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Previously answered questions

What is the Atkinson Engine and is it any good?

What is the atkinson engine, and how does it perform compare to other engines?

John Carey (Clogheen)

Aug 2011 Filed under: hybrid

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WIll I buy now to get the best deal on a Volkswagen Golf?

Hi Paddy,

I love the site and your reviews for the irishtimes. Just looking for some advice. I'm buying a new VW Golf for January delivery. First time buying a new car. I'm getting the Edition-R 1.2TSI 105bhp with some options like MFSW, privacy glass and auto lights/wipers. Have you any tips for haggling with dealers?

I've shopped around to about 5 of them and the price in Dublin is much the same - none of them would budge, cost to change for me is about €21k (though I have been offered a better trade in price outside the pale). Also, I was told that Volkswagen are holding a dealer conference in October where some changes are likely to be introduced to the range, and also that VW may increase their 5.9% finance rate - have you heard anything about this or know what kind of spec changes are coming for the Golf? Would I be better off ordering before then and getting the dealer to hold it for me?

Many Thanks, Eoin.

Eoin S (Dublin)

Aug 2011 Filed under: choosing new car

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When should I service my Kia Cee'd diesel?

How often should I get my diesel car serviced?  It's a 2007 Kia Cee'd 1.6 CRDi. I got it serviced in May this year. The garage recommends it gets servived every 10,000 km. I've now done 12,500 since last service. Theres 80,000km on clock. Money tight at the minute so wondering could I stretch it for another 2,000 km or so?

Lorcan Tobin (Dundalk)

Aug 2011 Filed under: servicing

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Will older cars get on the new tax system?

Are the government ever going to put older cars in the new tax system? Some one was telling me older cars will be treated the same in tax as the post 08 cars. 

James Brady (Clonsilla)

Aug 2011 Filed under: taxation

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Why is my car worth so little?

Please help! My local Ford garage offered €9,000 trade in for my 2-year old Fiesta 1.4 automatic, 17,000 miles against new 2 litre Focus Ghia automatic. . My friend was offered €11,000 for her 2 year old Focus 2 litre automatic 20,000 miles against new Focus Titanium. Both cars were originally bought in this garage.

Changeover date for both cars Feb. 2012. Can such apalling values for our cars be correct? We are going to shop around but we have no idea what figure we should be looking for. Please , please give us your opinion. Regards, Teresa

Teresa Joyce (Ennis, Co. Clare)

Aug 2011 Filed under: used car values

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When is the timing belt due on a Peugeot 807?

When is timing belt due for change on peugeot 807 and what else has to be done with it?

Padraig Sinnott (Donard)

Aug 2011 Filed under: servicing

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Why am I losing power after changing the spark plugs?

Having changed my spark plugs and leads my car loses power after about 10 minutes of driving. What could be the problem?

Jason Valentin (Sprighill)

Aug 2011 Filed under: fault

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How much should a dent cost to fix?

How much would it be to repair a dented boot door from a small rear end accident? No paint damage, just a boot door dent across the width of a car bonnet.

Mark White (Kildare)

Aug 2011 Filed under: paintwork

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What car to replace my 5 Series?

Hi guys. Might be a tricky one as its really a matter of opinion but i'm trying to replace a money pit '01 BMW 5 Series with something a little cheaper to run.

I've about 8 to 9k to spend on something in the Mondeo/407/Passat region. Has to be Diesel. I'm not too pushed about mileage as age is more of a concern reliability wise. Obviously very little compares to my current motor for comfort and build quiality but any major flaws you know of with cars that class would make the decision a bit easier.

For instance i've heard the Passat has major issues with it's electronic handbrake, A/C, and electrics and the Rover 75 may be tricky for parts. Obviously any recomendations would be personal taste but i'm stumped so any help would be much appreciated. My only absolute no is the Vecta. Been there. No interest in going back. All suggestions greatly appreciated.

Gar O'Neill

Gareth O'Neill (Drogheda)

Aug 2011 Filed under: choosing used car

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Can I change the county registration?

Hi, I heard from a mate recently that its now possible to change the county of the car reg eg Dublin to cork. Is this correct.

Jim O'Sullivan (Co.Cork.)

Jul 2011 Filed under: registration

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4,944 Irish motoring queries answered to date

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