Expert answer

Hi Donagh,

All of the cars you've listed there will be both a lot more reliable and much more economical than your 407, but potentially your best bet is to stay within the Peugeot dealer network where you'll most likely get the best deal on your trade-in. The new 308 is looking pretty impressive, comes with a five-year warranty and Peugeot's build quality has come on a long way since the 407...

Let us know which way you go

Expert answer

Hi Peter,

Yes, it's reliable and no, there are no major issues to watch out for. Just bear in mind a couple of things. Automatic cars can be a little harder on brakes than their manual cousins, and they can of course be more thirsty. More significant still, the smaller-engined versions of the Polo 55- and 65hp 1.2 petrols are pretty sluggish at the best of times and with an auto 'box both drawing power and adding weight, you could be looking at really slow-motion driving.

Expert answer

Hi Francis,

Can I suggest then chopping it in for another Hyundai, this time an i40 Tourer? It's massively spacious so you won't (aside from the seat height) feel like you're trading down. It's also very comfy and, with your long-haul runs and high-ish mileage in mind, hugely economical. Drive the 1.7 115hp CRDi version gently and you should top 60mpg. 

If you don't fancy another Hyundai, then picking a similar estate from the Ford Mondeo, Opel Insignia, Volkswagen Passat or Peugeot 508 ranges should do the job just as well.

Let us know what you end up doing

Expert answer

Hi Noel,

No matter which engine is fitted to your Jetta, the recommendation from Volkswagen is that the belt is changed after four years if not before that. The 1.6 and 1.9 TDI engines have different intervals otherwise - every 225,000- and 130,000km respectively.

It's always a good idea to be cautious so if your car has never had a change we'd urge you to get it sorted out now.

Expert answer

Hi Patsi,

Go for the Tiguan. It's a really sweet car and much more refined and pleasant to drive than that generation of RAV4. One thing to watch; the boot on the Tiguan is a little on the small side, so bring your dog along for a test drive to make sure that he/she is comfy in the back.

Let us know how you get on

Expert answer

Hi Brendan,

I would avoid the 1.4 CL as the engine is a touch underpowered and therefore both slow and thirsty. Go for the 1.2 HL. It's a turbo and a brilliant little engine, and should average about 45mpg if you're careful. A much better choice for low mileage drivers than a more expensive diesel, but your resale will suffer somewhat.

Expert answer

Hi Ciaran,

Keeping your insurance affordable is mostly a matter of shopping around, although at 24 you may well be shopping for a size of car that most insurers will baulk at. You may get a better deal in that respect if you dropped down to a Golf/Focus/Astra-sized car. But if you must have the bigger machine then I'd go for the Mazda. It's sweeter to drive than the other two, vastly more reliable and spacious and practical too.

Expert answer

Hi Denise,

The minutiae of equipment specs are something of a mystery, but thankfully we know some helpful chaps at Volkswagen Group Ireland and they told us that:

"The Sports Pack adds 16-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights and tinted windows to the Comfortline.

If a customer was to opt for a standard Highline over the Comfortline with Sports Pack, they would get the following additional standard equipment:

Interior

Leather multi-function steering wheel

Sports seats incl. Alcantara/Global upholstery

"Piano Black Mesh" decorative inserts

Carpet mats, front & rear

Ambient lighting

Exterior

Deep Red tail-light clusters

Electrically folding exterior mirrors

Additional chrome mouldings on front grille

Functional

Auto-dimming rear view mirror

Auto headlight activation

Rain sensor

Fatigue Detection

Please note that tinted windows come within the Comfortline Sports Pack, but are not standard on Highline. These can be added to the Highline as an option individually or as part of the Highline Sports Pack."

Does that help?

Expert answer

Hi Brendan,

A price of €400 sounds entirely reasonable to us.

Always pays to shop around of course!

Expert answer

Hi Aidan,

I'd suggest either a Ford Focus 1.6 TDCi, a Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI or a Kia cee'd 1.6 CRDi. All of them fall into your price bracket, all are well built, reliable and economical and all are comfy for a lengthy daily commute. You won't go wrong with any of them and there are plenty of each available so shop around and be choosy.