SEAT Toledo, Skoda Rapid or Renault Fluence?
Trading up from a 2006 Nissan Note to 131-132 Skoda Rapid, SEAT Toledo or Renault Fluence: open to suggestions on which is best choice.
Seamus Neville (Waterford)Jul 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Seamus,
The Skoda and SEAT are basically the same car with different badges. Neither are especially sophisticated, but they're roomy and pleasant to drive and very affordable. Personally I prefer the hatchback versions, but that's just me. Both are preferable to the Fluence, which has never been a very satisfying car and which is about to be replaced by a new saloon version of the Renault Megane.
Relevant reviews:
How popular is the 1.4-litre TSI Passat?
Hi,
Can you tell me how many of the 1.4-litre Volkswagen Passats were registered in Ireland in 2015 and 2016?
Thanks.
Brendan Cullen (Knocklyon)Jun 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Brendan,
According to the figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), 57 Passat 1.4 TSI models were sold in 2015 (53 saloons and four estates) and 42 so far this year (37 saloons and five estates). There were also two Passat GTE plugin hybrids registered so far this year, which also use the 1.4 TSI engine.
Can I change UK Passat clocks to km?
We are interested in a 2014 Volkswagen Passat Saloon 1.6 TDI Executive BlueMotion from Belfast. The speedometer is in mph only, we need it in km; can this be changed digitally on this car, or what can be done?
Thanks.
Orlaith Daffy (Ennis )Jun 2016 Filed under: mileage
Expert answer
Hi Orlaith,
Most UK cars should come with a main analogue speedometer (the physical dial bit) with both mph and km/h markings. The good news is that the digital speedo display between the main instruments can be adjusted from the settings menu. A quick glance at the owner's handbook should see you right.
Why the different offers for my SEAT Leon?
Went wth the intention or ordering the new Audi A3 Saloon at my local dealership and they quoted me just €11,000 for my 142 SE 1.2 petrol SEAT Leon SC with just 29,500km on the clock! SEAT was offering me €16k for the same car.
What do you think the trade in value should be?
Sean Cotter (Cork)Jun 2016 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Sean,
I'd say your Audi dealer is low-balling you, but perhaps not by that much. Equally, I'd say your SEAT dealer is over-bidding a little to keep you in the brand. Second hand trade in values are never an exact science because it depends as much on what other cars the dealer has on their lot already as on the actual car itself.
Your Leon is a pretty basic one, but that's not necessarily a bad thing and if it were me, I'd probably pitch you between €13,000 and €14,000 as a trade in and that's staying on the safe side. Again though, every dealer's setup and circumstances are different and therefore every trade in offer is different.
I have up to €7,000 to buy a car with low costs.
Hi,
I am planning to buy a used car manufactured in 2008 or 2009 and my budget for this is between €6,000 and €7,000. Please suggest a good sedan that is worth driving for a period of six to eight years from now. I am not a person who commutes long distances in my day to day life. Probably I may travel 25,000-30,000km per year. I am looking forward to buying a car with low maintenance cost and fuel economy.
Thanks. Sebastian J.
Sebastian J (Galway)Jun 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Expert answer
Hi Sebastian,
OK, you have a few choices here. I’d say with that mileage you’re on the cusp of needing to buy a diesel to maximise your fuel economy, but your budget is a bit tight for most diesel saloons of that age. So, how about a BMW 318i? It’s petrol but the good news is that it’s quite economical (you should get 40mpg easily enough) and more reliable than the diesel 3 Series. Or you could try a Honda Civic IMA Hybrid saloon. There are quite a few of those around in your price range and if most of your miles are done in town, it would be ideal.
How much if I trade in my Opel Insignia?
How much would I expect to get on a trade in on my 2011 Opel Insignia saloon for a 2016 Insignia?
Gerry Donnelly (Dublin)May 2016 Filed under: used car values
Expert answer
Hi Gerry,
As a trade-in, you’d probably get about €12,000 for your 2011 Insignia.
Why do the Audi A3's and Golf's tax differ?
Why is the tax between an Audi and Golf such a difference for a 1.6 engine? Seems odd!
Colin Morrissey (Lucan)Apr 2016 Filed under: taxation
Expert answer
Hi Colin,
It depends which models you mean. I presume you’re looking at an Audi A3 and a Volkswagen Golf, which share a 1.6-litre diesel engine. On the base model of both cars, the quoted CO2 figure is exactly the same – 99g/km. It could be that you’re looking at an A3 Saloon, which, with the optional 18-inch alloy wheels, has a CO2 figure of 109g/km, or possibly even the A3 Saloon quattro 1.6 TDI on 18s, which has a whopping (in comparison) figure of 130g/km. Extra equipment (or indeed a complete four-wheel drive system) and bigger wheels all have an effect on consumption and therefore emissions, you see...
Will the new Mercedes E-Class have 4Matic?
Will there be a 4Matic option available in Ireland for the new Mercedes E-Class saloon?
Sean Cotter (Newtownmountkennedy)Apr 2016 Filed under: future engines
Expert answer
Hi Sean,
Yes, 4Matic four-wheel drive will arrive in Ireland this September on the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Read our review of the Mercedes-Benz E 400 4Matic here.
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.
What cars are best-suited to importing?
In terms of VRT, what are the best value used cars to import (from the UK) in the large family saloon/mid range exec range?
Brian Quinn (Drogheda)Apr 2016 Filed under: importing
Expert answer
Hi Brian,
Well, it's all down to the CO2 emissions because it's that on which the rate of VRT will be applied. You need to do your homework though as cars that can be quite affordable in the UK can be wildly over-priced in the Irish market leading to you paying more VRT than you really should do.
Ideally, you need to be spending above €30k on a car to make it truly worth your while on importing a car, thanks to the exchange rate. The BMW 3 Series, Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class are all well worth looking at, as well as higher-spec versions of the likes of the Skoda Superb, Volkswagen Passat and Mazda6.