What new MPV would you recommend for us?
Hi,
We are in the market for an MPV/SUV. We hope to buy by the end of March next year. We have a budget of €19-20k plus our 2010 2.0-litre Volkswagen Passat Highline. The car should have three full rear seats and a good size boot.
What would you recommend?
Des Wynne (Dundalk)Oct 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Des,
It depends on just how big a car you need, and if you need a full seven-seater. The Volkswagen Golf SV, for instance, has the space for three seats across the back, but doesn't have the folding seats in the boot of the bigger Touran. Both are excellent cars, but you'll save a considerable amount of money by going for the SV. Others worth considering are the Toyota Verso (available in both five- and seven-seat forms), Citroen C4 Picasso (ditto) and the Kia Carens (only a seven-seater).
Peugeot's 5008 and Ford's C-Max are also worth a look, but if you need something bigger, if basically boils down to two choices - Ford S-Max or SEAT Alhambra.
What's my 141 Golf worth against a new one?
What's a 141 Volkswagen Golf 1.6 Comfortline with 78,000km worth as a trade in against a 171 Volkswagen Golf 1.6 Comfortline?
Christpoher Reid (Navan)Oct 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Christopher,
It's always difficult (impossible in fact) to predict what a specific dealer will offer against a specific car, but I'd suspect you're looking at a trade in value of around the €14-15k mark.
Will a 2012 Volkswagen Golf have satnav?
Ok so I'm buying a 2012 Volkswagen Golf and I forgot to ask was there satnav built into it with Bluetooth etc. It's the Comfort 1.6 version.
Mary Roche (Dublin)Oct 2016 Filed under: satellite navigation
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
It’s not standard, so you’ll have to check the specific car. It was available as an option, but there’s not a huge take-up rate on satnav amongst Irish car buyers.
Merc GLA, Audi A3, BMW 1 Series or new Golf?
I have just moved to Luxembourg for two years I am looking for a new car (it has to be new), 2.0-litre or close to it. Looking for a two-year lease deal or wondering about buying Mercedes-Benz GLA, Audi A3, Volkswagen Golf or 1 Series BMW. Relative to Ireland, which car is best value to buy?
Brendan McDonagh (Luxembourg)Oct 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
Well, bearing in mind we have literally no idea what the market or running costs are like in Luxembourg, we reckon that a 2.0-litre Golf sounds like the best option there, especially if funds would stretch to either a GTI or GTD.
Read our Mercedes-Benz GLA review here
Read our Audi A3 Saloon review here
Read our Volkswagen Golf GTI review here
When is the new Volkswagen Golf in Ireland?
When is the new Volkswagen Golf Mk8 due in Ireland?
Thanks.
Sinead
Sinead Fagan (Dublin)Aug 2016 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Sinead,
Expect to see it some time in 2018, although there will be a facelift and an update for the current MkVII Golf later this year.
Is the Golf GTI Performance no more?
Has Volkswagen Ireland stopped importing the GTI Performance? I have been told by Volkswagen that production for the performance model is ceasing (but it still seems to be available to order in other markets). Wondering if this is a temporary measure to help shift the glut of R models available for sale?
Many thanks
Gary Murray (Dublin)Jun 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Gary,
The answer is partially yes, but it’s nothing to do with R sales, which we are told are actually perfectly healthy. The GTI Performance model is being replaced by the GTI Clubsport, which gets an extra 34hp and some chassis revisions to make the handling even sharper than that of the GTI Performance Pack.
Why do the Audi A3's and Golf's tax differ?
Why is the tax between an Audi and Golf such a difference for a 1.6 engine? Seems odd!
Colin Morrissey (Lucan)Apr 2016 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Colin,
It depends which models you mean. I presume you’re looking at an Audi A3 and a Volkswagen Golf, which share a 1.6-litre diesel engine. On the base model of both cars, the quoted CO2 figure is exactly the same – 99g/km. It could be that you’re looking at an A3 Saloon, which, with the optional 18-inch alloy wheels, has a CO2 figure of 109g/km, or possibly even the A3 Saloon quattro 1.6 TDI on 18s, which has a whopping (in comparison) figure of 130g/km. Extra equipment (or indeed a complete four-wheel drive system) and bigger wheels all have an effect on consumption and therefore emissions, you see...
Which compact MPV suits us best?
Hi,
My wife, daughter Daisy (four years old) and myself are thinking of updating our 2005 Ford Focus C-Max 1.6 with 105,000km in the next few months. We recently test drove a 2012 C-Max 1.6 diesel Titanium with about 40,000km on the clock. It was a nice car at €17,500 with a €2,000 trade in for our own so really €15,500. I said we were paying cash, but we could not get more discount. Do you think that’s a fair offer or do you think I could haggle more, as most websites say Ford will barter with you?
Second question. The Ford B-Max seems to be cheaper than the C-Max. Apart from the sliding doors and height of the cabin on the B-Max, is there any other difference? To a layman they both offer the same inside and out. I have read and seen reviews for both cars and there are no major negatives there.
Third Question. We are thinking of trading up and not spending more than €15,000. What is the best option realistically for us in your opinion? Should we consider a different vehicle altogether? We like the higher ride in these cars because it's easier for both adult and child to get in.
Regards,
Ben O’Connor
Ben O Connor (Dundrum, Dublin)Apr 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Ben,
Well, you can always haggle more and if the dealer isn’t budging, then simply shop around. There are plenty of examples of the C-Max out there to choose from, so don’t get hung up on just the one car if you feel like you’re not getting a good deal. While that does seem like a fair enough price, €17k is top end for a 2012 C-Max, so it had better (a) be perfect, (b) have a full service history and (c) come with a decent warranty.
As for the B-Max, yes there’s quite a big difference. The B-Maxis based on the Fiesta, the C-Max on the Focus so you can see from just that fact that the levels of space on the inside and in the boot are significantly different. Plus the C-Max is a far more comfortable car on a long journey than the B-Max, which can also be sluggish to drive as those sliding doors are actually pretty heavy for such a small car.
As for other cars worth looking at (and I’m assuming you mean against the five-seat C-Max, not the seven-seat Grand C-Max), the Volkswagen Golf Plus offers lots of space and plenty of comfort, as does the five-seat version of the Citroen C4 Picasso.
Here are a few reviews to help you decide:
Should I be worried about a late NCT?
Considering buying a 2007 Volkswagen Golf. On the Cartell.ie check it showed that the NCT due in 04/15 was not completed until 04/16; should this be a cause for concern?
Sandra, Clonmel
Sandra Mulcahy (Clonmel)Apr 2016 Filed under: NCT
Expert answer
Hi Sandra,
Yes, very. Someone who’s not completing their NCT on time is someone who, for whatever reason, is not looking after their car properly. Avoid.
Should I buy a new diesel or petrol Golf?
Looking out for a new car, in particular the Volkswagen Golf. I travel Cork to Dublin on a weekly basis - would you recommend the Golf Highline 150hp TSI DSG petrol or 150hp TDI DSG?
Aidan Mackey (Blarney)Mar 2016 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Aidan,
I think with a weekly Cork-Dublin run you should probably go for the diesel. Much better long-run economy.