Should I buy a petrol car for short trips?
Hi,
If the vast bulk of my driving is in short trips, is it better to buy petrol over diesel, or does it really matter? Unlike the mass market models, for upmarket models, like Mercedes, there isn't any significant initial price difference between petrol and diesel models. Possibly, also with diesel becoming slightly less popular, the level of depreciation might not be that significant. I would welcome any thoughts you might have.
Thank you, Philip
Philip Donegan (Ballina)Sep 2016 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
Petrol is better for shorter trips, period. Apart from the extra cost of buying a diesel car (which as you correctly point out, narrows a bit with some models), there's the question of maintenance - doing short hops is just bad for a diesel engine as it won't warm through properly and you could develop problems with the particulate filter and other engine components.
Citroen C5, Mazda6 or SEAT Exeo diesel?
Which would be the best buy, all 2009: Citroen C5 diesel, Mazda6 diesel or SEAT Exeo diesel?
John Byrne (Wexford)Sep 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
The Mazda6 - it's the best to drive and the most reliable.
Any problems with the Corolla's gearbox?
Are there any inherent problems in the gearbox of the Toyota Corolla 1.4 diesel?
Brian Tolan
Virginia, Co Cavan
Brian Tolan (Virginia Co Cavan)Aug 2016 Filed under: gearbox
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
There have been intermittently reported issues with Toyota gearboxes across the board, from sticking shifts to complete failures, but they tend to be quite rare overall, so if the car you’re looking at has a full service history then it should be OK. Ask for a warranty if you're really worried about it.
I need a huge car for my dogs and kids please!
Hi,
I'm looking for a recommendation. I have six big dogs (four labradors, two St Bernard) that need to fit in. A van is no good as I need seats for my two kids too. Currently driving an old Volvo 740 estate, but is getting too old/problematic now. Budget of max €15,000, fuel efficient diesel preferred as I average 700km a week. Two of the dogs are getting old so high up (off roaders) not really suitable. New Volvo V70 just not big enough.
Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you,
Jennifer Rafter
Jennifer Rafter (Dublin 16)Aug 2016 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Jennifer,
You could try a Skoda Superb Combi, but I think that many big dogs would overwhelm even that car’s massive boot. Perhaps you need to go down the road of a van-based MPV. Maybe try a Citroen Berlingo or Volkswagen Caddy Life? Seats for the kids and (hopefully) enough space for the dogs, plus their tailgates aren’t too high off the ground so the older dogs shouldn’t have too much trouble getting in and out.
Best seven-seater for around €15,000?
What is the best seven-seat car priced around €15,000? We have four children, aged 12, 5, 3 and 2. The car needs to be diesel as we have a long distance drive to work. Also need it to be in a low tax bracket, have a roomy boot, good solid engine and be sturdy on the road.
Olga Coss (mullins) (Portlaoise )Aug 2016 Filed under: family car
Expert answer
Hi Olga,
The best two to choose from are the Ford S-Max and the Opel Zafira Tourer. Both should be big enough inside for your needs, and they certainly hit the remaining criteria pretty well. Cars like the Volkswagen Touran and Toyota Verso are also good, but they tend to be too small in the third row of seats for regular use.
Looking for a spacious diesel car for €15,000.
Hi,
I'm looking for a diesel saloon as I do a lot of travelling. I bring quite a lot of equipment so it needs to have a large boot or it could be a car van? What would you recommend that's reliable and economical and reasonably smart looking? I have a budget of €15,000.
Thanks
Aiden Toomey (Dublin 12)Aug 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Aiden,
That’s a good-sized budget so you should be able to get a good-sized car. In terms of car-vans, the best ones are the Citroen Berlingo and the Volkswagen Caddy Life, but both are noisier than a conventional car, and less comfortable over long distances. With that in mind, I reckon you need an estate – have a look for a Mazda6 Tourer, Ford Mondeo Estate or Volkswagen Passat Estate – or keep an eye out for the best of breed, the Skoda Superb Combi. All are comfortable, roomy and have frugal diesel options.
Hyundai i40 or Skoda Octavia?
Hi,
I have a 131 Hyundai i30 Estate 1.4 diesel that has been reliable, good for bringing family and luggage in etc. I do about 15-20,000km p.a. Fuel economy has been alright if not as good as I expected, as maybe slightly underpowered sometimes and I have to accelerate it more than I'd like. It's a good car, but has always been poor for road noise even with tyre changes.
I am looking to change now to something a bit bigger, either a 151 1.6 diesel Skoda Octavia hatchback or a 142 Hyundai i40 saloon 1.7 diesel, mid-spec levels. I haven't really looked at specific examples of either yet. I only intend to keep the newer car until maybe 2018/19 and both above choices give me a good level of warranty cover until then.
Which do you think would be the better buy? Safety, more quiet on the move and decent handling (as my main everyday route is quite a twisty hilly road) are important to me.
Thanks
Mick, Gorey
Mick Walsh (Gorey)Aug 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Mick,
Well, given the list of priorities you’ve given me, either the Octavia or the i40 would seem ideal, although it’s the Hyundai that will hold on to its warranty longer, as it has a five-year warranty compared to the Skoda’s three-year one. The Skoda is by a very slim margin the nicer of the two to drive though, so you’ll need to bear that in mind. That said, the i40 is more refined overall (not to mention being a bigger car, with more space in inside), so it’s really a matter of deciding which of your priorities gets top billing.
I want to import a used Fiat Doblo van.
I want to import a used Fiat Doblo highroof van with 1.9 JTD diesel engine year 2007, mileage 114,000. This has been professionally converted to a two-berth caravan. Can you estimate VRT, VAT and any other costs
Thanks
Gerry Boylan
Gerry Boylan (Limerick , Ireland.)Aug 2016 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Gerry,
Well you won’t have to pay VAT as it’s too old for that, but as for VRT it’s very hard for us to say. There are very few Doblo-based campers on the market for us to be able to try and work out a rough value, and none that we can find in Ireland so quite what view Revenue might take of its value is totally up in the air. Our best guess is that its Irish Open Market Selling Price will be around €7,000, which, with a VRT rate of 13.3 per cent, would suggest a VRT charge of around €800 to €1,000.
Best seven-seat diesel SUV right now?
What is the best seven-seat SUV with a 2.0-litre diesel engine?
Anthony Crean (Gorey)Aug 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Anthony,
Well, the best is actually a 2.2-litre; it’s the current model of the Kia Sorento. It's big, comfy, roomy, easy-going and pleasant to drive. Very American in feel actually, and we mean that in the best sense possible.
How much is a Peugeot 307 estate worth?
Hello,
Thinking of selling my car but price on the websites vary quite a lot for a similar car so finding difficult to see which price to ask. It is a red Peugeot 307 estate (five seater) diesel with 74,000 miles on the clock and in very good condition, with full service history and NCT until August 2017.
Thanks for your help
Asier Pagaza (Trim)Aug 2016 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Asier,
It would of course depend on the year, which you haven’t given us I’m afraid, but the ballpark runs from €1,400 for a 2004 model to around €6,000 for a 2008 model.