Trading up to a bigger family car.
Hi, I am hoping to trade up to a family car that will suit two toddlers and has a good sized boot. I am on the road a lot so need car that is very economical and safe and will last me a good while. Thinking of a 2007 or 2008 at a good price.
What do you recommend?
T McD (Roscommon)May 2010 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Tanya,
Without knowing your budget just yet, it is a little difficult to guess, but a car that is a top buy for a family, with a great boot is something like a Skoda Octavia. One like this has low mileage, a frugal diesel engine and will be perfect for a lot of mileage. It is solid and has a great sized boot too.
The Nissan Qashqai has been a massive seller in Ireland of late, with good reason too, as it is very good value, has a brilliant safety record, looks great and is perfect for a family. Here is a fully loaded 1.5-litre diesel for €20,950 with low mileage.
You could have the choice of a number of family hatchbacks too, such as a Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Auris or perhaps even a small MPV.
Come back to us with more details and we will try and help you further. Just add your comment to the comment box below.
Volkswagen Golf or SEAT Leon?
I am replacing a 2005 Ford Focus. In all that I have driven I find the Volkswagen Golf comes closest.
I have yet to try the SEAT Leon. How do you compare them? There are so many different styles and prices in both that it is confusing.
I want a post-2008 diesel, and a comfortable seat is a must! There is a new SEAT Leon 1.9-litre Sport Limited Edition 105hp diesel, Tax Band B, reduced by €2,000 to €19,900 or a new Golf 1.6 TDI diesel 105hp for €21,200. Is there much difference in running costs between a 1.6-litre and 1.9-litre?
Angela Osullivan (Wicklow)May 2010 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hello again Angela,
I know Shane answered your last question, but I think I can answer your follow up question. The Golf and Leon are quite similar; the Leon is definitely the prettier car and the Golf the more sensible. I know what you mean about the Leon range, as there are 17 different versions, which seems excessive.
The thing is with SEAT is that it tends to get the older technology from Volkswagen, so the Leon still has an older engine range, namely the 1.9-litre TDI, which is quite a noisy old engine. The 2.0-litre TDI is also available in the Leon, but at a higher cost.
The 1.6-litre 105hp engine in the Golf is a newer and cleaner engine, with better fuel economy. It hasn't made it to the Leon just yet, so the better engine is in the Golf right now.
In terms of running costs, the road tax is slightly less on the Golf, at €104 against the €156 in the Leon. The Golf has slightly better fuel economy (62.8mpg v 56.5mpg) but that is a relatively small difference.
That Leon is great value, but in terms of an investment I would be inclined to go with the Golf, as I would think the residual value will be better with the newer Golf with the newer engine.
Hope that helps
Changing my 406 Coupé for something new or used.
Hi guys,
Firstly, congrats on the website, fair play and good luck with it. I'm just looking for some advice! I'm 29, living in Dublin and do on average city say 14k per year in my car, a 2001 Peugeot 406 Coupé 2.0, which I love. I'm looking to trade up and am not sure what to go for? Would like something sporty-ish, comfortable, economical all round (fuel, tax, servicing) and not too common on the road. I have a budget of €15k with no real preference on year but the younger the better!
I've never driven a diesel before but with the way that diesel engines have improved I am not adverse to change. So I'm prepared to go for either.
Brian Gallagher (Dublin)May 2010 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hello Brian,
This is an interesting one. I am guessing, as you own and love the 406 Coupé that you don't really want something too mainstream. It might seem obvious to put you into something like a BMW 3 Series Coupé, but I don't think that is what you are after.
As you probably know, you might not get offered very much for your 406 Coupé, which is a shame. Try to sell it privately because these cars do have a loyal following and if you got €2,000 that would no doubt be welcome. There is one for sale with a lot less miles than yours in Dublin for €2,650, so work backwards from there.
Trading it is probably the easiest. Let's say that you have a budget of €16,000 and see what is around that might suit.
One, perhaps rather obvious, choice would be to go for a Peugeot 407 Coupé. The diesel model sold really well and remains expensive, but I found a 2007 2.2-litre petrol version with just 21,000 miles on the clock and they are asking just €14,950. You can find it here:
That might work given the really small mileage that you do and since you loved your 406 Coupé then this could be a great buy.
If you want something very pretty and unique, how about an Alfa Romeo Brera? Here is a 2.2-litre petrol model for €17,950, but you could well haggle this price down further. There aren't too many about and while we cannot say that it won't give you the odd headache, it is a real head turner.
Even if you're not a BMW guy, it's worth considering a 2006 320d Coupé, which will be reasonably economical for under €16,000. This one is in Monaghan and the mileage is pretty good at 69,000 miles.
I don't think you need a diesel given your mileage. I'd pick a Volkswagen Golf GTI. I know it isn't a coupé, but it is a super car to drive. This one is a 2006 model, but you might sneak into a 2007 version for your budget too. The example we found has the brilliant DSG gearbox, has done just 26,000 miles and is loaded with kit. It is such a rewarding car to drive and, since you live in the city, the gearbox should suit you perfectly giving you the best of both worlds.
Please feel free to come back to us if we are way off the mark!
I need a diesel car for high mileage
I am driving between 800-900 km per week to and from work and I am looking to change from a 2005 1.4 petrol Volkswagen Golf with 133,500km (82,950 miles) on the clock, to a diesel car.
My budget is approx €13,000 euro but am not sure what to buy. I have looked at the Volkswagen Passat, but are there other options out there that you could recommend?
Ollie Walsh (Donegal)May 2010 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Ollie,
Cars like your Golf are retailing for around €8,000, so you might get close to this as a trade in against another car. Presuming that it might be a little less, say €7,000, we could say that you have a €13,000 budget overall. I will come back to you shortly once I have done some more research for you.