I am looking for info on this Passat please.
I am looking for information on this reg: 04 D *****
Siobhan Ennis (Dublin 12)Aug 2016 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi Siobhan,
We've blanked out the reg in your question for the owner's privacy. A quick and free check with Cartell.ie reveals that the car is a 2004 Volkswagen Passat Saloon, powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine (1,595cc), producing 102hp. We can also find out that it costs €514 a year to tax. For a detailed history check go to Cartell.ie and sign up for one of its paid products.
Which comfy car for a retired couple in Tralee?
We are a retired couple, 70 and 68 living in Tralee Co. Kerry and in need of a new car.
Our 16-year-old Toyota Corolla is coming to the end of its trouble free life; the choice of a Toyota was decreed by circumstance, we bought it new, found it a bit 'light' and would like a 'heavier' car with firm and comfortable seating. Can you recommend something?
Please do not recommend a new Volkswagen; to buy one we would need to buy it from the sole Volkswagen dealer in Kerry and after our terrible experience with this dealer we would never, ever buy a car from that dealer again.
Our budget would be about €18,000/20,000, non diesel as we do not do enough driving to justify a diesel car. Can you recommend models of cars we should consider?
With thanks and good wishes
Yours sincerely
Mary G. Johnson
Mary G. Johnson Johnson (Tralee. Co. Kerry)Jul 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
Have you considered a Ford Focus? I’m not sure what the situation is in your area with dealers etc, but a Focus has terrific steering – firmly weighted, direct and full of feedback and feel, and it’s also comfortable and well made (although, as a bad-back sufferer myself I would always suggest as lengthy a test drive as possible to make sure you find the seats a good shape). Quality and reliability are also good, if not quite up to Toyota levels. Your budget should get you into a year-old, maybe 18-month-old model and the 1.0-litre turbocharged EcoBoost petrol engine should make for an ideal option for you.
A classy car that'll fit in three child seats?
Hi,
I want to fit three car seats (3.5-year-old twins and 1.5-year-old) into the back of a new used car. Estate type of car only - no people carriers! I'm looking at Audi Avants, BMW 5 Series, Volvo V60s - can these fit three car seats in the back? Also am I missing any other make of car with similar class that will last me 10 years+ that will fit the three rug rats?!
Thank you in advance :)
Twins Rule Mac (Cork)Jul 2016 Filed under: child or baby seats
Expert answer
Hi Valerie,
The problem is that you’re going to struggle in a premium-brand car to find the sort of rear-seat width that you need. The sad fact is that most sporty, expensive estates are designed around four passengers and the middle rear seat is usually an uncomfortable perch that’s often too narrow to comfortabley fit a car seat into.
So, I’d suggest you broaden your remit a little. Of the premium cars, realistically only the Volvo V70 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class are going to offer the kind of cabin space you need. If those are too expensive, look instead to the more workaday brands – Ford Mondeo, Volkswagen Passat, Toyota Avensis, Mazda6 and Peugeot 508. You may not get the premium badge you crave, but you’ll get the interior room you need and at a much lower cost.
I got a bank loan easier than a PCP deal...
Hi,
I was trying to apply for PCP finance in February with Volkswagen Bank and got declined. I then applied for a car loan off AIB and got accept for €6k more! Do you think this would give me a footing to apply for PCP next year with Volkswagen?
They seem very strict!
Kevin
Kevin Hunt (Dublin)Jul 2016 Filed under: finance
Expert answer
Hi Kevin,
The acceptance by AIB might well give you a little more leverage with Volkswagen next time around, not least because it will be another tick on your credit rating. Oddly, it’s usually the other way around – high street banks tend to be harder to get a loan from than car company banks, but acceptance criteria vary hugely across the different financial institutions so you never know until someone puts the details into the computer and someone says yes or no.
Having said all that, you might actually be better off with the bank loan than with the PCP. Although the monthly repayments might be higher, you do have the advantage of owning the car outright from day one, and not having to worry about condition and upkeep.
Does the MINI have heavy steering?
Hi,
Are MINI hatches supposed to have quite heavy steering and controls? My car is fine to drive for me, but I never really noticed until I tried my friend's Volkswagen Passat today and it feels toy-like in comparison in that it has extremely light steering. Both cars are 2009.
James Patrick (Wicklow)Jul 2016 Filed under: hatchback
Expert answer
Hi James,
It's all just down to the way the power steering is set up and yes, all MINIs have quite weighty power steering, designed to feel sporty and make the car feel more agile.
What's happening with the Mk8 Golf?
Hi,
You mention in the Renault Megane article that an 'all new Golf debuts later this year.' Do you have any more details please as to whether this is a facelifted MK7 or will it be a Mk8?
Martin Smith (Dublin)Jul 2016 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
It'll be more of a thorough facelift, but Volkswagen may well decide to break out the Mk8 badges. Expect to see a major interior update with a big central touch screen (with gesture control) and some new and updated engines - including, possibly, a new family of 1.5 TDI three-cylinder diesels.
How much to import a commercial Touareg?
Looking at bringing in a commercial Volkswagen Touareg from the north; do you know how much I would need to pay to have it registered here?
Ray Moran (Naas)Jul 2016 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Ray,
You'll pay 13.3 per cent of the 'Open Market Selling Price' (OMSP - the Irish used value as estimated by Revenue). It would obviously depend on the year and condition as to what that value would be. As an example, a 2009 Touareg commercial would be worth around €13,000 to €15,000.
How popular is the 1.4-litre TSI Passat?
Hi,
Can you tell me how many of the 1.4-litre Volkswagen Passats were registered in Ireland in 2015 and 2016?
Thanks.
Brendan Cullen (Knocklyon)Jun 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
According to the figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), 57 Passat 1.4 TSI models were sold in 2015 (53 saloons and four estates) and 42 so far this year (37 saloons and five estates). There were also two Passat GTE plugin hybrids registered so far this year, which also use the 1.4 TSI engine.
Can I change UK Passat clocks to km?
We are interested in a 2014 Volkswagen Passat Saloon 1.6 TDI Executive BlueMotion from Belfast. The speedometer is in mph only, we need it in km; can this be changed digitally on this car, or what can be done?
Thanks.
Orlaith Daffy (Ennis )Jun 2016 Filed under: mileage
Expert answer
Hi Orlaith,
Most UK cars should come with a main analogue speedometer (the physical dial bit) with both mph and km/h markings. The good news is that the digital speedo display between the main instruments can be adjusted from the settings menu. A quick glance at the owner's handbook should see you right.
Corsa, Corolla, Micra or Polo for €2,000?
Hi, I am a first car buyer in Ireland. I would like to buy an automatic car.
The ones I am interested in are a 2002 Opel Corsa, 2004 Toyota Corolla 1.6, a Nissan Micra 1.0 from 2002 or a Volkswagen Polo 1.4 from 2000. All of them cost between €1,750 and €2,000. I am wondering if these prices are realistic for cars like these, and given the types, which one would be the best choice?
Thank you in advance,
K
Katalin Csesznek (Cork)Jun 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Katalin,