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Previously answered questions
Renault Clio or Toyota Auris?
Hi,
I am looking at purchasing either a 2015 Renault Clio 1.5 diesel with 88,000km on the clock or a 2013 Toyota Auris diesel with 196,000km on the clock for €8,500. I used to drive a Peugeot 207 and currently renting a Clio until I buy a new car.
I drive a lot for work and need a good seat (neck issues) and something that is economical on fuel. I'd really appreciate your advice on which is the better car in the long run. My budget is €9,000, which I know is low for a decent car.
Ciara Conway (Galway)
Nov 2024 Filed under: choosing used car
Which Toyota should I go for?
I do slightly over 15,000km/year. I want to get a new or rather 'new' second hand car. I was thinking Toyota Avensis diesel. But I've heard about issues with the newer engine. And I'm not sure I need a diesel at all. Could you suggest a reliable second hand saloon/SUV with a decent engine? I was considering the C-HR also or a hybrid in general. Any guidance on even the fuel type I should go for would be a help!
Thanks
Stephen Kelly (Dublin18)
Jul 2024 Filed under: choosing used car
Should I buy a hybrid BMW 5 Series?
Hi folks,
I'm thinking of changing my car to a BMW 5 Series. The prices of the hybrids are considerably less than the diesel models, and since I do low mileage anyway, the hybrid would probably fit the bill better. I'm looking at 2020 models, but the problem is they have around 100,000 kilometres on them, and my mechanic said under absolutely no circumstances should I purchase one, as the batteries are a ticking time bomb...
My question is, do you think they're that bad, considering there are so many of them visible on the roads? I intend to keep the car for five years, and around 200,000 kilometers. Can these batteries last 200K? I have read horror stories of batteries costing 10s of thousands to fix, should they fail and that's simply out of the question.
I'm currently driving a diesel Passat, which my mechanic tells me is a far better car than the BMW. Any help would be hugely appreciated.
Thank you
Daniel Dunne (Castlecomer)
Jul 2024 Filed under: choosing used car
Looking to buy a 2015 Hyundai ix35...
Hi
I'm going to buy a 2015 Hyundai ix35 1.7 diesel SE Nav 116hp (72k on the clock). I was wondering if it had a timing belt or chain. Also if there is anything I need to look at when viewing?
Many thanks in advance
William Morgan (Bradford)
Mar 2024 Filed under: choosing used car
Should I buy this Golf with no service history?
Hello there,
I am interested in buying a used 2018 VW Golf from a dealership. The dealer is SIMI registered. The car ticks all the boxes, but it does not have a service history. They only have hand written info in the car servicing booklet (no stamps from mechanic/dealership) and there are no receipts. The car has 120k on the clock and the dealer has said they know the previous owner and they replaced the timing belt at 100k, but there is no receipt of this work being done.
Should I avoid the purchase or take the dealership at its word?
Karen Devlin (Galway)
Nov 2023 Filed under: choosing used car
Should I buy a Maserati Quattroporte?
I’m in the process of changing my car, which is a 2018 Mercedes E-Class saloon - diesel - and a 2015 Maserati Quattroporte 3.0-litre diesel with low mileage has caught my eye. My concerns are about the maintenance cost and reliability of such a different kind of car. Or am I mad? I’d appreciate your professional opinion on this.
Thank you
John Muldowney (Kilkenny)
Jan 2022 Filed under: choosing used car
How is depreciation worked out?
How is depreciation worked out for cars and who decided on a percentage figure?
F D (Dublin)
Oct 2021 Filed under: choosing used car
Which 2018 car for commuting?
Hi guys,
I'm currently driving a 2014 Mercedes C-Class. I'm looking to upgrade to something 2018 up and maybe move up a class. I'm open to any make/model. I have a big enough commute: 150km a day four days a week. I live in Northern Ireland so I am lucky I get it slightly cheaper.
What would you recommend?
Brian McElroy (Northern Ireland)
Aug 2021 Filed under: choosing used car
Thoughts on this Audi A1 TDI?
I'm thinking of buying a 161 Audi A1 1.6 TDI with very low mileage - only around 18,000 miles done. It has had two owners, one for nearly nine months and one for six and it looks like the rest of the time it has been at a dealer's for sale. It's clean inside and comes in at €15k. Other ads for sale have much higher mileage for similar price. It looks at one stage like it has been at a dealer for nearly three years and has currently been for sale for almost a year with the dealer (from car history report). It's due an NCT and the dealer is giving six months' warranty. Is buying a car that was idle so long a good idea and does it sound too good to be true?!
John Murphy (Clonmel)
Mar 2021 Filed under: choosing used car
Which BMW 520d to go for?
Which would your pick be, a 2017 BMW 520d M Sport Saloon or a mid-2018 520d SE EfficientDynamics Saloon?
Ben Taplin (Dublin)
Jan 2021 Filed under: choosing used car
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