Which nearly-new crossover to get?
I am in the market for a compact SUV (small town SUV). My 17-year-old daughter wants to learn to drive in it also so I need a manual. I think a 1.0- or 1.2-litre petrol engine would be the sort of thing. I've driven a Captur, Juke, T-Cross, Kona, Crossland X, ix20 and a Toyota C-HR. The Toyota drove really well but it's pricier and longer. What would you recommend as a 2017/2018 vehicle based on drive and value for money and a learner driver?
Anne Marie O'Byrne (Wexford)Mar 2020 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Anne Marie.
Well, normally for a learner driver and for mostly in-town driving, we’d recommend a hatchback, rather than an SUV or crossover, but if your heart is set on one… Of the list you’ve given us below, the Toyota is the best, although arguably as a 1.2-litre petrol, you’re not getting the best C-HR (which is the hybrid, but then that’s an automatic). The Volkswagen T-Cross would be an excellent choice, has a brilliant little 1.0-litre engine and is a bit more upright and square than the others, so is a bit easier to see out of, which might be helpful for your daughter while she’s learning. The Kona would also be an excellent choice, but we’d also add the Suzuki Vitara to your list as its a solid and rugged choice - and hugely reliable.
Read our Renault Captur reviews
Read our Volkswagen T-Cross reviews
Why the difference in motor tax for my Mercs?
I own two Mercedes-Benz 2.1-litre cars; one costs €290 and the other costs €570: why the difference?
Ed Hogan (Carrick-on-Suir)Feb 2020 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Ed,
OK, this one takes a bit of deciphering. I’m guessing that you mean you own two Mercedes-Benz models, both using the 2.1-litre diesel four-cylinder engine. I’m also assuming that you’re talking about the cost of motor tax, although the €290 figure is a little odd — did you mis-type when you meant either €280 (for Band B2) or €390 (for Band C)?
The discrepancy could be down to a number of factors. You don’t, for example, state which models you’re talking about — E-Class? C-Class? Coupe? Convertible? Estate? Do both cars have automatic transmissions? Are they both on the same size wheels? Were they both manufactured in the same year? There’s a huge variation in vehicle emissions and, if you’re talking about the gap between Band C and Band D, it takes only a single g/km of CO2 to tip from one to the other.
When to change automatic gearbox oil?
Hi,
When or how often should the oil in an automatic gearbox be changed? The manufacturers may say (I don't know?) it doesn't need to be changed at all, that it is good for the lifetime of the transmission: but what do they mean by the lifetime of the transmission? 100,000 miles? One would expect a transmission to last a lot longer. There are views out there on the internet that say change every 30,000 or 50,000 miles. Do you have access to any independent experienced mechanics that could give an authoritative answer? I have a C-Class automatic petrol Mercedes and an automatic diesel Volvo.
Thanks
Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Jan 2020 Filed under: automatic
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
Every gearbox is different and our advice would be to follow the manufacturer advice. For life means for life, with no limit on mileage, odd as that sounds.
Why different tax for these Zafiras?
Hi!
I can't understand something. How come my Opel Zafira 161 is in the €570 tax band and a 141 is in the €280 tax band? The two cars are identical.
Tamas Giran (Enniscorthy)Dec 2019 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Tamas,
Well, it depends on which version of Zafira each one is. From the detail you’ve given there on the tax costs, I’d suspect that the 141 car has the 2.0 CDTi diesel engine, the 129g/km of CO2 emissions of which would put it in Band B2 for a €280 tax cost. Is the 161 car a 1.4 turbo petrol? Because that version’s 156g/km emissions put it just into the €570 Band D. Or the discrepancy could be down to one having an automatic gearbox, instead of a manual. Without more details, I’m afraid, we can’t be sure.
How much is my 2013 VW Sharan worth?
How much is my 2013 Volkwagen Sharan diesel automatic worth?
Tom Kearney (Bray)Dec 2019 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Tom,
It’ll depend on the condition and service history of course, but it should be worth in the region of €10-12,000.
Where to buy a used Nissan Qashqai?
I'm looking to buy a used Nissan Qashqai automatic car in the next year (three or four years old). I've been looking on Carzone, etc. and I can't find many stock from the dealers. Are there any auto dealers in Dublin or the Leinster area that would definitely be worth a visit? Also, is it worth importing from Northern Ireland and saving the money? If yes, please provide any dealers in NI too. I've very poor knowledge in searching for cars.
Thanks
Striker10 Striker10 (Castleknock)Nov 2019 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi there,
Is xDrive worth getting on a BMW 3 Series?
Hi,
I have been driving a BMW 320 diesel automatic for two years now. I can't believe how poorly it sticks to the road on typical wet or damp Irish roads. I have owned two front-wheel-drive cars previously and miss the grip and poise they offer. I am thinking of going for a second hand 320d with xDrive. Will it make much of a difference to the handling?
Barry Jackson (Dublin)Nov 2019 Filed under: tyres
Expert answer
Hi Barry,
I think this sounds more like a tyre issue than anything else. Is there a possibility that the car is on cheap, aftermarket, tyres? If so, get them replaced with a set of something decent — Michelins or Bridgestones. Going for xDrive would help, of course, as the extra bit of traction is never a bad thing, but it does add (slightly) to your running costs because of the weight and the extra frictional losses.
Costs to import a 2012 Kia Soul?
I am considering buying a car with English registration, It is a 2012 Kia Soul 1.6 CRDi 2 five-door automatic diesel with almost 40,000 miles on the clock. I would like to know (1) the cost of Irish registration and (2) what tax band would it come under, and the annual cost of motor tax.
Thank you
Mary
Mary Doyle (Ballaghadereen)Nov 2019 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
That version of the Soul, with the automatic gearbox, has CO2 emissions of 155g/km, so it’ll cost you €390 a year to tax. VRT on import shouldn’t be too steep — probably around the €1,800 mark depending on optional equipment, but bring it in quick — if you leave it until after January 1st you’ll have to pay the extra NOx tax, and that will add €1,975 to your import bill...
How much is my VW Golf 1.6 TDI worth?
What price should I ask for my Volkswagen Golf 1.6 diesel automatic, with 100,000 miles on the clock?
Pat Durkin (Longford )Nov 2019 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Pat,
It probably depends more on the year than the mileage, but I’m going to assume with 100,000 miles on the clock, it’s probably a 2015 model? If so it should be worth around €12,500, or about €10,500 as a trade in.
Difference between the Skoda Fabia trims?
What is the difference between the Skoda Fabia Style and the Skoda Fabia Ambition?
Ben Jackson (LIMERICK)Nov 2019 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Ben,
Ambition is the Skoda Fabia’s mid-level trim, one up from a basic Active. Prices for the cheapest Fabia Ambition start at €17,000 and standard equipment includes 15-inch alloy wheels, front fog lights, leather multi-function steering wheel, front and rear electric windows, a 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth connection, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, front and rear reading lights and an umbrella stashed under the front passenger seat.
A €19,900 Style upgrades all that with extra toys such as 16-inch alloy wheels, manual air conditioning, rear parking sensors, keyless ignition and entry, automatic headlights, a front centre armrest and height adjustable seats.