Thinking of buying a high-mileage Mondeo.
Thinking of purchasing an 09 Ford Mondeo diesel diesel with 184,000km on the clock. Should I be worried about the mileage? Is there a better saloon car that you would recommend for long distance driving?
Laura Brown (Dublin)Apr 2016 Filed under: mileage
Expert answer
Hi Laura,
No, the mileage isn’t an issue in and of itself. It all depends how well the car has been cared for. If it comes with a full service history and a stack of paperwork showing how much care and attention the previous owner has lavished on it, then the mileage simply isn’t a worry. If it comes with a sparsely stamped service book and no paperwork, walk away.
Looking at a 2003-2009 Toyota Avensis.
Hi there, I was thinking of buying a 2009 Toyota Avensis diesel hatchback with 67k miles from the UK. It is the old 2003-2009 shape. Has satnav, don't see any reversing sensors, full Toyota service history. Are they a good car or would you say 2009 version is better?
Thanks,
Walter
Walter Johnston (Ratoath)Apr 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Walter,
Well, the 2009-on Avensis is obviously a more modern design and a bit more fuel efficient and better to drive, but the older model is still a solid bet - hugely reliable and very spacious.
What's the VRT on a 2008 Lexus IS?
What's the VRT on a 2008 Lexus IS 2.2, priced £4,000 Sterling?
Camillus Keogh (Meath Balrath)Apr 2016 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Camillus,
Ok, I think you might be about to have a MASSIVE row with Revenue over this one...
Lexus IS diesels of that age are ridiculously cheap in the UK. Your £4,000 isn't even the cheapest I've seen.
Here at home though, they're massively over-priced. I've seen some advertised at north of €16,000 and that's the sort of figure Revenue is going to value the car at. With 168g/km of CO2 that means 27 per cent VRT and a bill therefore of around €4,000 to €5,000. Which is just ridiculous for a car that's cost you, in cash, about the same amount. But unless you can show that the car would be worth significantly less in Ireland than other advertised IS 220ds then you're stuck with it I'm afraid.
What do you think of the new Toyota RAV4?
What do you think of the new RAV4 from Toyota (the diesel) and what about alternatives?
Thanks
Martin Smythe (Roscommon )Mar 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Expert answer
Hi Martin,
A really impressive car, although it is looking a touch expensive compared to the likes of the Hyundai Santa Fe or Ford Kuga now. It's good to drive, with surprisingly sharp steering and lots of space in the back, plus the promise of rugged Toyota reliability. The Hybrid version is perhaps not as satisfying as the diesel (and is even more expensive again), but is perhaps worth considering if you live and do most of your driving in town. Rivals worth considering are the aforementioned Ford and Hyundai, and also Honda, both HR-V and CR-V, and the Mazda CX-5.
I've added links to our reviews of all these cars above so hopefully that's of help.
My 2015 Qashqai has an unwanted vibration.
I have a 2015 Nissan Qashqai 1.5 diesel. Recently there is a severe vibration from the passenger side front of the car on standing idle. It disappears after a slight rev on the engine is applied. Would appear the car body is lightly built and the diesel engine vibrates the engine mountings. Is this a common fault and or have you had other queries similar to this on the Qashqai?
William Neale (Dublin)Mar 2016 Filed under: warranty
Expert answer
Hi William,
Clearly your car is still under warranty so if you think the vibration is "severe" then you should get it back to the dealer for a look. They'll soon sort it out if it is indeed a problem such as a fauly engine mounting.
We've not had any other queries of the same nature on the Qashqai and we've always found the 1.5 dCi engine relatively smooth.
Should I buy a new diesel or petrol Golf?
Looking out for a new car, in particular the Volkswagen Golf. I travel Cork to Dublin on a weekly basis - would you recommend the Golf Highline 150hp TSI DSG petrol or 150hp TDI DSG?
Aidan Mackey (Blarney)Mar 2016 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Expert answer
Hi Aidan,
I think with a weekly Cork-Dublin run you should probably go for the diesel. Much better long-run economy.
Which auto petrol mobility car makes sense?
A relation is looking for a Fiat Qubo size mobility car, but only petrol and automatic. As the Qubo is only available with diesel, can you suggest any mobility car this size or one that can be converted to take a small disability scooter and have a swivel passanger seat? Failing that, could you suggest a car that could be adapted?
Frank Dodd (Dublin)Mar 2016 Filed under: miscellaneous
Expert answer
Hi F D,
To be honest, we're not really the experts where wheelchair-accessible cars are concerned, so I think you'd be better off asking the experts at Motability Ireland, who you can find here: http://www.motabilityireland.com/advsearchresults.asp
I want to insure my three classic cars...
Hi,
I want to insure my three classic cars: a 1989 Mercedes-Benz 190e 2.0-litre petrol, a 1994 BMW 520 2.0-litre petrol and a 1996 Peugeot 306 XAD van, a 1.9 diesel. Can you tell me the best insurance company to try (not a broker) and also if you could give me a value on the three cars?
Regards
Thomas
Thomas Ryan (Dublin 12)Mar 2016 Filed under: insurance
Expert answer
Hi Thomas,
Well, for a start, you're not going to be able to insure any of the three as classics, as none has passed the 30-year mark yet. If your intention is to use them for 'classic-style' driving (only bringing them out for events or days out etc.) then you might be able to get a limited mileage policy that will reduce your costs a bit.
The next problem is that Irish insurers are conducting something of a war against cars of that sort of age – they reckon that older cars are at higher risk of claims so the premiums are being loaded out of all proportion. Most of the major insurers will do a multi-car policy, but with their ages I think you might struggle to find an affordable quote.
As for value, if they're all in exceptional condition then I'd say the Mercedes and BMW could be worth as much as €5-7,000 each (they really would have to be exceptional though) and the Peugeot van probably about €3,000 (again – if in exceptional condition).
Volkswagen Passat CC or Volvo S60?
Hi,
I am considering two cars at the moment: 1) 2011 Volkswagen Passat CC 2.0-litre diesel (140hp) with 62,000 miles, €18,950; 2) 2011 Volvo S60 D3-R 2.0-litre diesel (163hp) with 41,500 miles, cost €17,950. Which would you consider the best car in terms of reliability, fun driving, value and resale value? The Passat has a slightly better trim (brown leather heated seats, satnav...), but I liked the extra power of the Volvo!
Thanks
Barry
Barry Gilbert (Dublin)Mar 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Barry,
Tough choice - both really good but quite different cars. The CC is arguably more stylish and slightly the sharper to drive, the S60 has that wonderfully reassuring Volvo safety and a really gorgeous cabin. Personally, I'd say the Volvo just shades it but it's a close run thing and you won't go far wrong with either.
What's the VRT on a 131 Kia cee'd?
What is the VRT on a 131 Kia cee'd 1.6 diesel five-door?
Barry Ogorman (Limerick)Mar 2016 Filed under: VRT
Expert answer
Hi Barry,
It depends on whether it's the 90hp versions (with CO2 emissions of 109g/km) or the 134hp stop-start version (CO2 of 94g/km). It'll be either 15 or 16 per cent of the open market selling price, which is around the €16,000 mark - so around €2,400 to €2,500.