Corsa, Corolla, Micra or Polo for €2,000?
Hi, I am a first car buyer in Ireland. I would like to buy an automatic car.
The ones I am interested in are a 2002 Opel Corsa, 2004 Toyota Corolla 1.6, a Nissan Micra 1.0 from 2002 or a Volkswagen Polo 1.4 from 2000. All of them cost between €1,750 and €2,000. I am wondering if these prices are realistic for cars like these, and given the types, which one would be the best choice?
Thank you in advance,
K
Katalin Csesznek (Cork)Jun 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Katalin,
What can I expect for 2008 Toyota Corolla?
What can l expect to get for a silver 2008 Toyota Corolla? Serviced regularly, 90,000km on the clock.
Geraldine O'Sullivan (Co.Kerry)Jun 2016 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Geraldine,
It should be worth around €8,500 retail, so probably around €7,000 as a trade in.
How long will a Toyota Previa MPV last?
What is a reasonable amount of time we should expect a Toyota Previa to last? Considering buying a 2004 model (2.0-litre engine) with 231,000 miles on the clock for €2,500. Is that a decent deal?
Gary Betts (Galway City)May 2016 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Gary,
Oh yes. As long as you keep it serviced and as long as it hasn’t been utterly thrashed before you got it, a Previa will have years and years of service left in it. It’s a car so reliable and long-lasting that there are families preparing to pass them on to their grandchildren…
What used car for up to €11,000 to buy?
Currently in the market for a used car. Looking for somethining with an engine size 1.3 to 1.6 that is reliable. Can spend up to €11,000. What is your advice on the best value car at the moment? Last car I had was a 2006 Ford Focus, which cost me a mint in repairs.
Michael D (Galway City)May 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Michael,
If it’s reliability you’re looking for, then it’s always best to buy Japanese. Your budget and requirements should mean that either a Honda Civic 1.4 or a Toyota Auris 1.33 are just about right. Both are reliable, and the Toyota especially has a hugely impressive engine – smooth, revvy and frugal. Overall, the Honda is sharper to drive though, and has a bigger boot so it’s the one I’d go for.
Any issues with the 141 Toyota Avensis?
Are there any known faults with the 141 Toyota Avensis?
Sean Gillespie (Belmullet)May 2016 Filed under: reliability
Expert answer
Hi Sean,
Yes, the water pumps can fail, there can be issues with the turbo on diesel engines and the CD players can need re-coding. Also, if the spare key is missing, it’s hugely expensive to replace.
Toyota Avensis or Opel Insignia? Estates...
We're currently looking to buy a second hand diesel estate and are looking at the Toyota Avensis and Opel Insignia. Budget is €14k tops and we're looking at 2010 - 2012 options with varying levels of mileage on the clock. Himself is very excited by the interior and gadgets of the Insignia, but I'm wary of moving from Toyota.
Currently driving a 2005 Avensis Strata, which has never given trouble since I got it and before that had an 02 Corolla that never gave me any problems either. Too many electrical gadgets make me nervous as they seem to be very problematic, particularly in the Insignia from what I've read here. It'll be used as the main family car, which does 30-40,000km a year. Need roof rack for bikes and looking for more spacious boot. Economy and reliability are what I'm looking for.
Which would you recommend? Are there other estate models I should consider?
Karina Brennan (Galway)May 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Karina,
You are, if I may say, a smart cookie. Yes, the Insignia is decently solid and pretty reliable, but the fact is that they do get issues with their electrics and, as we all know, ain’t nothing more reliable than a Toyota. Well, almost – have a good look at the Mazda6 estate too, as it's handsome, really good to drive and hugely reliable. A good foil to the Toyota.
Timing belt or chain for my Toyota Avensis?
Does the Toyota Avensis 1.8 have a timing belt or timing chain?
Kevin Baxter (Norwich)May 2016 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Kevin,
You have not specified the year, but our data indicates that both 2001 and 2007 versions of the 1.8-litre Avensis use timing chains.
What's the old Lexus IS like?
What's your opinion of the 2005 Lexus IS 200 automatic? I'm thinking of buying one.
Regards, Joe in Dublin
Joe Boyle (Dublin)Apr 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Joe,
It's a really, really lovely car with a peach of a 2.0-litre, six-cylinder engine and wonderful steering and handling. Just beware of a couple of things. A lot of so-called Lexus IS 200s are actually Japanese market Toyota Altezzas, which have been imported and rebadged, so make sure you’re getting an original Irish (or at least UK) market Lexus. Secondly, they tend to fall into the hands of the boy-racer brigade, so if it has out-size wheels or a dustbin-sized exhaust, avoid like the plague as it could have been thrashed and/or crashed.
Other than that, go for it – they’re mechanically long-lived (although with a car that age you’ll need to check literally everything carefully) and if it has a full service history and comes with a sheaf of past receipts and tax discs, you’re probably on to a winner.
I'm thinking of buying a Mitsubishi Carisma.
Hi, I'm thinking of buying a 2002 Mitsubushi Carisma. I don't know anything about them and just wondered if they are worth the risk? It's a 1.3 petrol and has one year of NCT remaining. Not sure of mileage yet; anything I should look out for in particular?
Thanks very much.
Catherine Keenan (Longford)Apr 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Catherine,
To be honest, I wouldn’t. Quite aside from the fact that the Carisma is dull to look at, sit in and drive, it was also quite unreliable for a car from a major Japanese car maker. There was no end of problems with the engines and worse still, the 1.3 was hopelessly underpowered. If you want a simple, reliable car from around 2002, think Toyota Corolla instead.
Does my Avensis have a timing belt?
Does a 2007 Toyota Avensis 2.2 D-4D have timing belt or chain?
Sean Courtney (Leeds)Apr 2016 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Sean,
Our information is that your Avensis has a timing chain, which should be maintenance free.