HELPDESK:Answering all your motoring queries, is PADDY COMYN
From BD, Dublin: What percentage reduction could a cash buyer hope to get from the list price of a new car in the €25,000 range without a trade- in and without a scrappage deal?
There is no hard and fast rule when it comes to cash discounts on new cars, but as a rule of thumb we would say that you should hope to negotiate about €1,000 off the price of a new car in this price range as a cash buyer. A lot of this would depend on what you are buying and also when you are buying it. If you are buying a car that is in demand, with a long waiting list for it, there might be no desire from the retailer to give much of a discount as obviously any discount off the price is eating into their profits. But as a cash buyer, without a trade-in – which would generally have to be serviced and valeted before being sold again – you are in a very strong position. The key thing is to shop around. Don’t just accept one price and make sure to use the price from one dealer to negotiate with another.
From AB, Castleisland: We are going to avail of the scrappage scheme to buy a new car. Our main needs are great storage – we cart around jogging buggies, bike trailers and hiking backpacks. A car from tax band A would be preferable (if such cars exist in the A band).
Because of storage needs we have been looking at seven-seaters (although we just have one child, we love lots of storage capacity) and my husband spotted one we both like (the Ford Grand C Max). We really like the sliding back doors and particularly the tinted back windows – keeping the sun out of our two-year old daughter’s eyes is a constant struggle. It is a bit out of our price range (though if really worth it, we could stretch.) What would you recommend? Also, is there something similar to the Ford C-Max, but cheaper?
Well, for a start, you have forgotten about the new Mazda5, which could be right up your street and it comes in at €2,000 less than the Ford C-Max which you have been eyeing-up.
It is a really impressive car and has a 1.6-litre diesel engine, which is frugal and puts it into tax band B. It isn’t quite as impressive as the C-Max to drive but it is well equipped and feels like a very high quality product. €24,995 will get you the entry-point into the Mazda5 range and we think it’s a really good car and would seem to suit your needs.
While it doesn’t have sliding doors, you simply must try the Peugeot 5008. That would make a great buy, especially if you want something with lots of space. It is also quite good value.
Overall we do really like the Grand C-Max, but for your needs then perhaps the Mazda5 is the best solution.
From PC, Ennis: I am considering replacing my 1998 Toyota Avensis with a diesel/low-tax model as I have a daily commute of 100km. Option A is to go for a Corolla diesel under the scrappage scheme or buy second-hand from around 2007-2008. Is the scrappage real value and what is the best scrappage deal available? Or is a second-hand model a better option if I can trade in my Avensis?
For a start, looking at the prices of 1998 Avensis models, you would most likely be better off going with the scrappage scheme. You can get €3,360 off the price of a new Corolla, which is much more than you could hope to get for either selling your 1998 Avensis privately or trading it in against an older second-hand model. The cheapest new Corolla you can get is from €17,775 with scrappage.
If you decided on a 2007 or 2008 model, then you might get €2,000 for your 1998 Avensis. A 2008 Corolla diesel would cost you €14,750 and a 2007 model would cost you €11,995 or perhaps €9,995 with your Avensis. Obviously these are our estimates on values.
Obviously the newer car will feel that bit better, but there are so many decent low-mileage Corolla models around that perhaps it would be worth looking at some of these, because the savings are pretty significant overall. We would also caution that you need to move quickly to avail of the scrappage scheme to ensure that you can get delivery of your new car in good time.
Send your queries to Motors Helpdesk, The Irish Times , Tara Street, Dublin 2, or e-mail motorshelp@irishtimes.com