I'm tempted by a new MPV for under €30,000.
Hi guys,
I am looking to replace my Renault Scenic automatic (06). I do about 10,000 miles a year. I know I am probably going to get a very low trade in for a car this age... Do I buy a new car and get a decent €3,000 or €3,500 trade in allowance? (If it's new it needs to be under €30,000) Or do I buy a second hand car?
Ideally I would like a seven-seater (I wouldn't rule out a five-seater just yet). If it is used I do not want anything older than 2013. the most important factor is reliability, as this next car needs to do me at least 10 years, and be very economical (in terms of fuel consumption and tax). It needs to be a manual car, too - I have an automatic at the moment, but I want to revert back to a manual transmission.
I am looking at the Ford Grand C-Max or the Toyota Verso. Which of these is more reliable? Should I be looking at anything else (not French ideally; I will not buy any other French car I think - I have owned three and had nothing but trouble)? I am also tempted to get a hybrid but for a people carrier does it even exist and what type of cost?
Thanks
Lurdes Power (Greater Dublin Area)Jul 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Lurdes,
OK, lots to deal with here. Let’s go through it piece by piece. Theoretically, you will always get better value buying second hand than buying new. 'Buy at three, sell at five' (years old) is the rule of thumb to maximise your value and minimise your exposure to depreciation. But, you’ve been burned in the past by unreliable cars (been there, I feel your pain) so I would say that buying new is actually the best thing for you this time around, especially as you want to hold on to the car for an extended period.
Of the two cars you’ve mentioned, the Toyota Verso should be the most reliable. Nothing much wrong with the Ford, but if reliability is your priority then always buy Japanese. Happily, a manual 1.6 diesel Verso seven-seater is just inside your budget, at €29,100 and there is currently a €3,000 trade-in offer on that model, which means you’ll get a lot more for your old Scenic than you would if you traded it in normally.
There is only one hybrid people carrier so far, and that’s the Toyota Prius+, but to be honest, we couldn’t recommend it. For a start, a new one will bust through your €30k budget barrier, but beyond that it’s a disappointing car – far too thirsty unless all of your mileage is done in town at low speeds. The Verso is a far more versatile car.
Which solid car to buy for up to €7,000?
Hi Guys,
I'm living in Louth and will be driving to Dublin each day Monday to Friday. That's a journey of 160km per day. I am looking for a family car that is comfy yet professional and I guess most important bullet proof that won't cost us an arm and a leg over the next 12 months. Budget somewhere around €6,000/7,000. I know it's not big, but family come first and this car needs to be a work horse. A couple of options would be great.
Dan , Louth
Dan Duffy (Dundalk)Jun 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Dan,
Right, I'm going to give you a couple of really safe options: Mazda6 or Toyota Avensis. That budget should see you into a 2008 model, and both are roomy, very reliable and pretty good (Toyota) or really good (Mazda) to drive.
Audi A3 TDI or Toyota Auris Hybrid?
Hi,
As our family is fleeing the nest, I am hoping to buy a new or nearly new slightly smaller and economical (possibly hybrid?) car. Changing up from a 2009 Toyota Avensis 2.0-litre high-spec diesel with 98,000km on the clock. Do about 15,000km per year mostly in the city and trips to Wicklow, and odd long trip to West Cork for pleasure.
Not sure if I should go for diesel again, or hybrid. Is hybrid risky and will the residuals drop as newer technology comes onstream? Offered €6K by Audi for my Avensis (poor!) against a brand new A3 Sportback 1.6 TDI diesel (net after discounts and trade in = €25K) or €10k by Toyota against brand new 1.8 Auris Hybrid Luna (€26,225 + €575 + €180 road tax + €575 metallic paint = €16,980). Love the look of the A3 Sportback, but in my heart think Toyota is more practical for a privately run car. I am paying cash so am conscious I might have this car a while, i.e. five years.
Do you think a new car is advisable, or good demo, and also will the Audi be expensive to run?
Thanks,
Linda DJ, Dublin
Linda Dwyer Joyce (Dundrum)Jun 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Linda,
€6k is at the bottom end of 2009 Avensis trade in values and your Toyota dealer is possibly boosting your trade in a bit (€10k is definitely top end) to keep you in the family.
I think with 15,000km annual mileage you definitely don't need a diesel - you'll really struggle to make back the extra purchase cost in fuel savings and if you're not doing lots of long journeys you could run into problems with the particulate filter. The Audi wouldn't be expensive to run at all - they're reliable and frugal, but the servicing would probably be slightly pricier than for a Toyota.
As for the Auris Hybrid, I think it sounds like it might be just about right for you, especially as most of your mileage is around town and that's where it works best. You may find it hard to get the best economy out of it on that long run to West Cork, but the rest of the time it should be about right, and super-reliable too.
An ex-demo is always a good idea as you'll get it cheap with minimal mileage, but there are fewer of them around these days.
Relevant reviews on the site:
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.