Should I go for this new Toyota RAV4?
Hi, could I have your opinion please? I'm thinking of buying a Toyota RAV4 2.0 diesel 2wd Luna. Dealer has said can be on the road for €31,500. Price includes trade-in of my 1995 RAV4 that is in in good condition apart from corrosion underneath and is around 130k mileage.
Thanks, Breda Ryan, Limerick
Breda Ryan (Limerick)Apr 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Breda,
Sounds like a good one to me. The new RAV4 is an especially nice car - comfy, spacious and good to drive and that price looks decently sharp too.
Relevant reviews:
Is the new Toyota Yaris as good for backs as the old ones?
Are 2014/15 Toyota Yaris models as comfortable as older models (2007) for people with back problems?
Elizabeth Byrne (Dublin)Apr 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Elizabeth,
I would think so, yes. I'm a bad back sufferer myself and I've had no problems with the current generation Yaris in that respect. That said, everyone's back is different so get out there and try one yourself to see. It would be worth asking the dealer for an extended 24-hour or 48-hour road test to try and spend as much time as possible in the car and see how your back reacts.
Relevant reviews:
Toyota Yaris review (2010 model)
Toyota Yaris review (2015 model)
Nissan Qashqai+2 or Toyota RAV4?
Nissan Qashqai+2 or Toyota RAV4?
Bronagh Donohoe (Galway )Apr 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Bronagh,
If it's the current RAV4, then I'd say the RAV4 - really sweet to drive and lots of space. If it's the older model (or if you really, really need the seven seats) then go for the Qashqai.
Further reading:
I have up to €4,000 to spend on a reliable motor...
Hi lads. I'm looking for a reliable motor. I've €3-€4,000 to spend and was thinking of the following: Mazda6, Toyota Avensis or perhaps Skoda Octavia. I do 12,000-15,000 miles per year. What's your advice?
Thanks
Justin McElwee (Galway)Apr 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Justin,
Go for the Mazda - really high quality and utterly lovely to drive (far more so than the other two) and ultra-reliable. There are lots out there so shop around to find one that's been really well cared for.
Why is an older 1.0-litre car cheaper to tax?
Why is it that the road tax on a 1.0-litre 2000-reg Nissan Micra is €199, but my 1.0-litre 2009 Toyota Yaris is €270 per year?
Sean Ryan (Waterford)Mar 2015 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Sean,
Because they're on two different taxation systems. The Micra is on the old, pre-2008 system, which applies tax based on engine size. The Yaris is on the post-2008 system, which is based on CO2 emissions, and the Yaris' emissions place it in Band B1, which is a cost of €270 per year.
What small new car should I go for?
I am thinking of trading in my 2011 Nissan Micra (it has an NCT until 2017) for either a new (152) car or a 142 model. The shortlist of cars are: Hyundai i10, Peugeot 208, Renault Clio and maybe the Toyata Yaris or Skoda Fabia. However, the new bigger Ford Ka is due by December 2015 in the UK and 2016 here. Should I wait for the Ka?
Jacqueline Lynch (Dublin)Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Jacqueline,
I wouldn't wait for the Ka. It's being designed primarily for Asian and low-cost markets, so it probably won't be the most refined, comfortable or high-tech. That's perhaps jumping the gun on the review a bit, but it's certainly likely to be the case. Of the cars you've listed I'd say the Hyundai i10 and Skoda Fabia are the standouts. They're quite different cars (the i10 is significantly smaller than the Skoda), but both are excellent to drive, well-made, reliable and offer excellent value. Have a try of both, and see which one suits your needs, size-wise, better.
Further reading:
What commercial SUVs have rear seats?
Can you give me a list of commercial SUVs that have seats in the back?
Philip Stroughair (Dublin)Mar 2015 Filed under: commercial vehicle
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
There are some very good options here actually. Both the Land Rover Discovery Business and the Mitsubishi Pajero Executive have full five-seat, leather-and-everything cabins, but their boots are big enough to qualify for commercial VRT and motor tax (assuming you can demonstrate that your business needs a commercial vehicle). The Land Rover Defender can be had in similar layout but if you want something really rugged then go for the Volkswagen Amarok pickup, which matches comfort with utility. There's also the Toyota Hilux crew-cab and Mitsubishi is about to launch a new L200 pickup later this summer.
Should I go petrol or diesel Toyota Verso?
Is there any issues with the 2007 petrol Toyota Verso or am I better going with a newer 2009 diesel with the 2.0-litre engine? Don't do much miles - about 10,000 a year.
James Brett (Charlestown)Mar 2015 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi James,
No, if you're doing that kind of mileage then you probably don't need a diesel - you'll be a long, long time getting back the cost of purchase in fuel savings at any rate. Nothing much wrong with the 07 Verso - they're as solid as you get.
What will I replace my Lexus GS with?
Hi, I currently drive a Lexus GS 300. I love it but the tax is too expensive. I have about €25k to spend and I was thinking of the Audi Q3, but it has to be automatic. Is there any other model you would suggest? My car is over 10 years old, so other car dealers are offering the scrappage deal. What would you suggest?
Cathal O'Donnell (Tara)Mar 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Cathal,
The Q3 is nice and all but the Q5 is definitely superior so perhaps think of going for a nearly-new Q5 instead of a brand new Q3? There is no official scrappage programme at the moment, but some car makers are offering self-funded scrappage deals - Opel, Nissan, Toyota and Ford among them. Audi isn’t though, so you may need to re-think your brand if you fancy a trade-in leg-up. That said, even with the tax, a Lexus is still a Lexus so you should get a decent trade-in offer.
How much to trade my Sharan in for a new Verso?
I have a 2005 Volkswagen Sharan. What trade in price will I receive against a new Verso?
Paul Heffernan (Dungarvan)Mar 2015 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
It depends on condition and service history of course. We've seen Sharans priced up around the €6,000 mark at that age, which would suggest a trade in of €4-4,500. However that's a very good price for one and I suspect you'd get less than that.
The good news is that Toyota currently has an offer in place that gives a €3,000 trade-in on almost any car. So, strike fast and you should get a reasonable trade in. More details on that here.