How much should I expect as a trade in for my 2005 Volkswagen Passat?
How much should I expect as a trade in for my 2005 Volkswagen Passat 1.6 petrol model with 45,000 miles?
Thanks,
Philip Grant, Dublin
Philip Grant (Dublin)Aug 2015 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Philip,
I'd say about €5,500.
What's the trade-in value of a 2009 Mazda3?
The trade in value of 2009 Mazda3 saloon 1.6 petrol please.
Pat Tierney (Dublin)Aug 2015 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Pat,
I'd say somewhere between €7,000 and €7,500.
What's the older Kia Sportage like?
Hi, I'm thinking about buying a 2009 Kia Sportage 2.0 petrol EX manual 4x4. I saw your review of the 1.7-litre front-wheel drive Sportage. How good is the older 4x4 2.0-litre version? It's done 100,000km and just had the timing belt replaced so it looks like a good buy?
Thanks,
Nick
Nick Price (Dublin)Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Nick,
It is a good buy as long as you're not planning to do big miles in it - it's a good bit less economical than the diesel you see, so regular long journeys aren't a great idea. The old Sportage is a good thing though - simpler and more rugged than the current version, and very practical. With four-wheel drive it has decebt off-road ability too, if that's any use to you. No major reported problems or unreliability black spots - just make sure it has a full service history.
Ford Focus 1.4 petrol: how good?
Ford Focus 1.4 petrol: how good?
Eamon Duff (Navan)Aug 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Eamon,
Not bad, and there are lots and lots to choose from so be very, very fussy and don't lay down any cash on something that's not absolutely immaculate. Also worth noting that the 1.4 is pretty under powered so you're going to suffer in fuel consumption terms. And, indeed, overtaking terms.
When is the Volkswagen Golf 1.0 TSI due?
When is the Volkswagen Golf 1.0 TSI due for Irish launch?
Shaun McGroarty (Dublin)Jul 2015 Filed under: future engines
Expert answer
Hi Shaun,
I double-checked with Volkswagen Ireland just now and it confirmed that it is not planning on offering it for sale here at all, as demand for petrol-fuelled Golfs is very low.
Shame.
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 (Dublin)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.
What SUV would suit my off-road needs?
What SUV is the best buy petrol or diesel for €5,000, just for running around my small holding?
John Highland (Wexford)Jul 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
Do you mean for driving off-road, most of the time? Your best bet is to track down a Suzuki Jimny - they're cheap, cheerful, rugged and amazingly good in the mud.
If you want to make regular on-road journeys in a bit of comfort, but still want to have something that'll deal with muddy fields, have a look for a Mk1 Subaru Forester. Great on road, great off road and you can't kill them with a stick.
Have you any information on the Audi Q2?
Have you any information on the Audi Q2?
Frank Dodd (Dublin)Jul 2015 Filed under: future cars
Expert answer
Hi F D,
The Audi Q2 won't actually be called the Q2, it'll be called the Q1. Why? Because Fiat owns the rights to the Q2 badge and won't let Audi play with its ball. So the Q1 will sit beneath the existing Q3, and will be based on the same MQB chassis system that currently underpins almost everything Volkswagen, from Golf to A3 to Passat to Superb. The next Q3 will get a little bigger too, to make some space for the Q1. Expect the Q1 to skew a little more towards an estate, crossover-y body style, leaving the Q3 to be taller and blockier and more SUV-ish.
We have no official word on engines yet but as it's MQB-based expect 1.4 turbo petrol and 1.6- and 2.0-litre TDI diesel, with an SQ1 sports variant using either a tweaked diesel or 230hp petrol turbo. It'll go on sale in 2016 and we'd expect to see a full production model at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
Is the Rover 75 automatic a good car?
Is the Rover 75 automatic a good car, mechanically?
John Griffin (County. Cavan. Ireland)Jul 2015 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi John,
Only. If. You're. Very. Lucky.
Actually, they're not that bad - probably the best car that Rover ever built, but then you need to place that statement in the context of some of the build quality horrors they did turn out... And besides that, the youngest possible 75 turned 10 this year. The oldest ones are almost old enough to vote by now.
You need to watch for some specific problems. If it's got the 1.8 turbo petrol engine, avoid it - they overheat and do their head gaskets and at that point you may as well just throw the engine away. The 2.0-litre V6 petrol is lovely and smooth but complex and expensive to maintain. The BMW-sourced 2.0-litre diesel is the best powerplant, but it does develop turbo problems and they're heavy on the transmission. You also need to check for worn, saggy suspension and rusty brake pipes.
Can I use the same parts on a petrol and diesel Ford Focus?
Would a front panel of a diesel Ford Focus fit a petrol model?
Shaun Lafferty (Creeslough )Jul 2015 Filed under: crashed cars
Expert answer
Hi Shaun,
Yes it would - there is no difference.
