How much is a 2005 Toyota Avensis worth?
How much is a 2005 1.6 petrol Toyota Avensis Strata 1ith 183,000km on the clock worth as a trade in?
Des Decourcy (Wicklow)Jan 2016 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Des,
As a trade in, probably around €1,500 to €2,000, but it would have to be immaculate to reach that.
Toyota Corolla or Skoda Octavia?
Thinking about buying a 2008 Toyota Corolla or Skoda Octavia, similar mileage, 1.4 petrol. Thoughts?
Brendan Toohey (Drogheda )Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
Both decent cars. Go with the Corolla if reliability is your overriding priority (although the Skoda's hardly fragile or anything) and go with the Skoda if space and a big boot are your priorities.
Any pointers on the Nissan Tiida?
My budget for a car is €6k approx and the Nissan Tiida (2008 or 2009) 1.6 four-door manual petrol seems good value for money. I would do low mileage per year, mostly city/urban driving.
Any pointers?
Rita O'Keeffe (Dublin 15)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Rita,
The 1.6 is the right choice for city/urban driving right enough and the Tiida is a reliable old thing, and was one of the first cars to come with Bluetooth phone connection as standard. It's not very interesting though...
What to buy with up to €5,000?
I am looking for a medium size second hand car. My budget is €3,000 - €5,000. Which make/model is the most economical for road tax and fuel?
Sinéad O Sullivan (Tralee)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Sinead,
How about a Honda Civic? Your budget should get you into a 2007 model with the 1.4-litre V-TEC petrol engine. Frugal, reliable and spacious.
2006 Ford Focus: timing belt or chain?
I have a 2006 Ford Focus 1.8 petrol coming up to 63,000 miles. How do I find out if I have a timing belt or chain?
LEE HARDY (SHEFFIELD)Jan 2016 Filed under: servicing
Expert answer
Hi Lee,
The Focus changed model around then, but if our information is correct, your car has a timing belt and it needs to be changed every 100,000 miles (160,000km) or every 10 years, so we'd recommend you get it done now.
Should I go for an old Saab 9-5 auto?
Hi,
I'm thinking of taking a chance on a 2007 or 2008 Saab 9-5 automatic. Any advice appreciated: 2.0-litre petrol or 1.9-litre diesel?
Many thanks
Dave
David Doyle (Dublin)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi David,
I'd say overall that the 2.0 petrol will be the more reliable engine, not least because it's an older, more thoroughly developed unit. But beware - horror stories of 9-5 unreliability are legion...
Are electric cars a real option now?
Are electric cars a real option now? Looking to purchase a second hand car 2012 upwards. What do you think?
Paul Mccabe (Kilkenny)Jan 2016 Filed under: electric cars
Expert answer
Hi Paul,
Yes, and no. And a bit yes. It still depends on your lifestyle and driving habits. Lots of short journeys, mostly around town? Don't mind taking the time to plan long journeys carefully and be prepared to take breaks for charge ups?
Things are getting dramatically better though. Nissan has just updated the Leaf with a new 30kwh battery (read our review of it here) that extends its range to around 250km, which is a lot more useful, and if you're suitably loaded a Tesla Model S can go for 500km between charges.
If you're not quite ready to take the full electric car plunge, how about a plugin hybrid? Short hops under electric power with a petrol engine for longer journeys. Try the Volkswagen Golf GTE, Audi A3 e-tron, Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV or a Volvo XC90 T8.
However, if you're looking for a second hand car, your options with electric power are severely limited, as sales have been slow so far.
I'd like a newer seven-seat people carrier.
Hi,
I have a 2002 3.3-litre petrol Chrysler Grand Voyager with 100k miles on the clock in great condition and never giving any trouble. But it costs €1,800 a year to tax and is not fuel efficient, though small mileage is done annually about town (Dublin). Am considering a newer seven-seater say 2008 with lower tax and better fuel consumption, but that brings possible depreciation costs. Maybe a smaller seven-seater.
Would welcome advice
Denis Gallagher (Dublin)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Denis,
Best to stick with a Toyota Verso (neé Corolla Verso) or a Volkswagen Touran so - both have space for seven, and big boots if you leave the rear seats folded down. Both should be endlessly reliable too. Honda's FR-V also worth a look if six seats (in two rows of three) would work for you.
With €10,000 I need room for my bike, please!
Upgrading from a 2001 Nissan Almera 1.5-litre petrol. I cycle to work so only drive at weekends so thinking I should probably stick to petrol. I'd like to come up to a 2010 model with a maximum budget of €10,000. Maybe a hatchback to fit my bike; what do you recommend?
Claire
Claire Towey (Dublin)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Claire,
Well, with a bike, why not go for a compact estate instead of a hatch? Same driving experience and same running costs, but a bigger boot by far. Best of the breed is a Kia cee'd SW, which is hugely reliable and has a massive boot. With you just driving at the weekends, I'd say it's worth trying to track down a petrol model, rather than the more popular diesel.
Which year Hyundai i30 can I afford?
I have a 2006 Citroen C4 1.4 petrol with 120,000km to trade in. I want to buy a Hyundai i30 diesel 1.4. My budget is €10,000. What year of Hyundai could I expect for that budget?
Thank you.
Mary Tinsley (Newbridge)Jan 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Mary,
Your Citroen is going to be worth circa €2-3,000 so you're probably looking at a budget of around €12,500 to €13,000. That'll get you into a 2012 or 2013 Hyundai i30, depending on the dealer and the offer.