Petrol or diesel for an imported Volvo V40?
I am looking at buying a Volvo V40 import from UK, but want to know should I go for petrol or diesel as I only do between 12,000- and 15,000 miles a year. I love the V40 D2 but probably not practical with the low mileage I do and I think the V40 petrol only comes in a 2.0-litre. would it be economical or would I be better just going for a Ford Focus EcoBoost instead? I know they are complete worlds apart but I don't want to get the V40 petrol if it will be costly to run either.
Mary Boyle (Belturbet)Jul 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Karena,
You're right on the edge for choosing between petrol and diesel. If those miles are mostly on the motorway then diesel may still make sense, but if they're mostly at low speeds then you're right in considering petrol.
Now, the Volvo V40 is a fine choice, but I'm not sure what year you're looking at, as the latest petrol models are powered by a relatively efficient turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine, badged either T2 or T3. The EcoBoost Focus is also a cracking car. Try to get a test drive in a few before you decide and come back to us if you need more assistance.
Do I need an SUV for towing my horsebox on the motorway?
Hi, what SUV would you recommend for pulling a horsebox and also motorway driving? I do about 500 to 600km a week going up and down to Dublin a couple of times a week from the midlands so I need an SUV that is economical on diesel but also able to handle a horsebox.
Many thanks
Louise Fox (Belturbet)Jul 2015 Filed under: towing
Expert answer
Hi Louise,
You don't necessarily need a 4x4 for that - a mid size estate car would do the job just as well. So, have a look at the following and see what you'd like: Mazda6 2.2d, Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCi, Skoda Superb 2.0 TDI.
Or, if you really have to have a 4x4, check out the Hyundai Santa Fe, Audi Q5 or Nissan X-Trail.
Relevant reviews:
What do you think of the 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer?
Hi, I'm thinking of buying a 2012 Mitsubishi Lancer. It's a 1.8 diesel with 150hp. Just wondering if there are any problems I should look out for with these? It has 67,000km on the clock and has a few extras such as rear spoiler, side skirts and front bumper corner extensions. Just wondering what should i expect to pay for this?
Mike Brennan (Wexford)Jul 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Mike,
You'll probably pay in and around the €13,000 mark for it and as far as we're aware these are solidly reliable cars with no common major problems.
What is the market value of a 2004 Volkswagen Golf?
What is the market value of a 2004 Volkswagen Golf three-door diesel with 220k km on the clock in Ireland?
Padraigh O Fearghail (Balbriggan)Jul 2015 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Padraigh,
I'd say in and around €4,000.
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.
How much should I pay for a 2008 Kia cee'd SW?
How much should I pay for a 2008 Kia cee'd SW 1.4 petrol in good nick, 85,000km on the clock?
John Lenehan (Sligo)Jun 2015 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi John,
It depends on the history and condition of course, but somewhere around the €5,500 to €6,000 mark. They're generally worth a good bit less than an equivalent cee'd 1.6 diesel.
What is my Hyundai Tucson worth?
What is my car worth retail or trade in? It's a 2008 Hyundai Tucson 2WD deluxe 2.0-litre diesel with 118k kilometres on the clock, two owners, NCT June 2016 and leather upholstery.
Vivienne O'sullivan (Dublin)Jun 2015 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Vivienne,
If you sold it yourself (and as ever, this is hugely dependent upon condition and history) you should get around €7,000 to €7,500 for it. As a trade-in, somewhere around the €6,500 mark.
How much for my 2006 Toyota Corolla?
How much would I get for my Toyota Corolla Diesel - 2006 D-4D Luna with 77,722km.
Thanks,
Rachel
Rachel Dobbyn (Ashbourne)Jun 2015 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Rachel,
Somewhere in the region of €5,000.
What's wrong with my nearly new Golf TDI?
Hi,
I have a Volkswagen Golf Mk7 TDI diesel, just 10 weeks old, 6,600km on the clock. Engine management light flashing and loses ability to accelerate. Light goes off and acceleration restored once ignition turned off and on again. Gets a 90km spin almost daily. Second time it's happened in past four weeks.
Any ideas what could be wrong?
Olive Piercy (Meath)Jun 2015 Filed under: fault
Expert answer
Hi Olive,
It's not easy to assess such issues from afar though it does sound as if the car is going into 'limp home' mode to protect the engine as the engine control unit (ECU) has sensed a problem. With such a new car it's most likely to be a wrong reading from a sensor rather than anything major.
As the car is new, bring it straight back to the dealer and we're sure it'll be sorted quickly.
Let us know how you get on and what the problem was.
SEAT Leon, Skoda Octavia or Volkswagen Golf?
Which car is the best secondhand buy: SEAT Leon, Skoda Octavia or Volkswagen Golf? I just changed jobs and need a new car. I'll be doing 25-30,000km a year so I'm only really looking at diesels in the 2005-2008 bracket. Which of the cars is best value for money in fuel efficency, cheapest repairs, car longevity etc. Any tips on what I should look out for when buying or any other cars you would suggest?
Cormac Mc Cashin (Maynooth)Jun 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Cormac,
Go with the Octavia or the SEAT - both are comfy for long journeys, frugal on diesel as long as you go for the 1.6 TDI and both should work out a little bit cheaper to service and run than the Golf, if only fractionally. It's worth shopping around to see if anyone has any inclusive service or extended second hand warranty offers on the go - both can save you a fortune further down the line.