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Hi Barry,

OK, all are good, solid choices and in terms of reliability, I'd rate them as Accord the best, the Volkswagen slightly behind and the Ford and Opel together, slightly behind the Volkswagen. The Ford would be the most fun to drive, the Volkswagen probably had the nicest interior but the Opel is arguably the most handsome and, as you point out, really very good to drive. If it were me, I'd go for the Accord - no question. It'll be the most reliable and that sells it for me.

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Hi Thomas,

Yes, in fact they're much better because they're smoother (thanks to direct fuel injection instead of the old Pump Düse system) and have much more sophisticated electronics to monitor their health. They don't seem to suffer from the old air mass sensor issues that plagued the 1.9 either. It's also a much more economical engine - figure on getting high-fifties mpg, rather than the high-forties of the old engine.

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Hi Simon,

Go for a Volkswagen up!, Skoda Citigo or SEAT Mii. They all seem to do 50mpg no matter how or where you drive them.

Relevant reviews:

Skoda Citigo review

SEAT Mii review

Volkswagen up! review

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Hi Noel,

I don't think so, no. There may be a minor facelift on the way for the current version (and we don't know when that will be as yet - probably not until late 2016), but an all-new Golf isn't expected until maybe late 2017.

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Hi Shaun,

I double-checked with Volkswagen Ireland just now and it confirmed that it is not planning on offering it for sale here at all, as demand for petrol-fuelled Golfs is very low.

Shame.

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Hi John,

It depends hugely on the condition and history but I'd expect you to be offered in the region of €5,000.

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Hi Meabh,

It depends, of course, on condition and history but as a trade-in I'd say about €15,000.

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Hi F D,

The Audi Q2 won't actually be called the Q2, it'll be called the Q1. Why? Because Fiat owns the rights to the Q2 badge and won't let Audi play with its ball. So the Q1 will sit beneath the existing Q3, and will be based on the same MQB chassis system that currently underpins almost everything Volkswagen, from Golf to A3 to Passat to Superb. The next Q3 will get a little bigger too, to make some space for the Q1. Expect the Q1 to skew a little more towards an estate, crossover-y body style, leaving the Q3 to be taller and blockier and more SUV-ish.

We have no official word on engines yet but as it's MQB-based expect 1.4 turbo petrol and 1.6- and 2.0-litre TDI diesel, with an SQ1 sports variant using either a tweaked diesel or 230hp petrol turbo. It'll go on sale in 2016 and we'd expect to see a full production model at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

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Hi Justin,

It would depend hugely on the condition and history, especially with the GTI as you'll only get top money for it if it's in peak condition and hasn't been modified or thrashed about.

As a trade in, I'd say you'll get offered in the region of €6,000. Maybe a little less.

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Hi Philip,

It's basically the same as any other Golf (well built and slick to drive, but make sure the diesel engine has had all its services done)  with a chunkier, sportier body kit. For those looking for GTI styling without the insurance and running costs, it's a good choice.