at if I am to sell it in 2018 and recoup the best part of my investment, i.e. not lose any more than I would if I were to hire the same model and year car for 12 months? If that makes any sense.
Helen White (Meath/Dublin/Kildare)Apr 2017 Filed under: resale value
Expert answer
Hi Helen,
Long-term hiring can often be a good idea, as opposed to buying a car and riding the waves of depreciation, but if you prefer buying then your three best bets are the Toyota Auris, Volkswagen Golf and Hyundai Tucson. All of these cars are in huge demand second hand, and as long as you keep the condition good, you should be looking at depreciation of no more than around 20 per cent of the original purchase price.