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Previously answered questions

What's the Honda FR-V like?

What's people's opinion on the 2008 1.8-litre petrol Honda FR-V? How is it on fuel etc, and are there any major issues with it?

Pam Sullivan

Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car

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I need a newer car with lower running costs. Help!

Hi,

I am currently driving a 2002 Peugeot 307 three-door 1.6 petrol with 63,000 miles on the clock. Having a son now makes the three doors pretty impractical and the car is expensive to run. I was taken in by Renault's recent ad campaign for the 'Carculator'. It compares all your outgoings on your car with the costs of running a brand new Renault. The problem is, although I could probably purchase say a new Mégane for about the same money per month as my current outgoings on the Peugeot, this involves a deposit of about €6-7k. The Peugeot is only worth about €1,500-2k at best in trade in and I don't have that much extra cash to throw at it.

This got me thinking though, I should be able to purchase a 2-3 year-old car that is substantially cheaper to run and still be able to make repayments on a loan. My current costs on the Peugeot are €514 on tax, about €900 on petrol to cover 4,500 miles annually, approx €600 on servicing plus it needs two new tyres at €130, and €55 on NCT. This comes in at €2,200 for the year. This is where I would like your help. I am sure there are cars that would cost €800-900 a year to run including all these costs, which leaves me with €1,300-1,400 to cover loan repayments for the year.

Can you suggest a car with low tax, far better fuel efficiency, low servicing costs that won't need an NCT for a few years and that with a €2k trade-in, will have relatively low monthly repayments over say five years? I know it's asking a lot but with your knowledge of the market, I hope there might be some possibilities for me.

Thanks,

Rowland (Dublin 5)

Rowland Crawte (Raheny)

Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car

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How much is my Volkswagen Passat 1.6 worth?

How much would I get to trade in a 2007 Volkswagen Passat 1.6 with 105,000km on the clock?

Peter Bowden (Cork)

Mar 2014 Filed under: used car values

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Ford C-Max or Toyota Verso?

Hi guys,

Which one of these family cars is better? Ford C-Max 1.6/1.8 or Toyota Corolla Verso?

Mossy King (Ennis)

Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car

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How much is my SEAT Ibiza worth?

How much is my SEAT Ibiza worth, or what should I expect on a trade in? It's a 1.4 Sport model with 108,000 kilometres on the clock, a new timing belt and water pump.

Thank you

Ann Wilson

Mar 2014 Filed under: used car values

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Is the 2008 Kia Sportage a good buy?

Is the 2008 Kia Sportage a good buy?

Jeff O'donnell (Waterford)

Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car

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With €4,000 what will I upgrade my Peugeot 206 CC to?

Hi, I have a 2002 Peugeot 206 CC, which I love but need a slightly bigger car. I am looking at a 2006 Peugeot 207 CC at €4,000 with low mileage (22,000 kilometres). Is this a good car to change to? Alternatively a small SUV would be good, but my max budget is €4,000. What do you think?

Many thanks!

Emma Webb (Dublin)

Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car

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Is the Chevrolet Cruze's engine the same as the Astra's?

The Chevrolet Cruze Diesel now has a 1.7-litre engine: is this the same as used in the Opel Astra?

John

John Delaney (Mountmellick)

Mar 2014 Filed under: diesel

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How reliable is the Hyundai Tucson?

How reliable is the Hyundai Tucson?

Simon S (Kildare )

Mar 2014 Filed under: reliability

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Honda Jazz or Skoda Fabia?

Honda Jazz or a Skoda Fabia, which is the better car?

Bernadette McGill (Dublin )

Mar 2014 Filed under: choosing used car

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4,944 Irish motoring queries answered to date

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