Promotion crux; Bonus car? Just the job; €5,000, €10,000 budgets

Aidan Timmons and Motoring Editor Eddie Cunningham team up to help readers make the right choice with their next car. Aidan visits dealers all over the country to produce a monthly guidebook on the values of used cars. He is co-editor of Motor Trade Publi

I DON’T know what to do about changing my car. I recently got a promotion, which requires commuting 170km a day. I have a 2010 Golf 1.2TSi petrol. It has done only 79,000km. It’s quite good on fuel at €60 a week. Should I change as it’s pushing on in years? I recently went to look at a Kia Sportage. The dealer is giving me €8,000 for my car and dealing at €24,000 for the €32,000 Platinum trim. However, my concern is, will it be as good on fuel as the Golf? The dealer says it’ll do 55mpg. Or should I drive my Golf til it dies? I’d love some advice as I’m torn.

Aidan: Your cost to change of €3,000 a year is damn good. Your new annual mileage is more than 40,000km, so you are firmly in diesel territory. You could test the fuel efficiency of your Golf for one month to see how it fares and potentially run it into the ground. However, I think you will find that a diesel will be more fuel-efficient on long motorway spins. Besides, once things start going wrong, you are faced with ongoing comparisons between the merits of fixing the car you have and moving to something else. The Sportage is brilliant, absolutely no doubt about it, but look at the Hyundai Tucson too. It has a five-year warranty, but it is for unlimited mileage, whereas the Sportage expires at seven years or 150,000kms, which is a little over three years for you. It wouldn’t turn me off the Sportage, though. It depends on how long you intend on keeping the car. You will likely breach the mileage threshold of a PCP deal, so go hire purchase instead.

Eddie: Why do you need an SUV? Is it because of your lifestyle needs or is it just because you can and because everyone is buying an SUV? If you are, follow Aidan’s advice and try those two motors. My instinct is that a diesel saloon, a VW Passat in particular, would be a better option for you. Also look at the Ford Mondeo, Toyota Avensis, Opel Insignia and definitely look at the Mazda6. Drive a couple before making your decision.

I am lost. I drive about 30,000km a year, much of it on motorways. I have a 2006 Skoda Octavia diesel (bought secondhand) that’s done 320,000km. I love it. But it is becoming expensive to keep roadworthy — the motor tax does not help. I am due a bonus in late February and have decided it’s time for an upgrade. I am utterly clueless. I am agnostic on brand, colour, style, etc. I need it to be big enough for my three children. I hear scare stories about no market for diesels in five years’ time. I hear electric cars are not capable of the distances I do. I hear the choice on hybrids is limited. I am tempted to stick with what I know and buy another Octavia on hire purchase.

Aidan: EVs won’t work for your circumstances. As far as I am concerned, There should still be a healthy market for keenly priced, used diesel cars for the foreseeable future. Many of the questions we get are from people who travel distances beyond EVs’ capability and petrol’s efficiency, and it will take more than a few years for a healthy supply of high-range EVs to hit the used car market. You need a diesel car for your motorway jaunts. If the Octavia fits your family life, then go for another one. If it’s becoming too cramped for your children, then upgrade to a Superb. Keep it simple.

Eddie: Skoda you have, Skoda you should get again. I’d lean towards a Superb diesel. Loads of room, plenty of power and good value.

I am changing jobs and wouldn’t mind a bit of advice on a new car. I drive a 1999 Toyota Yaris 1-litre petrol with 200,000km. I’ve had it for nearly 12 years and it’s been a great servant (I commute daily via public transport to work). With changing job I need to upgrade to a car that is more fuel-efficient and suitable for a daily round trip of 85km cross-country. I do some urban driving at weekends and a 400km round trip every two months or so. I have a budget of around €10k/€12k and my annual mileage will be around 25,000kms. I have no seating requirements or fuel preferences, but ideally I would prefer a 5dr hatchback.

Aidan: I get a bit of stick from pals in the trade for regularly recommending the Toyota Auris, but it’s hard to ignore when its availability is generally excellent nationwide, the dealer franchise is well-established and the product itself is good. Forget best specification. Basic Terra models are fine. Go for the newest, lowest mileage Auris you can find. That will mean concentrating on 2013-plate models and maybe some 2014s. It makes sense for you. For variety, go for a Ford Focus. There are oodles of them so you can be choosy. The same rules apply as with the Auris. Even standard Edge and Edition models are well-kitted.

Eddie: Here’s four to choose from: Toyota Auris, Volkswagen Golf, Ford Focus and Honda Civic – all diesels. A fresh Civic with the 1.6-litre diesel would be a decent buy.

I am driving a 00 VW Bora 1.9 diesel but, as you can imagine, the insurance and the car tax are excruciating. I used to drive for work so it was economical, but since changing jobs I’ve no need for such a big engine. I do about 10,000km a year as I travel around the country a bit at the weekends. I want something a little smaller – not fussy on any make or style. A mechanic said I might get a grand for the Bora as a trade-in. Budget is about €5,000. I would like to aim for the new tax bands (08/09) if at all possible

Aidan: Be careful here. There is a higher concentration of junk at this level. Find the best Mazda3 you can and have it properly examined by a mechanic – worth the few euro. Ensure you get the registration number and use it to buy a vehicle history report. That is crucial. It means you can fact-check the seller’s information and peek behind some of the non-personal details of the car without the seller knowing. Also, look for a Nissan Note or even a Tiida. The latter is not a pretty car but it is functional. Make sure it has a good service record. Or maybe even a Mitsubishi Lancer if it hasn’t been abused or has astronomic mileage or patchy service details.

Eddie: Buy a well-minded Toyota Corolla, Mazda3 or Honda Civic. Absolutely vital it has a service record. Don’t buy anything without one under any circumstances. As Aidan rightly says, danger lurks at every corner of the low-budget market. But these three cars have good records.

I qualify for the disabled passenger scheme. I drive a Mercedes E220d (162 reg) and drive 12,000km a year (current mileage is 20,290 km). I enjoy my comfort and my technology but avoid paying for extra spec. I need a saloon, and the front passenger seat needs to allow flexibility for accessibility by my disabled family member. Lots of leg-space is needed – and the boot needs to facilitate a big wheelchair – so, very roomy. I have two issues to consider before changing my car in July (for a 182 reg).

1. Is hybrid now the way to go now? If so, which make/model is best?

2. Should I consider the UK? My max budget is €5,000 with my car as trade-in, or I may sell my current car privately. I’m not sure yet.

Aidan: I am not sure how the cost to change will wash out with your disabled passenger scheme but let’s say that something akin to your E220d is still attainable. So, a budget somewhere in the mid50s. I realise you are more suited to a petrol car but the E220d is still all the machine you need. Why pivot from it? If you fancy a change, then the Lexus GS300h Luxury hybrid model is where I point you. It’s got the interior space you need but double-check the boot to ensure the wheelchair fits comfortably. SUVs are out, so for me, it’s another E-Class or the GS.

Eddie: I think you are changing too quickly and will lose a lot of money because €5,000 on top of your own car is in danger of getting diluted in the wash of wheeling and dealing whether you trade in or sell privately. Could you wait another year or 18 months from July? I’m just afraid your hard-earned €5,000 could be wiped out for little gain. If you have to change, do as Aidan suggests with another E-Class – you know the car.