Considering a Japanese import Passat...
Hi, I'm considering changing my 2011 VW Passat 1.4 saloon to a 2012 VW Passat 1.4 Estate, as I need the space. The one I'm considering is a very well equipped Highline model, but it's a Japanese import. Is there anything in particular I should know about buying a used Japanese car?
Thanks, Brendan
Brendan Cullen (Knocklyon)Feb 2019 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
A couple of things. Obviously, any of the car’s on-board systems will be setup for Japanese language, so you will need to get those changed, and the radio may not be set to receive European FM frequencies, so the car’s entire audio system may need to be replaced. Generally speaking, a Japanese Passat will be mechanical similar to a European one, but there will inevitably be some detail differences in specification and equipment, so you may run into trouble further down the line with parts availability.
I’d suggest that you’d be better off looking at the UK market than the Japanese one — the Passat is hardly a rare car, so there may be an easier option out there for you.
Diesel Honda Civic or VW Golf - used?
Hi,
I am considering buying a 2015 Honda Civic DTEC Sport 1.6 or another VW Golf; which would you advise?
Jon Muldoon (Knocklyon)Feb 2019 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Jon,
Go for the Civic. It’s roomier, it’s more fun to drive, it has the better diesel engine (the best, in fact) and it’ll be more reliable in the long term.
Motor tax on a 2010 VW Transporter?
What's the tax on a 2010 VW Transporter 2.0-litre, six seater crew cab?
Pat in Boyle
Padraig O Gara (Boyle)Feb 2019 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Padraig,
If it’s a crew-cab and you’re taxing it as a commercial vehicle, then it’s a flat-rate commercial tax of €333 a year. If you want to use it as a private car, then you have to revert to the old engine-capacity tax, and that’s going to be €710 a year for a 2.0-litre engine.
Which new crossover or SUV for me?
Hello,
Which crossover/SUV would you recommend? I do circa 25-30k kilometres per year, mostly motorways, but also a fair bit of urban driving.
Roseanna
Roseanna Gorman (Bray)Dec 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Roseanna,
First things first — if you’re doing mostly urban and motorway miles, you really don’t need an SUV. A more conventional hatchback, saloon, or estate is going to be more comfortable, better value, more economical and a better-engineered vehicle all round. If you’re looking for something with practicality then the likes of a Skoda Octavia Combi estate, a Volkswagen Golf Estate, a Kia Ceed SW, or the new Ford Focus Estate all have much bigger boots than any small-to-medium SUV (more than 600 litres, all of them, compared to around 450 litres for, say, a Nissan Qashqai), and they’re all better to drive and more frugal.
However, if you’re hooked on SUVs then we’d recommend a SEAT Ateca (plain wrapper, but it’s roomy, comfy and nice to drive) or a Toyota C-HR (small on the inside, relatively, but hugely stylish and the hybrid version is frugal). If you’re looking to ‘posh-up’ a bit, then the incoming new Audi Q3 is a bit of a stunner, or if you want something smaller and more affordable than any of those, try the updated Fiat 500X, which is kinda cute and charming.
Here are our relevant reviews for you to read more:
How much VRT on a 2015 VW Transporter?
How much VRT could I expect to pay for converting a 2015 Volkswagen Transporter to a crewcab?
Fergus Lordan (Kerry)Aug 2018 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Fergus,
There should be no difference in VRT between a Transporter van and a a crew cab conversion. While the N1 commercial vehicle rules were tightened up this year to close off the loophole that allowed such big (often luxurious) 4x4s as a Land Rover Discovery or a VW Touareg to be registered as a commercial, ‘genuine’ vans with a crewcab setup should still qualify for the commercial 13.3 per cent VRT charge. Just make sure the vehicle has a ‘BE’ bodywork code and make sure to use a reputable specialist to do the conversion.
Should we get a second EV for towing?
Hi, a question about a second car. What would be a good choice for a second car for travelling to work that does small mileage (10-20 miles) daily? Our main car is a Nissan Leaf, which we use for the majority of our driving. A car that can tow a small trailer would be ideal, something with low tax and running costs. Budget is about 6-7 thousand euro, with the intention of trading in the car in a few years time for a newer model. Have thought of buying another electric car, but not sure about having two electric cars in household until longer range cars are available or charging network improves.
Thank you for your help.
Barry
Barry Slye (Cork)Jun 2018 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi Barry,
The problem with electric cars is that, generally, they’re not rated for towing (I think that the new Nissan Leaf is one of the first with a towing rating), so you’re probably going to have to switch back to petrol or diesel for this one. Probably your best bet is to go for something very conventional, such as VW Golf or Ford Focus, and maybe go for the estate version of one of those to give yourself a little extra versatility. A Toyota Auris Hybird would also work well, and would at least keep you going on half-electric power. Plenty of them around in your price range.
Belt or chain for VW's 1.0 TSI engine?
Does the VW 1.0 TSI petrol engine run with a timing chain or timing belt?
Samad Sapawi (Singapore)Jun 2018 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Samad,
It's a timing belt, defined as a long-life item by Volkswagen.
Looking at maybe a new petrol SUV.
Hi,
I'm looking to change my 151 Toyota Corolla 1.4 Luna diesel at the end of this year or early next year. It currently has 93,000km on the clock. About 70 per cent of our driving is on short journeys such as short runs to town of about 10km. Would I be better to stay with diesel or go to petrol? I'm thinking about getting a crossover/SUV, something like a Peugeot 3008, Nissan Qashqai or a Kia Sportage, or would I get better value getting a smaller SEAT Ateca, Suzuki Vitara or Opel Mokka? My children are all adults now and are only around at weekends so our mileage will be decreasing a bit. Any advice would be great.
Thanks
Rob
Roddy McMyler (Kilkenny)Jun 2018 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Roddy,
Well, it sounds definitely as if petrol is the way to go, and as you’ve mentioned the Ateca, that’s a good one to look at. It’s cheaper, by a little, than most of the competition, has an excellent 1.0-litre 115hp turbo petrol engine (don’t be put off by the small engine — it copes just fine) and isn’t ‘smaller’ at all — it’s the same size as the VW Tiguan, thanks to using the same chassis. The same goes for Skoda’s Karoq. A Peugeot 3008 with the 1.2 PureTech petrol engine would also be a good choice, but the Sportage isn't currently offered as a decent small petrol version, so we’d give that a swerve. The Nissan Qashqai comes with a good 1.2 turbo petrol, but doesn’t feel as good to drive in that form as the diesel. The Opel Mokka X is just too old a design and feels well out of date, but actually if you can cope with the smaller size, the Suzuki Vitara’s a good shout — good to drive, good looking and hugely reliable.
Read or reviews for more:
Should an older camper mean vintage VRT?
I imported a 1972 Volkswagen T2 van from Europe. It is quite basic and not fully done up yet or restored. Revenue want to charge €800 VRT despite me paying only €800 for it when I bought it. I am being charged as a camper van, but I expected to be charged the flat vintage rate of €200 as it is over 40 years old. Should I not have been taxed the vintage rate? They say that is only for cars, but the website does not state that. It says all vintage vehicles and the VW T2 is a vehicle is it not?
Great if you could advise.
Ellen Armie (Dublin)Jun 2018 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Ellen,
Yes, theoretically I’d say you’re absolutely right. A classic VW T2 should be considered a classic, and not as a camper or anything else. To be honest, Revenue can be pretty useless when it comes to assessing VRT on classics and vintage cars, because the market in Ireland is so small for cars like that. What you’ll probably have to do is (unfortunately) pay the VRT up front, and then challenge it.
Get on to your local classic car club, or better yet a VW owners club for some expert opinion (in writing, of course) and maybe get your solicitor to draw you up a letter outlining why it’s a classic and not a camper. You should get a rebate, but it may take some time and effort.
Thoughts on my Touran's value?
Hi there, just want to get another opinion on trade in value.
I bought a 162 Volkswagen Touran in a Highline spec with the 2.0-litre engine not 1.6 and the car cost me just slightly over the €40k mark. We have been pricing around to trade up for a 182 Tiguan Allspace and I've tried five to six Volkswagen dealers with the highest of €22k as a trade-in value for my own car, so that’s a loss of €18k in two years and there was me thinking buying a VW was a sound bet!
I also contacted Volkswagen Ireland and the response I got was "your local dealer is best equipped to give you the best trade in." Is it any wonder people are deciding to go to the UK to buy when there is a serious rip off culture in this country? I look forward to your thoughts on this.
Thanks
David
David Hayes (Dunmanway )May 2018 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi David,
Well, the issue is actually that all those people going and buying in the UK are pushing down the values of second hand cars here. Cheaper imports, which have been flooding into Ireland since the decimation of Sterling following the Brexit vote, have been putting major pressure on second hand car prices in Ireland, and I’d say your VW’s value is something of a victim of this. It also, to be honest, doesn’t help that it’s the 2.0-litre version, as most second hand buyers are more likely to want the cheaper-to-run 1.6 TDI instead. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the market is, to put it lightly, in turmoil right now.