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Previously answered questions
What do you think of theft of modern cars?
I don't know if there is a limit on the number of questions one can ask but here's another! Nearly all of the top specc'd models have hands-free door opening and engine starting. In an article in Auto Bild magazine it said that these were easily subject to theft using specialised equipment. Only one brand foiled the thieves - Mercedes-Benz. I was wondering would you have any comment on this. It's very disheartening.
Philip Donegan (Ballina)
Feb 2016 Filed under: car theft
Is Nissan's 'checkover' a service at 1,000km?
Hi,
I availed of the Nissan scrappage scheme and I'm told there's a free "checkover" at over 1,000km; is it a checkover or service I'm wondering?
Thanks very much
Marie
Marie Nannery (Navan)
Feb 2016 Filed under: servicing
I'm struggling with buying a petrol car...
Hi,
Trying to buy a replacement for my 1999 Avensis and the scarcity of petrols and abundance of diesels on the market baffles me. I don't think it wise to buy diesel for my standard drive of eight miles to work and home and same six days a week with road trip round 300 miles just six times a year.
This is supposedly "economical" and "green driving" even though in London it costs more for a permit going into city with diesel car and trends in London have historically impacted directly on us in three to five years. I would love to know of a diesel car 2008-2011 (for cheap tax) with no necessary DPF that I have to worry about, or will I stick to petrol believing that in five years time petrol is a more saleable/popular engine than diesel is? Then there might be a hybrid to suit. Volkswagen, Japanese or any good 1.4+ hatch or saloon suggestions?
Thanks,
Pauline.
Pauline Anne Connor (Galway)
Feb 2016 Filed under: petrol vs. diesel
Is the Qashqai's 1.5-litre engine enough?
Is the Qashqai's 1.5-litre engine powerful enough or does the 1.6 make for a better alternative to the Hyundai Tucson or the Toyota RAV4? My driving is a mix of rural roads, motorways and urban.
P. J. Hynes (Dublin)
Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Recommend a small car for up to €5,000.
Could you recommend 1.0-litre cars for between €3,000 and €5,000 not doing a great deal of miles. I don't mind going up on cc if wise.
Thank you very much.
Frank Sweargen (Tramore)
Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Can you help me calculate import VRT?
Hello,
I'm about to register an imported car from NI. The model is not widely available in the Republic and therefore not listed on the Revenue VRT calculator so I have to complete a VRT estimate form myself, which involves calculating the 'ratio of UK to RoI price'. What exactly does this mean?
Thanks in advance.
John, Tralee
John Duggan (Tralee)
Feb 2016 Filed under: importing
What new petrol SUVs cost less than €40k?
I hope to change my Kia Sportage soon. I do less than 10,000 kilometres a year so I may go for petrol and an automatic. Give us some SUV options south of €40k.
Thanks
Eamonn
Eamonn McAndrew (Mayo)
Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing new car
Audi A6 Avant or Volkswagen Passat Estate?
Hi there,
I am currently looking at buying either a Volkswagen Passat Comfortline Estate 2.0 TDI (2013) or an Audi A6 Avant 2.0 TDI (2013). The price difference is around €8k/€9k. Which is the better buy all round?
Thanks
Patrick Malone (Dublin)
Feb 2016 Filed under: choosing used car
Lexus IS 300h or BMW 330e hybrids?
Hi there,
I need to make the move back to petrol from diesel as I am not doing the mileage and concerned about reliability of a modern diesel with DPF blockages. I would like a small comfortable automatic saloon. I don't have options to charge an EV car at work or at home. Should I go with the Lexus IS 300h over the BMW 330e?
John, Dublin.
John Cronin (Dublin)
Feb 2016 Filed under: hybrid
A few questions on PCP finance please...
If I take out a PCP option on a new Renault after three years I can get a new car. My question is - will my repayments drop because of it being a three-year old car being upgraded to a new one? If I get a bank loan (which is dearer initially) I own the car after the loan is paid off or partly paid off and am in a better position when trading up. What collateral do I have with PCP?
Briege Renaghan (Dundalk)
Feb 2016 Filed under: finance
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