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Previously answered questions

Which is the most comfy car on Irish roads?

1) Which is the most comfortable car on Irish roads considering seating, seat height, and road bumps (mainly interested in medium/large cars)?

2) Have you any reports on the Toyota Prius?

Pat Walsh (Claremorris, Mayo)

Sep 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

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Do you know the price of new Skoda Kodiaq?

Do you know the price of new Skoda Kodiaq?

Dana Batt (Ballinrobe)

Aug 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

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New Opel Insignia or Ford Mondeo?

Which is the better car, the new Opel Insignia SE or the 2017 Ford Mondeo? We are considering changing our 2007 Opel and both of us are in our 60s so need a good comfortable car that will last us and trouble free. Budget maximum €32,000.

Bridie

Bridie Dollard (Portlaois)

Aug 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

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Best seven-seat diesel SUV right now?

What is the best seven-seat SUV with a 2.0-litre diesel engine?

Anthony Crean (Gorey)

Aug 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

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BMW 520d, Volvo V70 or Mercedes E 220?

Which would be a better car: BMW 520d, Volvo V70 or Mercedes-Benz E 220?

Willy Boland (Ballinasloe)

Aug 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

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Which comfy car for a retired couple in Tralee?

We are a retired couple, 70 and 68 living in Tralee Co. Kerry and in need of a new car.

Our 16-year-old Toyota Corolla is coming to the end of its trouble free life; the choice of a Toyota was decreed by circumstance, we bought it new, found it a bit 'light' and would like a 'heavier' car with firm and comfortable seating. Can you recommend something?

Please do not recommend a new Volkswagen; to buy one we would need to buy it from the sole Volkswagen dealer in Kerry and after our terrible experience with this dealer we would never, ever buy a car from that dealer again.

Our budget would be about €18,000/20,000, non diesel as we do not do enough driving to justify a diesel car. Can you recommend models of cars we should consider?

With thanks and good wishes

Yours sincerely

Mary G. Johnson

Mary G. Johnson Johnson (Tralee. Co. Kerry)

Jul 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

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Will Audi Ireland offer a 2.0-litre petrol A3?

Does Audi Ireland intend to offer the new 2.0-litre petrol engine in the revised A3 range?

Gary Murray (Dublin)

Jul 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

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I'm tempted by a new MPV for under €30,000.

Hi guys,

I am looking to replace my Renault Scenic automatic (06). I do about 10,000 miles a year. I know I am probably going to get a very low trade in for a car this age... Do I buy a new car and get a decent €3,000 or €3,500 trade in allowance? (If it's new it needs to be under €30,000) Or do I buy a second hand car?

Ideally I would like a seven-seater (I wouldn't rule out a five-seater just yet). If it is used I do not want anything older than 2013. the most important factor is reliability, as this next car needs to do me at least 10 years, and be very economical (in terms of fuel consumption and tax). It needs to be a manual car, too - I have an automatic at the moment, but I want to revert back to a manual transmission.

I am looking at the Ford Grand C-Max or the Toyota Verso. Which of these is more reliable? Should I be looking at anything else (not French ideally; I will not buy any other French car I think - I have owned three and had nothing but trouble)? I am also tempted to get a hybrid but for a people carrier does it even exist and what type of cost?

Thanks

Lurdes Power (Greater Dublin Area)

Jul 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

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Should I trade my Focus in for a new car?

My 2005 Focus needs about €2k of work to pass an NCT and stay on the road. Through scrappage I am being offered €5k for the car, making a new car in the region of €17k, so the cost of changing to a comfy, stress free new car is effectively €15k, no NCT worries and no bills next year.

Is it worth trading up now while €5k is on the table? The Focus probably has another few years in it, but I can't see past the hassle of keeping it on the road. What are the potential pit falls of sticking with an older car, and what savings does a new car offer over an old car?

Paul Campbell (Dublin)

Jul 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

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Audi A3 TDI or Toyota Auris Hybrid?

Hi,

As our family is fleeing the nest, I am hoping to buy a new or nearly new slightly smaller and economical (possibly hybrid?) car. Changing up from a 2009 Toyota Avensis 2.0-litre high-spec diesel with 98,000km on the clock. Do about 15,000km per year mostly in the city and trips to Wicklow, and odd long trip to West Cork for pleasure.

Not sure if I should go for diesel again, or hybrid. Is hybrid risky and will the residuals drop as newer technology comes onstream? Offered €6K by Audi for my Avensis (poor!) against a brand new A3 Sportback 1.6 TDI diesel (net after discounts and trade in = €25K) or €10k by Toyota against brand new 1.8 Auris Hybrid Luna (€26,225 + €575 + €180 road tax + €575 metallic paint = €16,980). Love the look of the A3 Sportback, but in my heart think Toyota is more practical for a privately run car. I am paying cash so am conscious I might have this car a while, i.e. five years.

Do you think a new car is advisable, or good demo, and also will the Audi be expensive to run?  

Thanks,

Linda DJ, Dublin

Linda Dwyer Joyce (Dundrum)

Jun 2016 Filed under: choosing new car

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4,966 Irish motoring queries answered to date

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