What small diesel car would you recommend from 2008?
What would be the best diesel cars to buy? I'm looking at 2008 and not a big car. We have a 2003 Skoda Octavia 1.9 TDI so it would ideally be 1.4 to 1.6 in diesel really.
Thanks
Noel Mc Grath (Tralee)May 2012 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Noel,
There's a lot of choice out there within those restrictions and you've not given us your budget, so we'll give you a list of the cars we think are worth looking at to start with and you can come back to us if you'd like help narrowing the search:
- Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi
- Hyundai i30 1.6 diesel
- Kia cee'd 1.6 diesel
- Mazda3 1.6 diesel
- Nissan Note 1.5 diesel
- Nissan Qashqai 1.5 diesel
- Peugeot 207 1.4 HDi
- Peugeot 308 1.6 HDi
- Toyota Auris 1.4 D4-D
The Volkswagen Polo and Golf and the Skoda Octavia are other considerations, though the 1.6 TDI engine was not introduced until 2010.
Let us know what you think
We need a second car for less than €5,000.
Hi there. I am looking for a used small car from 2006 on with four doors and small engine, just as a second car for my wife. Maybe for less than €5,000. Any recommendations or no goes?! Thanks
Hagen Stroh (Greystones)Apr 2012 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Hagen,
There's a lot of choice on the market for that price. Here's a few cars we'd consider good buys for the purpose you've described:
Citroen C3, Fiat Panda, Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Honda Jazz, Mazda3, Nissan Almera, Nissan Micra, Opel Astra, Opel Corsa, Peugeot 207, SEAT Ibiza, SEAT Cordoba, SEAT Leon, Skoda Fabia, Suzuki Swift, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Yaris, Volkswagen Golf, Volkswagen Polo.
I appreciate that's a long list, but we've left out plenty too! If you'd like more in depth help with choosing from the above come back to us.
What's wrong with the engine of my Avensis?
I just bought a 2000 Toyota Avensis off a friend. It has an intermittent problem wih revs going up and down and when it happens the temperature gauge drops all the way down. What could this be?
Debbie King (Dublin)Apr 2012 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Debbie,
This really sounds like the coolant temperature sender unit/sensor is playing up. As well as sending a signal to the temperature gauge it gives a reading to the engine's computer, which affects how it runs. It's usually not too difficult or expensive to replace.
Hope that helps.
How much is my 2012 Toyota Avensis Tourer worth?
How much is my 2012 Toyota Avensis Aura Tourer diesel, with 12,000 kilometres on the clock, worth on a trade-in?
THOMAS SHERIDAN (Dublin 7)Mar 2012 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Thomas,
There's never a simple answer to such questions, and bear in mind that the trade-in price you're given may well include a discount on the car you're buying. It's best to focus on the 'cost to change' instead.
Regardless, we reckon that you should get around €24,000 for the car against something else, assuming it's still like new.
Let us know how you get on.
Is €8,800 expensive for a Toyota Corolla?
Is €8,800 dear for a 2006 diesel Toyota Corolla hatchback?
Mar 2012 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Rosie,
It really depends on the condition, which engine it has and how many kilometres are on the clock. A quick look on Carzone.ie shows 2006 diesel Toyota Corolla hatchbacks going from €6,000 to €11,000.
Come back to us with more details if you want and we'll take a look.
BMW, Volkswagen or Toyota Avensis for a taxi?
Which car would be best for a taxi from this lot: 2006 BMW 520d, 2007/2008 Volkswagen Passat or Toyota Avensis (both diesel) - all cars with around 75,000 miles on the clock and costing around €10,000?
Justin O'Gorman (Limerick)Mar 2012 Filed under: taxi
Expert answer
Hi Justin,
I'm sure you don't need me to tell you that the lower mileage car you can find, the better. All three models mentioned are suitable for the job, though there's a reason so many taxis are the Toyota Avensis. It's the one we'd veer towards. The BMW would be a nicer car than either the Passat or the Toyota, but once you start racking up high mileage its maintenance could get expensive.
Hope that helps.
What small automatic hatchback has a big boot?
I am buying a small automatic hatchback between 2004 to 2008, with a 1.4-litre or smaller engine. This car will be doing low mileage but a good boot that is easy to load is a must.
What do you recommend?
Eamonn McAndrew (Mayo)Mar 2012 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Eamonn,
Come back to us with your budget, but cars to consider include the Citroen C3, Ford Fiesta, perhaps the Ford Fusion, Honda Jazz, Mazda2 (also called the Demio as an import), Nissan Micra (called the March as an import), Opel Corsa, SEAT Ibiza, Suzuki Swift, Toyota Yaris and the Volkswagen Polo.
That's a long list, I know! It really depends on your budget. Our pick of all that lot would be the Honda Jazz given your requirement for a big boot that's easy to access.
Hope that helps.
Hyundai Santa Fe or Toyota RAV4 for towing?
I want to buy a 2005 Toyota RAV4 4x4 2.0 D-4D (for lower tax). Are they underpowered with this engine? I need it to tow a large caravan. What do you thunk of these cars? I was also thinking of a 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe, but I have heard they can give terrible expensive clutch/flywheel trouble.
With regard to the RAV4, because they are permanent four-wheel drive (as opposed to part-time in the Santa Fe) would they be more expensive on tyres, tracking, suspension, etc?
Patrick Ryan (Tipperary)Feb 2012 Filed under: towing
Expert answer
Hi Patrick,
On its own, the RAV4 2.0 D-4D is a fine car, with loads of power. It has plenty of low-down torque for towing too, though how heavy is your caravan? The manual Santa Fe has a higher towing capacity and it's a heavier car too, which will help in certain situations. Added to that, the Hyundai has more power and torque - (assuming you're talking about the newer 2.2-litre model) though obviously you pay for that with fuel consumption and tax.
Both cars have a good reputation for reliability though in fact it's the Toyota that has some history of issues - particularly with RAV4s used as tow cars. Apparently early versions (pre-2003) had transmission problems, though we'd hope the 2005 model is better.
Still, based on what you've said, we reckon the Santa Fe is the better bet in this instance, especially the newer model launched in 2006.
Let us know how you get on.
Petrol or diesel Toyota Avensis?
I need to buy a second-hand car with a budget of €6,000. I do approx 25,000 kilometres/year (mostly motorway) and want to know do you think a 2004/2005 2.0 diesel Toyota Avensis or 2006/2007 1.6 petrol Avensis would be better.
Many thanks
Anna Powell (Dublin)Feb 2012 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Anna,
As you're doing double the average annual mileage, and it's on motorway, we'd thoroughly recommend the diesel. It should save you a fortune on fuel, though of course you'll have to pay more in annual road tax. The downside is that you're likely to find that the 2.0-litre diesels within your budget have high mileage on them already. Seek out one with a perfect service history and as low a mileage as possible - and get it verified by Cartell.ie.
Hope that helps
Kia Rio or Toyota Yaris - both new?
Which would you buy? 2012 Kia Rio 2012 or Toyota Yaris?
Ashlene Prasad (Fiji)Feb 2012 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Ashlene,
In the past the Toyota might have been the automatic choice, but Kia has come on leaps and bounds. Toyota still has the reputation for longevity and troublefree motoring, but Kia is catching up, and its seven-year warranty is real peace of mind for a new car buyer.
Looking at the price lists (of the five-door models - the best-sellers), the Rio is available as a 1.25 petrol model for €15,550 to €16,775 or a 1.4-litre diesel for €18,190. They are all in Band A for tax with emissions of less than 120g/km.
The Toyota Yaris can be had with 1.0- or 1.33-litre petrol engines and a 1.4-litre diesel. Toyota offers far more trim levels, and pricing varies from €15,585 (1.0 Terra) to €19,725 (1.33 Sol). All versions appear to be in Band A as well.
Unless you plan on travelling more than say 12,000 kilometres a year it's best to stick with the petrol versions. The 1.0-litre Toyota is the most efficient, but not by much and the Kia 1.25 engine and Toyota 1.33-litre are largely comparable, though the Yaris engine has a little more go in it.
Kia is more generous with its equipment, but only a bit, and there are more Toyota trim levels to choose from so you can tailor your needs. We'd urge you not to go for the entry-level versions of either though (LX and Terra respectively), as the step up to the next model is well worth it for what you get.
So that's the overview. In terms of our personal opinions we prefer the Kia Rio. It feels and looks more substantial and it drives well. Best bet is to go to a Kia and Toyota dealer and try them both out for yourself.
Let us know how you get on.