Which MPV will I replace our BMW 3 Series with?
Hi Shane & team,
We're looking at trading in again. You helped us source our last car four years ago. We really like our curent 2006 BMW 318, but for the last nine months to a year we've been pouring money into for what feels like constant repairs and the car tax is crippling too. We've now come to the realisation that we need to move to seven-seat territory for these and family reasons. Today we saw and drove both of these cars:
http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/renault/grand-scenic/used-2010-renault-grand-scenic-1-dublin-fpa-200914374138165780 http://www.cbg.ie/citroen-c4-grand-picasso-1.6-2008-dublin-diesel-silver-mpv
The Renault felt more car like to drive and I wasn't wild about the delay in the Citroen semi-automatic gearbox. For the Renault they've said the cost to change is €6,500 and just under €7,000 for the Citroen. The Renault, being a 2010 model, is almost seems too good to be true. Can you give me any advice on these? Is the Renault a good buy? Is it reliable or will it swallow money on repairs as our current car is? Are there any others you would recommend? We really don't want to spend more than €6k-ish.
Thanks
Enda
Enda Lowry (Dublin)Sep 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Enda,
I'd tread carefully here. If you don't like the semi-auto box on the Citroen then just let it go - it's not going to get any better and it'll bug you for the rest of your time with the car.
As for the Renault, I'm just not confident predicting reliability. Generally, Renaults are now a lot better built than they used to be, but long-term they can still be a bit shaky. Also, the reason it's a high-spec 2010 model for such a small price is because Renaults depreciate faster than snow in summer.
So, I think you might need to shop around a bit and buy something on the basis of reliability and condition rather than year. Have a look at the likes of a Ford S-Max, Toyota Verso, Volkswagen Touran or, if six seats rather than seven will do the trick, a Honda FR-V. You might need to go back to a 2008 or 2009 model to get one within budget, but buy with a full service history and keep the maintenance up and any of those should give you long and hopefully reliable service.
Last, but not least, Shane, our Editor, is in the same position as you right now and he has homed in on the Mazda5, which has an exceptional reliability record.
Secondhand Honda CR-V or Nissan X-Trail?
I am looking for a reliable, spacious secondhand SUV that won't cost me the earth to run. I have a budget of €9,000 - €10,000. Will be used privately most of the time (12,000 miles per year, two kids and a dog), but need it for off road on a farm/laneways for cutting down trees and towing a trailer full of firewood every couple of weeks.
I am undecided between a 2008 Honda CR-V 2.2d AWD or a 2008 Nissan X-Trail 2.0d 4wd. I like the space in the X-trail but would the Honda give me less trouble? Also I see that the X-Trail comes in 150 and 175hp guises. What would best suit my needs and would there be much of a difference in running cost/fuel economy?
Any advice would be grateful!
K C (Cork)Sep 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Keith,
Both are excellent cars and the 175hp X-Trail's extra grunt could be very useful when hauling trees and trailers. That said, the Honda is still plenty grunty and a bit more plush inside than the Nissan. Actually this is a hard one to choose - I know from personal experience that the Honda is close to indestructible, but I also happen to think that the X-Trail is a really underrated car.
Coin toss so - go for the Honda.
Ford Focus or Citroen C4?
With a budget of around €3,000, I'm looking to buy a Citroen C4 hatchback or a Ford Focus hatchback around 2006-07 1.6 diesel. Would you recommend one over the other? I heard that the Focus can be troublesome but I can't find a bad review on the C4. I've been told I should go for a better make car 2005 with that budget but how can you tell which ultimately is a better buy? Will there be more problems with an 05 than an 07?
Moza Walsh (Galway)Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Moza,
You won't necessarily get more trouble from an 05 than an 07 - it's all down to the condition and history of the individual car.
You're right to say that there are no major problems with the C4 - it's actually pretty well made - but check it for any electrical gremlins. The 1.6 diesel is shared with the Ford Focus (and several other cars) so any problems are basically identical - water pump and oil 'sludge' are the common issues. I'd say the Focus has a slight edge in terms of reliability and quality but it's a close run thing.
If you want a 'better make' and reliability is your primary concern then you need to be buying either Japanese or Korean. Corolla, Civic, Almera etc.
What reliable and economical car for €3,500?
Hi, please suggest a good reliable, economical car as I have to do daily commute of one hour for my job. My budget is €3,500, fuel type, diesel, engine size 1.2- to 1.6 litres, transmission, manual. And should I buy a used car from a dealer or private owner?
Thanks
Rakesh Kumar (Galway)Jul 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Rakesh,
That kind of budget should get you into a Mazda3 1.6 D circa 2005, 2006. Buying from a dealer potentially gives you more peace of mind but if you do your homework and get a history check then buying private can be fine too.
Which seven-seater to go for?
We are looking for a used petrol seven-seater (we do low mileage) and have narrowed it down to two cars: Nissan Qashqai, 2011, 1.6 petrol, 27,000km or Toyota Corolla Verso, 2012, 1.6 petrol, 35,000 miles (import from the North). Both cars seem to be in good nick and drive well and I am guessing will be in the same tax bracket. The Verso is a couple of thousand more expensive, but within our budget.
Cónal McGovern (Galway)Jul 2015 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Cónal,
Ok, it depends what you need. Do you need to use all seven seats regularly? Get the Verso, as it has at least decent space in the third row. If you just need a couple of vey occasional flip-up seats for short journeys then the Qashqai is nicer to look at and better to drive.
I need a very large car for up to €16,000.
I have a budget of around €13,000 to €16,000 and and need to buy a seven-seater diesel that will accommodate two adults and five children aged 7, 10, 12, 14 and 17 years. Have no interest in what the car looks like, need the most reliable engine, with the most leg room possible and will not be trading up etc so maintenance costs a factor too. Will drive the car for as long as it lasts, live in the countryside so average weekly mileage around 130km.
Would be so grateful for some advice.
Jill Co. Waterford.
Jillian Wheaton (Carrick-on-Suir)Jun 2015 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Jillian,
OK, there's a few good options out there. You could try and track down a Mitsubishi Grandis - think of it as a Japanese Ford S-Max, with space for seven and endless reliability, but I'm slightly worried that you might be caught for space as your kids get bigger. How about something van-based? A Volkswagen Caddy Maxi Life has seats for seven, lots of space and based on a commercial vehicle means it'll go forever. That 1.6 TDI engine makes it cheap to run too.
If you need more space than that, then you're into big van-with-windows territory such as a Ford Transit Tourneo or Volkswagen Caravelle, but these are really big and unwieldy and can be pretty thirsty. If you can all squeeze into the Caddy happily enough, that's the one I'd go for.
What first car would you recommend with €10,000?
What would you recommend for a first car for a 25-year old with about €10k to spend. I like the Volkswagen Golf.
John Millane (Ennis)Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
A Golf is always a good choice but the fact that it comes with, at smallest, a 1.4-litre engine could be an issue when it comes to insurance. You could, for your budget, get the current-shape Polo, from around 2010, with a 1.2-litre engine. That should take the sting out of the insurance. Or what about something really stylish? Say, a Fiat 500 1.2? Plenty of those around and they’re quite enjoyable to drive too.
What luxury SUV will I get with €55,000?
I am looking to buy a second hand luxury SUV that's good on mpg, tax and price. I have about €55,000 to spend. Can you please help?
Paul Sheehan (Waterford)Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
I think your best best is to go for a BMW X5. Your budget should get you a 2012 model, and that's efficient enough to be in the last-but-one tax band, so you'll pay €1,250 a year in tax instead of €2,350 in the top band.
Can you recommend a car for €10,000 for me?
My 2001 Hyundai Accent has failed the NCT so I need to buy a new car. I'm a mum of two and my husband drives a 2003 Toyota Verso. I have a budget of €10,000. Can you recommend a car to me?
Sharon Drummond (Galway)Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Sharon,
€10,000 buys you an awful lot on the second hand market, but I'm assuming you want to stay within roughly the same size band as the Accent. So, your best bets are to go for a two-to three-year old small hatchback - think Toyota Yaris, Kia Rio, Honda Jazz, Hyundai i20 or Volkswagen Polo. The Kia or Hyundai are probably the best bets as they'll both have factory warranties left to run.
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Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake or Nissan X-Trail?
Trying to decide between new Mercedes-Benz CLA Shooting Brake and new Nissan X-Trail diesel. What would you go for? Or are there any new cars coming next Jan that could compete? Budget max €38,000.
Caroline Conroy (Limerick)May 2015 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Caroline,
Wow, you really couldn't get two more different cars. The CLA Shooting Brake is a really nice car, probably the best of the A-Class spin offs and very nice to drive. But it's not especially practical, so if that's what you're looking for then it's not the right car.
The current X-Trail is a very good car, with lots of space. It's well made and nice to drive, but if you're shopping in and around the €38k mark have a really good look at a Kia Sorento or Honda CR-V - those are the two joint best mid-size SUVs around at the moment for my money.
Worth looking at a spacious estate too. Mazda's just-updated 6 is utterly lovely and well-specced and the Mondeo Estate and Passat Estate are both well worth a look too.
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