Michael McAleer answers your questions
From J Doyle:
I drive a 2003 SAAB 9-5 Arc automatic diesel with 45,000 miles on the clock. This is my second 9-5 since 1998 and I have normally been very pleased with the model. However, recently I have felt some concern with the quality of the accessories in the car.
Driver seat sagging, two new visors, two sets of wheel nuts which have rusted over a couple of years, along with some internal panelling issues - I am fussy about my car. I plan to change it this year and wonder if you could recommend an equivalent model with the same price range and engine that I could consider as an alternative to the 9-5.
You have identified a niche in the market that is not really being filled: a mid-range diesel executive model in the 2-litre range with a price of about €50,000.
I would query whether you actually need a diesel. Your average mileage is just over 15,000 a year and you need to estimate the potential fuel saving with the extra price you pay for a diesel version. It's simple to do and may I suggest that you don't use the car enough to warrant paying the diesel premium that car companies charge. If you are to stick with diesel, then your choices are rather limited. The Saab has a good premium pedigree and will sit beside the trio of German high rollers without looking out of place.
It's also very well equipped for its price, something that will strike you when you do a direct price comparison with its German counterparts. I would argue that the German models like the BMW 5-Series, Audi A6 and Mercedes E-Class are probably better drives, but you spend a lot on the premium design and the badge up front rather than the comfort features inside the cabin.
Starting with Audi, the engine and transmission configuration on the A6 don't suit your needs. Although the 2-litre entry-level diesel comes with multitronic, it's not the best Audi transmission. Tiptronic transmission is only offered on the 2.7-litre TDi diesel.
The BMW 520d is within your price bracket, but add an automatic gearbox at €3,030 and a few creature comforts and you will end up leaving the showroom some €60,000 lighter. Mercedes is also marginally outside the price range, with the E220 Cdi starting at €60,640.
If you were prepared to move into the likes of the BMW 3-Series or Mercedes C-Class market then there are more options, but you are sacrificing a lot of interior space compared to the 9-5.
One alternative is to opt for a Volvo S80. The 2.4-litre D5 diesel version may seem big for your needs but it sells for €56,000 with Geartronic automatic transmission in standard specification.
For me, the choice would be between the Volvo and the BMW, although the Swede seems better value. Alternatively, opt for the wider range of petrol models and you will find you have more to spend on the options list.
From MD, Co Dublin:
The trade-in price I got for my 2002 Nissan Micra was nearly €1,500 less than what similar cars are going for in the classified ads. I feel like I've been robbed. What can I do?
Approach the dealer and ask them to justify the difference in price. It's only to be expected that the sales price would be higher than the trade-in price he gave you - that's where his profit margin is. There is also the fact that he offers a warranty as opposed to the private sellers selling their cars quickly. I would also look to any discount you received on the new car you bought. Remember, it's not about the trade-in price, but the cost of change. Dealers will often play up to customers who are proud of how they kept their car, but will not budge on the new car's price. Another customer, more concerned with discount, may find the new car price falls but they don't notice that their trade-in price is relatively low. Both customers end up with the same cost of change, but created in different ways to suit the customer's personal interests.
You could complain to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) if the dealer does not satisfy your query. If there is a lesson to be learned, it's the trite but true mantra of modern Ireland: shop around.