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.
What is the best hybrid car to buy?
What is the best hybrid car to buy?
Kathleen Cleary (Thurles)Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Kathleen,
The new Toyota Prius looks to be rather impressive, and with just 70g/km of CO2 it'll certainly be cheap to tax. We reckon you should probably look beyond the Prius though, to the new generation of plugin hybrids that can offer significantly longer electric-only range (as much as 50km) and which still have a petrol engine and a decent fuel tank for longer journeys. Have a look at the Volkswagen Golf GTE or Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV for example.
Which diesel Volkswagen Golf to go for?
Volkswagen Golf Mk7: 1.6 or 2.0 diesel? Have you reviewed the Mk7 1.6 diesel Golf? What are your thoughts on a 2013 1.6 vs 2.0 diesel?
Peter Power (Cork)Feb 2016 Filed under: diesel
Expert answer
Hi Peter,
The 2.0 TDI Golf is something of a canny buy - it's much punchier than the 1.6, yet comes with only a small penalty in motor tax and running costs, and in fact is good enough to undermine the case for buying the overtly sporting GTD.
That said, if you put the effort in, the 1.6 can be significantly more economical and, obviously, is cheaper to buy. In daily driving, unless you're really pushing hard, its performance is entirely adequate. You can read what our road test editor, Dave Humphreys, thought of the 1.6-litre BlueMotion model here.
As for the 2013 model, that was the MkVI Golf and it's still a fine car - reliable, comfy, spacious and nice to drive, but you will notice a palpable difference in quality and comfort between it and a MkVII.
Petrol or diesel for a new Volkswagen Golf?
I am hoping to buy a new Volkswagen Golf, but I am not sure which of the three engines below to select:
1 - petrol 1.2 (110hp)
2 - petrol 1.4 (150hp)
3 - diesel 1.6 (110hp)
I am originally from Kerry, but living in Dublin. I cycle to work every day, so I would only use the car to go to the shops, the gym or meet friends during the week or the weekends. I go home to Kerry at least once or twice a month and I also go to Cork every now and then as I have family down there. So pretty much every second or third weekend I am on the motorway. Dublin - Kerry - Dublin is around 600km, and Dublin - Cork - Dublin is around 530km.
Would love your advice.
Bryan Walsh (Tralee)Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Bryan,
Go for the petrol 1.2 TSI. If most of your mileage is short hops then, even with a regular motorway run, you're not going to get the benefit from diesel. And a 1.2, driven with reasonable care, should get close to 50mpg on the motorway anyway. Plus, you'll save a good chunk of money at purchase time, which will easily outweigh any potential diesel fuel savings.
Diesel Focus or petrol Golf? Help!
I'm looking at a 2014 Ford Focus 1.6 diesel Titanium or a 2013 Volkswagen Golf 1.2 turbo petrol. What should I buy? I don't do a lot of miles, just drive around town. So confused.
Catriona Kelly (Wexford)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Catriona,
Go for the petrol Golf. It's a hugely economical engine anyway, but if you're doing short hops and low mileage then there's just no point in buying a diesel. You'll never make back the extra purchase price in fuel savings and you'll run into problems with clogged diesel particulate filters, etc.
What trade-in value for 2008 Volkswagen Golf?
What trade in value should I expect to get for a 2008 Volkswagen Golf (1.4 80hp GT Sport model) with 132k kilometres on the clock?
Glen Lindsay (Dublin 7)Jan 2016 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Glen,
Somewhere in the region of €6,500 to €7,000 as a trade in I would think.
Are electric cars a real option now?
Are electric cars a real option now? Looking to purchase a second hand car 2012 upwards. What do you think?
Paul Mccabe (Kilkenny)Jan 2016 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
Yes, and no. And a bit yes. It still depends on your lifestyle and driving habits. Lots of short journeys, mostly around town? Don't mind taking the time to plan long journeys carefully and be prepared to take breaks for charge ups?
Things are getting dramatically better though. Nissan has just updated the Leaf with a new 30kwh battery (read our review of it here) that extends its range to around 250km, which is a lot more useful, and if you're suitably loaded a Tesla Model S can go for 500km between charges.
If you're not quite ready to take the full electric car plunge, how about a plugin hybrid? Short hops under electric power with a petrol engine for longer journeys. Try the Volkswagen Golf GTE, Audi A3 e-tron, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV or a Volvo XC90 T8.
However, if you're looking for a second hand car, your options with electric power are severely limited, as sales have been slow so far.
How can I buy a Volkswagen Golf R Estate?
I have my heart set on a Volkswagen Golf R 'Sportwagen' (estate), but it seems Volkswagen Ireland will not be selling them here. Do I have any real options to buy one, given that importing from the UK is prohibitively expensive considering the exchange rate?
Thanks.
Graham McGarry (Greystones)Nov 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Graham,
I'm afraid not - it's simply not a model appearing on the official Volkswagen Ireland price list. You could try sweet-talking a Volkswagen dealer but they'll essentially just have to privately import it themselves so they'll just pass on the same costs to you.
We double checked the situation with Volkswagen Ireland and it confirmed the same.
Such a shame!