How much is VRT on a 2003 Toyota Corolla?
How much is VRT on a 2003 Toyota Corolla please?
Kate Nash (Dublin )Nov 2016 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Kate,
Assuming it's a 1.4 Terra model with around 160,000km on the clock then you're probably looking at around €600 in VRT if you import one.
Which is the best new seven-seater around?
Hi, I was looking for a seven-seater; which is the best one? Price, space and technology are important to me. I am looking to buy a new one.
Jinesh Sebastian (Athenry, Galway)Nov 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Jinesh,
It depends on what kind of size you need. If it’s a compact seven seater, then the best on the market are the Volkswagen Touran, the Toyota Verso and the Kia Carens, but it’s worth looking at the Citroen C4 Picasso too, and maybe even the new Renault Scenic, which goes on sale in the New Year.
If it’s a larger car you need, then the two best choices, by far, are the Ford S-Max and the SEAT Alhambra.
Here are our reviews to help you decide:
What €20,000 MPVs would you recommend?
Hello, we have an 18-month old and have twins due next year. We need a car to fit all the baby seats plus all their buggies and paraphenalia. Will be used for local trips plus for weekend trips back to Cork (from Dublin). Our budget is €20k. What models would you recommend? Imported my current car (Peugeot 407 SW), so not a problem if I need to do that again.
Dan O'Connell (Dublin)Nov 2016 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Dan,
I think you’ll probably need to upgrade to an MPV with all those kids and all the kit you’ll need to carry around with you. If you don’t fancy a seven-seater then there’s always five-seat versions such as the Volkswagen Golf SV or Citroen C4 Picasso. Have a look at the likes of a Volkswagen Touran, Kia Carens or Toyota Verso too.
Our reviews to help you decide:
Any good three-door SUVs around?
I currently have a 2007 Suzuki Vitara three-door, which I'm planning on replacing in the next year or so. I love the three-door SUVs, but Suzuki/Toyota don't make them anymore, or at least not for this market. Do they make them for other markets and would it be a big deal to bring one to this country? or do I just need to get over it and find something else to love?!
Anna Thomas (Dublin)Nov 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Anna,
Yes, it’s an odd one, but the compact three-door SUV has really fallen out of favour and pretty much no-one makes one anymore. There are three we can think of and they’re at the opposite ends of the scale. One is the Suzuki Jimny and that’s not really a realistic option unless you’re planning to drive off-road a lot. There’s the Jeep Wrangler, but it’s quite pricey and not all that practical in three-door form and then there’s the Range Rover Evoque Coupe, which looks nice but again is quite expensive.
I think the best option, if you want something that looks a bit three-door-ish, is to have a look at the new Toyota C-HR, which is a five-door but which has Alfa-Romeo-style hidden rear door handles, so it looks kinda-sorta like a three-door. Read our review of it here.
Which comfortable new SUV should I go for?
Hi.
I'm looking at getting an SUV for medical reasons. I drive country roads 90 per cent of the time so I need something comfortable and reliable. I'm looking at the Range Rover Evoque and Audi Q5. Which one would you recommend? I also need to take running costs and servicing costs into account. As well as road tax etc. Or is there another one I should consider? I did test drive the Volvo XC60 but found it very heavy.
Thanks.
Marie G (Galway)Nov 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Marie,
If it's running costs that concern you, you should probably consider coming down in price and, a little, in size a bit. Both the Evoque and the Q5 are premium-badge SUVs and while neither is excessively thirsty, both will be expensive to run and service.
I'd suggest, instead, checking out a Honda CR-V - tonnes of space, hugely reliable, comfortable and with the 1.6 I-DTEC diesel engine and four-wheel drive, both frugal and ideal for country roads. Good to drive too.
Other good options are the Mazda CX-5, the Kia Sportage, Hyundai Santa Fe, Volkswagen Tiguan or Toyota RAV4. Here are our reviews to help you decide:
Does my Toyota Avensis have a timing chain?
Does my 2013 Toyota Avensis Aura have a timing chain?
Leo Sharkey (Monaghan)Nov 2016 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Leo,
It depends on the specific engine, but pretty much all Avensis models use a chain rather than a belt.
I'd like a new car that is really comfortable.
Hi,
I have just been reading Neil Briscoe's article (June 2016) about Citroen's new suspension system. I take it Neil wasn't too impressed. I have a 2003 Citroen C5 that is a fantastically comfortable car. It will have to be replaced sometime unfortunately. Because I have spine injuries I would need something that is the equivalent in terms of a smooth ride.
What do you think the chances are of finding same?
Thanks
Clare
Clare McLoughin (Tullamore)Nov 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Clare,
Well, if I gave the impression that I wasn’t too impressed, then that’s not quite right as we haven’t yet driven a new Citroen model equipped with the new Advanced Comfort suspension system. It won’t go into production until next year (2017). We have just driven the new Citroen C3, which has a very impressive ride quality on standard springs and dampers, so the omens for the new system are good.
What new MPV would you recommend for us?
Hi,
We are in the market for an MPV/SUV. We hope to buy by the end of March next year. We have a budget of €19-20k plus our 2010 2.0-litre Volkswagen Passat Highline. The car should have three full rear seats and a good size boot.
What would you recommend?
Des Wynne (Dundalk)Oct 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Des,
It depends on just how big a car you need, and if you need a full seven-seater. The Volkswagen Golf SV, for instance, has the space for three seats across the back, but doesn't have the folding seats in the boot of the bigger Touran. Both are excellent cars, but you'll save a considerable amount of money by going for the SV. Others worth considering are the Toyota Verso (available in both five- and seven-seat forms), Citroen C4 Picasso (ditto) and the Kia Carens (only a seven-seater).
Peugeot's 5008 and Ford's C-Max are also worth a look, but if you need something bigger, if basically boils down to two choices - Ford S-Max or SEAT Alhambra.
Would diesel, hybrid or PHEV suit my needs?
Diesel, hybrid or PHEV? I do a 200km round trip commute most days. A mix of 140km motorway and 60km small rural roads and stop-start city traffic. Other days I could do 300/400km of which 25 per cent would be city type traffic. Is diesel still my better option? For a PHEV I could plug in at home or at my destination most times.
Declan Brady (Cavan)Oct 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Declan,
It’s a tough one. Generally I’d say for the moment, diesel is still best for that kind of mileage, especially day-to-day. A model with a good stop-start system should help keep the consumption down in heavy traffic (Mazda’s system on the 6 2.2 diesel is especially good) and those long motorway miles are just what diesel was designed for. A plugin hybrid is really for those doing short urban journeys most days, with only an occasional long trip, so I don’t think any would be really suitable for you. It would be worth looking at a new-shape Toyota Prius hybrid though – we managed to average 60mpg in one recently over the course of a week, including several long motorway runs, so it’s worth thinking about.
What's the Toyota Avensis 1.6 Liftback like?
What's the Toyota Avensis 1.6 Aura Liftback like in general?
Dhanya Nair (Dublin)Oct 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Dhanya,
I'm assuming you mean the mid-2000s version of the Avensis? A good car, really. Beautifully made, pretty close to indestructible in fact and surprisingly good to drive with positive steering and a well-controlled ride quality. Roomy too, but it can be hard to find one now that hasn't been put through dog's abuse or been worked into the ground as a minicab, so shop around carefully.