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We have €3,500 plus an 01 Clio to sell or trade in.

Hey, just looking for advice for buying a used car. I'm looking to get something for a new family (expecting in four months). We have €3,500 plus an 2001 Clio to sell or trade in. Needs to be 1.4 or 1.6 and would prefer something 2005 upwards. We're not picky just confused on what to get so any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks :)

Aidan Ryan (Lucan)

May 2013 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Aidan,

The only concern here really is the value of your old Clio. As someone who recently traded in an early 2000s Renault, I feel your pain, but the sad fact is that it ain't going to be worth much. Even so, the best thing you can do is to start searching for a Volkswagen Golf. If you've got a family on the way, and you need something safe, solid and with a decent bit of space, then you won't go wrong, although it is of course worth looking for those evergreen Golf spinoffs, the Skoda Octavia and SEAT Leon. All three are equally good and the Octavia is particularly spacious.

Come back to us if you need more assistance.


Want to know the best seven-seater.

Want to know the best seven-seater on the market.

Bridget Enabulele (Dublin)

May 2013 Filed under: choosing new car

Expert answer

Hi Bridget,

Do you mean medium or large seven-seater? If it’s a medium one, then the best ones are the VW Touran, Kia Carens, Toyota Verso, Citroen C4 Picasso, or Renault Grand Scenic. If you mean a bigger one, then the best ones are the Ford S-Max or SEAT Alhambra. Here are our reviews of them all:

Volkswagen Touran review

Kia Carens review

Toyota Verso review

Citroen C4 Grand Picasso review

Renault Grand Scenic review

Ford S-Max review

SEAT Alhambra review


Volkswagen Passat B7: yes or no?

Volkswagen Passat B7: yes or no?

Jack Murphy (Dublin)

May 2013 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Jack,

Depends — do you want one? If so then yes. It’s a decent car, well-built, fine to drive, roomy and reliable. Just make sure you get one that’s been looked after properly, is all.


What's a Volkswagen Passat Sport?

What's the difference between a Volkswagen Passat and a Volkswagen Passat Sport? I have a Passat Sport and there don't seem to be many in Ireland. My car is a TSI 1.4 by the way.

Alan Brady (Tallaght, Dublin)

May 2013 Filed under: miscellaneous

Expert answer

Hi Alan,

The Sport only has minor trim differences on the Passat — it’s not a separate model, just a slightly sportier-looking body kit and some extra equipment on the inside. Essentially, there’s no difference at all.


Nissan Almera or Volkswagen Golf?

What is better, a 2007 Nissan Almera with very low mileage or Volkswagen Golf Comfort?

Ano Manuel (Vermouth)

May 2013 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Ano,

It depends on your priorities. The Almera isn't very interesting, but it is hugely reliable and roomy, so it’s a sensible choice. The Golf is more stylish, better to drive and has a classier cabin, but is perhaps around 90 per cent as reliable, overall, as the Nissan.


A towbar for my Focus or buy a Citroen Berlingo?

Should I buy a Citroen Berlingo (or similar) or put a towbar onto my 2000 Focus? I need something to carry lots of trees/logs for firewood. Is it a waste of money putting a towbar on my 13-year old Focus 1.6 petrol saloon and purchasing a trailer or would a three-seat van be better value and more economical? I have two small kids so I need something to carry them and all their gear also (for school runs etc.). Or would some sort of pick-up or SUV suit me better? Motor tax, fuel economy etc. are all factors to consider, thanks

K C (Cork)

May 2013 Filed under: towing

Expert answer

Hi Keith,

No, it's not a waste of time at all. It's almost always better value to keep and fix an existing car rather than pay the cost-of-change to upgrade to something newer. That said, if you're convinced you need a better solution, then you won't do better than to go for one of the many car-vans on offer now. The Renault Kangoo and Citroen Berlingo are the best known versions, but there are also similar models available from Fiat, Volkswagen and Peugeot.  My personal pick would be the Fiat Doblo, fitted with the 1.6- or 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel engines. You'll find the cabin surprisingly comfy, it's quite pleasant to drive, very economical and good on tax and massively spacious in the back. There's even a seven-seat version available if you want to be really popular at the school gate.


How reliable is a mid 2000s VW Passat?

How reliable is an early to mid 2000s Volkswagen Passat saloon?

Stephen Cullen (Roscrea)

May 2013 Filed under: reliability

Expert answer

Hi Stephen,

 

At the time, they were very reliable and solidly built, but I’d be slightly wary now, especially if it’s a car with patchy service history. The diesel models develop problems with both the injection system and the air mass sensor, while the 1.6 petrol was underpowered and consequently has to strain to push the car around, leading to excessive wear and tear (especially to the front driveshafts).

The good news is that there aren’t too many fiddly electronic system to go wrong, but check the car over very carefully and if there are too many holes in the service record, walk away.


Should I have been given a 12-month warranty?

I recently bought a 1.4 petrol Volkswagen Passat and the main dealer where I bought it gave me a six-month warranty. Should I have been given a 12-month warranty?

Kevin Mc German (Cork)

May 2013 Filed under: warranty

Expert answer

Hi Kevin,

As discussed via email, as you knew from the outset that a six-month warranty was included and you never queried it then there doesn't appear to be be anything you can do after the matter. It's up to the individual seller/dealer/garage how much of a warranty to offer I'm afraid.

Hopefully your car will prove reliable in any case.


Am I mad changing 2012 Golf for older BMW?

I'm driving a 2012 MK6 Volkswagen Golf Edition R (1.2 TSI). While I like a lot of things about the car I am increasingly frustrated by the significant understeer, lack of steering feel in general and the poor seats. I am thinking of changing to a BMW 3 Series M Sport (318d or 320d) around the 2009 or 2010 mark, using this as a trade in. I do very low mileage but I don't mind spending a bit more. Am I mad? I have a bit of a mental block changing from a 12 reg downwards.

Eoin S (Dublin)

May 2013 Filed under: choosing used car

Expert answer

Hi Eoin,

OK, first off you're not mad and an M Sport spec BMW 318d or 320d is just about as perfect a car as you'll find. Mind you, test drive carefully before you buy as the M Sport suspension can be pretty stiff and unforgiving on certain roads, and the steering, while more incisive than what you'd get in the Golf, can also be a bit heavy and fake-feeling.

That said, there are things you can do to make your Golf drive with a little more sharpness and the first place I'd start is with the tyres. Most, if not all, cars these days come with high-efficiency low rolling resistance tyres that are there to maximise fuel economy, but don't do much for steering feel or handling prowess. So why not swap the boots for something a little more aggressive? A set of Pirelli P-Zeros or Michelin Pilot tyres might just make all the difference, so it's worth a try if nothing else.

You could also look at modifying the suspension to dial out that understeer, but we'd recommend you seek professional mechanical advice before going down that road.

Let us know what you do in any case.


I have an issue with my new Volkswagen Golf

I bought a new mk7 Volkswagen Golf 2.0 TDI and I'm not very happy with the car; when I am driving over rough surfaces and roads it rattles. What should I do?

A B (Ireland)

May 2013 Filed under: fault

Expert answer

Hi there,

We're surprised to hear you say this, as we've driven several versions of the new Golf on different wheels etc. without an issue. Even the sportier GTI model rides well.

Please come back to us with a few more details, such as the size of wheel, the tyres fitted and a description as best you can on where the rattle is coming from.

Of course, if it's a fault you should be talking directly to your dealer.


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